Vacation pics

We took a few days off in Sumter spending time with family. Every year we have a big 4th family reunion/get-together on property that has been in my mom's family for generations...since Revolutionary War days. It's a neat way to keep our ever-growing families in touch and remember God's blessings through the years. We enjoyed the pond, the great food and most of all, the fellowship.

Rain is Funny!

Benjamin often surprises me at what he thinks is funny. Pouring rain is one of them. Ceiling fans are another. :)

Crib Wars

Well, we've delayed trying the crib again because our lives have not been on a normal schedule. We had Dayton and Erin and their kids here for a few days, then were both sick for a week, and then had company this weekend.

But now that things are back to boring "normal" again :) I decided to give the crib a try. It's not safe anymore to let him take naps on our bed, and he's outgrowing his bouncy seat. Last time I tried, last Friday actually, Benjamin and I both ended up reduced to tears. (Why can't he just be a normal baby and sleep in a crib? For a nap? During the day? While I'm right there by him??) Here's the deal. We had tried the "let 'em cry it out alone" method. He can keep it up for an incredibly long time, and all we accomplish is sleep loss for ourselves and a baby who thinks we've abandoned him. I decided it would be best to stay right there to let him know I hadn't just forgotten about him, I really wanted him to stay there and sleep. I gave him little spanks on the leg every time he started his mad cry. Yes, there is a difference between his teeth-bared angry cry and his sad cry. This was the first type. He was furious at me, though he'd been nursed, almost to sleep, and had played happily and busily until he was exhausted. He simply didn't like where he was.

Well, it was probably one of the most harrowing things I've ever done, but I left him in there, gave him little spanks when he screamed, and finally he calmed down. Finally. This had gone on for over an hour. By then I was feeling like a horrible mom and seriously wondering what kind of psychological problems my child had. I slumped down by the crib, exhausted and in tears.

He turned over. Grinned at me. Started laughing!!

I picked him up, since he obviously was wide awake now and ready to play again. At least he'd sort of stayed in the crib for a while.

I didn't have the courage or emotional energy to try again until today. He woke around 7:30, played, then started looking like he needed his morning nap. I made sure his tummy was full, then put him in the crib.

Same response...screams and trying to stand up. I stayed completely calm, knowing there was nothing that would hurt him and that sleeping in the crib, while I sang him to sleep, was perfectly fine for him. I kept singing calmly and when he stood up, firmly laid him back down. During the next 45 minutes, he went from all-out lung-belting to loud singing to quietly talking to himself to....asleep.

Since then he's taken his other two naps in the crib, too. He fusses a little, then eventually drops off.

:D :D :D

Quickie

Been busy lately but have to share an anecdote about Benjamin... he loves to drink out of our glasses of ice water, and now he thinks anything in a cup shape has something in it he can drink! He "slurps" his toy cups, empty containers we give him to play with, and this morning the empty oatmeal cannister. :D

He is crawling, cruising and standing for a few seconds by himself. He loves being mobile and playing with his basket of toys and cruising on furniture in the bedroom.

He was nine months old the 23rd. Now has 6 teeth, weighs 20 lbs, and 28 inches long.

Not a Cat Toy

Some of you know I have a desire to be craft-y but not a ton of skill. I've been trying to teach myself to crochet on and off for about three years. Well, I've solved the problem of uneven ends. WIth a circular rug there are no ends to mess up! This is my first attempt...a rug for Benjamin. Jeff said it's the best-looking project I've ever done. Which isn't saying a whole lot...most of the others ended up as cat toys. This one took about six hours to make, though I should be faster on the next. I used cotton yarn which has a nice clean soft feel. There's less stretch which makes it a little bit harder to work with, but the texture is really nice.

Benjamin at 7 months

It's hard to believe he's that old! Changes in the last few weeks: he now has two bottom teeth, scoots in circles (no crawling yet), can pull himself up to a standing position in the tub...dangerous!...strings long syllables together in sentences, says "mama" a lot (still not entirely sure he knows what it means), and walks when I hold his hands. Oh, and his new phase....yelling. No more screeching, now it's well-supported diaphragmatic yells. He's determined to be heard!

