Happy New Year!

We are solidly into January 1 of a new year. There will be many changes to come, both big and small, as there are every year. From our family to yours, we hope you had a merry Christmas and wish you a happy New Year!

My Sweet Girl

Last week I took a few pictures of my sweet girl in the backyard, now 13 months old. They said it would happen, the time would fly -- and they were right. Here are a few of my faves.

tmm

Endings, Beginnings, and Change

Today begins a new chapter in my life. In our lives as a family. Yesterday was my last day of full-time employment.

It is a decision I made - it was not forced upon me - but if you know me at all, you know how much I hate change. (Strangely, I rather like change of the coin-sort. Go figure.) It is the right decision for me, right now. I do not regret it, but I will miss my coworkers, my friends, my family... those whom I've worked with for over 13 years and love, whom I've celebrated with and cried with. I will still have a connection with them, working part-time from home, but it won't be the same. 

But it's the right decision.

And my reward is to see this sweet face each day.

tmm

First day at school

Today we went to my sister's new classroom to help her set it up. She will be teaching 5th grade this year. Yay! I'm so excited for this school year for her.

Annie got her first view inside the classroom of any kind and seemed to enjoy it. She didn't care for the chair so much, but was getting a grasp on grammar. You can see her contemplating the best helping verbs to use in her workbook. Watch out, world!

tmm

Final Weeks of My Pregnant Life

Here are the final weeks of my pregnancy. (I didn't realize how big I was until I looked at these pictures.) As you can see, I didn't make it to 40 weeks. But I thought it'd be fun to continue the pictures to the end. Annabel "Annie" Wren McMillan was born May 22 at 10:12pm CT. She weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 20-1/2 inches long.

Weeks 37-40

tmm

Grandfather Clocks

When Nate was in his early 20s, he and his dad were talking about grandfather clocks and how they both liked them and would love to own one someday. Nate said, "I'll tell you what. When I make you a grandfather, I'll get you a grandfather clock." Thankfully he had told me this early on in our relationship so it wasn't a surprise. But I did wonder if there was a creative way around it -- would a miniature grandfather clock work? What about a calendar of grandfather clocks? How about a grandfather clock kit? Nope, it had to be the real thing. We hadn't seen any around, but kept our eyes out (because how common are they?), even though I wasn't pregnant. 



At the end of September 2012, we found out we were pregnant! But since we're not very good at keeping secrets, we had to figure out how to announce it to our parents creatively yet obviously - and quickly. And there was the situation of the grandfather clock.

We stopped by a resale shop to see if they had any nice, affordable grandfather clocks. They had one that was beautiful, fairly understated, and affordable! After doing some measuring of it--and our car--we decided to get it. Hooray!

We decided to tell our parents in person by getting each of our moms Gerbera daisies to represent their grandchildren plus a red rose for their new grandchild. We gave a quick call to my parents to make sure they were home (they were) and to make sure Nate's parents would be home later that afternoon (they live about 2 hours away - they were planning on it). We stopped at my sister Lisa's and told her, then swung by my parents'. When we got there, we handed the bouquet of four flowers to my mom and told them they were to represent their grandchildren...all of their grandchildren. They counted the flowers and realized what it meant and were thrilled!

My mom with her flowers

We didn't stay long since we had to drive down to Nate's parents' still. While driving there, we called my other siblings to tell them the news (they were all thrilled).

In the meantime, Nate's family (his parents and sisters) had been pondering whether us coming down rather unexpectedly with "something to drop off" meant we had a grandfather clock with us...translating to another grandchild. Or maybe they were better off assuming it was puppy so they wouldn't be disappointed if we showed up with something not nearly as exciting as an announcement of an expected birth some nine months away.

While on our way, Nate's sister, Amy, called to tell us that she had to leave for church. We told her and she was thrilled to pieces to be an aunt again. When we arrived at Nate's parents', we got out of the car, went to the front door and were met by expectant looks of anticipation. Nate said, "You need to come outside to get it." Nate's dad hurried out to see what we had brought with us. Nate's mom quickly followed. Nate's sister, Karen, looked at me and asked, "Is it a grandfather clock?" "Yes, it sure is!" Hugs and tears followed. I also handed the bouquet of one dozen to Nate's mom.
 
Then the assembly of the clock commenced.

It looked like it was made to sit against their brick fireplace. And it has the most lovely chime.

Thankfully, Nate's comment about the clock only applied to his first child...because who really needs more than one grandfather clock?

Nate's mom with her bouquet

Nate and his dad with the grandfather clock

tmm

Butterflies and Blooms

We went to the Chicago Botanic Garden on the final weekend of their summer exhibit called "Butterflies & Blooms." We invited my sister's family to come with us and got there just before it started raining, courtesy of Hurricane Isaac. We were not disappointed by the beautiful butterflies or blooms. Hope you enjoy the beauty as much as we did. (Credit for butterfly photos goes to my husband.)

tmm

Commencement 2012

I know I’ve skipped the rest of Israel, among other blog-worthy events, but I promise I’ll come back to them. I wanted to briefly update you on a major achievement in our lives. As of May 12, 2012, we are both officially Masters! We each graduated with our Master of Ministry degree from Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago.

 

On the same day, our brother-in-law Jake (married to my sister Amanda) graduated from Moody Bible Institute with his bachelor degree in Pre-Counseling. 

 

And my dad graduated with his Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston. My mom was the only one who was able to travel to Boston for Dr. Boyle's commencement, but the rest of us were able to watch it online (and a few of us during MBI’s ceremony….gotta love technology!)

It was a busy day for all of us, but a great day to celebrate. And we’re all relieved to be done with the work – or at least I am! Haha!

