2016 - A Look Back

I know it has been far too long since I have written on this blog. Considering, preparing for and actually carrying out a move is hard work. It takes up a ton of time and almost doubles in time when you're sick and pregnant. If I only would have figured out the caffeine was making me feel terrible, maybe it would have gone a little faster. Who knows, because while it was making me sick, it was helping me stay awake to pack. What a double edged sword. Hopefully the caffeine aversion is only for the pregnancy and not for life. I don't think I could handle two children and no caffeine. So here are some big things that happened to the Wollenberg family in the year 2016 (not in any specific order).

Quick Thoughts: Life is Insane Right Now

Hey everyone! Our life is insane right now so here are a few things to update you.

1. Nate has accepted a call to be the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton, IL. So, we're moving! It is 50 minutes east of St. Louis. More details to come. :)
2. Zoe has started to use the phrase, "isn't it?" at the end of sentences. It is cute but you have to say, "it is," or she won't stop saying it. 
3. Zoe will be having a procedure/surgery to correct her bladder reflux next Thursday, provided her urine is clear and she isn't sick. Please pray that we are able to have this done next week and that it goes well. You can read more about her procedure plan here.
4. The Cubs are in the World Series. I don't care how long it has been since they've won. It will never be acceptable for them to win the World Series.
5. Zoe is all about snuggling right now. Every morning she wants to sit next to me on the couch, share a blanket and eat her breakfast. It is magical. I have trained her well.
6. Seven days away from mommy is too long. Nate took Zoe to Connecticut to visit his family for a week. I had a very nice mommy staycation, but by night six I couldn't sleep because I missed her. Zoe also doesn't let me out of her sight much now. Absence made the heart grow fonder.
7. Nate and I packed an entire room today. I feel like we climbed a mountain. 
8. The thought of packing my kitchen is so overwhelming I can't even think about it. I also realize that this is all of my fault because of my love for kitchen appliances and gadgets. "In the Kitchen with David" on QVC is dangerous for your wallet and lovely for your kitchen.
9. Moving while pregnant has its pros and cons. Pro: I'm not allowed to lift much. Con: Switching doctors in the middle of your pregnancy.
10. I'm looking forward to a chilly Christmas. 

We'll keep you posted on our move and Zoe's procedure.

That's all for now! God is good!

Zoe has an Important Announcement!

Zoe would like everyone to know...she is going to be a big sister! That's right. We are expecting baby #2 on April 14, 2017! Can anyone guess what also happens to fall on that date? Good Friday. This kid already has great comedic timing. Needless to say, Nate is going to have a busy Easter season on his hands. Zoe was very excited to make the announcement at church but you could probably guess that she doesn't really understand what is going on. On some days she knows that there is a baby in Mommy's belly.

We'll keep you posted on baby #2 as he or she grows! We won't be finding out the gender so you'll have to be surprised with us!

That's all for now. God is good!

Six Weeks of So Many Things

So many things have happened since my last post. I will try to keep this post brief, but that most likely won't happen. It has been a crazy six weeks.

School has started again. This means that ministry at St. Paul is going 110% again. Nate is teaching religion class for the 7th and 8th grade again this year. That means early mornings again. I am working in the library part-time still. We have a new DCE named Inese! Now that Inese is at St.Paul, Nate will be passing some responsibilities off to her and focusing on some different parts of ministry moving forward. Nate recently was extended a call to be a Senior Pastor in Fort Wayne, IN. After a lot of prayer and consideration, we decided to decline the call. Pray for your pastors if they are ever experiencing a call process, while it is a blessing to be considered to be another church's pastor, it is a big decision and takes a lot of prayer and consideration. It is an emotional process.

Who is Teddy?: The Story of a Girl and her Bear

As some of you may have seen a couple of weeks ago, Zoe and I brought home a new friend by the name of Teddy. Teddy was a gift from Aunt Vivi, she's the best.

I know you are dying to hear more about the arrival of this large sweet bear in our home. While we were in Wisconsin we stayed with our friends, the Kelms. Chloe Kelm has a giant Panda and the first night we were there, Zoe fell in love with this Panda. We went out for lunch for some friends and to get her back into the car seat I said, "We're going to go back and see Chloe!" and she responded to me, "And Panda?" She loved this Panda.

Love at First Sight

Snuggles with Panda