I've researched slings in the last couple of months, afraid I might be missing out with my el cheapo $13.29 Target navy blue Snugli. I came to the conclusion that, while it would be nice to have a ring sling to try as well, I'm probably fine with the Snugli. There is one big drawback, and that's the fact that I can't feed him while carrying him. Also, some babies might dislike being held in the chest-to-chest position. For him it's about the only position he'll tolerate. If it weren't for the carrier, I would never get anything done! I had a parent watch him during a lesson at my home, and she asked me how in the world I could do anything...he was squirming all over her arms and wouldn't be still. The Snugli is the answer. He spends 2-3 hours a day in it, and while he's hanging out, I vaccuum, empty the dishwasher, start dinner, and generally get things done. I love it!! I really don't see how people manage without some kind of sling or carrier.

I've come to believe Benjamin is, at least at some level, a high need baby., though maybe not as extreme as some. He is what you'd call intense. He laughs uproariously, cries loudly and passionately, always has to have something new to look at, is interested in everything. His legs, arms, or mouth are always in motion. Jeff and I don't know where he gets his energy! He never nurses quietly. He's always arching his back, flipping himself over (and then trying to nurse on his tummy....sorry bud, it doesn't work that way!). He cries if I try to feed him one second longer than he wants to be fed. He hollers in the nursery if the atmosphere doesn't suit him. He will not and never has calmly slept in a crib. He either has to be rocked and nursed into oblivion first, or nursed to sleep in our bed. I'm not patient enough to rock him for hours and then wake up several times in the night, so he stays in our bed. We tried moving him out, but he would wake several times in the night screaming, stiff as a board, and never relax the whole night. So for us it hasn't been worth it. Our co-sleeping arrangement works fine, and it's sometimes the only time dad gets to bond with him during the day. Ah, for a calm, quiet baby who took to the crib and sweetly slept anywhere. Not happening!! But we love his wide-awake, intense personality, and predict many interesting and adventurous disruptions to our lives as he grows older.

Plants Post

After reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Jeff and I have way too much gardening lust and way too little yard. My dad decided we needed a garden when they visited back in November, so we now have tilled, fertilized soil just beyond the lawn and TONS of turnips.
We ordered two types of tomatoes from seedsavers.org, a mail-order company that sells heirloom seeds. Heirloom seeds are varieties of flowers and vegetables that have been developed through the years and are in danger of being lost. The variety out there is amazing...fuzzy peach-colored tomatoes, tomatoes that look like bell peppers, tomatoes that are dead ringers for lemons, black tomatoes...we picked two of the less-exotic varieties. We also ordered cukes and bought some flower seeds from Lowe's.
Now we just need about five acres to plant it all in :)
Here are a few pics of our garden and some of the plants around the house. Houseplants are an inexpensive way to fill a corner! Actually the pots usually cost more than the plant...but at least the pot won't ever die :D

African violet getting lots of sun in the kitchen window












A shelf would be awesome there but a plant is a definite improvement!











Cukes and carrots growing indoors until danger of frost is over. I didn't know this but you need to help harden off seedlings by shaking them a couple of times a day or blowing on them. Then you can start leaving them outside for longer and longer every day. Right before you transplant you should deprive them a little of water. You're getting them used to the "real world" :D







Turnips and more turnips. The greens are actually pretty good fresh mixed in with romaine.





























Jeff stuck two garlic cloves in peat pots and they are growing about a centimeter a day.

Devos

I've been having trouble with regular devotions, so Jeff helped me out by subscribing me to a daily Bible read feed. I'm going through the Bible in chronological order (according to historical time) using the ESV.
It's nice because it's right there on my computer and I can read while rocking Benjamin to sleep in his bouncy seat. The link is:

http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/chronological

Benjamin 5 months 3 weeks

Some recent pictures of Benjamin.








































His favorite sleeping pose...hands behind the head like he's at the beach. :)

Benjamin at 5 months

Finally after all that drooling and gnawing, he's got a tiny sharp little tooth on the bottom front! He can flip over easily from back to front and vice versa, can grasp things with pretty good coordination, and is starting to hang onto me when I hold him. :)
Still laughs a lot and has a very expressive little face.
A favorite game now is pulling off his socks!

More Changes

The Basketball Court/Bedroom needed some help, so we moved the bed out of the corner where it was haphazardly wedged, and added some simple sheer curtains. ($12 each at Lowe's...I figured probably the same price as making them, and way easier). It's a big improvement, but we still need something on the walls. Something large...several of them. I am open to any suggestions!

