Christmas Pictures

The amazing Alex from Alexandra Marie Photography took pictures of us for our 2014 Christmas card. She is truly and amazing photographer and even though my girls were not cooperating I loved loved loved our pictures. 

To the big sister

Today there was a lot of crying in my house. Pregnancy hormones just ran rampant and tears came and went. 

After I put Antonella down for a nap and instructed her not to get out of bed because she was a big girl now, I realized indeed she had to be. Today was the last day in her life I was going to put her in her new exciting toddler bed as an only child. She will never again be the only Luehmann girl, and I cried. I cried because my baby is growing and I seem to miss most of it, and I cried because she's about to receive the most amazing gift one could be given, a best friend for life. 

I wrote to Antonella right before she was born here, and I will do a belly progression for Emiliana and share what I wrote to her. But I thought I needed to write to my first born today. 

Nothing could have prepared me for the last 18 months, no book, no movie, no story. Nobody could have ever explained the type of love I was going to feel for you. Everyday I seem to fall in love with you more and more, and unaware you do new things that make me realize you own such an enormous part of my heart, you can wreck it with just a smile. 

For 18 months I've looked down at you while you sleep and I've prayed for you. I've prayed for wisdom, I've prayed for a unique sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, I've prayed for you to see yourself through the Lord's eyes and not your own, I've prayed for a life full of adventures guided by His hand. And over and over and over again, my prayers turn to thanksgiving. I see your father standing next to me praying just as fervently for you and me, then I look back at you and every time without fail I tell God: THANK YOU! I don't deserve this but thank you! 

So my daughter; crazy, curious, rambunctious, wild daughter; I have enjoyed every second of us 3 being a family. I have loved getting to know you and learning everything about you. It has been an honor to parent you alongside Papa. And I cannot wait to see you as a big sister, I have no doubt you will be the most fun, most encouraging, most supportive, most incredible big sister. 

Antonella from now on it is 4 of us, you have to teach Emiliana our ways, you must show her all of our dance moves, secret bird calls, and weird words. You get to introduce her to papa's amazing grilled cheese sandwiches, and momma's ok food. From tomorrow on you will have in Emiliana the most incredible ally, the best of friends, and the most fun of partners. You will never have to feel alone because you will have a sister that will stand with you always, she will be able to read your mind, and know everything about you. You two will make everyone wish they had what you will have, and together you will take over the world and do all the Lord has sent to you do. 

I love you, momma. 

Vacation 2013 - Day 2

Vacation 2013

So day one of our vacation we slept in at home and then headed to LA for some Colombian food (which Antonella loved!!) and some time at The Grove because it is our favorite. Our car was so full you could barely see the baby haha but she got used to it quickly and started the trip with a nice nap. 

Antonella LOVES the ocean

We went to the beach while our family was here in town, and even though we were not ready to walk into the water Antonella decided she was just going to run for it. So we took her clothes off and decided to let her jump in. She was loving it so much, she drank some salty water, she fell, she scratched her knees, but not one tear, just giggles. Also isn't her little tushy just adorable? we are those parents that let her kid run around naked for a bit haha, so bad.

This baby might be half Colombian, but the ocean is in her veins.

A's Birthday Party

 

 

The most outstanding cake!!

 

A few months ago Caleb and I were talking about discipline, and when we should start disciplining Antonella, how to do it, what that looks like and all that stuff parents talk about. We asked a few people we know who have kids and we respect them and their parenting, and we got all sorts of feedback. And then we just put it in the back of our heads for a few days. 

I had to study to teach a class at the School of Ministry on heaven and hell and as I was studying the Tabernacle God gave Moses so he would recreate it here on earth (God showed Moses what it looks like in heaven and Moses didn't have to come up with a brand new idea, he simply had to do what he saw), I felt challenged to do the same with Antonella. 

Caleb and I started talking and we realized we asked people how to discipline our daughter but we never asked God. He created her, He knows her better than anybody else, He gave her purpose, and He obviously knows how we should discipline and when. So we decided to do exactly that, start praying and asking God to give us a piece of heaven to bring to earth in our disciplining of Antonella, actually in our raising of Antonella. We want to do only what He has already planned for her.

As we were reading Revelation we were reminded that the rainbow is actually a part of the throne of God, a part He gave us as a reminder of a covenant, and we realized the rainbow, like Antonella's life is a piece of heaven on earth. So that's how we decided to have a rainbow party for her first birthday, as a celebration that we don't have to raise this baby alone (which is amazing because we have no clue what to do haha), and as a way of celebrating that with God we get to bring heaven to earth.

We were so blessed by all the people that came and celebrated with us. Thank you so much for coming and celebrating our daughter and God's favor over our lives. We live far away from family and God has truly given us a wonderful church family. We love you all!