More Fall Fun

Here is a video the other post wouldn't hold. Gabriella is crazy fun. As you watch this video, catch some more joy... Romans 14:17

Famous Fall in Wheaton

Well, the fall isn't famous in the papers, but its famous to us. So many new things. We are experiencing the Presence of God and the power of God like never before. Our baby G is laughing, squawking and moving all over! Neelie and I are in full swing of College Pastoring as all the college students just started school this week. Pray for lots of renewal of mindsets this year. We already have favor. We already have good works prepared beforehand. We already have power. We already have peace & joy. Come on, Jesus! Thanks for supporting us, friends! Hope you enjoy the media...

Ellie makes Gigi Laugh

We caught Ellie Making Gigi Laugh at Jonathan and Amy's house. Here is a video of the fun. I thought I got more of it, but I didnt - take this video and multiply her laugh by 10 and that is how much fun gigi had with Ellie. She really takes to Jonathan, always smiles at Amy.

She Is Growing!

Well, here is another video by request of you friends.  Thanks for loving our daughter!

Stephen and Neelie and little G.

Update is she is eating some solids now (oatmeal/formula mix, avocados, peas).  She has a new nick name inspired by Neelie.  We had been calling her little "la-la" from Gabriel-la.  So now she is being called "Lolly."

We are sleeping at night and we made it through the first four months of parenting.  Thank You Jesus! 

Stephen just celebrated his first for-real Father's Day and Neelie knocked it out of the park encouraging and celebrating him alllll day.  

The Girls

Another video of Neelie making Gabriella laugh - they did this for about 3 minutes and Gabriella laughed the whole time!

Look alike contest

 
Here she is in front view.  Who does she look more like?  What do you think?

Gigi Story

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Gabriella is very interactive these days - here is a quick video of how she talks to Mommy.  Very fun to hear her "talk" and to watch her smile

Baby Rays

News is: We have now decidedly begun to call our little Gabriella "Gigi."  Our extended fam does call her Brie and Baby Apple still; and all those names are fine and dandy.  We call her several other nicknames too; we just have centered in on "gigi."  Our sister-in-law, Amy, took these pics with her new camera!

Mamalea and Gigi

We were so excited to see Stephen's Mom in March right before her RETIREMENT!!!!! That's right... after so many years of working full-time & being a mom of 5 wild and crazy boys, Mamalea retires - way to go Mom.  

She came to town to be the Main Speaker at Antioch Wheaton's Women Retreat, and left every woman in tears [i heard it was a good cry :)].  Here are a few pics of Mom holding baby Gigi.  And a video of gigi sucking her thumb. stinkin cute  

A couple brothers / brother-in-law

Hey, this is my brother, Chris Herman (Neelie's bro) and I at our sledding outing during Christmas...

And my other brother, James Mark, his wife Maria, his 2 kids (Mia Praise & Jude Freedom) and a friend Alli McBrayer.

Some of our fam...

Alright so here's a baby

Well, we (more like Neelie) had our little baby! It happened on January 29, 2009 @ 7:17 p.m.  Her name is, as we said before, Gabriella Apple, and she is an awesome little G.  We are sad that all of you can't be here while she grows up - we agree that it takes a village to raise a child...so we hope to keep you in the loop via picture.  We love you guys.  And we hope this blog keeps you updated on our family life.  We will begin to add more ministry stories because a good bit has been happening up here!  God is on the move.