The storage container on the right side of the bed is filling in as a nightstand right now. The baby toys are not part of the decor plan! We are storing the bookshelf for friends. They said we could stain it, but we haven't gotten around to it. There is that cool nook at one end of the room that I'd like to do something with. Just not sure what. The glider doesn't belong there, but I moved it in when I had the flu and haven't yet moved it out.

Joining the Gym

Jeff and I have always wanted to work out together, but, working at BJ, there were separate facilities for men and women. As newlyweds we used to drive over to the gym together at 6 a.m., but once we got there, we had to go our separate ways.
Lucky for us now there is a very nice Bodyplex just down the road with good childcare. Dues are pretty reasonable and you get free classes and a state-of-the-art facility. Sauna, bike room, aerobics room, a whole floor full of treadmills and elliptical trainers upstairs, plus weight machines downstairs. They sell smoothies and protein shakes in the lobby. The nursery is spacious and well-equipped and everyone we talked to there seemed friendly and happy with their job. So...after a trial cardio workout with my hubby, I decided to sign on.
I predict it will be a lot of fun. We're both doing something we enjoy doing (not the SAME OLD workout video) and we're doing it together, which bumps up the fun 100%. Also, he's really good at pushing me the extra mile. Or quarter mile. I started out easy b/c I wanted to be able to walk the next day!
We figured out we can probably work out together four days a week. Every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday we're going to do our best to be there.
After working out yesterday I felt this huge rush of positive feelings. It's just the endorphins, but I'd forgotten how exercising makes me feel, and realized how mopey, slow and "blah" I've been feeling. This will be a great change for both of us...and I'll (hopefully) soon have a few more clothes in my closet I can wear. :)

New Years' Resolution Update

I'm trying to keep myself accountable on these. Elizabeth, your dedication to WW is an inspiration to me, since I feel like a big flop in the eating right/exercise department!

1. Read at least 25 books this year. (Starting a third book this week. Did I mention I get a lot of reading done while nursing?)
2. Brush up on my knowledge of French pronunciation for voice lessons. (Haven't touched this yet; still looking for an easy, free way to do this.)
3. Practice guitar more consistently. (Getting some better, but need to pull out the guitar the minute Benjamin dozes off...)
4. Stick to my new cleaning regimen. (Doing pretty well here, except for the weeks I had the flu.)
5. Read Bible and have devotions consistently, every day, no excuses. (Pooey. It's been hit-and-miss at best.)
6. Pray nightly for requests God lays on my heart. (Have been slacking off ever since the flu. Ever notice how schedule disruptions can throw everything off?)
7. Work out. My goal is to start small with 15 minutes a day. (I am ashamed...)
8. Fix hot meals every night; even when I'm teaching, have something Jeff can put in the oven. (YES! At least I have success here. There's only been one night where Jeff had to cook.)
9. Find time for crafts or creative things. This could be a sewing project, a musical composition, poem, drawing, decorating project, whatever. (Yes! I'm working on finishing up curtains for the dining room, and also slooowly finishing a crocheted scarf that I started two years ago...LOL)
10. Keep a biweekly "date night" with Jeff where we can discuss financial, spiritual, and mental wellbeing. (Yes, we've kept this up.)

I will try to evaluate myself every month so I can see how I'm doing.

Chef Emilee

I'm not much of a chef, but here are some good 'uns I found that I make a lot (I won't tell you how much "a lot" is!) Thanks friends for sharing your recipes!

Italian Chicken and Pasta Dish
(this one I kind of improvised; we have chicken and pasta a lot and this is a nice spin on that)

Cook 2 chicken breasts in a tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with rosemary and oregano (or sprinkle in some pre-mixed Italian spices). Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces when done.

Cook enough spaghetti for two people, depending on your portion size. Drain and put in a very large bowl. Add a tablespoon of butter, a little more olive oil, more Italian spices and some parmesan cheese, and toss.

Add the chicken either on top of each plate of spaghetti, or mix it all in. I usually mix. You can also add in cooked snow peas for a complete meal.

