Birthday Party

Mikah's birthday party was definitely two months ago, but hey, a late post is better than nothing, right? It's been a crazy summer for us! Here are some bittersweet pictures from a great birthday party at our cabin (which is pretty much a loss after the flood this weekend). We had a fun afternoon celebrating the first year of our sweet Mikah's life :)

I'm one!

Uncle Joey helping Ella swing at the pinata.

Grady didn't need any help!

Candy!

Fun with water balloons

Sisters :)

Hanging out with Grandma


Presents!

Mmmm....hot dogs........

.......and cake!

Cousins - Grady (nice pic by the way), Jayden, Mikah, Halle, and Ella

Stephen, the twins, and Uncle Phil chilling on the dock

It was a good day!

Happy Birthday, Mikah!

ONE tough baby!

Our baby girl is ONE today! She has made it a whole year in this crazy household. Yes, there have been bumps and bruises, pacifier stealing, hits, and shoves down on the hardwood floor....but there have also been lots of hugs, kisses, "Sowwy, Mikah" and "Dove you, Mikah". We've got one sweet little peanut with lots of people who love her very much.

We don't know what we'd do without you - Happy Birthday, Mikah :)

I love this picture...Grady and Ella are so intent on reading to her, and I can just see a little thought bubble saying, "Mommy, please help me!"

thursday morning song time

Grady and Ella have recently loved singing "twinkle, twinkle little star" and "the itsy bitsy spider". Here is a snipet of video from singing this morning. Just a warning...they sing/shout pretty loud! (Notice the little helper in the corner!)

And don't mind the fact that they're not dressed yet. I do dress my kids.........most days :)

future doctor?

I don't know if it's the excessive amounts of time we've spent in the hospital, or what, but Grady and Ella love to play with this stethoscope. They put it up to each other and say, "listen, heart".
Yesterday they were doing this for an especially long time, and it was pretty cute so I had to get the camera out......


Right after I took the first picture, Ella said, "Grady around....listen back" I had to try really hard not to laugh! Ella remembers everything!

Easter

The best family picture we could get..... :)

Happy Easter!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you" 1 Peter 1:3-4

sneaky baby

Tonight Grady and Ella got a pudding treat after dinner. I was cleaning some stuff up in the kitchen when I noticed Mikah...... If I would have found the twins in this scenario at 9 months, I probably would have freaked out, but I just decided to get the camera instead! I'm pretty sure there was more on her face than could have gotten in her mouth :)

First night alone.

Carrie has stepped up to lead a group of 6 to Macau China to partner with Jan Roys, a missionary from our church. I took them to the airport yesterday morning and got confirmation this afternoon that they arrived safely. You can follow their trip at http://www.macau2010.blogspot.com/

The kids spent the night at Carrie's mom's house last night and I went to bible study. It was a sad and lonely night coming home to an empty house. She has only been gone for a day but has seemed like eternity. I'm not going to lie, life is hard as a young family. 3 kids are a lot of work and Carrie does such an amazing job as a mom. I have yet to know how she does everything and still has the sanity to get up and do it again the next day.

Tonight I'm home alone again as her mom is going to watch the kids tomorrow too. It was just easier to have them spend the night there than trying to coordinate in the morning.

I miss her so much. Miss having someone in the passengers seat when I'm driving, someone to talk to at night, laugh with, someone to watch TV with, read with, cuddle with. You don't realize how much you love someone until they are gone. God works in crazy timing and I needed to realize how much I love her right now.

Pray for their mission, that God would use this group to impact generations to come and his name be known. Pray for his will and that every circumstance would deepen our intimacy with Christ.

Stephen