Miss Molly

Molly is growing and developing so well! She is 8 1/2 months old!  She is starting to crawl this past couple of weeks and loves to try new baby foods that I've been making her!  She is such a joy!  So thankful for the Lord for this sweet baby girl!  We are enjoying this season TONS!  Check out my new thankfulness blog I just started yesterday....my goal is to post what I'm thankful for each day!  In hopes to grow in more worship to our Faithful Father!  He is The Giver of all good gifts!    annagronotte@blogspot.com

thankfulness

I started a new blog about thankfulness.
(going to keep this blog going too!)

I am taking the challenge of posting what I am thankful for each day! 

Really desire to grow in the art of thankfulness!  

We have so much to be thankful for!  

The Lord is so good and we owe Him all our worship!  

Will you join with me 

and practice this art of thankfulness?!  

...all for the praise of His wonderful name!

http://annagronotte.blogspot.com/

It's been awhile...

So, if you haven't notice (for those who still read this thing) I haven't posted in a long while!  I think it's just the business of life...you know how that goes!  This truly is a season of lots of learning and growing for me.  Thankful that the Lord really does want us to grow and so He makes it possible through stretching us with new circumstances He places us in.  Which He has ordained so that I will keep running back to Him for all my strength, joy, and rest!  He really has been so good!   Here's a little update on our little family.

Molly is almost 71/2 months old! Can you believe it?  She is doing so well.  Growing and developing tons each day.  She talks all the time, and by talking I mean babbling non-stop!  Marks convinced lately that when she says 'Dada' she is really referring to him! Not sure if she can know whose who yet, but it maybe almost that time!?  She started saying the 'm' sound too! Which makes me work even harder to remind her how to say 'Mama'.  :)  Lots of joy in this season with her!  She is sleeping through the night (8 or so hours between feedings-not all the time, but I'll take it when she gives it!) and has more of a rhythm for her naps during the day (still needing at least 3 a day!)  This girl needs her rest! She is at least 16 pounds, but we haven't weighed her lately...last time we went to the doctor she was in the 75% for height and has stayed in about the 40% for weight! This baby is tall and petite!  And she is enjoying her solid foods too!  I've been making homemade baby food for her and she can't get enough of it!  I think I'm needing to increase the amount I've been giving her!  She still loves to nurse, but you can just tell that she's wanting more when she's eying everything she sees me eat in the day! So funny! ;)

For Mark and I we have been just adjusting to his new work position which involves him to go on business trips every other week or every couple of weeks for about 3-4 days at a time.  We are thankful for this new position because Mark is loving it and the Lord is blessing him already in this position with continued favor from his boss.  Yet on the other hand, who wants their husband to be gone from their home several nights at a time?  I'm learning to be more okay with it and has made our time together sweeter when he is home.  Thankfully, his training period is over and Molly and I are going to start traveling with him about once a month on some of his closer locations he travels to!  So that will be good to be with him and enjoyable to explore new cities too!  Hopefully Molly will be a relax baby with the traveling, we will see! haha!  Just more opportunities to rely on the Lord and know that He truly is my supply! (this picture is the 2nd anniversary of our first date! we walked all around downtown Louisville and ended up stopping here on these steps and had some good conversation-good first date, babe!)

Other news...we have a new couple that moved in with us a couple of weeks ago!  They are expecting their first baby next month and are moving back to Boston, closer to family in about 6 months.  They didn't want to have to sign another apartment lease and we have an extra room downstairs!  It really works out well for all of us.  With Mark traveling some, it's nice to have 'family' in the home with me and really will help cut down the price of our electric bill by splitting it, during these cold winter months approaching!  Just really good timing and really the Lord's leading!  We desire to be a blessing to them as they enter in this new season of parenthood.  Praying the Lord will give me eyes to serve them and help them to feel like this is as much as their home as ours.  With the transition of nursing and lack of sleep, really want to be a help to her!  She is such a sweet friend already!  Very thankful that this has worked out.  Repenting lately how I really do love others to serve me, and knowing that is not why Jesus came.  He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.  This too should be our perspective!  Praying the Lord makes my heart quick to serve and not try to wait for someone to serve me!!  Very gross how much my sin has been revealed to me lately, with getting married and having a baby!! This exposes lots of gross sin in my life! Thankfully, now my call is to repent and run to Jesus.  He really has forgiven me and given me a new heart to want to serve joyfully from the heart!

