In the past 70 weeks, we’ve seen Becca grow from a tiny baby to an energetic toddler. Becca’s newest outside activity is climbing the 17 stairs to our second floor apartment. On Saturday, she decided to use the railing to pull herself up, instead of crawling up the stairs. It takes a while (old smashed pieces of chewing gum are very interesting to little girls), but Becca is determined to climb up all by herself (with very close supervision, of course!).

Becca’s newest indoor activity is building towers with her blocks. On Monday, I found her building little towers all by herself and was so delighted with her. When I expressed my pleasure to her, she made the sign for more. Yes, more, more! She can stack three blocks and is working on getting a fourth one up there.

We’ve established a bedtime routine for Becca that’s been in place for a few months now. When Becca is all ready for bed, she sits on my lap and drinks a bottle of milk (she gets so excited to see that bottle full of milk) while Josh reads to us from The Jesus Storybook Bible. This is an excellent book that goes through the Bible and shows us how Every Story Whispers His Name. We pray that Becca will understand at an early age that she needs Jesus to be her rescuer.

After we read to Becca, we sing her the Goodnight Song. I’m not sure what the official title is, but it’s the song my dad sang to me when he put me to bed. We would sing it to Becca every night before we left the NICU and we still sing it to her every night before she goes to bed. After singing, we pray, tell Becca that we love her, and remind her that “most of all Jesus loves you.” Our prayer is that Becca will come to love Jesus with all her heart.

After two days apart, we were all delighted when I came home from SC. I was so excited to fly back to TX that I woke up early Saturday morning, and even though I was tired, I didn’t sleep a wink on the plane. I could not wait to be back with Josh and Becca. Josh did a wonderful job taking care of Becca and managing our home so I didn’t have a lot of work to do to prepare for Sunday. He even made Becca’s weekly batch of sweet potatoes. We celebrated my return by taking a trip to the park.

My time in SC went well. I was able to attend BJU’s opera with Mom J and Rebekah Pringle. I was also able to see many friends at the surprise post-defense party my family planned for me. It was good to see many people who have been with me on this journey for the past 5+ years. The highlight of my trip was having breakfast with Mrs. Burch. It was wonderful to sit and talk with a godly older woman whose friendship I cherish.

In case you haven’t heard, I successfully defended my dissertation. We are thanking the Lord for answering so many prayers these past two years, as I’ve finished my classes and worked on my research. I was on the verge of tears all Friday night and Saturday, because it is such a relief to be finished. Lord willing, I’ll be walking in graduation with my youngest brother Joey (BA in Accounting) and sister-in-law Ashleigh (MBA). It will be exciting time for my family.

If you’re wondering what I’m doing with all my free-time . . . I haven’t noticed yet that I have “extra time.” Becca is keeping me busy with all sorts of activities and I have a list of things I need to do. Right now I’m enjoying my family and not having the pressure of dissertation deadlines. There has been talk of submitting a version of my research to a journal, but I’m waiting a little while before I start working on that.

Saturday Becca turns 16 months old. It’s hard to believe it’s been 69 weeks since her birth. She loves going outside. Josh is back teaching and working on his research. I’m very blessed to have both Josh and Becca as my family!

At 4:54pm ET, I heard from Amy that she successfully defended her dissertation! Amy’s completion is, first, a testimony to God’s grace: there were many points along the way that we prayed (often with wavering faith) about deadlines that seemed impossible to meet; and always, God gave Amy grace. And it’s a testament to Amy’s giftedness and persevering character.

You might think that now I get my wife back. But the truth is, I never lost her to the process. Ever since we got married, she’s been a wife first — when she was a teacher, when she became a mother, and all along while she was working on her doctorate. She’s been my constant companion, my best friend, and a remarkable manager of the home even during times of intense academic pressure. And she’s repeatedly told people that when she “gets those letters behind her name” (to quote our late friend, Mr. Leo West) she’ll still be a wife and mommy first of all. That makes me smile!

I rise up and call you blessed, my love (and someday Becca will, too). And I praise you: “Many women have done well, but you surpass them all.” The fruit of your hands speaks loud praise!

This morning I’m flying to SC for my dissertation defense (scheduled for tomorrow). Normally Friday afternoons are when Becca and I go to the park; in fact, when we were there last week, I realized that in exactly a week I would be in a very different setting (defending a dissertation is a bit different than playing at the park!). But you know what I’m going to do the Friday after my defense? Go to the park and play with Becca.

Defending (and, Lord willing, completing) my research are not going to make me a different person. There will be no noticeable change in me, accept the fact that I won’t have school work to do in my spare time. I’ll be delighted to be done and delighted to get back to taking care of my precious family. I appreciate your prayers for me as I defend Friday afternoon. The Lord has been so faithful in helping me work on my research.

