Afternoon hike.

Tuesday is typically Andrew's day off (because he works at night sometimes, we are blessed that he is given the privilege of having a 3rd day off every week) and yesterday we began what we hope will be a weekly tradition of hiking in the area. :) Michael very much enjoys being outdoors and looking at the trees and as long as he is with his mom parents, fed, and dry, he is a happy camper either in the stroller or Ergo carrier. And so we set off to Wallace Falls State Park and hiked a total of 5.5 miles, mostly uphill, and with rewarding views of the river and falls. Next time we hope to get an earlier start and hike farther on to Wallace Lake.

We're alive and back!

So...4 months and one big life-change later, I'm back to blogging. It wasn't due to the fact of having a baby in the house (although that could in itself be a worthy excuse ;), that this space has been dormant. As many of my readers know already, the Steele's have relocated clear across country, back to our "home state" of Washington. The Lord has provided Andrew with a great job at a wonderful parish in North Seattle. The 2 months following Michael's birth were filled with organizing the move, finishing up current jobs and obligations, finding a new abode, visiting friends and family, and of course, packing. Timing was perfect - I needed to be able to be at home more with Michael, and Andrew was feeling very strongly called to serve in the Church. And so, here we are, back in the beautiful Northwest and loving it here. I miss my FL friends very much and my church choir...but keep them in prayer and am thankful to be able to be in close touch with some of them.

Quick recap: March 9 - Michael's birth; March 12 - Andrew is offered the job; April 1 - Easter Sunday, Michael's baptism, Mom and Laura's family visit; June 10 - Corpus Christi, my last day at my church job (little heartbreaking), Andrew sets out with the U-Haul, Michael and I flew to Dallas to visit my family for a week; June 18 - Baby and I are reunited with Hubby in Seattle, our new home; June 24-26 - camping trip with Andrew's brother's family (SO nice to live closer to the majority of our extended families); July 18 - Elizabeth arrives for a month's stay; July 29-Aug. 4 - Holst family reunion at Jedediah Smith State Park in N. Ca.; August 23 - Elizabeth leaves. It was quite the whirlwind the last couple of months to say the least. Things have calmed down now for the most part; we are functioning more on a routine, Andrew is quite settled and comfortable and loving his job - doing great work (they love having him there), I know where the necessary grocers and stores are located, and Michael is a happy, chubby, almost 6-month old baby! When did THAT happen? He is doing great and we are so in love with him. I plan to keep you family and friends more updated on his growing/learning processes through this blog.

Well, that's where we are...very thankful to the Lord for where He has placed us, and we hope to do much to serve Him and His Church here. I promise to be back soon - especially now that I am a full-time homemaker/mother I should have time to fill you in on the adventures of our life. I must admit, I still have a few boxes to unpack and things to organize, so it may be a little while yet before I settle into a blogging routine. (Looks like Blogger has been updated - hope I can figure out the new settings...I'm also thinking a new blog layout is in order.) God bless you all.

"How numerous, O Lord, my God, you have made your wondrous deeds! And in your plans for us there is none to equal you."

Psalm 40:5

And then there were 3.

Well, it being a little over a month past Michael's due date, yes, of course he is here. :) I am currently in the process of writing up his birth story and will publish that upon completion. Today marks 7 weeks since his birth - he has changed so much already! Hard to believe he went from this...

to this...

to this...

to this...

and today this at 7 weeks and over 12 lbs! Those cheeks are just rolling off his face, no? :)

We are so in love with our little man; he has brought so much wonder and joy into our lives. Thank you Supreme Creator for allowing us to co-create this miracle! Stay tuned for the birth story, baby updates, and one big change in life for the Steele's...

Sweetness in waiting.

