Yes, I know it’s been a decent while since I’ve posted. I feel bad about that. But guess what? I’m thiiiiiiis close to being finished with grad school! I just received an email from my advisor telling me that she thinks my thesis is well written. Can you hear my sigh of relief? Just a few minor changes and all will be complete. I submit the final piece on Monday. I can’t even believe this is all coming to an end. I was telling Pete the other night that it just feels like I’ve been working on things and taking classes but that they weren’t really pointing to anything in particular. Those feelings changed drastically when I went to the University last week to pick up my cap and gown and to order my hood. You better believe I’m attending the ceremony. For me, not attending would be like running a marathon without getting the t-shirt and medal at the end. It just wouldn’t happen! So, Thursday, May 16 I’ll suit up and walk my way across the graduation stage with my man in the crowd. I cannot wait.
With the completion of grad school means something that I find fairly exciting. I am actually going to able to blog far more often! No more technical writing draining me of all desire to create a single sentence. Nope. The only writing I’ll be doing is whatever writing I want to do. Not that I didn’t enjoy writing my thesis and doing all the research. I have quite a strong passion about my topic of teaching high school reading (it just doesn’t get the attention it needs), but I am ready to do what I want. I admit I feel a bit like a kid saying that. And that’s okay.
Now on to the truly exciting part of this last week. On Sunday morning, our dear Samuel was dedicated at our church. It was a very important morning for all of us. Being dedicated is a lot like being baptized. We are committing to raise him to love Jesus and to learn what the Bible teaches. The difference is that a dedication is more like our commitment, allowing Sam to make the commitment for himself when he is older. At that time, he can be baptized, if he chooses to do so. Following Jesus has made an enormous impact on my life. I want to teach both of my children to know the Jesus I know, a Father who loves his children even more than I do. One reason we chose the name Samuel was from the life we saw Samuel of the Old Testament live. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 tells the story of Samuel being dedicated in the church. “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord.”
. Isn’t he handsome? I couldn’t resist putting a tie on him. He was so good during the dedication, which took place during one of the morning services. Many other little ones were dedicated at the same time, including our dear, dear friends’ little boy Caleb. Caleb turned one yesterday. We’re praying that our families will eventually move to Africa together. That’s the plan for now But more on that later. (I need to add that to a list of future posts, now that I have the time.)
My sister took this photo while the rest of us were praying, revealing Ella’s crazy antics. Oh, Ella.
I love this photo, taken by our friend Zaundia.
Following the service, we all headed to Clyde Iron, an old iron works building-turned-awesome restaurant in West Duluth. Fortunately, we were alone in a back area so the kids could run. And run they did. Someday I need to put a pedometer on Ella. That girl just runs and runs.
Becky, Maira, Malena
Sam loved being passed from person to person. He’s such a good boy. Here he was enjoying eating puffs with Nana Olsen.
I couldn’t resist making a special cake for my Sammy on his big day. The banner says “Samuel Thomas Amani, fearfully and wonderfully made.” There are a couple verses that I often read for my sweet boy.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14
My brother, Jake, took my camera for a while and got some fun shots.
Here’s Malena.
I’m in love with this one of Ella and Auntie Becky.
And Maira dancing.
Then Sam got his hands on one of his favorite items: glasses. This time they were Uncle Jake’s.
I had to be sure to get a few photos of Sammy with his godparents. Here he is with Uncle Jake and soon-to-be Auntie Valerie. (They’re gettin’ hitched May 31!)
Pete had a crazy morning on Sunday. He was called in for a c-section at 4am, and followed with rounds immediately afterward. He made it home right before the service, changed, and got to the church a few minutes before the dedication. He was silently paged during the dedication and left right away. I’m so thankful he was able to be there for the dedication! He was eventually able to join us at Clyde Iron.
Auntie Kathryn flew all the way from Richmond, Virginia to see her godson on his big day. He had a great time cuddling and laughing with her.
Sam with Pete’s sisters, Kathryn and Kristin. They are the best aunties.
Here’s the whole Olsen family!
Papa and Nana Scott. I just love these guys.
And this little guy loves his Nana. Can you see the tiredness in his eyes? It was a beautiful day, and we were blessed to share it with our family.
We love you, Samuel! We look forward to watching you grow, knowing that Jesus loves you like crazy. I know He’s got big things planned for you, buddy!
