A Visit With the Joe Mueller Family

 They're starting him out the right way!  ;-)

Joey wore this outfit on Sunday when he came home from the hospital.

We got to go meet Joey on Monday and spend a few hours with him and his family.

Our estimated arrival time was slightly off, so we actually got to their place a little before they returned from an outing.  Thus, our first sight of Joey looked like this!  :-)

I got to get the little fella out of his seat and be the first to hold him this time.

You can probably imagine how much

I complained about that!  ;-)

Joey's fingers are really quite long and his span pretty wide.  Here his hand is compared to mine.

Comfy with Aunt Lisa

A pensive moment, I guess.  :-)

Joey is a very laid-back, content little fella - a real sweetheart.  :-)

Do you want to guess what book this is that has so thoroughly captured HollyBeth's attention?

Funny how easy it is to detach yourself from a book when the right opportunity arises! ;-)

He's thinking about opening those eyes!

There are so many different voices, though - I'm not quite sure what I'll find when I open them!

Just one little peek!

Maybe it's OK after all?????

Uncle Zach's got him!

Aunt Kimberly's turn

Mommy, what's a "photograph"?

Are you talking about me over there?

Hmmm. . . I'm not too sure about all of this. . . I'll have to think about it. . . .

I told Papa all about it!  He was so kind and sympathetic!

Papa, talking to you makes everything better!

I'm learning how to give Nana good hugs!  She loves me very much!

People comment on how big I am. . .but in Uncle David's arms I feel so little!

Nap time!  O blissful thought!

Our visit was timed to coordinate with taking a couple of my siblings up to the Victory Conference at Falls Baptist Church.  Joe had to step away for part of our visit so he could finish up a couple videos to be shown in the opening session that night, but we were glad for the time we were able to spend together!

When we weren't getting our turn to hold Joey, we were enjoying conversation with his parents and spending time with his big sister.  She loved all the extra attention!  I kept trying to get clear pictures of her, but she was so active that they were all turning out blurry.  I'm including some of them anyway.  I was loving all the expressions she was making, but my reaction time was too slow, so the camera didn't really have much chance at catching very many of them.  :-/

Karis was playing with her dolly.

Karis enjoyed playing with Uncle David and her teddy bear.

With Aunt Lisa

With her Mommy

Working a puzzle with Uncle Zach

Uncle Zach kicked the ball under the table toward me.  She was going to find it!

Karis loved chasing and getting chased by Uncle Zach!

 Those eyes!

I'll close with a final picture of Joey.  All the attention wore the little fella out!  :-)

Joseph William Mueller, Jr.!

Please join me in welcoming

Joseph William Mueller, Jr.!

  The little man arrived in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, February 22, weighing ten pounds and half an ounce!  He is 22 inches long.

We got to Skype with them tonight and he was kind enough to let us see his eyes and give us a teaser demonstration of his lung power.  :-)

More pictures will follow when we get a chance to meet him in person and use our camera next week!

Extreme Cold -> Sun Dogs!

Due to the extreme cold we are experiencing today (the high reached today was -11*), the sun has given us a very short, but amazing display!

I was able to see the sunset sun dog and catch it on camera, but some who were up to see the sunrise say they saw it then as well.

Here are a few pictures.  (No editing whatsoever.)

I tried the Sunset setting on the camera.  (Sorry for the camera reflection.)

These were really basic, just on Auto.

The earth (and sun, in this case) is full of wonderful and amazing beauty!  It is great to dwell on how neat it is, however, it doesn't just happen.  God, the Creator of all, was the Mastermind who made and arranged everything in its place, set the times and seasons, and programed DNA!  Even to this day, everything continues only because He sustains it!

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.

~ Psalm 19:1

God has much to teach us through His creation, and it is good for us to marvel at it, as well as study it.  Creation is intended to point us to its Creator.  We have to beware lest we should lose our focus and be among those who "...worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator...."  (See Romans 1.)

Let us, like King Darius, recognize and glorify the LORD for the all-powerful God that He is.

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.  I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end.  He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, Who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

~ Daniel 6:25-27

Veteran's Day

Today we honor and remember those who have served in the military to protect our freedoms.  When I consider all that they/you have sacrificed, no words seem good enough, but I will offer the best I know:

Thank You!

 

Today, I want to especially honor my favorite veteran: Sgt. 1st Class, Bruce E. Carter.

Sometimes we can get to thinking that soldiers who are "just fine", who "didn't get hurt", who are "safe" are lesser soldiers than those who venture into harm's way, who lose limbs, who are killed in action.  The fact is, even if a soldier's life does not seem to us to be dramatically affected, they still signed away their lives.  Though they may walk away with their lives, and even their health and well-being, their lives are forever changed.  I don't know who first said it, but I think this statement sums it up pretty well:

"All gave some; some gave all."

Bruce Carter, my grandfather, served in the Marine Corps and the Army, during WWII and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  God protected Granddad, spared his life, kept him safe, and allowed him to raise a family and even meet his great grandchildren.  Many of our veterans weren't so blessed, but that doesn't make Granddad any less of a soldier - He's just a protected and blessed soldier!  Thank you, Granddad, for being willing to give up everything to keep our nation free...and thank You, Heavenly Father, for protecting him, blessing him with a family, and allowing his grandchildren to get to know and love him!

Cousins! - Cody & Karis

Just for a little bit of comparison - you know, then vs. now - let me share this post that I once started.  I had originally intended to add more photos to this post...but this seems sufficient for the purpose I have in mind for it today.  :-)

(From March 2013)

I love my nieces and nephews!  Hopefully you can forgive my bragging, but I think they're adorable, and I just love sharing their pictures with you!

Here are two pictures of the youngest family members.  These were taken when everybody was together for Grandma's funeral. Cody was all smiles, but Karis didn't seem too sure about her cousin.
 

Mom, are you sure about this?