6 months! Cute man is already 6 months!! Weighing in at almost 18 pounds, already in 9 month clothing. Too cute for words, hands down the happiest baby ever.

His first 2 teeth popped up at 4 months, and he's got one on top and three more coming in on that top row.

His sisters are seriously in love with this boy. Care Bear is amazing with him, drawing pictures for him constantly, talking with him and "teaching" him his letters. A-Bean reads to him and calls him her "baby butter." I'm so thankful for sweet sisters that don't mind getting drooled on. He's managed to get a handful of their hand wound around his chubby little fingers more times than I can count and neither one has cried, fussed, or complained. Last time he came away with a few of Care Bear's hairs and she just laughed.

Love having this sweet baby around....love it...

There's none like her...

Rough 'n' tumble, her voice often residing at a decibel level that will cause ringing of the ears, tough, adorer of babies, full steam ahead, a mind of her own (okay, stubborn), generous beyond her years, brutally honest, and a regular comedian...

She makes me laugh hysterically, sigh deeply, pray regularly, and well, clean constantly. She will literally give you her last cookie, or even every cookie. She copies what she sees (which serves as a very humbling mirror of my own behavior) and despite that, she has demonstrated grace more times than I can count.

Just tonight, after getting a stool, reaching my drink on the countertop, spilling it everywhere and then confessing before being discovered, I had one of those mommy moments. You know, the ones when your child does something so incredibly funny while you are disciplining them and you have a hard time stifling the laughter? I actually had to hide my face and pretend to cough.

As I sternly reminded her that she is NOT allowed to get things off the counter without permission, she gave me a very serious, yet confused look. So I asked, "Are you allowed to get things off the counter without asking?" She quickly replied, "No. I asked Major."

Somehow I believe she did ask the 112 pound doberman for permission to taste my drink. I guess he said yes.

Jesus, I love you!

Oh the things your children can teach you, and how He can minister through them. Bear was told by her Sunday school teacher recently that they can tell Jesus they love him when they wake and when they go to sleep.

So a few nights ago, I hear her shouting LOUDLY "Jesus, I love you! Jeee-SUS! I. LOVE. YOU!" I peeked in at her and she said "Don't worry mommy. We are just praising Jesus." My heart stirred and I felt a lump rise in my throat. As I closed the door, fighting back tears, I heard her tell Bean, "Worship with me. You do it like this. I LOVE YOU JESUS! And you can say it loud, or quiet. He just likes it any way you say it."

I spent the next moments aching to relearn, to go back, to be child-like in my worship. Complete abandon. Free. 100% involved. No shame. No embarrassment. No holding back.

My girls taught me something that night, and He gently called to me.

I am so guilty of letting the business of life get to me. Groceries, cooking, teaching, cleaning, washing, budgeting, clipping coupons, paying bills, meeting needs for the family. They reminded me about Him, about His character, and His affection for me. He doesn't care how clean my house is (or rather, how dirty), how smart my kids are, how much money is in the bank (or lack of), or any of the things that I let bog me down daily. He wants me to worship, loud or quiet, and to spend time in his arms. To forget about the day and just let His love, conviction, change, forgiveness, and acceptance wash over me.

He just likes it, any way I say it.

Oh, the time...

It's been so long...

Instead of dwelling on how long it's been since I've updated, I'll just start updating. :) Our little man was born in January, sharing a birthday with our little Bean. Seriously, what are the odds? And somewhere along the way, he went from this:

to this:

As babies go, they can't get much happier. :) Just had his 4 month appt today... 75% for weight, 90% for height. As soon as the nurse walked in to give shots, Bear yelled "Oh Jesus, please don't let it hurt and him cry. Amen!" Then as soon as he fussed, she burst into tears. He was over it in about 5 seconds. It took much longer to help get her settled. Such a tender heart.

When we were getting into the car to leave she added, "Mommy, when you love someone you hurt when they hurt. And you pray for them. I don't like it when brother cries." *melt!*



Bear had a speech eval done today and passed with no trouble. She was having some difficulty with the hard c/k sound and completely unable to make the g sound. After the eval (which she loved) and a free lesson for me on teaching these sounds, we are already making progress. :) I was super pleased with the testing and the test administrators. They did a full work-up (academics, language, and motor) which was kind of fun! Yay! I can't believe she's already 4... Next week the ballet and tap begins!


Bean is talking up a storm, and by storm I mean torrential downpours, tornadoes, and gale-force winds. It seems she has two modes: on and off. Mostly on. She literally talks her sister to sleep each night. And when she's not talking, she's singing.



I finally realized that long stretches of quiet at our house may be over for a while, but I sure do love the chaotic symphony of sisters giggling, someone singing loud enough to rattle your eardrums, and a baby cooing, sometimes all in unison.

Time with Daddy

A week or so ago, Charis asked her daddy if they could go on a date. So he planned, thought, and prepared, and came up with a date perfect for such a little princess. He stopped by Panera Bread and bought some pumpkin muffies (and was questioned by the cashier about his proudly worn pink beaded bracelet, made by Charis), prepared a tea party type lunch, and took her to the Lotus Park. I love this...it's so Charis (and Brian). Gazing out at the landscape, daydreaming, and leaning on her Daddy's knee.

More Busch Gardens...

Atalie's first big ride! As soon as the ride started, she yelled, "Hand!!" and grabbed Brian and Austin's hands.

September is Here!

Busch Gardens, The Virginia Zoo...
Glad to see she has no personality....