Last month Pete & I took a flight down to warm and sunny Phoenix, Arizona. It was my first time there, and I couldn’t be more happy about the gorgeous weather. We went for Paden & Mindy’s wedding. Pete & Paden have been buddies since their college days at St Olaf. The kids stayed behind with Grandma & Grandpa Olsen, so it was just us. Dreamy.
Do you want to know what I did on the flight from Minneapolis to Phoenix? Slept. I slept the entire way, and not once did I need to walk a curious little Ella to the closet-sized restroom. It was magical. We took a cab to our very chic downtown hotel, but it was 8am so we had a few hours to wait before actually checking in. Instead, I lounged with a coffee and my computer on a cozy couch in the lobby. Shortly after our arrival, Pete left with the guys to golf. Don’t feel bad for me, thinking I was left behind. No, no, this was all a part of my plan. After an hour of time to myself, I walked across the street to a very cool salon and had my hair done. Mama was due for a highlight and cut, anyway, so the timing was perfect.
Friday night involved a short rehearsal at the church and then an outside dinner at an eclectic pizza place where Pete, my man who very rarely drinks anything other than a gin and tonic, actually found a wine that he likes. Don’t worry, I took a picture of the bottle. It was a big find.
I loved getting to meet more of Pete’s college friends. Paden is in the gray suit and his lovely wife is in the black dress beside him.
I’ve met Melissa before, one of Pete’s friends from before I met him, but over the wedding weekend I actually got to hang out with her. She’s so great! We had a lot of fun together.
On Saturday, we all headed to the church for a gorgeous ceremony in the oldest church in Phoenix. It just so happens that the bride’s sister is the pastor there!
How handsome are these guys? Especially the little one. Too cute.
The ring bearer with his dad.
I can’t post about Paden & Mindy’s wedding and not tell the story of how they met. Both of their dads are Lutheran pastors. (Mine is too!) Something like 30 years ago, a bunch of guys met in seminary and started getting together every summer at a camp with all of their families. It just so happens that one was Mindy’s family and one was Paden’s. They grew up together, but they never pursued anything romantically until a few years ago. I guess they were hesitant to even try dating since their families were so close. Isn’t that sweet? With so many Lutheran pastors and pastor’s kids at the wedding, I felt right at home.
How cute are these fluffy dresses? The little ones are also so cute at a wedding.
The wedding party went out to take photos before the reception at this historic site. Perfect backdrop for pictures.
Pete with his close college friend, Eric. These two had a great time catching up over the weekend.
I have a picture just like this from my wedding, except we never really figured out how to get mine up. Isn’t she beautiful?
For real, this reception was one of the chicest I’ve ever attended. It was on the hotel rooftop in downtown Phoenix.
And there was a cigar bar. We indulged.
What a joy it was to celebrate through the weekend with these two. I hope it isn’t long before we see them again. I love watching Pete when he hangs out with close college friends, and I would really like to get to know Mindy better. They are a beautiful couple.
Our Sam is home! He came home yesterday at about noon. We’re so happy to have him home, right where he’s supposed to be. He still has quite a cough, but he’s slowly eating more. And he’s sleeping a lot. Big sister is thrilled to have him home.
It’s true. Our little man has RSV, meaning he is having a hard time breathing and is coughing a lot. The really yucky part is that he doesn’t have any desire to eat. When he started that, we knew it was time to take him to the hospital. Pete took him in on Friday evening and he’s still there now, Sunday morning. Poor thing. He’s eating a little more, but it’s very little. He wanted to nurse yesterday but couldn’t stop coughing long enough to do so. He’s getting nutrients through an IV and occasionally gets a little help with his oxygen. Please pray that he’ll start eating today and that he’ll be able to come home very soon. The virus needs to run its course, but it can do that at home as long as he eats. I’ll update here when he does get to leave. Thank you!
I’m seeing a light. It’s at the end of a long, dark tunnel, but I’m moving closer and closer to it. Don’t worry, this isn’t the kind of light we want to avoid. It means that I am definitely seeing a light at the end of this long tunnel called my grad thesis. Wohoo! I’ve been away for the last four days writing and transcribing and writing and reading and editing and writing some more. We’ve had a lot of help with the kids and now Pete has had the weekend off to be with them, so I’m continuing to work. But as a writing break, I thought I’d post a few recent photos (even though I technically missed Friday by one day) since I haven’t been great about posting in the midst of all this writing.
Enjoy!
just playin’
oh yes! I love my feet!
waiting to see the doc at his 10 month NICU follow-up. it went well!
