A Visit With Aunt Katie & Uncle Jimmy: Part 2

We have so many wonderful friends who decided to shower me with desserts on my birthday, so contrary to tradition, there was no need for Jonathan and Hannah to make me a birthday cake. I had requested a chocolate chip cookie cake, because that is my absolute favorite!!! I decided to go ahead and make my cake while Katie and Jimmy were here to share it, and I threw in a dash of sarcasm while decorating the cake.





Of course, we had to take Katie and Jimmy to the Imagination Station. With all of the company we've had, Hannah, Madeline, and I seem to visit the Imagination Station weekly. Hannah was a good tour guide, pointing out all of the slimy creatures--even the huge snake named . . . Jimmy.





For those who don't know, Jimmy and Katie's last name is Whitlock. So, it was funny to all of us when we moved to Whitlock Drive. Of course, they had to pose with the sign bearing their name.









Hannah is VERY into playing doctor right now. Perhaps it is because she visited the doctor so much with Mommy and now accompanies me on Madeline's doctor visits. We all received check-ups from Dr. Hannah. She would put the stethoscope on our tummies and say, "Oh, the baby came out."

Fun At The Park

Hannah's First Haircut

We finally decided to give Hannah her first haircut. The spring weather on Saturday morning got me in the mood to lop off her long tresses. So, I wet her hair, draped a towel over her shoulders and set to work. I cut Jonathan's hair and even cut my own once, so I figured I could handle a simple straight across hair cut. Hannah sat still and was very good, while Daddy, Jimmy, and Katie all watched Mommy work. We were very pleased with the outcome, and our first baby looks like quite the little girl now.


Hannah explains what she would like done to her hair--her request, "I want it beautiful."


Before shot.


Time to go blow it dry.


Ta da!!!


A view from the back.


Post haircut interview:


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A Visit With Aunt Katie & Uncle Jimmy: Part 1

We enjoyed a visit from Katie and Jimmy this past weekend. Hannah was delighted to have her Aunt Katie and Uncle Jimmy here to play with, and Madeline was happy to finally meet them. They arrived in time for dinner on Friday night and left this morning. As always, we were sad to see them go. We had so much fun hanging out, showing them Wilson, worshipping with them, and introducing them to our friends. Hannah will miss her playmate Uncle Jimmy, and I will miss having four extra hands to help me get out the door on time!!!

We have been enjoying beautiful spring weather, so we headed outside. Hannah and Jimmy play racquet ball with her bunny racquets.

Hannah was so excited to find out that Katie and Jimmy had brought her a sparkly pink soccer ball.

Karis came over for dinner while her parents went out on date. She and Hannah had fun playing with her new ball and keeping Uncle Jimmy busy!

Madeline enjoys the spring weather.

After a bath, Hannah and Karis modeled Katie and Jimmy's flip flops for us.

Car Talk

When driving around town, Hannah and I can usually be spotted singing at the top of our lungs, whether it be Mommy's praise music, or Hannah's Bible songs for kids. Sometimes, however, I like to turn the moosgik (as Hannah calls it) off and just talk with Hannah. I love to hear what she is thinking about various things. On our way to church last night, the sun was setting. It was a beautiful sunset-- the kind where the sun looks enormous and super orange. We had been singing, when Hannah directed my attention to the sun. Here is our conversation:

Hannah: Mommy look at the sun!
Mommy: It's beautiful isn't it?
Hannah: God made the sun.
Mommy: Yes he did, isn't that amazing?
Hannah: He made the trees too. . . and Madeline, and Hannah.
Mommy: Yes He did, God made everything.

My heart leaped in my chest to hear Hannah give God the glory for His beautiful sunset. As parents we are called to teach are children God's truth through His Word . . . "when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up" (Deut. 6:7). Intentionally discipling our children is an awesome privilege and an overwhelming task apart from God's daily sufficient grace. I pray that I will be mindful of the many practical opportunities God provides throughout the day to point my girls to Him.

On Turning Twenty-Nine

As I was deciding what to post in regards to my twenty-ninth birthday today, I went back and read my "Birthday Reflections" post from last year. I found that if I had to express my thoughts and feelings in words, I would say the exact same things. I am a year older, I am now a mother of children (plural), and we have recently moved to fulfill God's calling on our lives to equip the saints and reach the lost in Wilson, NC-- so, much has changed. However, one thing has not changed; and, that is (by God's grace) my eternal perspective on life. I pray that I have made much of God this year and have spent my time wisely storing up treasure in heaven.

Here is my post from last year:

"Only one life: will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." ~ C.T. Studd

As I have gone about my day today, I have really been thinking about what it means to be another year older. I have found that it is not the extra weight I have put on, the fine lines forming on my face, or the increasing nearness of my thirtieth birthday that concerns me. Though I may joke, I am not worried about aging, or the number that represents my age. In fact, I think aging is a beautiful thing that God designed to make us yearn, with greater urgency, for heaven. The question that has burdened my heart today is: What have I done with the twenty-eight years God has given me?I have definitely enjoyed my share of "earthly" accomplishments, but as C.T. Studd says, "Only what's done for Christ will last." So, I must ask myself, am I using my years wisely--to the glory of God? Is my mind set on earthly things, or am I living as though my citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).There is nothing I desire more, than to hear my Savior say, "Well done my good and faithful servant. . .enter into the joy of your Lord," but it is so easy to get caught up in the entrapments of this world . . .storing up treasures on earth, rather than heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). For this reason, I must purpose to run to the foot of the cross daily and lay down my life.C.S. Lewis said, "If you read history you will find out that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next." In the coming year, I want to live my life for the next [life]. On this day, I have been offered a new year; a fresh start. Only God knows the number of my days (Psalm 139:16), but I pray that I may live out the rest of my days in a manner that reflects my longing to glory in my redeemer face to face.