Life at the Nagel Home...

Hi Family and Friends,

Hope you are all well this January of 2008! We decided to move Allie to a toddler bed and get Herbie set up in a new big boy bed. (Getting prepared for the new baby in May!) The picture above shows a recent morning in the kids' room. That little bundle on the floor is Allie. She is getting better at staying in her bed at night but still loves her new found freedom to roam around the room and play in the middle of the night.



One night I laughed so hard when I opened the door and found Allie buried in her stuffed animals like E.T. with her bunny in one hand and her thumb in her mouth. Oh the joy children bring to Christina and me! It used to be we would only hear Herbie knocking lightly on the door when he was ready to get up from his nap or get up in the morning but now we hear a little "Allie Monster" knocking as well.

Herbie is growing up so fast. He is really getting good at the potty training and loves his "Lightning McQueen" underwear. Allie is even beginning to show a little interest in potty training so I'm sitting her on the toilet just for fun. Never know!

One of our favorite morning activities is turning on the music and running around the kitchen together. Kids are so much work...they exhaust you and make you pull out your hair...but I can't imagine life without Herbie and Allie. Each night Christina and I thank God for these babies.



This morning Herbie begged his mommy to have breakfast at the little table so mommy sat down with her boy and had a special moment. What a cute date!

I have a fun part-time job at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver. I am a server for fancy dinner parties and weddings. It is a fast paced job with a lot of fun people and wonderful food. (People and food...two of my favorite things!) Last night I walked around with white gloves and butler passed flat iron steak kabobs with tomatillo salsa, blackened chicken wonton cups, southwest chicken eggrolls with creamy chipotle sauce and much more. Of course, I have to try each of these to make sure the cook didn't poison the food. I truly care about the health of each guest!:)

It can be stressful trying to remember the qualities of 4 different wines, different entrees, salads, rolls, coffees, deserts and more!!! Makes the night go fast though. I truly believe God opened this door to minister to the other staff. They have become my new friends. Thanks Lord! If we do a good job we get a little gold coin. I've gotten 7 so far! We turn them in for gift cards and movie tickets...how fun huh?

Christina is still working hard at the adoption agency and we count down the days until she can come home and be with the three babies. Each night we feel the little baby kicking. Life is about to get a bit crazier. I start my last full-time semester of grad school on Monday. I finished last semester with all A's and one B+. I was really happy with those grades, considering I do better at grad school than I did in High School. (I'm like a fine wine I guess!!!!)

I meet today with the State Chaplain of the Colorado Guard to discuss being transferred to a new unit at Buckley Air Force Base. I currently work with the 193rd MP Battalion at the Denver Armory but would enjoy a new assignment where I am needed more. (The aviation bn has no chaplain working with them at the present time and I would love to get up in one of those Blackhawk helicopters. :)

I started a 100 day challenge this morning to get back in shape before the summer. I hope to lose 25 lbs. before the baby comes in May. (Final six weeks of boot camp are coming in July! I need to be ready.) That's less than 2 lbs. a week. Anyone want to join me on the journey? It is always best to travel this road with others. Lots of water, smaller portions, walking, jogging, and weights. If you want to take the challenge with me, let me know.

We have been going back to Green Mountain Christian Church to be with our family and friends and it has been fun to help out in the nursery with Christina and to play drums occasionally. The Lord has been good to us and we are blessed with a great support system of friends and family!

Hope you are all well...check back again soon...I'll try to be better about keeping up to date.

Dave :)