(I found this un-posted post and so am adding it in 
along with a picture from my last (38.4) week of pregnancy.)
The growing excitement of friends, promises of prayers, baby gifts from kind souls, the purchasing of baby items, and especially the energetic stirrings within (even as I type, my right arm is bouncing off my tummy due to kicking), are causing a growing impatience for baby boy to be here yesterday. However, I am reminded of the beauty of waiting. What do we learn from waiting? We learn there is a time for everthing, according to a master plan, one which we did not design nor have control of. We learn to submit to His timing, His will, His perfect plan...through waiting He draws us to Himself, squirming, restless, until we fall (usually exhausted ;) into line within His hand. This process reminds me of Jeremiah 18:6; "...Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand..."  Just like clay cannot bounce off the potter's wheel as a fully functional item whenever it chooses (if it had rational thought, of course), neither can we decide for ourselves when we are ready and where we shall go, for only the Divine Potter knows the full potential of our make. It is only when we humbly and meekly allow Him to fashion and polish to the perfect finish our hearts and minds, that we are truly ready for the next step. I pray that this 9-month period of waiting has provided me with some understanding of patience and humility which I may utilize within motherhood, and an even deeper desire to submit myself fully to Him.

Prayer of an Expecting Mother

Lord Jesus, I lovingly pray for this sweet hope

that I keep within my womb. You have granted me the

immense gift of a tiny little life, living in my own life,

and I humbly thank you for choosing me as an

instrument of your love. In this sweet waiting, help me

to live in a constant attitude of self-surrender to your will.

Grant me a motherly heart that is pure, steadfast and generous.

I hand over to you my concerns; any anxious fears that may

come, my own wishes for the little person that I still have no

knowledge of. Grant that it may be born healthy in body;

keep far from it every peril to its soul.

Mary, you have known the ineffable joy of a holy motherhood;

give me a heart that can transmit an ardent, living faith.

Sanctify my waiting, bless this joyful hope that is in me,

grant that the fruit of my womb may open out in virtue and

in holiness through your working with that of your divine Son. Amen.



30 weeks.

Well here we are at 30 weeks and counting!  And getting bigger.  I have been feeling pretty well as of late, despite some nausea creeping back into my days.  I feel very energetic and motivated to finish organizing the house and preparing for baby's arrival.  Little boy moves a lot every day and apparently he will be growing to 3 lbs, 17 inches this week!  We get more and more excited for his arrival every day.  Seems such a miracle to me that he is still there and thriving and so alive.  Praise God for His blessings! 

We love you, little one!

Welcome to the Church, Felicity Jane!

Last Sunday, the 1st of the year and on the feast of Mary, I was very honored and blessed to participate in another soul's entry into the Church! Felicity Jane Huber was baptized at the Ave Maria Oratory and I was (quite surprised) and thrilled to be her godmother! I have prayed so much for this little one throughout her time in utero, on the day of her birth, and during her time spent in the hospital afterwards, and it brought us all much joy to see her be marked by the waters of Baptism as His own. May our Lord always protect and guide you, Felicity. We are here to pray you on towards heaven.

She is so sweet to "talk" to

Love this happiness

There's no place like home for the holidays.

After a busy weekend of providing music for 4 Masses, including a beautiful midnight mass, Andrew and I flew to Dallas, TX on Christmas Day. There is nothing like being at your parents' house for any holiday, really, but Christmas is extra special, especially when it has been 3 years since we've celebrated it as an entire family. The girls had decorated the rooms beautifully and even included Christmas treasures in the guestrooms, the fire was alight, candles were lit, white Christmas lights were twinkling in the corners, and the traditional dinner of Swedish meatballs with all the trimmings was warming in the kitchen. Hugs were lovingly exchanged, the nephews and niece were squeezed and kissed, and the girls oo-ed and ah-ed over my belly. This is what Christmas-tide is about; worshiping our Savior, joyfully celebrating His birth together, giving and receiving love and joy. We were all very happy and content to be together. Mom had worked so hard to make sure the house was warm and inviting and that everyone's needs were met. After dinner, we sat down to exchange a few gifts...and so began a delightful and family-filled week.

A few highlights.....

A day out to the historic Ft. Worth stockyards.

Mom treated her girls to high tea at the Dallas Arboretum - so lovely.

So fun to be with my sisters...and 28.5 weeks!

(Many more pictures can be found on Facebook...)