This is really good with fresh rosemary and oregano if you can get it. :)


Lasagna

9 lasagna noodles, cooked according to pkg. directions
1 normal-sized jar of pasta sauce
1 pound of ground beef, cooked and drained (or ground turkey for lowfat version)
1 pound ricotta cheese (lowfat, or even fat free works well)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 pound grated mozzarella cheese

Combine pasta sauce and ground beef. Add a little salt (1/2 tsp) Place a small amount of mixture on bottom of a 9x13 glass baking pan, spreading to cover the bottom with a thin layer. Layer 3 noodles over sauce. Top with 1/3 of remaining sauce, 1/3 parmesan, 1/3 mozzarella. Top with 1/2 the ricotta by small spoonfuls. Repeat layers: 3 more noodles, 1/3 sauce, 1/3 parmesan, 1/3 mozzarella and rest of ricotta. Top with last 3 noodles, remaining sauce, parmesan and mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for one hour.

Boston Chicken

4 chicken breasts
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 T. lime juice (lemon works too)
1 T. honey
1/4 cup oil

Combine sauce ingredients. Either pour over chicken and cook in a covered pan (easy way) or put chicken in a baking sheet lined with foil, and baste every 10 minutes, baking in a 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes. Guess which way I always do :)

Wooster Chicken

Sprinkle chicken with about 3 T. worchestershire sauce, add some salt and sprinkle with dried rosemary. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice.

A Ramble about Heaven

Heaven has been on my mind a lot lately, thanks to Ashley, a wonderful student and friend who passed away last week. Heaven was so real to her. She told friends and family that she was going to miss them but she was "really pretty excited about going to her HOME home, a place with no doctors, no medicines, no misery." With uncomplicated faith, Ashley took God at His word and looked forward to the wonderful place Christ describes. The thin teenaged body I saw yesterday in the casket was NOT Ashley. She had already gone on her great adventure!

Two years ago I read Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven" and came away from it exhilarated and with my eyes opened to many new truths. Before reading this book I shared many common hangups about Heaven. Why do we believe so many wrong things about Heaven? Alcorn points out that one of Satan's main goals is to feed us depressing lies or half-truths about it to demoralize us.

One of those things I've heard from the pulpit is that "we can't even imagine what Heaven will be like." Actually, the Bible tells us a lot more about Heaven than is preached on or taught in most circles. (I won't spoil it...you have to read the book!) God not only tells us a lot about it, down to details of what it looks like, but He does want us to use our imaginations. How would you feel if you'd built a beautiful vacation home for a beloved friend, described some of it to him, and realized that he would not even allow himself to dwell on how wonderful it was? That he treated the fact of its existence in such a "spiritual" way that he wasn't excited about the waterfall out back or the great food you'd stocked in the fridge or the wonderful view from the veranda? No, God wants us to think about Heaven and look forward to it. One of the important jobs He's been doing since He left this earth is "going to prepare a place for us." Can you imagine what it's like if He Himself devotes His time and attention to it?

Another thing we hear sometimes is "we probably won't even know each other in Heaven anymore. We'll maybe occasionally remember something like 'Earth' but it'll even be hard to remember what it was like. We'll just be lost in worshipping Jesus all day long." Well, I sometimes have a bad memory here on Earth. But there's no way I'll be dumber in Heaven than I am here! Christ didn't come to earth and fulfill prophecies in minute detail, just to have us forget about it all in some sort of memory wipe! If Christ keeps His wounds received on Earth, then surely Earth's history, from Fall to Armageddon, is special to Him. So much of it is recorded in His sacred Word. We will remember it all. Remembering will bring Him glory.

Another idea we get somewhere is that Heaven is like Nirvana. I don't want to play a harp all day long in some trancelike state, do you? God has work for us to do once we're in Heaven. Consider the messenger who talks with John. John bows to him, but he stops him and tells John that he's one of John's fellowservants. Just another redeemed human, doing a job God assigned. We are told we will judge the earth. We will have positions of responsibility. We will learn in Heaven. The martyrs in Revelation ask God, "How long will this go on?" They ask because they don't have all the answers. I believe Ashley is now learning to be a better guitarist. With a perfect body and mind, free from the effects of the Fall, she can learn a lot faster than she could here!