Okay, I hear Molly waking up from her morning nap and I've got to get ready for the day! More to come....praying that the Gospel would be more the center of my thoughts and life!  May Christ be more treasured then any other blessing!!  By His grace this is possible! ;)
(this picture is from Halloween, molly was the cutest little ladybug ever.)

I asked the Lord that I might grow.

I MISS my Mark! 

I wasn't going to be one of those wives who always seems needy!  But today is hard and I miss my husband.  It's been a long week without him!  I'm trying to be full of faith in the Lord's will, but it is just plain hard.  Single parenting is not for me!  Last time he was away we could talk lots, this trip of training seems even more intense and he has basically no breaks!  Pray for me!  Molly is doing great and we are filling our days up with good activities and tasks, but ready for this crazy training to be over! Soon this will past.  I know it's only a season.  Thankfully, the Lord knows and see this for my good!  I just want to see how it is for my good too! :)

I can't believe it has been a month since I've posted on this thing!  :)  Hopefully more pictures and updates to come!  I was going to write down Molly birth story too!  I can't believe she is already over 5 months old and growing and smiling lots!  ;)  For sure I have lots be thankful for!  Just one of those days!  Needing to meditate and consider the Gospel of Christ....this is the only answer to any struggle!


Just talked to Mark on the phone and he reminded me of this hymn that I just love and so helpful to consider how good God is in knowing how to grow us up and sanctify! The Lord knows exactly what will cause us to run to Him!  Which is a grace.  I pray that I can see this all is from my loving Father, set up for me so that I may flee to Him and find my all in Him alone.  I pray that this hymn encourages you as it did just me! 

"I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

                                          -John Newton

'prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love...'

I am so thankful for hymns that are full of truth and remind my heart of the hope I have in Christ!  I'm just feeling a little down today.  Why?  Well, not for sure...just a mixture of things and just being an emotional girl today.  Life is always full of changes, yet I have a hard time being full of faith when change is just around the corner!  Mark starts his new job this coming Monday (Aug16th) and has training for 2 weeks in FL and then 1 week on location TBA!  Which is just a lot of him not being around!!!  Molly and I are heading to TX for the first 2 weeks of his training!  I'm excited about seeing family and friends, but just going to be weird not  seeing him every day!  Thankfully, he gets to have the weekends with us during those 3 weeks!  I know this is a good thing, but just a little nervous about this.  I see the Lord's hand has led us in this way, so why am I fearful?  Oh for more grace to trust our infinitely wise God! It's just one of those days.  The Lord is good in all of this and know that He will provide!  

Molly has been extra fussy today and I when I was nursing her and then rocking trying to calm her down,  I started to sing this hymn to her and the Lord used the truth in it to remind me of what a good God we serve.  He doesn't leave us on our own, but is faithful to see us through all the changes that are bound to come about!  I was just singing this hymn to calm my baby, but thankfully it calmed my heart too (Molly was so cute, she doesn't care that my voice isn't the best, but whenever I sing she stops fussing and smiles at me)!  And I just repented to the Lord that my heart was feeling prone to wander...so glad that the Lord holds my feet by His grace that I will not fall away!!  And one day, I will see my Savior's face!  Please Lord, come quickly! We long for your appearing, that we may be free of unbelief and fear!!

"Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day."

Molly is dramatic!!

Oh Molly, you crack us up with your dramatic pouty faces!

