It's been awhile...

It's been awhile since our last post.  Time flies when you're having fun.  Here's what we've been up to.

Micah's Baby Dedication

We've committed to lead Micah, whom God has entrusted to us, back to Him.  It brought back so many memories of Maddie's baby dedication.  Here are some of the goals Emily and I discussed in preparation for the baby dedication:

• That they would understand that they are not only accountable to us, but to God.
• That they would bring glory to God in everything they do.
• That I would be the husband we want Maddie to marry and Micah to be and that Emily would be the wife we want Micah to marry and Maddie to be.

We invite you (whoever you are) to hold us accountable as we do the things we need to do to achieve these goals and lead Maddie and Micah back to Him.

We Moved

We will never forget the story surrounding our move -- one only God could write.  We're settled for the most part.  Here's our little helper painting the play room.

 

  

Record Snowfall in Atlanta

We had the most snow we've seen in Atlanta since we moved here five years ago (3+ inches).  

 

Unfortunately, they don't sell sleds in Georgia.  So we did what most southerners do -- use an empty Rubbermaid.

 

 

And Maddie had a good time making snowmice with Bop Bop.

 

If you're wondering, "Why snowmice?"  Maddie's into Angelina Ballerina.

So it begins...

Maddie tried getting Micah in Time Out last night.  You're probably thinking, "Isn't he too young for time out?"  Yes, but I was trying to be consistent with "consequences".  Here's how it went down:

Micah was stuffing his mouth with one of Maddie's trains.  She wasn't happy because he was getting slobber all over it.  We don't want him doing that, so I took the train away and told him that he was going in Time Out if he did it again. (Teachable moment?)

He then picked up a train.  As if she had busted him, Maddie shouted, "Micah's touching a twain!"  I said, "Oh, he's allowed touching the trains.  He just can't put them in his mouth."

I turn my head for a second and hear, "Look!"

Maddie was stuffing a train in his mouth......

Christmas 2009

It's Micah's first Christmas.  Maddie finally understands OPENING presents.  Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned.  They're BOTH getting over bronchitis.  Here they are with their nebulizers.

 

Maddie with her Zhu Zhu pets.

 

Maddie and Micah with their Thomas train table.

 

 

 Micah and Aunt Bethany.

 

Our new tradition -- a birthday cake for Jesus.  Notice the Zhu Zhu pets and Birthday Thomas joined us for the fun.

 

Christmas Fun!

Just in time for Christmas.  Here are some pictures from the neighborhood Christmas party.

 

 

 

 

 

Is it too late for FALL pictures?

Christmas Eve is tomorrow, so why not share some FALL pictures?  I was browsing our pictures and came across some pictures from this fall.  Don't mind the turkey bib.

 

 

 

 

 

First Trip to the Dentist

Maddie visited the dentist for the first time a few weeks ago.  Pinky (her "security blanket") joined her and got to experience some of the sights and sounds as well.  She did a great job.  Here are some pics from the trip.

Maddie and the dental hygienist holding Pinky's paws on the way back.

 

 Waiting patiently to be seen.

 

X-ray time!

 

Pinky making sure the toothbrush is safe for Maddie.

 

A little lick to put her at ease.

 

Look at that face.  Priceless!

Why I'm NOT a Bengals Fan

Yes, I was born in Cincinnati.  And no, I'm not a Bengals fan.

How did we break up?

In 1989, the Bengals lost to the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIII.  The 49ers won with 34 seconds left, leaving an eight-year-old completely devastated.  Since then, they've gone something like 110-193-1.

Every Sunday during that stellar stretch, I remember asking my dad if the Bengals were on.  "No, Mike.  They're blacked out again."  It eventually became a joke.

Needless to say, I lost interest in the Bengals and professional football all together.

How did I become a Steelers fan?

Emily is from Washington, PA, which is just outside of Pittsburgh.  She comes from a family of Steelers fans.  The year we got married was Big Ben's rookie year.  While they didn't go to the Super Bowl, they had a MUCH more exciting year than the Bengals.  Not having an allegiance to any professional team, it was a natural fit.

Since then, I've experienced a game a Heinz Field, celebrated two Super Bowl championships and have welcomed two little Steelers into the family.

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!

Fall Pics

I know it's late, but here are a few pics from our trip to the pumpkin patch and playing in the leaves.

Compassion Friday

I'm switching Quick Facts Friday to Compassion Friday and in doing so, want to share the most recent letter we received from Magazi.

"Dear Mike Mauntel, Magazi salutes you "Shikamoo."  He says he is fine and doing well together with his family.  He says he is so grateful for the nice family gift you sent to him.  He says his parents are so grateful for the nice gift, for they were able to buy the following: One iron sheet, clothes for dad and mom, rice, sugar, beans, clothes (suit) for him and his sibling.  He also thanks you a lot for the nice photo, letters and stickers you sent to him.  He says he lives with his father, mother, and his sibling.  He says his past photo he had sent to you he took with his parents.  He says he, likes playing football game.  He says his best subjects are mathematics and handwriting.  Magazi hopes that Michael is born and grows well.  Hey says may you have a look at the photo he has sent to you when with his mother and sibling with all the gifts he bought.  He lastly says may you pray for his mother to know Jesus for he is of different denomination."

He also included this drawing.  Notice the stickers!

I thought Maddie would like to see the stickers on there since she LOVES stickers.  Unfortunately, she threw a fit.  "My tickers!"

I calmed her down, sat her on my lap, and tried to explain how Magazi lives in another country, is less fortunate that we are, etc.

Thinking I was getting through to her, she got up, turned around, looked at me and said, "No talk to me daddy."

Much like getting played, all I could do was laugh.

Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International today.

Mimi's house now?

So, I just got home from work.  Maddie greeted me at the door and immediately gave me a hug and kiss, which has NEVER happened before. 

I said, "This is one of the best days of my life!"

Meanwhile, Emily's cracking up. 

Sensing something was up when Maddie asked, "Mimi's house now?", I realized Emily told her she couldn't go to Mimi's house until she gave me a hug and kiss!

I may have been played, but it was one of the sweetest moments to date.

Special Visitor

We had a special visitor last week -- soon-to-be Aunt Lindsey.  My brother's fiance was in from Colorado for work related reasons.  We were disappointed we didn't get to spend more time with her, but had fun at dinner and a quick visit to Barnes & Noble.

Two Years Old!

Maddie turned two yesterday.  I can't believe it!  We celebrated over the weekend with our family.  Maddie was the center of attention, of course.  But it doesn't really take a birthday for that!

We tried teaching her to say "Thank you so much.  I love it!" when she received a gift.  What came out was, "Thank you, so I love it!"

The Steelers happened to play the Bengals over the weekend as well.  Em's family (including me) are Steelers fans while my family (excluding me) are Bengals fans.  Unfortunately, the Bengals came out on top.  But we had a good time.  Here's Maddie with her best friend Dindy (Em's Aunt Cindy).