The George Family

In church this morning, our pastor spoke on the topic of a heart of gratitude. I was convicted by some of the descriptions he used to explain a heart of ungratefulness:

-unrealistic expecations of others
-forgetfulness of others acts of service towards us
-a sense of entitlement
-not taking the grace of God seriously

He told a fable of a Hungarian man who went to visit a Jewish rabbi. The Hungarian confessed to the rabbi that he was going crazy because there were nine people living in his one room home. Without hesitation the rabbi said, "Go home, and bring your goat into your home. Do this for seven days and come back." Of course after the seven days were through the man went back to the rabbi and was distraught. The goat was smelly, load, and was wreaking havoc on the nine people who lived in this one room home. I'm sure you can tell where this parable is going. The rabbi told the man to remove the goat and come back in another week. When the man returned for the last time, his countenance was completely changed. He was rejoicing that he was able to spend time with his family without the nasty goat interferring.

One of my dearest friends, Summer, and her family are walking through what I would consider a house with many goats right now. And yet they rejoice. It puts my petty grievances to shame. Seeing how Summer and her husband Rick will yet praise thier Jesus in the midst of this trial overwhelms me and humbles me to the point of no words. Watching them continue to minister to others in our church through their pain is such a testimony to how the Lord doesnt call us to just sit and feel sorry for ourselves when life seems like it's too much. Seeing them love thier three children (and one another) so tenderly and intenionally through this challenges me to be more purposeful with my own family.

Our pastor had this quote that left me so convicted:

"Gratitude is not about changed circumstances, rather it is about a changed heart in the midst of unchanged circumstances."

To read more about Rick and Summers journey and to join us in faithfully praying for the Lord to continue carrying them through, please visit:

http://www.graceeffect.blogspot.com/

Its been a while

And much has happened in our hearts, our home, and our lives. I will let the pics speak for themselves.

So we got a new computer and I'm not quite sure how to rotate pics yet...

The cutest!

Maddie and the one year old Hamann cousins!

Mads and Auds!

Maddie clowning around

Sanctus Reel Concert with my awesome small group girls

Oy. We spent hours raking...and only got 1/4 of the leaves in bags!

Greg trained for, ran in, and did awesome in the Chicago Half Marathon!

Love the nieces and nephews. During a campout we had in the backyard.

This little lady loves everything mommy (and daddy) wear! Hilarious!.

Woodard Family Benefit Concert

I know I havent blogged in forever, our computer is busted and I am using one at church. I wish I could upload pics of life right now, especially Madeline who is just growing up so quickly I feel like if I blink...

Some of our dearest friends have walked through a trial that many of us parents couldnt even imagine. Throughout it all they have trusted thier Jesus and He has proven His love to them over and over again. We are hosting a benefit concert this Friday, October 2nd for them to assist with the financial burden of their story...please consider giving.

For the Woodards testimony, please visit: http://www.woodardhappenings.blogspot.com
Click on the "Jacksons Story"

Besties, Roomies, and Family! Who could ask for more?

Bestie Nicole and I enjoying a night out with Trish and Em!

Mommies and the babies! (Nicole has one of Trish's=)

So cute! Big girl Halle showing madeline and jack the ropes at the spray park

Maddies headband from auntie trishnee!

Emily and Jackers

Cutest little Will Greenfield! What a perfect little baby boy!

Halle, Myself, and Madeline

Maddie rockin out in Tomahawk!

I didn't have a swim diaper, so...

Cutest little sassers!

Kelly and her BF Michael hanging with Mads

this is the best shot out of 100 or so of us trying to get her to sit with Ethan!

If I had to pick the perfect two weeks of life it would be time spent with those that know me deeply and still love me nonetheless. That leaves Jesus, good friends, and family (by default. you have to love me. you are stuck with me). After my fabulous monkey mommy weekend, my best friend Nicole came to visit for a couple of days, and a couple days later we were joined by my dear friend Trisha (who hails from Idaho) and her two beautiful children, Halle and Will. A day later came another dear friend and former Judson roomie, Emily, (who hails from hong kong) with her son Jack. What a wonderful, wonderful time we had! It was new trying to navigate being intentional with one another with four kids needing our attention, but I think we did a great job of it! We had a babysitter one night and went out just the four of us and it was like old times. Opinions as strong as ever, but it would'nt be like old times if we didn't share them...very reminiscent of college days!:) I just loved every minute of it.

The same day that the girls left, Greg, Maddie and my sister ADrienne and I packed up the jeep and headed up to Tomahawk, Wisconsin, to visit my brother & sister in law, Hannah, and our newest nephew, Ethan David. My whole family (except for Kyle) was able to be up there together for a few days and it was exactly what I needed. Hysteria, I tell you, when my sisters and mom and I get together. The men of the family know to step back when the hyenia laughter starts...because then the crying starts...then the almost throwing up from laughing too hard starts...and then the Adrienne getting annoyed because I don't know how to turn it off starts....=) I loved it. Even though Maddies head was probably spinning from having two weeks of visitors and kids in our house and then travelling up to Tomahawk...she held up really well. She is proving to be quite the budding socialite. Anyone suprised? It's in her blood, folks! Enjoy the pics.

Our Summer Thus Far!

Hot mommas! Watchout!
Caden and Evelyn at the spray park.