We LOVE you and all your little moods! ;)

Cute Polo Outfit from Aunt Ali

 

Dear Aunt Ali,

Thanks for the cute Polo outfit!! 

I love playing in it and I look so stylish! 

You know I love wearing pink too!!

Can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks,

and give you a big hug and kiss! :)  

love you lots, 

baby Molly

Miss Molly laughing and talking!

We try to make little videos to email out to our family about every couple of weeks! We sent this one a week or so ago and had to share it on the blog...so cute!  She is growing and doing very well!! Still trying to figure out her naps...going towards 3 naps a day that are longer, instead of lots of little naps! Hopefully, that will help her and help me to get more accomplished in the day! :)   She still is unpredictable and can be fussy baby around 6pm till her bedtime (my mom said we all were the same-guess that's a baby thing)!  The night before she woke only once at 2am to nurse and that was great! Yet, last night she was hungry every 4 hours!?  Maybe it's time for another growth spurt!?  She turns 4 months tomorrow!  Next week she gets her shots and we will see how much she has grown at the doctors!  On our measurements she is at least 13 pounds and a very tall girl! :) Praise the Lord for His kindness in this sweet season of motherhood!  Mark and I are having a blast watching her grow and learn!  The Lord has been so good to us!

And for some other exciting news:  We get to visit Texas for 12 days! August 16-27th!! If you are in the DFW area, let us know! Would love to meet up for lunch and catch up with old friends!!! I haven't been in Texas for a year and 1/2!  Molly is so excited to meet all her cousins and see her grandparents too!  My mom couldn't be more exited to see her Molly! :)  Mark will be training for his new position in Jacksonville, FL while Molly and I are in Texas...but the cool thing is that he gets to fly over the weekend to DFW for a little break from training and see us girls and Texas family! The timing couldn't be better!  We are just grateful that the Lord has opened up this new position for Mark that will give him a new challenge to take dominion over (which he couldn't be more excited about), be able to provide for our family without a 2nd job, and be able to be more of a blessing to the nations!  Pray for us in this new transition approaching.  It will mean more travel for Mark, which mean more alone time for me with baby Molly!  I think it will be fine b/c we will get to travel with him some, but just transition once again! Which means, we need the Lord more! ;)

Update and "Be Still, My Soul"

The UPDATE:
   The Lord is gracious and kind in all His dealings with His children!  It for sure has been a season of seeing more of my need for our Lord ( I think that's every season)!  I never knew how hard motherhood was going to be!  Don't get me wrong, I totally am enjoying this new season because I know it's directly from the Lord.  However, had no idea how much it would once again be so sanctifying and humbling!  I am seeing more of my need for our gracious Father as I seek to care for my husband and our baby! This year has been so crazy with so many life changes! I want to be more faithful in in what the Lord has given me! 
    Therefore, I must again go back to the Gospel of Christ!  In all the life's changes, there is a constant...and that constant is Christ, my Savior.  Oh, so thankful that I don't have to walk this road alone.  He has given us His Holy Spirit, I don't have to be afraid or even need to fear! Jesus directly commands us many times not to be afraid because He is with us always, even to the end of the age!  My sin struggle with fear must be stopped with trust in the Lord. He knows exactly what is necessary to make me more like His Son...and that I know that is far better then anything else.  Paul says it best.

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."  -Phil.3:7-10

Perhaps, this has been vague, ask me and I can share more personally what the Lord is teaching me!
All this being said, we know that we are in our Sovereign God's hands and not one day has happened that He hasn't planned before the foundation of the world! Like an old Caedmon's Call song, "He knew this day long before He made me out of dirt..." This brings so much comfort...my soul can be still in Christ alone!

Read this hymn below...totally encouraging to your heart! It looks long, but really read it! ;)

"Be Still, My Soul"

    by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?

"Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last."

our little baby girl

Molly Hope turned 3 Months Old!

