Relax...

... If only I could relax like Emilynn... If only sucking my fingers helped to calm me down... If only I could sleep sideways in my bed... If only I could still wear horizontal stripes (on the bottom)... If only...

Inner Man Renewed

"Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indispensable condition of growth and power." Andrew Murray

My inner man needs renewing.  There are so many things that I have begun to believe lies about, spent time worrying over and fretting over, when really I need the power of the Spirit and the Truths of Jesus.  I am realizing that this is a gradual thing...the development of the lies...but the minute, second, I invite the Holy Spirit to speak Truth and I really listen...He is there.  Why wouldn't I want to do that every moment I could...especially every day?  I have really had to be creative with my quiet times since Emilynn came along...not because it is difficult to do, but realigning my thoughts and day around Emilynn and housework has been challenging for me.  There are so many things that I am learning to let go of to really be able to enter into the moments of motherhood.  One thing I cannot let go of is coming before my King and allowing Him to speak to my heart.  I have a stack of books that I want to read that I am sure will speak of Jesus to me, but I have decided to go back to some old faithful books and writings by Andrew Murray and Scripture to really spend some much needed time with the King.  It is life-giving already.

Thank you Jesus for your endless grace and MERCY.  It is beautiful.  Renew me today as I lay these lies and burdens before you...

The Real Crawl

Emilynn started crawling on Sunday when Ross and I were trying to put together some outside Christmas trees.  We almost missed it because she was crawling to them so much and we kept scooting her back.  She has continued the last couple of days and this morning she was on the move everywhere.  It's so fun to see these little things connect in her brain! 

Tis' the Season

It was a busy week and weekend for us...

Ojii and Obaa are a beautiful couple and that was one AMAZING cheesecake for Ojii's birthday...

First we celebrated Ojii's birthday on Wednesday...

Then Emilynn at turkey and sweet potatos with all of us...

Emilynn modeled her handprint turkey shirt that she made with church friends...

Emilynn learned her version of pat-a-cake... now she will "clap" even when you begin to sing  :)

Emilynn touched, felt, and saw her first Christmas tree...

Emilynn had lots of Grandpa time while Grandpa and Grandma visited...

Emilynn loves her Grandpa and Grandma...

Our finished Christmas tree....Emilynn crawled right over to it this morning and inspected the gifts underneath. :)

Ba, ba, ba,....Barbara Ann

So it's so funny to me how stupid, funny I have become as a mom.  I walk around singing and acting so super silly with Emilynn...either trying to get her to smile, keeping her happy while I'm in the shower, or just interacting with her.  It's true that we (moms) would do ANYTHING for our kids.  :) 

So the most recent has been singing The Beach Boys song, Barbara Ann, in response to Emilynn's "ba, ba, ba"'s.  It's hysterical to me when I actually take a moment to think of what I'm singing.  She loves it and responds with more "bas" every time!  Here is a view of Emilynn from the shower where I would play peek-a-boo while singing Barbara Ann...she would twirl, sing her "bas" and laugh.  So funny to me...

Emilynn is on the move!!!

Today Emilynn officially started inch-worm, army crawling! :) This is a long time coming.  She has pivoted, rolled, sat herself up and moved about, but this is the frist day for true, consistent movement forward.  We caught a little on video with help from a few puffs...

She is still working on real crawling.  She attempts on all fours to move forward, face plants, and then begins the inch-worm, army crawl. :) But we are thankful that she doesn't have to be so frustrated anymore about getting to stuff. 

Seefeldts Visit

The Seefeldts came to the Metroplex last weekend.  We had a blast just catching up and visiting and hanging with the babies.  They will be moving soon, so this is one of our last times to see them.  So thankful for this 10 year friendship and now this precious family.  Can't wait to see all that God does to use them to bring His Kingdom!!!