I love the part in Alcorn's book about the new Heaven and new Earth. We were created as terrestrial creatures, and our fate is tied up with the Earth's. It was cursed because of our sin. It will also be redeemed with us. It is not wrong to want our feet resting on solid ground. It's built into us. On the seventh day God finished His work and said it was good. It is still good for man to live on Earth. This is why God is going to create a new, perfect world, as real as the one we know now (but so much more beautiful!)

The wonderful thing about the new Heaven and Earth is that it shows God's power. Not only does He rescue us, pulling us out of a sin-cursed world, but he redeems the sin-cursed world as well! Everything is restored back to how it was in Eden...perfect humans, perfect world, perfect fellowship with God...only better, because God Himself will come down to dwell with us permanently! Satan and sin did their best to destroy all, but the result will be something even better than Eden.

That takes my breath away and makes me want to read the book again! If you have a secret dislike of Heaven or think it might be boring or scary or too "ethereal," please read this book. You'll come away from it refreshed and excited about what He has gone to prepare for you!

I look forward to meeting my friend Ashley in heaven some day and playing guitar duets with her. Heaven is going to be that much more special because she is there.

An Inspiration

Today one of my students, Ashley, may be going home to see her Father. Ashley is 13 and has been fighting liver and lung cancer for the last three and a half months. She is a creative, gifted girl who plays the classical guitar well after just a year and a half of lessons. She also puts her own poetry to music and enjoys drawing and painting. Ashley is beautiful and to see her you would think she is older than her 13 years. I can think of no single word that describes her better than "inspiration." Her diligence, intelligence and creativity are truly an inspiration to all who know her. When I began teaching at Berean I decided to hold a practice contest to help motivate my students. Each student was required to practice 30 minutes 5 times a week. Many did extra in an attempt to win the contest! Well, Ashley had my chart filled full of "points" very early in the semester. I ran out of space on the chart for her, while many other diligent students had practiced extra, yet still had half as many points. At one lesson she wryly told me that she hadn't put in as much time as usual, because her parents had told her to stop practicing so much!

In the year and a half that I taught her I watched her grow up from a little girl to a tall young woman. Beautiful inside and out, she always had a lot to bring to her lessons and was a special, extraordinary student. I enjoyed hearing her play a difficult piece at last year's recital. She memorized it and played well. This was after about 7 months, prior to which she had never played a note! To have such discipline at 12 and 13 is inspiring and humbling.

Since they found out the news that she had cancer, this family has been through so much. Ashley has endured procedures and pain and disappointment. Today, I had the honor of talking with her on the phone. I am so grateful to her mom for allowing me this privilege. I could hear the beep of the monitor and her voice, muffled from tubes and wires. I could not understand what she said clearly but they told me one of the things she said was "you don't get tired in Heaven." Praise God that heaven is real to her and that she will be there when God calls her home.

We've been praying for a miracle, for her healing. We knew that God would answer this one way or the other. Now as I think on the realities of Heaven I feel a bit jealous...if God wills she will soon be in His presence, walking the streets of that city and seeing the River that flows through it, being reunited with loved ones, complete in Christ and surrounded by the beauties of heaven. And becoming a far better guitarist than I will ever be.

Ashley, I am grateful to have known you and so proud of you. Our hearts go out to you and your family. You've taught us so much, and we love you.

Nursing Strike

Okay, it wasn't an official nursing strike because it didn't last two days or more, but it was weird. I'm glad it's over now. Benjamin refused to nurse all day today. He was definitely thirsty, because he took a bottle right away and drank it all, but every time I tried to feed him he screamed and cried. My theory is that I've been sneezing and coughing a lot while he's trying to eat. That combined with me sounding funny and not being very playful with him probably meant he wasn't liking me too much.
After Jeff and I had given him some extra attention and (Jeff especially) made him laugh a lot, he seemed less fussy. I tried nursing him again right after he woke up from a nap, while also walking around the room. It worked...yes!
Anyway, nursing strikes are a strange thing but it shows you that babies really are in tune to even little changes in their environment! Benjamin tends to pick up on my mood...if I'm grumpy, he gets fussy.
It's coming home to me that parenthood really is a sanctifying experience. You can't have a bad attitude. Or things get a lot worse! Like they say, if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. And that leads to momma being MORE unhappy!

