Overdue Update

Another rich season.  Am I allowed to claim that for every season?  It seems that deep living and joy filled moments come with this stage in our life.  Don't get me wrong, there are hard times and struggles, but the lessons learned and the obvious presence and delight from our mighty God far outweighs them all.  

I'm about 34 weeks pregnant and once again have had a pretty smooth time.  Aside from the heart burn and random fatigue there isn't a lot to complain about.   Andrew and I are very excited for our family to grow and feel emotionally ready to meet our next little girl.  Though there are still some things on the to do list, for the most part we'd transition smoothly if she decides to come early.  We are pretty sure Madison has no idea what's coming her way (she points to her own tummy and says baby) but with her social personality and gracious demeanor we are optimistic on how she will handle another little one in the house.  

Andrew is also doing well.  Recent really fun news as of yesterday, he got an elk!  Way to fill the freezer baby! He has put in some long hours and early mornings and definitely deserved some fruit, or I guess meat, for his labor.  He also had his 2nd summer at the newer Young Life camp on property, Creekside.  He had a rich summer as their numbers were above capacity most weeks and many many kids devoted their lives to Christ.  So good.  He also had a stellar team that complimented each other well.  Though there was many emotionally demanding days due to several significant deaths surrounding our community and making the hard choice to live authentically, he as usual laid out all that he had and was filled, blessed and guided by our intimate Lord. 

Madison is an absolute joy in our life.  She is also full of energy, has a hunger to learn, a desire to please, a sensitivity to others and is a really great dancer.  She is testing her and our limits occasionally, but we are all doing our best to be teachable and continue to enjoy our days together.  Below are some pictures to highlight what those days have consisted of...

Playing in the shower bathroom.  She loves to bring any and everyone into our tiny 1/2 bathroom and have them 'gohavaseat'.  She will then close the door with the lights off and spin, dance, jump and just laugh until the observer becomes claustrophobic. 

In October, we began the potty training journey.  With much guidance from my mom (who's run a home daycare for over 30 years) and a link from baby center (http://www.babycenter.com/0_potty-training-in-three-days-or-less_10310078.bc) within 5 days she picked up the concept and now really prefers her big girl panty life.  Below is one of her favorite past times consisting of putting all of her panties on one leg or the other, standing up and walking around until they all fall off, and then repeating it again.

 

Just last week we moved her to the bottom bunk of her beautiful ash bunkbed that Andrew built over a year ago.  As you can see we have up a guard and a side ladder which pretty much makes it feel like a really big crib.  She has loved playing in it and on it and hasn't really missed a beat sleeping either.  Another reason I am thankful we keep it super dark in there.  

Thanks for taking the time to enter into our lives, please continue to lift us up as we embark on the journey before us.  So thankful for your love and support.  Hopefully you'll be hearing from Andrew within the month with another labor story. 

Fall Adventures

Fun Summer Times

Sweet Family Visits: May, July

Loving Spring

A Sweet, Sweet Day

Just had to share our blessed day. Andrew had today off and the three of us just spent the day together. My tummy is full from yet another successful daddy dinner and my heart is satisfied from the memories made today. We started by going to Morning Mudd as a family. Morning Mudd is a huge gift the camp does to bless staff, it consists of chatting and $1.00 Mochas, yes! Madison of course did not have one, but appeared so as she slipped her milk out of a straw (thank you Ford for teaching us how). Later in the day, I was amazed as she carefully loaded two of her favorite toys onto her Stride to Ride Lion and took them for a tour around the living room. Really, already? Soon after we were all giggling as she discovered the sound her legs make as they hit the ground (picture her laying down and doing a swim kicking motion), then she would laugh even harder when she saw that Andrew and I could do the same thing and at the same time as her! Finally, to close out the night she borrowed the broom and was trying to sweep the floor. My cup is overflowing, my heart is thankful, Glory be to God!

PS: I forgot to mention that we also found her in Rufus' kennel today; she has been trying to make it over the little barrier for months and finally succeeded. Now, how excited was he about it? I don't know, he's a great sport.

December & January

19 days, 9 Beds, 8 airplanes, 6 states, 3 rental cars, and 1 First Birthday

Our trip to OKC to Kansas to OKC to Orlando to OKC to Tulsa to Stillwater to Home was great!  We were blessed with lots of time with family, friends and each other.  After spending some time in Garden City, KS, Andrew and I left Madison with her grandparents and headed to OKC where we would fly into Orlando the next day.  Young Life was putting on their every 4 year treat of an All Staff Conference.  We went up a couple of days before the conference just to be together.  Though our two days consisted primarily of sleeping, walks, and local diners it was our highlight in Florida.  Yes, we did miss little Madi Rae terribly, but it gave us great satisfaction to know that her and both sets of grandparents weren't really missing us at all.  We couldn't be more thankful for our families and the way they love us and our little girl.  The ASC was also incredible, we left feeling challenged in our faith, refreshed in our calling and appreciated for our efforts.  Did I mention they also rented out Sea World for us?  An un-topable night; thanks again Young Life!  We rushed back to OKC on the 29th of January to celebrate Madison's first birthday!  A day full of family, water play, ice cream, mirrors, chocolate cake, and slides at the Science museum, she had a ball. 

