Clearly, Avril did not understand why her mother was hiding behind that black and silver thing insted of retrieving her from the crib.





Clearly, her mother was having way too much fun.

Moon Sand

This last winter Chad and Shelby bought Rowan some moon sand for his birthday. I had seen it in stores but never got any "hands on" experience with it. It's pretty weird.


And it keeps my kids busy. I think on this particular day it kept them occupied for about two hours.


This boy plays and narrates everything he does. He is our pretender. Our live-wire. Our passionate one. He's a go-getter and somewhat impulsive. One second he meticulously creates a McQueen, nearly to perfection. The next, he obliterates it without a second thought. This boy, he's a walking contradiction.











This boy is quiet. He likes people but prefers his solitude. He often times will hide himself in a room with a passel of toys or books and refuse to answer anyone calling his name. He likes order but doesn't get easily upset when things are out of order. He will make himself a Mater and make sure it doesn't get destroyed the entire time he is playing with it.









This boy...





He's a thinker.

A Question

Why is it that I'm not allowed to eat my cupcake like that?

People don't laugh, & giggle, and point, & say "awwwwww". Granted, they may point and snap pictures and even post them on a blog, assuming they stopped snorting in disgust long enough to think of it, but still...
I mean, I would just like to enjoy my cupcake to this extent without being judged, you guys. If you really think about it, I'd probably be consuming less calories that way.

Is a cupcake any less sweet at age 27 than at age 1?

I think not!

VBS (my perspective)

Vacation Bible School.

What can I say about it? I think I went with the intention of blessing others and ended up being blessed myself. The first day I was completely exhausted from packing Avril around and helping to manage 22 8&9 year olds. I whined, I complained, I even almost lost the battle to my flesh when one child told me that it was boring and that he wouldn't be back. My first reaction was to say, "Good! No skin off my nose." But at last the Holy Spirit prevailed and I sincerely told him that it would be a shame if he did not return. He didn't. And it was.
At our last stop of the day before closing I noticed that Stacy was helping with the craft with little E in tow. I instantly felt ashamed for my inward and outward griping. My baby is quite a lot smaller than E and I am quite a lot heftier than Stacy. Not to mention she dealt with ALL of the children at VBS while I only dealt with the same few. So, I felt really ashamed and had to ask forgiveness.
Apparantly God forgave me and took pity on me in the form of Shelby, Britani, Mom, and Tessa because the rest of the week my sweet Avril was with one of them. I cannot say what a huge blessing it is to have such capable and trustworthy souls to care for my children when I am not able. Thank you girls. You truly are a God-send.
Days 2-4 went a little smoother and I can honestly say that God did a work in my attitude. I was really enjoying those children, even when they tried my patience. I was also hit with the haunting reality that my own children will soon be that age. Yes, it sent chills down my spine but gave me a much deeper appreciation for the way they are now. (I kid, I kid. The children were wonderful. Just fast.)
I was nicknamed Lt. P. due to both the fact that it is my last initial and the fact that I must have made 100 bathroom runs with the children throughout the week. I was somewhat discouraged when I realized that I probably spent more time taking them to the bathroom than teaching them anything worthwhile. But then, on the last day, something beautiful happened. I took about 10 kids at once to the restroom and since there is only one toilet in each bathroom, most of them were waiting in the hall with me. They all had their verse sheets out and were working hard to memorize Scriptures. Then they would bombard me 5 at a time to recite these verses from memory. I realize that a lot of their motivation came from wanting the ever coveted stripes on their shirts but they were eager to memorize the Word of God, no matter what the reason. It would be in their heads. Hopefully for years to come. And with prayer, it would be in their hearts as well. They were so excited. About Bible verses!
I have always been told that a heart surrendered to God could be used anywhere. But I learned first-hand that even a seemingly meaningless task like escorting children to and from the latrine can be used of God. I learned that even though I had started with a bad attitude, like Jonah, God could use me. I learned that although I would have rather done something a little more glamorous or exciting, God was in even this small thing.

How miraculous.

A whoop and a holler

What you are looking at is a picture of my brother and (drumroll please)...


my soon to be sister-in-law!

Yep. He proposed yesterday. And I get to be a bridesmaid along with my sisters. Yipeee!

The big day is set for August 12th, which also happens to be my parents' 32nd wedding anniversary. There's not a lot of time to waste, but we're all excited.

I'm sure I'll be posting more about it as time goes on.

Firsts

The first time Daddy held his girl.
It's obvious why these are some of my fave's.




This is one of my favorites because in the background are my sister and sweet Adah, who were at my daughter's birth. Adah was having a late-night snack while Avril was being born.



And pictures of Grandmas are always fun.

A Year Come & Gone

We anxiously awaited your arrival...







...and nine months, two days, sixteen hours, and some odd minutes later...







you arrived. And we praised God.
Love you my baby girl. Happy 1st birthday.