Monday, April 29, 2013

9 months

9 months
  • Likes crackers, puffs, sweet potato and bananas, puffs
  • dislikes green beans, missing naps
  • Loves his sisters, mom and dad
  • giggles most when he's over-tired
  • has become a belly sleeper
  • no teeth
  • forward movement!!!  Inch worm/roller 
  • 16 lbs, 9 oz and 27 inches long, 44 cm head circumference




    Loves Jack's ears!




Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Sugarloaf Mountain

Hiking has taken on a whole new meaning.  It may take 45 minutes to go a mile, and we might stop at every tree, but it's a whole new, amazing world for them, and thus for me.  The weather hit 94 degrees Fahrenheit last week, and we headed for the mountain.  Sugarloaf mountain is 20 minutes away, and has a variety of easy hikes and fun picnic spots,  and old civil war structures.

Sisters and friends who go hiking wearing dresses.  
"Because you'll never know if we need to dance while we hike."  
True.

a crooked family pic, but we're in a season of life where I'd rather have the less-than-perfect picture that shows a perfectly imperfect reality.  This is our family.  These are my blessings.  Messy hair, dirty faces and all.

Francis using his son's arms to tell a story.











It was fun.  We're trying to balance our day off with a mix of adventuring and dealing with the home responsibilities.  The garden and house stuff is always there, but with the weight of ministry, sometimes it's good to get away and just enjoy God's creation.  Standing on the edge of the mountain we get perspective.  We are so small, and God is so great.  He is taking care of His people, and we are in His hands.  
Psalm 42:1,2,10
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change 
and though the mountains should slip into the heart of the sea.
Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Medieval times

We've been trading babysitting/date nights with friends of ours.  They have 4 kids around the same ages, and we take turns watching each others kids so we can go on date nights.

We've never been good about doing date nights, but having it scheduled out makes it easier to keep, especially since our friends are very date-night oriented :)  Having free babysitting also means that we can spend a little money on the actual date.
Add a free birthday ticket to medieval times, and we had a blast!


Our seats were front row, and we were about 10 feet from the horses.  



And Levi.  Lest you think he's always smiling!