Hijacked Blog Post - I LOVE MY WIFE!

If you only read one thing today....READ THIS. 

Well hello there Blog world! This is my first and maybe only blog post I will ever do. I am on day 4 of "Daddy Day Care" as Chandler is up in Alabama to be with her family for her great aunt's funeral. As I write this Reid is pulling on my leg hair and doing his best to add to this post by banging on the keyboard. Addison is over at Auntie's to play with Bear Bear and Avery. You may be asking yourself: Why is Adam writing this post?

Answer: I appreciate my wife more that I can even begin to express and having the pleasure of spending 4 days with my amazing kids has helped me to see all the little things I never notice that Chandler does without even thinking!

Let's just say Mom's don't get paid enough!

(this may or may not have happened)

I am so amazed with my wife. She has such an amazing ability to be in all places at once and care for our two little children like no one can. We have skyped with Chandler each day and our kids LIGHT up each time they see her. It amazes me how important the relationship of a mom and a dad are in a child's life. Despite being a SUPERMAN DAD (self imposed title), the need for a SUPERWOMAN MOM like Chandler is essential! Thank you for loving not only me so well, but loving and being an amazing example of Christ to our two little miracles. Is it 5:30pm yet?

Facts:

- 10 = number of "stinky poo poo's" changed

- 1 = number of showers taken (i'm just glad i have no hair)

- 46 = number of times we have watched "Patty Cake Praise" (I can recite all songs and have even added some sweet harmony hooks in to spice it up)

- 17 = number of times I've had to say "Let me call you back" (How do mom's get anything done?)

- 4 = number of times I have had to change clothes after bath time

- 1,000,000,000 = number of times I have told Reid and Addie how amazing their mommy is

- Sorry for the Clip Art! I have yet to perfect the art of Pinning (I still have my man card), instagraming (can I ing that word?) and all the other creative apps that make their way onto my iPhone.

I have a BIG announcement:

I LOVE YOU CHANDLER and I am SO THANKFUL for ALL that you do for our family!

- Your indebted Husband: ADAM 

Meeting Jackson

Yesterday I had the chance to meet Jackson Kingsley for the first time. 

Jackson is the 2nd born of my very close friend Christina. Christina and I met our sophomore year in high school and have been friends ever since. She was my maid of honor and I'm just so grateful for her friendship. She and her family will be in town for about 4 weeks and I'm looking forward to spending more time together. 

 Addison was in her sweet spot. 

This child loves babies and would have sat like this for hours. 

Reid man wanting to be in the mix of things. 

The best pic of the four of them! 

Sweet Reagan has the cutest blonde curly hair!! 

Addie protecting baby Jackson...no Reid man that's

Jackson's paci! 

Christina and Reagan! 

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! 

a special father's day tribute...

"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpriced, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." ~ Billy Graham 

It is a joy to be married to Adam! I just love being his wife! I'm amazed that I get to raise these two little ones alongside of him. I love watching him be 'daddy mikkelson' as Addison referred to him the other day! haha...(she's learning her last name so she called him daddy mikkelson) When he comes home from work these two light up as though he is the best part of their day! What a gift ...To see Adam through their eyes. They adore him!! He often gets home from work and gets right on the ground to play with them (of course after he's said hello to me and gives me a kiss). What a statement to my children. I'd be more concerned about getting out of my work clothes & into something more comfortable but not him...he's ready to be a part of their world...playing, laughing, singing, dancing, talking about their day, etc. They are learning just how valuable they are to him and it just melts my heart. Addison made a special tree with her handprint for daddy to put in his office to remind him of Jeremiah 17:8 that says "He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out is roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." As I've learned since being married, Adam always goes back to His source of nourishment from His Heavenly Father and I love how he points our family to Christ! Thank you for your love, your kindness, your patience, your servant heart, your vision, your heart for others, etc..I could go on and on...we love you! 