My mishy moo. And her baby too! (11 wks and counting!)

Oh the jokes we could have made about this one! Chrissy and her meatballs.

Sand mustache!

Madeline, Jackson, Eveyln, Everett & Kiara all in PJs!

More beach pics!

Maddie and Evelyn were all about it!

I love how the vent is blowing Evelyns hair up in this pic!

Maddie at the beach down the street from our house...it's her favorite!

Sandy booty girl!

We heart the spray park!

My high school girls and Summer downtown for pedis.

Aren't they the cutest? They're (sniff) all growned up!

What a wonderful summer we've had so far. We have been so busy, but we like it that way! In between all of our family and friend gatherings and our mini vacations, Madeline has really started turning into a little girl. Walking is now her preferred method of transportation, and if I try to play some of the "crawl and chase" games that we used to she looks at me like "mom...that was SO last month!" She now answers every question with a "yetch" (yes) even if she doesn't understand what I am asking. At her one year check up she was 17 lbs, 9 oz., and 29.5 inches! She finally has doubled her birthweight!

We had a wonderful visit with Carol and Caden Dieringer, Michelle and Evelyn Swidrak, Christen and Everett Kim, and Kandy, Jackson, and Addison Woodard! Five moms and six kids in one house for a weekend while our "better halves" went on thier annual camping trip. We got a babysitter Saturday night for the kiddos and got all dolled up and went out for the worlds longest dinner ever! It was such an intentional and incredible time. Love you girls!

I have had some really sweet times with the highschool youth group that I am a part of. The four girls that I have been mentoring/discipling for three years just graduated. To have a last hurrah with them my dear friend Summer and I took them downtown and treated them to pedicures! It was fun...driving in Chicago always flusters me...but it was a perfect note to end this chapter of my relationship with them. Now I have started meeting with a group of six soon-to-be sophomore girls who are just so honest and excited about Jesus! Can't wait till our small group starts up! I love this ministry. So life-giving.

I just love summer! There's so much to do and everyone seems to be in town and it's just so lovely. This next weekend my besties/roomates from Judson are coming in for a few days and I'm so freaking excited! I can't wait for Jack and Halle and Wille and Maddie to all play together. So fun. And then Greg and I head up to Wisconsin for the last part of the week to vacay with my whole family...and Maddie can play with her cousin Ethan! Who is such a butterball of love I can't even stand it! God is so good to allow all of us to have these precious moments with family and friends on this earth. He really is.

Sasa is One!

Everyone tells me how I need to hold on to these moments with Madeline because she will be all grown-ded up before I know it. I swear I'm listening...but she is still turning more and more into a little girl every day! Does anyone have a shrinking gun? Or better yet, a freezer gun? I just want to bottle up her innocence and sweetness and save it for the days that I know are to come (teenageship) so I can remember....these precious moments. In the same breath, I am enjoying watching her develop into a little character...even with her naughty moments. The word "NO" is most definitely being used around the Hamann household more than ever before!

We were so blessed to be surrounded by such a supportive group of family and friends for Maddies first birthday party! Both Greg and I were saying that we haven't had that many people together that we love in once place since our wedding day, and we were definitely feeling the LOVE from everyone last Saturday! Thanks you guys! My favorite moment was definitely Madeline eating that first piece of cake...she ate the entire thing, refused for me to take her out of her highchair, and then preceded to LICK off her whole tray. Frosting in the nose, in the eyes, in the hair and cake in the ears. Oh the joy! Enjoy the pics from this wonderful day!

Hiding Behind a Blog

One of my biggest fears with my blogging is that it will turn into some sort of social avenue for me. Not an avenue, I guess, but more like a lifestyle. Or maybe a copout for reality.
I can see where it would be very easy to get carried away with blogs, facebook, and twitter. I feel like I can be lost for an hour or so in this alternate universe of internet and not even realize it. When I start to realize that I'm even remotely sad that I don't have comments on any of my posting God gives me a swift kick in the pants. Am I so prideful that I would actually experience any kind of emotions attached to others reactions to what I write about my life and my child? Wow. Wow. wow. wow. Am I that important? Are my thoughts that provoking?

Have social interactions and community and fellowship been substitutd for a cyber version of reality? Do I make subtle hints at people in my blog but I'm too cowardly to talk about it face to face? Am I keeping up on my internet postings but not pursuing fellowship and accountability in real life? Is my blog just a way for me to show everyone how awesome I am and how perfect my life and my family are? Am I coming to my computer on a daily basis before I am coming to the throne of my God? Am I writing more about God than actively seeking Him? I am embarrassed to say...yes...to some of the questions above...and sometimes to most of the others. And no to the one about God.


Being a mom that stays at home, I fully understand how confining it can be to have a napping child or one that is about to or needs this that and the other thing. And I love being able to catch up with family and friends and to feel like I'm part of the lives of those that live so far away. I am not against blogging or the internet. Clearly. I just really pray that I don't use my blog for anything other than I've intended...to glorify the Lord...to share what He is doing in my heart and my home. And what He is doing it with my heart right now is just breaking it over my sins of selfishness and pride.

The internet is such an opportunity to "so shine our light before men." Not an opportunity to shine myself. Lord I'm sorry that I haven't seen it before...