Stenberg Update

Life has been pretty wild with the Stenbergs these past months. And I have simply not taken the time to contribute to my journal (blog). So, here goes . . .

Family of Four!
Jack Thomas joined our family on Wednesday, Aug 11. He is a precious treasure - another sweet red headed boy. We are very excited to watch him grow, to see how he and his big brother become friends, and to figure out life with two boys. He came into the world at a whopping 10 lbs 3 oz! Dr. Beer told me all along she had a feeling he'd be a big boy. And as usual, she was right on the money. Jack was born by repeat c-section and it was such a different experience than his big brother's arrival just two years earlier. Everyone who had a second c-section told me it would be different and they were not kidding. Now to settle in to a new routine (eventually - keep reading to see what else is going on with us) and to become the family of four that God has designed us to be.



Building a House
Our new home is coming close to completion. We've been living with Mark's parents since Mid-March. They have been such a blessing to us. Callen has loved being with Grandma and Grandpa. I'm thankful for the time he's had with them.
Mark has been working SO HARD on our new home. It is just beautiful. I love everything about it and simply cannot wait to get in. Well, maybe I can wait a little while to recover from surgery before unpacking boxes! I have a feeling I will be taking many of you up on your offers to help us get settled. It will be hard, but I can imagine even now me just pointing . . . "That goes there. Put that here." HA HA HA



MandyBee Photography
I had a very busy spring/summer with photography and am looking forward to continuing to expand my business this fall. I'm excited to do senior portraits and family sessions. So let me know if you'd like to schedule a session! On the horizon - new equipment and new ideas!

Extended Family Visits
With the arrival of Jack, I am in high anticipation of my family visiting over the next few weeks. Callen will have the privilege of experiencing "Camp Gigi" as Angie B arrives tomorrow to help us out our first few days at home. What a wonderful blessing she will be. My mom and Aunt Debbie will come next week and stay for the weekend and then my dad will be here a week after that. Good times on the way.

On the Horizon
I'm looking forward to starting Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) this fall. I've only heard incredible things about this program and simply cannot wait to be a part of a weekly gathering of women digging into God's Word together. There is now a program for kids 2 and under, so the boys will be in good hands each Wednesday morning!
My life has had a gaping hole in this area these last few months. I know that my marriage, my family, and my relationships with friends have suffered because of my lack of commitment to spending the time I need with God. Jesus is so faithful, even when I am not. And for that I am more than thankful. I am looking forward to what God will do this year and I'm asking God to give me a new passion for Him.



So, that's the Stenbergs in a nutshell. I'm sure I forgot somethings . . . but come on, I did just have major surgery two days ago and am currently experiencing the joys of pain medication.

Here's hoping for a few more frequent posts . . . for the two or three of you who read this crazy blog!

Crazy Days

What are the Stenbergs up to these days?

We are expecting our second baby!

Baby Stenberg will arrive somewhere around August 11 or 12. The date is TBD and will be a scheduled c-section. We'll find out April 2 (Mark's birthday) if it is a boy or girl. Yes, we are finding out this time. We didn't with Callen and loved every minute of that. But I feel the need (with all the other uncertainties in my life these days) to know the gender of this baby.

We have moved in with Mark's parents.

We packed up all our stuff from our sweet little bungalow on Grand Ave and have stored most of it while we build. We are hoping to dig and get started on the house by the end of this month or early next. Slowly I am settling in to this new normal. There are certainly adjustments. Marilyn and Red (Mark's mom and dad) are amazing. They love having Callen around. He is having a little trouble adjusting - it is showing mostly in his behavior and the crawling out of the crib. So more transitions ahead - to a "big boy" bed and more.

As quickly as I was back on staff at Cornerstone, I'm going to be done!

With much wisdom, Troy (lead pastor) has decided that it is indeed time to have someone on staff FULL TIME to think about the Family Ministry. What a great move for our church! And that means that I can step down (again) and be at home with Callen and concentrate on these crazy days ahead. Cornerstone is our church home and we'll always be a part of what goes on there. This season of life just simply requires more attention on home and family than dividing it with work too. And the ministry at Cornerstone deserves to be led by someone who can give it their all! So at the end of this month, its back to full time mommy-hood for me.

Texas Vacation

We had a marvelous time with Angie B and Philip, Mom and Aunt Carolyn, Uncle Larry, CJ, and Caitlan Dallas. I also got to catch up with some great "old" friends from college and seminary. It was great to relax, enjoy time with family, shop fun stores, and eat WONDERFUL food. Mark and I even had a date night away while Callen hung out with GiGi (Angie). We ate at III Forks Steakhouse. It was probably the best meal I've ever had in my entire life.

Quick Trip to Arkansas

Not too long after we got home from our Texas trip, and in the midst of packing to move, I go a call from my mom that my Grandma Fowler (mom's mom) had passed away. She had been ready to be done with this life for quite some time. So it was one of those bittersweet times. Mark and I made some quick arrangements for Callen to stay in Ames (he was still recovering from Texas and an ear infection) and we made a drive to Arkansas. I got to see TONS and TONS of family (some I didn't even know were related!) and was able to say goodbye to my last grandparent.

Callen

Mr. Callen is quite busy. He is usually the life of the party. He is full of smiles and energy. He did quickly discover that he could crawl right over the edge of Grandma's crib. So we are in transition mode to his big boy bed, as already mentioned above. I'll take any suggestions. I just cut his hair last night. I think it looks just dandy. He does like his new room at Grandma's house. We had it all set up for him with his familiar toys on the day of the move. So he's doing OK. I can tell that he is still adjusting. I know it is also an age thing - how he is consistently pushing the envelope with his behavior.

Anyway, as you can see, these are crazy days for the Stenbergs.

Drop in!

Wow. I'm one of THOSE bloggers.

One who takes a month long (or maybe longer) hiatus and doesn't even really seem to care!

If you are one who checks this periodically and have maybe even stopped checking it . . . so sorry.

Facebook has sucked the life out of my blogging. I put pictures there and just go on with life.

I want to be better at blogging. You can say so much more here.

So, here goes . . .

A short update:

We've sold two houses in two months.

We will be moving in with Mark's parents while we build.

Callen is saying more and more words every day.

Callen had his first haircut.

My dad came for a Christmas visit.

We are headed to TX for a sweet vacation!

I started back to work part time at Cornerstone.

Life is good. Crazy at times, but good.

Here are a few pics . . .

Callen did SO great with is first haircut.


I absolutely love this pic!!!


But at the end, he was pleased as punch with his new 'do!