The Looong Picture Post

Off we go...

 

 Nothing But Noodles-Ellie's choice

Picking an outfit

 

Stuffing

 

 Naming

 Dressing

 All done!

Play area in the mall kept these two busy while Ellie picked out an outfit at Gymboree.

One of the favorites of the day and it was free!

Later, back at home before Luke's game. 

The other cousins received little magnifying glasses from my mom.

 

 Andrew and John helped dad in the yard while we cheered on Luke.

 

 Cake and presents after the game.

 

 

 

 Fast forward almost a week to Easter Sunday...

 Ellie's dress was one of the projects I have been working on. 

I did not monogram it, though.  Had that done.  Would love to have a monogramming machine one day!

 

 

 

 

 

 One last "Happy Birthday" before next year.

 

 

 

Whew!  Fun and exhausting. 

By the way-I went to the doctor before on Monday morning before the all the birthday hoopla.  I received a shot and oral antibiotics for my sinus infection and was already feeling much improvement by the end of the day.  So thankful for doctors and medicine!!

A Reason to Sing

Happy Easter!!!  Christ is Risen!  We have every reason to rejoice.  Steven preached a powerful message this morning out of 1 Cor. 15.  It says in verse 54-55, "...O Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory?"  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

I love how Matthew puts it in chapter 28, verse 5--"But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said."  Just as He said!  He is faithful to keep His promises.  And He gives us victory.  What a Savior!  The grace and mercy extended to me is beyond my realm of comprehension.  All day I have been fighting back tears when I think upon the magnitude of Christ's death and resurrection.  What love!  

My plan is to keep this post short--because my aunt is coming to stay with us for two nights and I would love for her not to trip and fall over toys when she enters our house.  I have lots and lots of fun pictures to post from Easter and Ellie's birthday celebration, and I will do that when I get those from mom.  Today is Ellie's official birthday.  I blinked and six years went by.  I know that I will blink and another six will go by.  

We were listening to Keith and Kristyn Getty this morning in the car.  Ellie (and Luke) were singing at the top of their lungs, "King of Heaven, we will answer the call.  We will follow, bringing hope to the world.  Filled with passion, filled with power to proclaim.  Salvation in Jesus' name."  I was fighting tears, trying to wipe my eyes so they wouldn't see me cry--(because that would've started a thousand questions).  Thinking of how I had yelled at her just 30 minutes before because she was lying around on the couch in her already-ironed Easter dress.  Her little voice singing those big words.  It is my one and only hope and prayer for her.  May it be true of her life-that she would answer the call of Her Savior.  That her life would be a vessel in which He can use to bring salvation to others.  She is becoming very aware that there are some that don't know Christ as Lord.  And often has questions about who does and doesn't.  Often about complete strangers.  

Funny story:  She is always asking "Do you think so-and-so loves Jesus?"  One day she asks, "Do you think the person who is in charge of Dora loves Jesus?"  I said, "Do you mean, like the producer?"  She says, "Yes, do you think the producer loves Jesus?"  We're often talking about very random people and complete strangers and wondering if they are Christians.  

So, Happy, Happy, Birthday to my first-born little girl who made me a mother.  I love who God is making you to be.  May you continue to grow in Him and may you not lose the heart you have for others to know Jesus as well.

I will be back with a LONG picture post. 

Botanical Gardens and Other Fun Stuff

I'm struggling with a cold that started almost two weeks ago.  Sorry for those of you who have heard about it 1000 times each day.  It's just not getting any better.  Very frustrating!  However, it has not stopped me from having an activity-filled week.  Or maybe I just don't really have a choice. :)  I would like for it to go away because tomorrow we have an Easter egg hunt after church.  The following day we will celebrate Ellie's birthday (a trip to Build-a-Bear), and I'm pretty sure she won't be okay with putting that on hold.  And Laura Beth and her crew are in town for the week to help celebrate it all.  They will be here until Easter, so we will be doing lots of fun cousin stuff, I'm sure.  Plus Luke has two t-ball games this week.  

Steven took Ellie and Luke with him on Wednesday to visit his parents in Chattanooga.  Andrew and I hung out with mom and spent most of the day in Huntsville running errands.  I think it is such a treat to have just one of my children with me at a time.  It doesn't happen very often, so it is fun to see their personality when they are not competing with siblings.  Andrew talked non-stop.  Which he pretty much does anyway, but when it is only him, it is minus all the screaming at Ellie and Luke.  "Wus dat, mommy?"   He asks about door knobs, lamp posts, street signs, you name it. 

On Thursday, we took a trip to the Botanical Gardens with mom, and our good friends, Mary, Esther, and Esther's sweet little Charlotte.  The gardens were breathtaking.  The weather was perfect and the little ones seemed to enjoy it.  Only one meltdown from Andrew when I wouldn't let him walk in a fountain. 

 

 

  

Pretty wiped out towards the end, as the temperature was starting to climb.

I would have loved for Ellie and Luke to have been there, but they had their fair share of fun as well.  Steven took Ellie and Luke to the children's museum in Chattanooga.  I think it is the best one we have been too.  I've been to several, including the one in Atlanta, and I think this one is the best.  We have a pass and have definitely gotten our money out of it.  One of the favorite things to do is dig for dinosaur bones.  You can check it out in the video.

I'm pretty proud of myself for posting twice in one week.  Hope to be back again soon with a report on Ellie's birthday celebration, Easter festivities, and a report that I enjoyed it all feeling much better.  

First T-Ball Game

Last night Luke had his first t-ball or is it tee-ball? game.  Anyway, it was a hoot.  Here are some pictures.  AND...a video!  Because we got a Flip Video and love, love it!!  Yea for the 4 year old Cubs. 

Like that hair?  It was windy and/or he needs a haircut!

Luke is on the far left, kicking dirt around.

I am 29 weeks pregnant.  Not much to report there.  Everything is moving along smoothly.  Except more than any other pregnancy, I feel as though the clock is ticking away and I still have so much to do.  I am spending lots of my time sewing and working on projects I am determined to get through with before this baby comes.  

By the way, this baby does have a name.  Most of you who read my blog probably already know, but we have chosen Abigail, and more than likely her middle name will be Ann.  Abigail is a Hebrew name, meaning "Joy of the Father".  We really liked the story of the Old Testament Abigail who saved her foolish husband from the wrath of David.  She is called discerning and beautiful. She also becomes David's second wife.  Hopefully our Abigail will not be into polygamy.  

I have spent a lot of my time this morning trying to figure out how to get this video on here, so now I have three little people who need some attention.   I am not very good at computer stuff.  I have decided if you blog frequently with lots of pictures, videos, and all that super cute stuff, then it must come very easy for you, and fast.  

One more thing...we are needing a stroller system this time around.  I really don't want to buy a brand new one.  Although it is looking like we might have to.  If anyone has one that is still in pretty good shape and would like to sell it, I am interested.  Just thought I would put it out there.