One unforgettable 1st birthday moment:  At her Pooh Bear party in Garden City, Madison had her first taste of sugar, a cupcake.  Loved it, about 5 hours later was still loving it and we think singing about it as she partied in her crib till 1:30 am.  Sweet memory, I couldn't help bursting out laughing as she discovered her lung capacity heighten by the effects of frosting, needless to say when we celebrated again in OKC she had her treats at 11am.

The last couple of months have also been good.  Andrew is finally feeling almost normal after battling pneumonia for a really long many months.  Christmas was a low key time with just us three and dinner with some of our beloved Ranch families.  So thankful for our Lord and Savior and love that next Christmas Madison will understand it a little bit more.  She is such a sponge, learning and delighting in all new things.  Check out our youtube channel to see some of her dance moves. www.youtube.com/user/PrattVillage She has taken up to 12 steps at a time and as of yesterday learned how to Indian call.

Did You Know Madison means "Daughter of a Mighty Warrior"?

It was a few years before baby plans when we decided that if we ever had a girl her name would be Madison.  Since there hadn't been any girls born to the Pratt family in 4 generations, we didn't actually think it would happen.  I remember being 8 months pregnant, walking into Barnes and Noble and looking up the meaning of "Madison".  It was then that the final piece clicked and I knew that would indeed be her name.

In my many years of knowing Andrew, he has proved in countless ways to be a mighty warrior, but it wasn't until the last couple of months that he embodied the literal meaning.  Yes, Andrew has become a hunter and a really great one at that.  In October, he shot a 4 point (8 point in OK) buck, and in November he brought home a 400 lb elk cow.  We've been eating as royalty, Elk Filet Mignon and venison jerky.  Another fun note is that Madison also loves the taste of it!  Yeah, That's My Man!

Some Madison updates: We really could not ask for a happier little girl.  She absolutely loves being around people, pets and any kind of foliage.  Besides making us beam with pride by skillfully clapping, waving and standing for up to 15 seconds at a time, she also has become quite the comedian with her delayed laugh.  You can't help but try to get her to do it over and over again.  She likes to have food on the tray to feed herself while being fed with a spoon, yes, a very good eater.  She is very mobile now, cruising and crawling all over the house.  At different times she has said, "Momma, Dada" and a tongue sticking out version of "Daddy".  Parenthood is an incredible blessing and we are doing our best to soak it in. 

Angela update:  For the last couple of months, I've been exploring starting a small business making stretch headbands.  Thanks to all of those that love them and have encouraged me, I've started a Stretch Headband shop on etsy.  It's called, "Classies A little flair for everyday wear, Where all proceeds go to kids' college fund and your satisfaction is the top priority".  It has already blessed me in the times at home when I've missed work and allowed me to find a style of headband that works for both me and Madison.  It has been a fun thing so far and I am totally open handed with it.  His will be done.  Feel free to check it out:   http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClassiesAlittleFlair

October & November

Daddy's Little Girl

 Standing with Daddy

 

Looking at Daddy

Flying with Daddy

Just hangin' with Daddy

August & September

Camping season is slowing down and we are welcoming the calmer life fall and winter bring.  In fact, Andrew went this morning for his first Buck hunt which really makes it feel like fall.  We are enjoying the cooler weather in the canyon, more time with friends and of course... OU football!

September especially seemed to be a milestone month for Madison.  I almost wish they were spread out a little bit more and have become a cliche advocate in that "they really do grow up so fast".  Her first two teeth came in within a couple of days of each other, she is not only rolling both ways, but is now also becoming quite mobile in her scrawling (scooting/crawling), coined by Pops Rigsby), her conversations have become much more elaborate and the delightful milestone of feeding herself cheerios (a HUGE blessing for us!)

For your enjoyment, Madison on the mixing board...

June & July

Summer Time

Today is the first day of the last "summer" week of camping at Creekside. It has been such a wonderful season. As my first summer as a "camp mom", I have beamed with admiration and pride over what Andrew and the rest of his crew have pulled off. Thousands of middle school kids have heard the 'greatest news' in an awesome atmosphere.

As you can see from the slideshow above, we couldn't have asked for a more vibrant summer. Back in June, Darin, Jeanne and Lindsay flew in from Kansas and in July Madison and I made a trip to Oklahoma followed by a trip to Texas where Eric and Elise got married! We celebrate all of the new meetings and memories made and are pumped to have another Pratt lady in the family.