Sick

I didn't know you could catch things through cyberspace, but apparently you can. Thanks Elizabeth and Abbie!! The incredibly sore throat started Monday after teaching, and I called in sick the next two days. This stuff is no joke. Monday and Tuesday my throat felt like someone had taken a cheese grater to it. Now it's better but I sound like a 60-year-old smoker. A man. Who sings bass.

On a positive note, we did get some snow last night! It's nearly melted now, but we did take a drive around the neighborhood (with Benjamin, and no he was not in his carseat, I'm a bad mom) to enjoy it.

I've never dealt with a sick baby while I'm also sick myself, so thought I'd share some things I never even imagined that I'm sure other moms are familiar with!

1. You can't cough while nursing. I found out the hard way, and scared Benjamin so bad he wouldn't nurse again for a half hour.

2. You can't get a tissue for your runny nose while nursing. Move over Emily Post, I'm using my sleeve. Or a burp cloth. Or whatever's close.

3. Don't try to talk too much to your baby. Your new bass voice will scare and confuse him. Then again so will the fact that you're not talking to him.

4. If baby is also sick, be prepared to sleep in several different locations and contorted positions. I started out in my bed, moved to the nursery floor in a sleeping bag, and finally ended up (in the wee hours) in the nursing chair holding him, with my arm almost falling off!

5. If baby is also sick, be prepared to also nurse on the run. The only thing that may comfort your baby is bouncing and patting him, while also nursing. Pacing the room in this position is lots of fun at 2 a.m!

6. You are tied to fussy baby for the duration of the fuss. If you're thirsty, tough. Need to go to the bathroom, sorry!

7. The cool thing is, that, no matter how frustrated you are at your baby or how exhausted you feel by the end of the night, you will forgive him the minute he flashes those gums at you the next morning!

Happy New Year!

We had a great holiday, and spent time with Jeff's mom and grandmom, Mom and Dad, Ma Ma, Laurance and Kimberly, and Will and Laura. Seeing everyone makes me wish I lived closer! It was fun watching the cousins connect, even if Jonathan and Benjamin's first "play date" was a cry party! :D Boosie was so gentle with "Baby Benjen" and helped me fetch diapers and pacifiers for him. (She can say "pacifier." And "Ratatouille." Some of the other words are hard to make out but those are clear as day.)
We left the day before Christmas and came back the day after New Year's. After all the rush to decorate and get loose ends tied up before we left, we came back feeling like the holidays were over before they started! We did have a wonderful, relaxing time with family, though, and feel ready to start a new year.
New Year's day Jeff and I lit some candles and sat down to a planning session. Here are some of the resolutions I came up with. The best thing I've done for myself recently is made up a list of weekly chores and monthly chores (inspired by Martha Stewart's Homekeeping book, but leaving out any OCD parts such as dusting the smoke detectors!) I went for realistic and doable rather than perfect, and it feels great to know that "even though" the floor has cat hair on it, it doesn't matter, because I'm doing that TOMORROW.

1. Read at least 25 books this year. Finish up books I'm currently reading.
2. Brush up on my knowledge of French pronunciation for voice lessons.
3. Practice guitar more consistently. I'm doing a lesson every two weeks but still feel so unprepared every time.
4. Stick to my new cleaning regimen.
5. Read Bible and have devotions consistently, every day, no excuses. This has gone down the drain with unpredictable baby hours, but it's time to get serious.
6. Pray nightly for requests God lays on my heart. Jeff and I started doing this when my student was diagnosed with cancer. We keep it short but try to pray together every night before we fall asleep.
7. Work out. I have not exercised with any consistency since I found out I was pregnant! I'll have a bigger wardrobe and more energy if I can lose 10 lbs. My goal is to start small with 15 minutes a day.
8. Fix hot meals every night; even when I'm teaching, have something Jeff can put in the oven. I have 6 simple recipes to begin with. (Boring hot meal is better than no hot meal). Every month I'll add another recipe. That question "what's for dinner" will never make me cringe again. Or at least not as often.
9. Find time for crafts or creative things. This could be a sewing project, a musical composition, poem, drawing, decorating project, whatever.
10. Keep a biweekly "date night" with Jeff where we can discuss financial, spiritual, and mental wellbeing.

Congrats!

Congratulations to some friends, Letisha and Daniel, on the birth of their little girl on Christmas Eve! God is good...what a wonderful Christmas miracle. :)