I've learned more from pain than I ever could from pleasure

Friday March 17th we had an ultrasound due to complications I had been having with the pregnancy and we found out that the pregnancy was ectopic(tubal)... This was very hard for us to come to terms with because the timing of the pregnancy was so perfect and it seemed so right.. But God had a different plan.. Even though going through things like this is so hard and it makes us question God, I know there is a reason for it. "I've learned more from pain than I ever could from pleasure" is such a true quote for me lately. Pain has taught me to be compassionate and kind in more ways than I ever thought possible.. It's made me more loving because I want to bring joy to others and I don't want them to go through pain. We all go through hardships but it makes it easier when we are not alone and when we are surrounded by love.. God knows that is what we need, and he provides that in those times. 

Baby #2!

Well we found out Sunday that baby #2 is on the way! We couldn't be happier! I had no idea and it came as a complete shock that this time around we only tried for 2 months and got pregnant.. We are just thanking the Lord every second. I find myself being VERY emotional and crying at the drop of a hat.. Tommy-- are you ready for this?! Lol. We are due October 29th and that is so perfect because Tommy will hopefully be home more! 😏☺️😆😍 I'm just so excited and can't wait to meet our newest sweetheart!

January 2016

Well Everett is now 18 months old and here are a few things I want to remember about this time in our life:

-He still only has 7 teeth!

- "bass" means paci (which he says often)

- says "dada" constantly

- says "mama" typically if he's crying lol

-when running he always has one arm flailing back and forth- but only 1 arm! 

-goes to bed about 7:30 and sleeps until about 7:00 or later on weekends! He's a great sleeper! No waking up in the night!

February:

Words he can say: 

Bye

Mama

Dada

Paci

More

Yeah

Night night

Bapa (grandpa)

Please

Juice

Poop

Shoes

Hello

Down

Growing up..

I know this is true.. I don't want to think of the worrying I will do when I have teenagers in the house. Motherhood is so heart wrenching 😢. So thankful I have the Lord to pray to and know he loves me and my babies.. What would I do without that? I love you so much Everett Thomas! 

Fall 2015

 The Leaper Family had another wonderful fall weekend. Yesterday (Halloween) we attempted decorating pumpkins. Mostly, we wanted Everett to enjoy painting a pumpkin which turned out to be a Pinterest Fail :( Oh well there is always next year! He didn't quite get the concept and just wanted to eat the paint.. It's all good, it was sweetened condensed milk mixed with food coloring! Then we went trick or treating with our little "Leaper" the frog. Tommy and I finished the night with the movie "Hotel Transylvania" which was so cute and funny! I look forward to watching those movies with Everett as he gets older (at almost 16 months he still doesn't do much sitting still for long). Today we had Elliette Winter's 2nd bday party in Park Rapids. It was a Curious George theme which was so cute! Everett mainly ran around and played a bit with other kids. After the party, we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house and Tommy sited in his gun. Deer opener is next weekend! Another thing that Everett will enjoy I'm sure as he gets older. The more I reflect on this weekend the more I realize how great this simple life is of ours. We have so much love in this little family of ours already, I can't wait to see what's to come!

A few things Everett is doing currently (16months) that I want to remember!

- Picking up things off the floor and putting them in the garbage (Big helper)

-Eating food off the floor after each meal

-Saying "cheese" anytime a phone/camera is pointed in his direction

-Putting cherios and other foods on his sippy cup so he can eat it as he gets a drink

-Slowly transitioning to 1 nap a day (only once so far but I believe he only gets one nap at daycare)

-Dancing at every chance he gets.. Anytime a tune he likes comes on :)

Memories

Hi, Stefanie here. Also known as mom and wife. I wanted to create this blog as a way to journal our life and remember all the glorious and not so glorious moments. Life is really amazing right now. Everett is almost 15 months old. He is walking (or more like running), throwing temper tantrums, sleeping good at night, taking two naps a day, and stealing our hearts more and more with every passing moment.

That's my little boy.. How is he a toddler already?

The more we think about how fast time has gone the more we want life to slow down. Work is still very busy into October this year at Interstate Traffic Signs. Tommy is still not home until late at night.. Typically about 9:00.. If we're lucky he's home about 8:00... If every once in a while we are REALLY lucky he's home at 6:00 and can see Everett before bedtime at 7:00.. We are very much looking forward to winter and Tommy being home at 4:30 weeknights.. What a treat! On the flip side we are so blessed with what the Lord has given us. A wonderful marriage, a healthy baby boy, and good jobs. WE ARE BLESSED! It's going to be a great day all thanks to Him! Everett is napping and the sun is shining! I'm off to do some cleaning and grocery planning! Until next time.....                 

Stefanie