Just realized it's been almost 2 years since I've posted a blog. Not sure that anyone reads it (besides my mom), but if nothing else it is a journal and memory keeper for years to come. Especially now that we know the Mayans were wrong about the end of the world in 2012.

These past 2 years have flown by, obviously since I never thought sooner to update this.
Dan has been at his job Imaging Office, based out of Columbia City, IN for about 2 years. It has been a good fit for our crazy lives! He can work mostly from home, and come in for lunch with us! However, he, WE still feel a tugging on our hearts for him to be able to do something in the music industry. God very much knows those desires or our hearts, and we know that HIS plan is so much greater than our own!

I have been so blessed (and blown away) by all the photography jobs I have had over the past 2 years. The Lord has just poured out His mighty hand of provision over our little business, and we are going to use 2012 to help continue to grow those skills to be used even more! Dan is also a HUGE part of "Stefanie Rose Photography". He keeps me organized, and my business a functioning business. Couldn't do it without him! I am still enjoying working 2 days at the salon. It is always nice to fellowship with my coworkers, and the awesome clientele who have very much become family to me!

Gabriel Eric Rose will be 4 the end of January. It's easy to believe since he's so grown up and knows EVERYTHING! But hard to believe as I look back on here and see videos of him just learning to walk! He amazes us everyday with his wit & wisdom, keeps us laughing, and on our toes. He is an awesome Big Brother. He also started preschool this past year, and will be starting his freshman year of college next year, studying crime fighting in hopes that he will someday be Batman.
Christian Daniel Rose will be 2 the end of March. He is a stinker, who is always making us laugh, scaring us with his climbing antics, and is a BIG helper who loves to clean up. He talks constantly, even though we haven't been given the translator to know all the important things he is saying! He is yet to meet a stranger. He says hi to everyone...even people we probably wouldn't talk too, but that's good...breaks any awkward tension since he doesn’t discriminate between any of his new friends. He is Robin to Gabriel-Batman, and he is a VERY good side kick who puts up with a great deal. He is a sweetie, and Dan always says Christian has such a charming smile...and that will probably get us ALL in trouble!

On a trip to Texas in November to visit Dan's family, a large buck (didn't have time to count the points...sorry) stopped in the center of the road, and we hit it. It should have gone through our window, but thank the Lord it slid up on the roof which took a lot of the weight off the front. We saw the hand of God all over that accident. Looking at the pictures, we are humbled by the fact that we all walked away...the buck might have limped away. Never saw him again, but I don't think he made it. Our little Accord served us very well the past 2 years, we were sad to see it go, but grateful it kept us safe! We are now the proud owners of a Honda Odyssey minivan...not sure how we lived without it before!!

So, here we are! It's 2012 and we are excited to see what all the Lord has in store for us! The only thing I expect for this year, is the unexpected. And I'd rather it be that way. The past 8 years with Dan here in Ohio have not been at all what I once would have thought my life would turn out to be. It has been better. It has been blessed, it has been awesome!

I'll try to do better on the updates this year!!

Christian Daniel Rose

Christian Daniel Rose arrived in our lives March 30th, 2010. He is such a joy, and big brother Gabriel seems to have adjusted just fine! He loves him, helps when he can, is proud, and protective of "baby brudder Istian"

Current Events

Well there isn't much time before we welcome the arrival of Christian _______ Rose. Only 4-5 weeks to go (Lord Willing), and we are all getting a bit anxious, well, all but Gabriel considering I don't think he really knows what's going on around here!
We talk about Christian coming home...but I think he associates it with Mimi and Papa Oedy coming to visit, so I hope he doesn't think the baby's going away! I think he will be fine. He is very interested in taking care of his baby doll, and always wants to see babies if he hears them when we are out.
It's always something with Mr. Gabriel! Last week he got stitches on Monday, then spiked a fever on Wednesday night at kept us up all night, then he was fine Thursday! He got his stitches out Saturday, and then was a horrible teething monster (2 year molars) on Sunday...again, not much sleep that night when we both had to be up a 6:00!
The Lord is always faithful to meet our needs, and get us through, we were just both hoping for a little more consistency before baby #2 arrives. (I can hear all you parents just snickering at my hope for consistency). But really, is sleeping till 7:00 so much to ask?? 6:00 comes so early! Maybe daylight savings time will throw off his internal alarm clock! Here's hoping!
I'm feeling good! Grateful to have work, and the energy to do it. My legs just aren't keeping up with me after standing a 6-8 hour day, but I sure can't complain. I will be happy to be somewhat back to normal self soon, little more energy, allot more clothing options, and able to bend!
Gabriel's favorite toy in the world right now is a balloon. Cheap, but needing replacement quite frequently. His favorite thing to watch is A Goofy Movie. Very obnoxious, Dan and I can sing any of the songs for you if you like!
Never a dull moments around here...guess we wouldn't want it any other way! We welcome your prayers for the new transition we are getting ready for, and look forward to introducing you to the newest little member of the Rose family!

Bug's 2nd Birthday!

I should have put these pics up awhile ago, but alas, my brain is somewhat on the fritz lately with being pregnant...so here are a few pictures from our little trip to Chuck E. Cheese's...which we will never visit again on a weekend.

Gabriel on some of the rides there...

Gabriel LOVES the slide - Some of the kids trying to "help" Bug down they weren't very nice,

so I made Dan go up with him, so he wouldn't get run over. He was the smallest one up there.

Daddy was a trooper, even though his knees hurt the next day!

Gabriel ate more oranges than pizza - Our sleepy little man on the way home!

Orsey Ride!

Gabriel Loves to ride the horsey at the grocery store, but he loves it when daddy is the "orsey" gives him rides...unfortunately for Dan, once he starts, it's hard to stop, but here's a little snippet of their fun!

Mr. Stitches

Gabriel is so active, I was rather surprised he made it to his 2nd Birthday without having had any stitches, or casts! As much as he runs, jumps, leaps, and climbs, I was sure he would be doing something crazy when he first injured himself enough to land in the ER. However, Gabriel had just pulled up a chair to the Dining Room window, to watch some birdies in the neighbors yard. As he went to climb on the chair, he must have slipped just right to achieve hit his little chin on the windowsill, and bight inside his lip! He was such a little trooper though, he didn't really cry on the way there, we waited for daddy, and told him he fell off the chair. He was in a great mood in the room, danced with the cartoons waiting an hour for the Dr. He charmed the nurses, and entertained Dan and I as usual. The Dr. Came in and told us he would need 3 stitches under his lip, not inside since there was no skin hanging. The Dr. took Bug to see the helicopter while we left the room, then they brought him back and strapped poor little guy down, it didn't take long, and he was done! The Dr. and nurses said he did great! He doesn't really mess with them too much, but if he does he refers to them as his "pokies". It was quite traumatic for us, but are SO glad it wasn't worse!!! He will get his stitches out this Saturday, so we'll be praying that goes well! Glad to have a our crazy little man safe!

Dancin Man

Oh how Gabriel loves to dance to any music anywhere, here he is with his Elmo movie...

Snow Day!

Helping Daddy Shovel!

Playing in the snow! He loved it...till his mittins got soggy.

Snow Buggy

I'm sorry to say that in Gabriel's 2 years on this earth, he has not played in the snow very much. He's either been too little, or sick, or we're sick. So this is his first time being free in the snow! The video is only a minute. But he had much fun throwing snowballs and helping daddy shovel!

Talking Bug

Here is the little man trying to say the few words he knows!