Christ Bell

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be sepa rated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of20the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

Who you
are?

Christmas Eve

Grandma Mary, Grandpa Kurt, and Uncle Levi came over from Missoula

Issac enjoying his first Christmas

What an adorable little cowboy! Thanks Aunt Chele.

Neil and his bottle (in a cow's hoof)!

Aunt Jen and the cousins-Caitlin, Logan, and Destan.

Everyone came over to our house after Christmas Eve Mass for hors d'oeuvres and desserts. It was delicious! Then we exchanged gifts, and we all found some great treasures. It was wonderful to be with our family over the holiday. Issac seemed to enjoy his first Christmas, but was a ittle overwhelmed by all the people and noise when he got tired and hungry.

Christmas day we all went over to Jen's for dinner. More pictures soon to come...

Brrr...

Maddy's favorite spot this week.

Still below zero with cold winds.

Last week we had family pictures taken, Issac was 11 weeks old. They can also be viewed at http://www.jackiejensenphotography.com/ He is growing so fast, and shows more character every day. Issac is such a good baby, he still sleeps through the night and is generally happy during the day. I have really enjoyed spending time at home with him.

Next week I start back to work. Luckily, with all the family close Issac will get to spend the days I'm working with his dad, aunt, or grandparents. I really enjoy nursing (almost as much as being a mom!) so I'm glad that I will continue to work part-time.

We ventured out to find a Christmas tree Wednesday afternoon, but had no luck close to the ranch. Issac managed to kick a shoe off while we were out, and we couldn't find it in the dark. Thursday we took a drive up Neil Creek in the Snowys and found the perfect tree. Then we came home to vaccinate heifer calves with the vet. It was so nice out, and Issac slept in his carseat by the chute (on the other side of the fence, of coarse!) That evening we decorated the tree and watched Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation. Issac loves the lights and bells.

Yesterday a blizzard struck Montana. It was so cold, blowing, and snowing all day. Before our weather station froze it was 15 below with a 20-30mph wind (37-40 degrees below zero with the wind-chill!) We are so thankful for our wood stove and new kitchen windows. The cold temperatures are predicted to last until Monday or Tuesday (with high temps below zero.)

Congratulations Tim & Kristi!

Congratulations Tim and Kristi! Bryan's uncle (and our closest neighbor) got married Saturday December 6. We are happy to welcome Kristi into the family. The wedding was beautiful at the Calvary Church in Stanford, and a fun reception dinner and dance at the community center. It was nice to visit with all the relatives, extended family, and friends. Pictures from the wedding are online and can be viewed at www.jackiejensenphotography.com Again, congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy marriage!

We Are Thankful...

For Great Grandma Dorothy coming all the way from Oklahoma and staying with us for a week-baking, sewing, and spoiling her first great grandbaby!

For all the delicious Thanksgiving food!

For Grandparents spoiling Issac.

And smiles!

For 4 generations together for Thanksgiving:

Sarah, Great-grandma Dorothy Roy, Bryan, Issac, Uncle Levi, Grandma Kim, Grandpa Steve

For Carhartts and John Deere fleece in the Judith Gap winter so Issac can sleep, cozy in his carseat, while Mom and Dad butcher a deer and work in the shop.

New adventures

More firsts for Issac-vaccinating and herding cows, and hunting!

Working cows with Mom, Dad, and Papa. Issac slept in the backpack through it all.

Herding bulls back into the pasture

Hunting with Levi and Danielle. Nice buck, Levi!

4 Generations

4 Generations

Great Grandma Rubel, Grandma Cindy, Bryan, and Issac

Great Grandma Rubel with Issac


Grandma and Issac

Bryan, Sarah, and Issac

Work, Friends, and Sleep!

Friday we poured cement at the shop and corrals. We attempted to put Issac's hand print in it, but he just wanted to grab a fist full of it!

Sunday we visited Gauglers in Harlowton and met Alexis Marie. She is just 16 days older than Issac, and a real cutie! Here's the new dads with their babes-Josh & Lexie, Bryan & Issac.

Our latest achievement is Issac sleeping through the night! Bryan has been feeding him from a bottle at 9:30 pm since he eats a little more this way, then he's been sleeping until 4:30 or 5:00 am the past two nights. It's so wonderful not getting up in the middle of the night, although I still wake up since my body clock was getting used to the 1 or 2 am feedings.

Issac had his 1 month check-up yesterday and has gained over 3 pounds in the last month! He now weighs 10 pounds 13 ounces. Needless to say, he's very healthy and growing before our eyes.

Issac at 1 month

His first time in real clothes-he is so cute in these overalls, and new shoes from Chele!

Here's a real smile

What a grin!

Issac's latest developments, besides that great smile, include rolling up onto his side and cooing. He's always moving his arms and legs when he's awake, which is a lot more often now. He's so much more alert and moves his head to check out everything around him. He doesn't particularly like the camera and flash though, so I was lucky to get these smiles.

A perfect sunrise from our front porch. We are so blessed to live where we do, and have these kind of views from our living room and kitchen table!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 21st Birthday Levi! Hope you have a great day, don't party too hard!