My Dad (aka Pappy)

My dad and I have never been the mushy father/daughter pair but I love my dad so much! When I think back on my life, I truly believe he was a great gift not only to my mom but to me. As he entered into a relationship with my mom, he also entered into one with me...as a 2 year old! (Now as a mom of a 2 year old I'm realizing that was not an easy thing to choose) I'm just so thankful he did. He chose us...temper tantrums and all! He provided so many opportunities and often I took them for granted as any adolescent would...but now when I look back, my heart is filled with gratitude. I also get the privilege of seeing him with my children. He is now no longer dad but "Pappy." He now gets to have all the fun! He also has been taking care of Bentley since Reid was born. I was really in over my head with two babies and a puppy dog that needed a lot of attention...and I'm so glad we didn't have to give him away. Mr. B is now Pappy's boy and loving life~ I think even more then when it was just Adam and I. I love you dad! 

Adam's dad (aka Papa)

Can you see the resemblance of the three Mikkelson generations?! I just love these three! I have so much respect for my father-in-law and I'm so grateful for the example he was/is to Adam. 'Work hard~Play hard' is often what I think of when I think of Mike. He has taught Adam the responsibility of getting the job done but also how to have fun along the way. I love how he embraced Adam's love of hockey and pushed him to pursue excellence in whatever Adam chose to do. It really shows me how to let our children be who God's made them to be, be it different then who we are or who we want them to be. I'm so thankful our children get to spend time with him and I'm so thankful he takes time to get on their level to make a mess, read a book or jump in the pool, etc. His relationship with the Lord and Melissa has been a great example to us! We love you Papa! 

Thankful for how my life is shaped by these amazing men! I am blessed! 

Help Me, Jesus

So I've been feeling the urge to write more...pretty sure it's not necessarily blog worthy but I'm realizing I'm a visual learner so it helps me process and see things as I write them out. God used this blog in a major way to help me when I was going through our journey to becoming parents...I also know from that journey the Lord used some of what he was teaching me to help others so maybe the same thing will happen or maybe not...




"Help me, Jesus"...


A saying I often find I'm using under my breath or shouting out (in my mind)...but do I mean it? 


In my heart/mind do I think I really need Him or do I think I can muster enough of my own strength to carry on without Him? 


Then life happens and I respond ~ impatiently, selfishly, seeking satisfaction where there is none; I become frustrated (even now as I type my sweet little man is crying because he only had a 45 min nap) and I just want some time to myself...and realize how much I need Him...yet....


In my frustration it's hard to turn back to Him and say genuinely "Help me, Jesus." 


BUT His invitation is still there..."come near to me" 


"Help me, Jesus"...I say and mean it. 


And He responds immediately...not as though He's a genie but setting in motion the conditions I need...


AWARENESS of my true need for Him "my daily bread"


And I SEE...the Lord is near (phil. 4:5)


Because He is near, we need not be anxious for anything. Because He is near, we have peace within. A deep, abiding peace that passes all understanding. Because the Lord is near, a well-spring of joy fills every part of our lives. Because He is near, our hearts and minds are renewed and restored in Christ. 
With this restoration we SEE HIM. 
Jesus. 





(some of the following statements above were taken from my "Nearer to Jesus" devotional book by Sarah Young; and the NIV Women's Devotional Bible~ an exert from Hope MacDonald)

I'm back...

I've decided to try and attempt blogging again...


So much as happened since my last post that I don't even know where to begin...


I guess one of the biggest changes is... we've added a new addition to our family who is 8 months today! Reid Chandler Mikkelson was born October 17, 2011. We love him to pieces and hopefully if I update more you can get to know his amazing personality. I often find it hard to believe that I had 2 children in 2 years. I never dreamed that would be our story after the 'waiting' period we experienced before having Addison~ who just had her 2nd birthday on May 12. 

Addison 2 years & Reid 8 months

BEACH TRIP

Last week, we traveled a long 45 minutes to New Smyrna Beach. (It's just south of Daytona Beach) Adam's parents have a beautiful condo on the beach and it was a wonderful get-away for all of us. Two weeks prior everyone came down with a summer cold that left us trapped at home...after 10 days of runny noses, deep coughs, fevers and sleepless nights...we were ready for the fresh salty air, swimming for hours, the sand in our toes, sleeping in, watching the sunrise, etc...

 Addie girl loving the water!!

Reid man snoozing! 

eating the sand ~ building sand castles 

Addison just finished the safe start swim program at the YMCA...

She's gained so much confidence and is now our little fish! 

We had a great time and are so thankful that we live so close to the sand and the water! 

Summer is officially here!