Madison continues to be such a delight! She's well into solid foods, prunes are her favorite, and sits independently. She has mastered rolling front to back, but has only conquered the reverse once. It's fun to hear her squeal in delight as she lunges for dad or giggles as I kiss her belly. She is very observant and seems to focused on learning constantly. At this rate she'll be mobile in a couple of months!

April and May

The Life of Madison in April and May

Madison continues to experience quite a few firsts; it's so fun!  She reminds me all the time of the freshness of life.  In the last couple of months she met her Baier Great Grandparents, really enjoyed Rufus and his kisses, rolled over tummy to back, laughed and even attended a wedding!

Bob and Charlotte Baier, Andrew's grandparents came up from Kansas at the beginning of April.  They have always loved and spoiled Rufus like their great grandson so it was fun to see a ten-fold of that with our little girl!  We, of course, played dirty rummy and Rufus got his exercise (thanks again Grandpa!).  Another fun discovery was Madison's love of the fish tank, I beamed with joy seeing her delight in one of my favorite pass times.  Needless to say, we have since enjoyed many fish watching moments together.  We are so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa Baier again along with a lot of the rest of our family at Eric's (Andrew's brother) wedding in July!
 

 Since the beginning, there has been no question of Rufus' affection for Madison.  The days of our parade (Rufus would follow whoever was holding Madison step by step around the house) have past and now she's also hungry for his.  It has been quite a gift for us in the evening fussy hour.  All she needs is Rufus to show her attention and maybe kiss her hand and it's all good again.

On the rolling over and laughing update, believe me I have tried to get some live footage.  She is just video camera shy.  One fun fact about her laugh is that it was on Mother's Day.  It along with a recording of her sweet coos were wonderful gifts. 

A couple of our dear ranch friends, John and Sarah Gastineau were married April 30th.  It was a beautiful wedding and an honor to share in the celebration!  It also turned into a 2005 intern reunion which was another delight.  Madison discovered bright sunlight and cold wind for the first time, but we got through it and she's enjoying the outdoors more and more everyday.

Washington Family Ranch Creekside

 

Creekside, WFR's new camp is now up and running!  As of April 1st, Andrew officially became the Guest Services Coordinator for the newest Young Life camp, Creekside.  Last weekend was its dedication and first time use of campers.  It was one of those sweet rewarding moments to watch as these middle school campers got off the bus and laid their eyes on camp for the first time.  Some kids went straight for the water slides while others just stopped and took in the first class buildings, landscape, rides, really everything that was built just for them.    

It has been especially sweet for me (Angela) to watch Andrew take on this new huge responsibility.  From hiring his team for the summer to building the adventure course, Andrew has been earnest and mindful with every decision.  He really has a gift for seeing people's strengths and placing them in a role where both they and camp will thrive.  I am continually impressed with the man he is in not only the way he serves others, but also in the way he serves when no one is looking.

This last week, Andrew took Madison and I around the camp to play.  We played a round of miniature golf and he had Madison in the front pack while I went through the adventure course.  What a fun place for her to grow up!  Andrew's just itching to take her down a water slide, but don't worry grandmas it's not happening anytime soon...

February & March

Madison's First Impression

Our little girl celebrates 2 months today!  It has already been a sweet journey, one we are so honored to be on.  During her first 2 months we had 10 people in our home that spent most of their visit either loving on Madison or Rufus (of course us too!).  We couldn’t be more thankful for the family and friends in our life.

Round one was Pops and Gramma Rigsby.  Pops spent his days walking Rufus and eating up all of those brief moments when Madison would actually be awake (she was still only 2 weeks old).  Gramma sewed up several changing pad covers, re-embraced the beauty of cloth diapering and grasped Madison every chance she could.  Together they took care of both ladies with lots of hugs, sleep time and a clean house.  

 

 

Next were Grandpa and Grandma Pratt.  Madison was awake a little bit more this round just turning 1 month old, but Grandpa had an uncanny gift of putting Madison asleep (it was amazing!).  He also spent much of his time helping Andrew build storage shelves for Creekside.   Grandma, along with sweet porch sitting time with Madison and Rufus, helped sift through a horrendous medicine cabinet.    We had sweet times of watching Madison’s funny faces, playing the game Railways of the World and eating some incredible dinners!

In the last couple of weeks Andrew's cousin, Alissa (she beat her Dad, mom and sister here by over a week!), a couple of our Canyon friends, Nick and Stacy Graves and Andrew's Uncle, Aunt and Cousin, Steve, Noel and Brianne came to visit.  They all helped us discover one of our new favorite joys:  watching other people enjoy Madison.