Celebrating with four of our nieces: K, M, C, and G

Many of our family came to the ceremony - Boyles, Lewises, and McMillans

 

The question I’ve gotten the most has been, “So what are you going to do now with your free time?” An excellent question if ever I heard one.

Still working on that.

I realized that this past semester was the most intense one that Nate and I had. We didn’t have much time for our normal hobbies and stress-relievers (woodworking and baking, respectively). In the past week or so, we’ve worked on a woodworking project for my sister (I have the orange and blue paint still on my nails to prove it) and I’ve baked a couple sweets for my coworkers. I guess I’m trying to get my “fix” in before it ends. But what we’ll really do with the time, I’m not sure. I feel like I put a lot of life “on hold” for this semester, being in transition but not actually living. I am looking forward to living and enjoying life this summer.

I spoke a little bit about it on Moody Radio’s Midday Connection recently (May 18, 2012). And the inspiration for my topic of “Living in Transition” came from my friend Karen’s blog (this idea came from October 2011).

We’ve also been listening to baseball games on the radio, but that past-time doesn’t seem to be helping the team win. But we’re only a quarter into the season, right?

And with all of this free time, I should be able to get fairly up-to-date in the blog. Stay tuned!

tm

Overcoming Jet Lag and a New Niece!

I do not know how to overcome jet lag very well. Or perhaps it's that I don't actively plan how to overcome jet lag on my return trip home. Both Nate and I did very well overcoming jet lag on our way TO Israel. Not so much on the way back, though. Some may say it's harder to adjust from East to West. The truth is that we planned how we were going to deal with it going West to East and stuck to the plan; on the way back we just didn't care as much.

On the Mount of Beatitudes

I have many posts and pictures I want to share with you, but it will take me a little bit to get it posted here. Much happened in our hearts and minds while we were there. And I am anticipating this Passion Week being especially special since it is so recent in my memory, songs about Gethsemane or the Garden or the Tomb --- I was there!

Our new niece!

A day before we returned, we gained a new niece! We were able to see her shortly after arriving back to the US, pictured here at 3 days old.












tm

Christmas Project: Teacher Caddy

Here is another gift project for this year's Christmas. One of my sisters is a first-grade teacher. I drew her name for Christmas and she mentioned wanting a teacher's caddy (and then conveniently forgot about it, making it quite the surprise when she opened her gift!). She loved it!

Ready to paint

There's a compartment for paper or a binder underneath the caddy

The final coat

All of the drying pieces, ready to be assembled.

The final product, complete with removable little compartment dividers

Nate's sister, also a teacher, said she hopes we get her name next year. :)

tm

The Best Team Captain Eva...

My sister, Becca, was asked by her church's young adult ministry to write a blog entry for today. With her permission, I have reposted her blog below. You can see the original here.

the best team captain eva…

“Had it not been the Lord who was on our side….” (Psalm 124:2)

When I was a kid, I always knew who the cool people were. They were the most popular. I so wanted to be on their side. Their side was always winning. Whether it was in the game of kickball we were playing or the marker that was used to color a picture. It was the winning side.

But this side was so tricky. It only took a wrong look or word to cause me to be back on what was deemed the ‘wrong side’. That was one of the scariest places to be. It is so crazy to think that these simple playground rules can still be applied to our own world of which side to be on.

But now as adults, its more of a choice of looking at following the crowd or being on the side that does what is right – God’s side.

Recently I quit a job that was causing me a lot of stress and pain. I struggled for months about leaving. I worried how my boss would react.

Would I ever find another job?

Would my departure affect my resume?

Could I find work using my degree?

I had no idea what I was going to do. All I knew was that the Lord was going to provide. I needed to call upon Him. He was my help. Had it not been the Lord who was on my side I would have been in despair. Had it not been the Lord on my side I would have been swept away by the anger of others.

Do you make it through the day with the help of the Lord?

Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would have hit that car.
Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would have slipped on the ice.
Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would have spoken in anger.
Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would not have gotten that interview.
Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side….

He sustained me through the tough time and showed me comfort while I waited upon Him. He fulfilled my need of a job. My thanksgiving still rings true. The only side I want to be on is the Lord's! My “help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:8)
-Becca Boyle, Connect Flock Leader





 


tm

Christmas Project: Cradle Rockers

The gift for nieces C & K was a fun one - a cradle/rocker. It turned out great!

 

Add a blanket and pillow....

...and a niece and a baby doll!

tm

Christmas Project: Ornaments

We made several Christmas gifts this year. One of the fun and simple ones we made was very cheap because we had all of the supplies on hand, save the ribbon - oak log from camp, wood burner, lacquer, and saw.

Wood burning the design

Letting the ornaments dry after spraying the lacquer

Tie a red ribbon and it's ready for the tree!

Merry Christmas!

tm

Apple Picking

Fall is my favorite season. I love the changing leaves, the crisp cool weather, baseball ends and football begins, and the bake-able foods--specifically apples and pumpkins. We were able to go apple picking to a place I've gone almost for the past 9 or 10 years, Royal Oak Farm Orchard. This year I was able to introduce my sister, brother-in-law, and two nieces to it. We had a great time, despite the rain. We ate at the delicious restaurant, picked apples in the downpour, got some delectable apple cider donuts, fed the goats at the petting zoo, and rode the carousel. Great times were had by all!

Hitching a ride to the orchard

Fun despite the rain

"Come here, Mr. Goat. I have food."

Puddle jumping!

Carousel ride

Kalli grinned every time she passed her mommy.

 Lewis fam

And a few more pics in a collage (a few will be repeats, but they're cute pics).

tm