This week, Josh is on spring break! We’ve enjoyed the extra time with him without the pressure of his having to prepare for and teach class. Tuesday afternoon we took Becca to the zoo. The zoo was packed with children on spring break. Becca really enjoyed seeing the animals, at least the ones she could see up close. (She wasn’t too impressed by the roaring lions — guess they weren’t close enough.) She was certainly worn out by her day at the zoo.

It’s been amazing to watch Becca progress in her walking ability. She is fast! It’s hard to believe that she’s only been walking a month. On Sunday she was walking all over the church building and didn’t seem to be concerned where she left her parents.

One of the things I’m trying to teach Becca is to have a happy, thankful heart. From the pictures on our blog, people might assume that Becca is always happy, and though she is a very happy baby, she still has her unhappy “gimmie” moments. Typically, when Becca is crying about not getting her own way I remind her to say thank you. It’s always neat to watch her stop and say “thank you,”  even when she’s still displeased about something. So in a little way, we’re planting the seed in Becca to be thankful and happy when things aren’t going her way.  A phrase that I’m saying a lot these days is “do you have a happy/thankful heart?” It’s also a phrase that I need to ask myself throughout the day.

Friday night we had dinner with René, Yani, and Amaris Rodriguez. We’re very thankful for René and Yani’s friendship. Yani took the girls down to the pond and Becca absolutely loved the ducks and swan. If it weren’t for the metal bars, Becca would have jumped in with the ducks. She wasn’t even afraid when the swan was nipping at her.

Becca’s new toy is our recycle bin. She fits perfectly in it and loves being zoomed around the floor in her own little vehicle. It’s cute to hear her squeal as we race through our rooms with it. Oh and if you haven’t noticed, Becca had her first little haircut this weekend. I cut her bangs back so she doesn’t have to deal with hair getting into her eyes.

On Friday, Josh presented a poster at the 18th Annual University of Texas at Arlington Student Conference in Linguistics and TESOL. His poster presentation won an award. Josh also participated on the grants panel. Speaking of grants, Josh just found out that he’s been awarded an NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant for his project entitled “Doctoral Dissertation Research: Clauses and Clause Types in Jarai.” The money from the grant will help pay Josh’s Jarai consultants and other research expenses. Becca and I are very proud of Josh, and we’re very thankful for the Lord provision for Josh’s research.

I continue to prepare for my defense next week. I haven’t had a lot of time, since Becca has decided to take really short naps this week. She must know that her mommy is leaving her next week and wants to cash in on extra time with me! I’m looking forward to being finished and not having my research hanging over my head.

Four years ago today, my precious husband asked me to officially date him. I was wild with excitement to be Joshua Jensen’s girlfriend — what could be better than that?! I’ll tell you what’s better…being Joshua Jensen’s wife. I love being married to my darling man. Thank you so much, Josh, for asking me to date you and for continuing to date me into marriage. I adore you!

(If you’re looking for pictures of Becca, see today’s first post.)

A few weeks ago I was introduced to a song by Andrew Peterson, Planting Trees, in which he compares raising children to the process of planting a tree.

We chose the spot, we dug the hole
We laid the maples in the ground to have and hold
As Autumn falls to Winters sleep
We pray that somehow in the Spring
The roots grow deep

And many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn

At 15 months, we are in the very early stages of planting our sweet little tree. Even in this early stage when cultivation may not seem as important, we still want the ways we interact with Becca to provide her a lifelong pattern of loving Jesus. I’ll admit, as a mom, I worry about being a Christ-like example for Becca with my words, actions, and attitudes. I desire her to see Christ in me and don’t want my sin to be a stumbling block to her.

My prayer is that I will continue to grow in Christ, so I can show Becca Christ in my life.You might wonder, how can a 15-month-old see Christ in her mommy? Here’s just a few ways I’ve come up with: the ways I interact with Josh, the ways I consistently enforce the expectations we have for Becca, the ways I praise Becca for doing good, the ways I show patience toward Becca, and the ways I speak to Becca. It is my prayer that we will be faithful in planting our little tree so she grow to bless others with the love of Christ.

Of course, trees grow in stature. Becca had a great doctor’s appointment this week (see previous blog post for stats). Though she eats a lot (evidenced by how much food I make and freeze for her every week), she is our cute petite girl. She fits into a set of 3-month Carter onesies her Aunt Ashleigh just sent her, and she’s getting good use out of all her 6-month clothing.

We’ve been enjoying the weather. Becca and I usually go outside for about an hour each day. Becca’s new favorite outside activity is throwing things into the little creek that runs near our apartments. She is very eager to pick up sticks, leaves, tennis balls, etc and then “run” down to the creek to throw them in. When we’re inside, Becca enjoys discovering new things in our little home.

Becca started using her potty this week. I thought we would just practice sitting on it, but Becca knows exactly what to do. Though we’re not officially potty-training yet, we’re having fun using the potty multiple times a day. And it saves me from cleaning up messy diapers.

Two weeks from tomorrow I defend my research. I appreciate your prayers as I prepare for my defense.