Comparisons of a Sleeping Emily Paige!

One Week Old

Almost 15 Months Old

Sometimes when I look at her I think that she has changed so much and then I look at these photos side by side and am finally convinced that she hasn't been switched out this past year. Haha!! I think there is no question that she looks exactly like her daddy! The other day I was outside and our neighbor from all the way across the street yells over, "She looks JUST like her daddy!" Wow, tell me something that I haven't heard! Maybe one day we will have a baby that looks a tiny bit like her mommy...you know since my body was responsible for the incubation process for 9 1/2 months...one can only dream!!

This Time Last Year...

For whatever reason today, I was getting really nostalgic and somewhat sappy thinking about how much little Emily Paige has grown and changed. This time last year, she was almost 3 months old and she was just beginning to show us glimpses of her personlity. I can't believe that it has been close to 15 months ago that she entered this world. Wow!! It is crazy how fast a year goes by. Now she is just about running, throwing mini 'tantrums' on occassion, eating everything that doesn't bite her back, and talking up a storm (wonder where that came from...poor Derek!). Even more than that, she brings such joy to our lives. It is amazing to think that our Father loves us even more than I love her! How is that even possible? What fun it is to watch her change every day. We are so thankful for this little stinker and the deeper understanding of unconditional love that she teaches us daily! I'm going to grab some Kleenex now...

Happy 4th Anniversary to Us!

This past week Derek and I celebrated our 4th Anniversary...Hooray for us! We had a low-key night and had a "date" after Emily went to bed. These are fun cheap nights where we can hang together and don't have to spend tons of moolah! For those of you that are thinking "wow, how boring?" if it reassures you, we have a weekend planned at the end of this month to really celebrate the past 4 years.

It is pretty amazing to think that Derek and I have known each other for almost 12 years and have been a "couple" for 10 years! Wow! It has gone by so fast and in just the past year, we have had so many changes. We welcomed our little girl into the world, we both had major job changes, and we have seen friends and family, and even ourselves, face some really difficult challenges. But one thing that has remained absolutely pure and steadfast and true is God's presence in our lives. He has been beyond good to us! We are thankful for this past year because the Lord has used it to strengthen us in ways that we didn't know He could. Marriage really is a beautiful gift that the Father has given us...we are thankful that He has allowed us the opportunity to know and love Him deeper through our iniquities, which can seem so abundant at times. I often think that I don't know how people that don't know God ever really learn how to love one another in their marriage. He really is the glue that keeps it all together!

All that to say, I have been blessed with a husband that loves me incredibly and serves me in so many ways. He has taught me so much about faithfulness and commitment. I never thought that I would marry someone like Derek and I thank God that he entrusted me with him. So, to my sweet husband and best friend, thank you for loving me with the love of Christ and for being the father that you are(amazing!!!!). I love you so much and look forward to many more anniversaries to come...now, can I get a "WOOT WOOT" for the Lord and marriage?...Praise God, despite what "the world" says it can be done!!!!

One of her favorite things to do is "reading." Too bad we can't ever understand a word she says!

Friends Are So Helpful!

Those of you that know me well know I am not a technological person, to say the least! I do read directions and try very hard to follow them, but my attempts, when it concerns anything to do with the computer, usually result in frustration and failure.

A couple of weeks ago, I attempted to work on our blog and, as usual, was not able to accomplish what I wanted to do...POST PICTURES!!! These last pics that I posted form Emily's party took forever...I don't have that kind of time. A highly computer saavy friend of ours, sorry Jude not you, left a comment with recommendations and today I finally took them and guess what...It worked!!!! I am thrilled...so, all this to say that I have added a photo gallery to our blog. You can access it under the title "Places to Go" on the left hand side of this page. The Link title is "The Kramer's Photo Gallery."

I think that this will be an easy way for us to share lots of pics for you guys to check out. And I think that b/c it is easier and less time consuming, I will be more likely to update the pics more frequently. I need to give a big shout-out to Austin for this idea and for giving directions that I could actually understand. You have made my blogging so much easier...you're awesome. Thank you!

Enjoy the new pics!

Daddy, Mommy, & Grandparents Celebrating the Day

Okay so I have had a really difficult time getting our pics to post, even though I thought I figured it out the other day...note to self, take a break from blogging and come back to it 3 days later! So, these pics are a bit out of order, but at least they are able to be seen, unlike the last ones that showed up with a big "X" in a box refusing to be viewed.

Below are just some random pics from Em's birthday. They include lots of family. I would love to post more pics, but I have had so much trouble that I think I am going to start fresh with a new blog entry, maybe tomorrow, focusing on something other than Em's birthday. It was a month ago afterall that these pics were taken..."thanks Mr. Blogger Elf in my computer that doesn't want pictures posted, you're awesome!" I digress! Tomorrow is a new day with new blogging opportunities. Yay for me! So, until then...

Birthday Moments with Cousins