Our baby just keeps on growing and developing so well! 

She loves to smile, which is such a joy for us!

Praise the Lord! We are so THANKFUL! 

11 pounds and 8 ounces!! 

Molly LOVES to eat!

I have been laying low on eating dairy this past month and it seems to be helping her lots! 

I miss ice cream and milk shakes, but if it helps her not feel sick, it's totally worth it!

Molly LOVES her hands!

She recently has found her little fingers and has gained more control in her arms so is able to sooth herself better! Which totally is great.  Often I go check on her when she is napping and I find her fast asleep with her hand in her mouth! :)

Molly LOVES to talk!  

If she's not sleeping or eating, she is talking! 

Should I be surprised, this is my daughter! 

Check out the video of her talking below!  :)

The Power Fist

Molly is a lot like me...I love to throw the power fist (mostly when I hear truth of the Gospel during worship...gotta love songs that point to Christ and I can't help but throw my fist in the air...desire to teach Molly the truth of the Gospel, so her power fist has true and encouraging meaning!)!  

The other day, Molly kept throwing them and finally captured it in pictures!  

Molly is 2-months old!

Molly had her 2-month check up, shots and everything on May 30th (meant to make this post a couple of weeks ago!)!  She handled herself like a true pro, but for sure we both cried during the shots! :)  Mark was strong for us girls! She shows to be growing at the same rate as her first month check-up!  And, we are thankful! God is gracious to answer our prayers for her growth and development! 

9lb and 9oz (25%)

23 3/4 inches long (90%)--she's tall!

15 inches around her head

Our Guests this past 6-weeks!

We have had lots of sweet family come to meet baby Molly!  We just want to thank our family for making it all the way from Texas to Kentucky to meet our baby Molly! What a sweet gift each of you were to have in our home and we are thankful for all your support and love!  We know that this is such a grace from God.

Here's some pictures of our special guests in our home:

First, my Mom came to help us in our first 2 weeks of Molly's life. It was such a service to us to have her in our home! Th e Lord was so kind to allow her to come the day before she was born! We totally couldn't have planned the timing any better! The Lord was so gracious to arrange this all for us!  He always gives us what we need at the right time.  Mom cooked and cleaned for us and just was a huge relief as we started to adjust to being parents for the first time ever! 

Then, my dad joined mom here for several days.  It was so special to introduce Molly to her Nana and Poppy!  They had fun loving on their 10th grandchild ( I know-my sisters have 9 kids all-together!)

 Next, my sister-April came to for the weekend to meet Molly when she was just 2 weeks old! We did lots of special things when she was here.  She is an artist and painted cute flower canvases for Molly's nursery too!  She helped me get Molly's room organized and hang things on the wall! She left her husband and 3 little boys to come spend time with us! It was such a fun weekend! We tried to go to Thunder over Louisville together-what an adventure with a newborn!  We went on lots of walks too! Also, she was able to be at our churches baby dedication, when our pastors prayed for us and Molly-such a sweet memory to have her there! 

Lastly, this past weekend my two oldest sisters, Ali and Aimee and her daughter (my niece) Belle came to visit and meet Miss Molly!  We had such a great weekend together!  It was super special because I know it took a lot of work to get them to come here! Their husbands took off work to take care of their own children (they each have 3 kids!) and they were able to get plane tickets from Aimee's father-in-law for free!  So, they really took great leaps to make it here to see Molly at 6-weeks old!  They cooked for us, we made home-made bread together, and they even baby-sat for us so Mark and I could go on a quick little date!  I was thankful to talk to them about nursing and motherhood, which they offered nothing but encouragement for me to persevere in!  And, it was such a joy to see little Belle whose now 7 years old and she was so helpful too! 

We just wanted to say THANK-YOU to our family for making it a point to meet little Molly as an infant!  She was born into such a sweet family that loves her and prays for her!  We see all this as such a mercy from the Lord!  Not only do we have the support from my family in Texas, but also on Mark's side of the family that lives here in Louisville!  We've had lots of time already to share Molly with his parents and sister, Rebecca and we are so thankful they live so close to us!  Such a grace! 

