It's A Boy!

Elliot announcing the name of his baby brother, Haddon James! 

Since many have asked, the name Haddon is the middle name of Charles Spurgeon and James is the brother of apostle John. (Elliot's middle name is John, named after the apostle, so it seemed fitting for the brothers to share the names of two brothers.) There is more behind the why of the name but that is a quick review. Maybe I will write a long blog post on the names of Elliot John and Haddon James one day!

Typical

This is the typical scene you will find during nap time in Elliot's crib, as he likes to fall asleep reading to his animals.  I love listening (through the monitor) to his interpretation of the books we read together.  I also love how he engages his animals as he reads to them.  Little moments like these with Elliot bring us much joy!!!

Three Years and Counting...

Just a smidgen of the blessings I continually praise God for in our marriage of just 3 years...

I love the beauty of participating/watching the Gospel be lived out in our home and marriage (thank you for seeking to lead in that).  I feel honored that I get a front row seat in watching God's work in your life (He continually amazes me).  I praise God daily for how He continues to grow our love for one another (who would have thunk it could only get better... it was already that good!:).  I am continually humbled by your tenderness and love for and towards me, especially when I do not deserve it (what a great example of the way our Savior loves His bride!).  I am so thankful to be married to a man who trusts and walks in God's promises and God's Word even when life in this fallen world and these fallen bodies is hard.  I am thankful for a husband who encourages and takes joy in watching my own walk with God and encourages me to use my own gifts to serve and love others, not only inside the home but outside as well (to be able to grow in knowing our God and to pour out my life for Christ brings joy and fulfillment unlike any other... thank you for your desire for Christ to be first in my life).  I am thankful that God has given you a teachable heart and has gifted you as a patient and wonderful teacher (Elliot and I benefit greatly from both).  I praise God for your kindness that continues to soften my heart and the hearts of those around you!  I am thankful that it is not about you or me (who could handle that pressure;), but it is about knowing and glorifying our LORD! And I am thankful I get to do that with you by my side!!!

These past 3 years have been amazing and full of life (2 new lives to be exact!). I am blessed beyond measure, and I count those blessings daily!

Happy Anniversary, Carlos Kengla!

"So in the face of all this chaos 

baby I can dance with you"

Big Brother Elliot

Come November Elliot will have a new brother or sister to love on, and the way this sweet boy loves to love on other children, I am certain he is going to be a wonderful big brother! 

Elliot's New Hat

Just a game to him!

For the past few days, we have been using a thermometer to monitor Elliot's temperature. The thermometer we use goes across the forehead and makes a beeping sound in the process. Elliot thinks this is hilarious! Needless to say, he gets his temperature checked way more than is really needed!

A little under the weather!

For the past two days, Elliot has been a bit under the weather. His temperature has ranged from 99 to 100 (a bit high from his normal temp.). He has taken this time as an opportunity to lounge around the house and get some extra lovin' from his mommy and daddy! :)

On another note, We enjoyed our first road trip as a family of 3!

Many posts to come from our trip to NC!!

(And for those we did not get to see this trip,

we hope to see you when we come back in December!)

A Shout Out

This is a shout out to my cousin Aiden, who was born August 29th

(13 days after me)

My mommy and daddy told me we would be playmates and I was like...

WORD

Peace Out Cuz'

First Month's Check Up

Yesterday, our sweet boy had his first month's check up (he will be one month on the 16th). And would you believe that we have a growing boy?

When he was born, he weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces

and was 20 inches long

At his check up, Elliot weighed 10 pounds 8 ounces...

and was 23 inches long... wow 3 inches in 3 weeks!

Return to blogging

Well, it has been a long while since we have updated the blog.  I know there are many of you out there waiting so patiently for updates and pictures of our adventures in Alabama, including the recent arrival of Elliot John Kengla!  We would have brought you up to date sooner, but our computer decided to crash just before our son made his grand entrance into this world.  We are back up and running, so expect the posts to start flowing.  In the meantime, enjoy these videos of Elliot.

Something to Chew On

I found the following post on a pastor's blog I happened upon... I was encouraged and hoped you would be as well:

The Problem with Sin

"Let me never forget that the heinousness of sin lies not so much in the nature the sin committed, as in the greatness of the Person sinned against."