Issac is 1 month old today. He's growing so fast! More pictures soon.

First smile & snow!

Issac's first real smile absolutely melted my heart! He was awake, alert, and looking right into my eyes when he grinned. Then I made some funny faces and he smiled even bigger. It's amazing to see him starting to interact more and more every day. I couldn't leave that precious face to go get the camera, so I'll try to get a picture next time.

The first snow of the season started last night, and this is the first time Issac has seen snow. We even ventured outside in it for a trip to town. I'm not sure what he thinks of the snow yet, I had him bundled up so tight he probably didn't even notice. Forecast for Judith Gap this weekend: 100% chance of snow from now until Sunday night with accumulations of up to one foot. Looks like a good weekend to cuddle by the fire!

Two weeks old tomorrow!

Issac and Dad snoozing

One of the first pictures with open eyes!

Our first family picture

Look at that adorable smile-I love it! It will be even better when he'll smile like this when he's awake and not filling his diaper.

The first two weeks have gone so fast. He's already growing and changing before our eyes. At his one week check-up he had gained 3 ounces already! He is a wonderful baby-he eats about every three hours and gets up only once or twice during the night. He loves being held and dancing around the house. We have been enjoying the beautiful fall weather with temperatures in the 70's and sunshine. Issac sleeps through our walks outside, but we all enjoy the fresh air.

Issac Leo

Issac Leo Mauws was born September 19, 2008 at 11:43 am. He was 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. He is a happy, healthy baby. We are truly blessed! More pictures to come soon.

Pregnant Belly-35 weeks!

August vacation

Logan Pass, Going to the Sun Road

Bryan and Sarah at Swan Lake

Took a little vacation at the beginning of August through Glacier National Park, one of my favorite places. We took the Going to the Sun road from St. Mary's over Logan Pass to West Glacier. Stopped on top of Logan Pass for a short hike and to play in the snow. Levi gave us directions to the huckleberry patch near West Glacier, so we stopped and picked huckleberries for a while. We had dinner and stayed with Lewy, Jessica, and Eli in Columbia Falls. We all ventured down the East shore of Flathead Lake for some cherries, and walked through the art fesitval in Big Fork. Went to Isaac and Dawn Ann Anderson's wedding in Kalispell and had a good time. On the way home we took the scenic route down the Swan Valley to Seeley, then over Flesher Pass to Helena. The entire trip was beautiful!

7 months pregnant

Here is a long overdue update on the pregnancy. The official due date is September 26, 2008. In just 2 months we will have a new addition to the family! Bryan and I are both very excited! I love watching my belly move with all the kicks, hiccups, and pushing the baby does. Everything with the pregnancy is going well, and I feel great! We are taking Lamaze classes in Lewistown, and just starting to put together a nursery at home. I'll try to post some belly pictures soon!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Love, Bryan & Sarah

Independence Day

For the Fourth of July this year we took the boat to Ackley Lake. We had lots of good company-Lewy, Jessica, & Eli; Levi; and Michelle & Neil. The fishing wasn't great, but the water sure felt good on a hot day! We came home and had a barbeque and fireworks with Jen, Destan, Logan, and Caity.

July 5, 2008 was the night of the last show at the drive-in movie theatre in Lewistown. We went and watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. We will sure miss those summer nights at the drive-in!

There are big elk in the Belts!!

Matched set of 6 point bull elk sheds found with in 300 feet of each other.

This is what we find when Sarah goes to fix fence up in the mountains with me. That means she'll have to come more often.

Bryan

Iowa Vacation

Bryan and I just got back from vacation. We went to Iowa for a good friend's wedding and saw lots of family, friends, and a few other attractions along the way. We left last Tuesday and saw Crazy Horse memorial and camped in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Wednesday we saw Mount Rushmore and drove on the back roads through northern Nebraska to Iowa. We stayed in a motel in Fort Dodge once we hit the severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings.

Thursday we visited the John Deere Engine Works factory in Waterloo, IA and got a private tour. We stayed with Mom's sister, Amy and Tony and visited with Deb and Al, Grandma & Grandpa, Rose, and Grandma's sister, Barb. It was great to see everyone and catch up. Thursday night we awoke to the sound of sirens-the tornado warning system for La Porte. We went to the basement where we watched the weather channel until the threat passed.

Friday we drove north through Fort Atkinson to Decorah. We saw Jessica and Jenna Nanke in downtown Decorah, saw the town, then went to the rehersal dinner at Justin's family's house. Saturday was Jessica and Justin's wedding-a beautiful ceremony at the local Catholic church, then a reception at the historic Hotel Winnesheik in Decorah. They had a social hour with snacks, then dinner and a dance. The entire day went well and was lots of fun!

Sunday we went to visit Rebecca and Greg in Rochester, Minnesota for breakfast and a tour of their house and the Mayo Clinic where Rebecca works as a nurse. Then we took I-90 to Sturgis, South Dakota where we camped for the night.

Up early Monday morning, a quick shopping stop in Billings, and back to home, sweet home by Monday afternoon.