We just wanted to say that we are grateful for everyone's care and support!  

Today, Molly is 7-weeks old! I can't believe it when I look at her how much she has grown already and how much I'm starting to feel more human! Each week, I feel a little better and encouraged how much the Lord has sustained us and given us tons of grace!  Also, are sweet church family has been a huge blessing of support!  We can see the Lord's faithfulness all around us as we consider His providence in our lives!  Praise the Lord for all His help and for using our family and church family to remind us of His loving faithfulness He has given us through giving His Son, Jesus Christ!  We have a wonderful Savior and seeing all the more need for Him and His perfect care and love! How wonderful is it that He ordains and orders everything in our lives to help us know Him and love Him more!

Molly's Stats

We went to Molly's 1 month check-up and she has GROWN!

At 1 Month she is:

• 8 pounds  -in the 25% for weight

• 22 inches long -in the 75% for height

• 14 1/4 inches circumference of her head 

At Birth she was:

• 5 pounds 11 ounces -in the 5% for weight
• 19 inches long
• 12 1/4 inches for circumference of her head

We are so THANKFUL that the Lord is growing her and sustaining our little baby! She started off so small!  The Lord is so gracious to make her a good eater! I have to say that nursing has been one of the most challenging things I've ever had to persevere in...still getting the hang of-hopefully it will keep getting better! Thankful that the Lord is giving me grace in this! Praise the Lord for His kindness and mercy to our family!  :)

....more pictures to come!

walks with Miss Molly

I love that Miss Molly sleeps well on our daily walks! 

One things for sure, she knows how to rest and sleep!

This friday she will be 1 month old! And to the looks of it, she is growing steadily! 

We will have her 1 month Dr. check up May 3rd and get her weight and measurements. 

We are thankful for a healthy baby girl! 

  Yet, sometimes she's not so happy after our walks, 

she knows when she's hungry and lets everyone know!

baby dedication

This past Sunday at church we had baby dedication time for all the recent new babies!  It was perfect timing since Molly is just 2 1/2 weeks old! Two of my sisters, Ali and Aimee, gave Molly this sweet little pink dress and bonnet before she was born and thought it was the perfect dress for her to wear!  My other sister, April was in town this past weekend and so she was able to join us! Also, Mark's parents came to the service!  We didn't get very many pictures of Molly because there wasn't much time in between feedings!  But here's a few shots of the day!  We are thankful for the prayer that was prayed for us as we aim to point Molly to the Gospel of Christ all of our days and we are dedicated to train her in the fear and admission of the Lord.  May she turn to the true Savior-Jesus Christ-at an early age and place her only hope in Him!  May the Lord give us much grace and wisdom in parenting her and training her.  What a special memory and a sober time for Mark and I.  Thankfully, we have all the grace we need during this season....and we can testify the Lord's supreme help to us as we walk humbly before our gracious God.  The Lord has really been our help! As we are sleep deprived and just kind of learning by trial and error....Molly is doing well and growing too!  Her 1 month appointment is next week and to our measurements she is already over 7 pounds!  :) I feel like all I do is nurse, but hopefully it's paying off and making her a healthy baby girl! I never knew how motherhood would really be like, and wow it's a lot harder then I ever knew! Makes me all the more appreciate my own mother in her sweet care for me all my life!  The Lord is good in giving all the grace we need, for we are for sure have lots to learn in this new season!  I still hate it when she cries, but Mark is such a huge help and has a good touch in getting her to settle down!  All in all, we just can praise the Lord for knowing this is exactly what we needed this first year of marriage (almost our 11 month of marriage!).  The Lord's ways are good and way higher then ours! Praise the Lord for this sweet gift of our baby Molly Hope! :)