-The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers

We all have a tendency to rate our sins based on how bad they seem to us. That’s why we find murder and adultery worse than hate and lust in our hearts (see Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, and 1 John 3:15). But as long as we’re rating how bad our sin is based on what it is, we’ll never be really convicted. And if we’re never really convicted, we’ll never really experience grace, love, and abundant life.

It’s only when we encounter the glory of God and the incredible scandal of the gospel that we can see sin in it’s proper light. It’s not about what the sin is. It’s about who the sin is against. It’s time we all stopped comparing our sins to a list of ratings and started getting acquainted with the glory of God. If we do, we’ll feel the true weight of our sin and find freedom and forgiveness at the cross. If we don’t, we’ll keep on living this normal life instead of an abundant one.

Grace Beyond Measure

It has been a long time since our last post but there is good reason for this. Truly these past few weeks have been physically demanding and extremely hard. I have lost about 14 pounds due to nausea and dehydration (visiting the emergency room once). Many days I am too sick to get out of bed. I've also experienced sever abdominal pain caused by constipation. Headaches and many other numerous problems have occured. And I have longed to be near family and friends from N.C., as during these trials they seem so far away!

But even in this and in all things, God is so good! And I have so much to praise Him for! I am so thankful for a husband who purposefully and diligently loves and cares for me everyday! I am thankful for the many prayers of those brothers and sisters in Christ, both near and far! And, of course, I am so very thankful for the blessing that God is kniting together in my womb!

No words can describe the emotions felt when I saw our child for the first time! Tears streamed down my face as we heard the heart beat, and as we saw our quite active little one moving about! Joy overcame me! Though I believed God was growing a child in me, nothing could describe what it was like to see and hear the child... these trials endured over the past weeks had not been in vain! Ah, what a sweet foretaste of what is to come when I see my Savior for the first time! When my faith shall be sight!

I remember turning to the Whitney (the ultrasound lady) and telling her, "It is nice to know that I am going through all of this for a purpose." Once again, a reminder... for every trial we endure really is for a purpose and that purpose is to be conformed into the image of Christ! Praise God!


Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. II Corinthians 4: 16-18

Happy Turkey Day!

Our Thanksgiving started early! This is because the company where Carlos works had a huge Thanksgiving meal for all their employees and for the families of their employees on the Friday before Thanksgiving. There was a plethora of food. My contribution to this was a macaroni and cheese casserole, and I do have to say that Paula Deen did not let me down... it was delicious!

This was taken by Eric (Carlos's neighbor at work)

at Carlos's company's Thanksgiving Lunch

When the official week of Thanksgiving rolled around, I was one sick girl. Carlos was so diligent to love and care for me. I was reminded, yet again, of how he is an amazing gift from the One who gives such gifts! Carlos really wanted our first Thanksgiving to be just the two of us and I was looking forward to spending the day with him. Even once I got sick, Carlos was still determined that we would have our first Thanksgiving meal together and did all the grocery shopping!

Carlos manned the Turkey,
while I was in charge of fixing all the sides!

We have so much to be thankful for this year! The Lord has blessed us in so many ways... God provided us with such an awesome church family in Raleigh, NC and many authentic (most accurate word I could think of) friendships. Friends whom we still love dearly! It was so hard to move to Alabama, but God is so good!! It truly amazes me to ponder how quickly He has filled our life here in Alabama. We praise God for the church family He has provided for us here and the friendships already formed that have become so precious to us. Huntsville, AL is starting to feel like home!

WE HOPE EVERYONE HAD A THANKSGIVING FULL OF THANKFULNESS!

Our First Tree and Our First Post

Carlos and I went out the day after Thanksgiving to get our first Christmas Tree. It was so much fun! The setting was very beautiful! We went to Valley Christmas Tree Plantation, which is here in Huntsville (though it did take us about 30 minutes to get there). It was my first journey out of the house (because I have been sick) this week. Though I have been sick, we really enjoyed our first holiday together!! I will post on our Thanksgiving later!

This is a video of our experience.
Sorry it is sideways half the time!