8? Really?

As a parent of an infant, I am frequently asked, "oh how cute, how old is he"? Today I actually did the math. 8 months! Seriously, what happened to seven? Where did it go? Well, here he is people. All 20 pounds of precious chunkiness. And we love, love, love him.

I could just eat up all that chunkiness!

He just started waving bye-bye just last week. And of course, his favorite sound to make is "da-da-da-da-da-da-da". "Ma-ma-ma-ma," is a very close second though. And then there is this...

I am not quite sure what it is yet. We have been teaching him how to say "more", but he also loves when we clap for him. Either way, it happens mostly at the dinner table, so yeah for food! And we all celebrate with the little man!

Crazy Hair Day at Gymnastics!

Crazy hair!

We frequently give Abigail a hard time about not wanting her to get bigger and bigger and we want her stay our little girl forever. There is so much truth to a lot of this, but I do have to say that there has been so so much fun with her growing up...losing the training wheels on her bike, the need for shopping because she is growing out of all her cloths, reading small words and also this week aside from crazy hair day at gymnastics she had Wacky Hat Day at AWANAS (She wore her bicycle helmet). How fun is this?! And she LOVES it. And I LOVE it. I think we will just start having these random days here at home too. Watch out Chase Bank, Tory may show up will all his cloths on backwards one day.

A first for Abigail

We took full advantage of 57 degree January weather... full advantage.

This was fun. Its completely impossible to put into words what it feels like from a Dad's perspective to remove the training wheels from your daughter's bike. And then to listen to her as we take off with me running beside her with a hand on the seat...

"Okay, Daddy... don't let go... whatever you do don't let go... whoaaaaaaaa.... this is hard.... put my training wheels back on.... whoa... I think I'm going to fall... don't let go... I think I can do it myself... let go Daddy, let go... whoaaaa... Don't let go Daddy.... Don't let go... I can do it... Let go, Daddy..."

CRASH...

"okay... put a hand on the stearing wheel this time.... okay whatever you do daddy don't let go... what. ever. you. do. do. not. let go... I'm going to fall... okay, let go... let go daddy, let go."

CRASH

"No, Daddy, I do not want to take a break... this time don't let go... just hold it the entire time... whoa... I'm going to fall again... okay, let go... let go, Daddy!"

**Laughter. Joy. Silence...

CRASH.

Something about the entire experience that makes a dad a little softer... Anybody know what I mean?

Mud

The aftermath of THIS.

Haiti

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those who he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."

Romans 8:18-30

Snowmen

Abigail loves the magical effect of rolling a ball of snow and making it grow. Nate, well, I have always given him the super-hero name "The Destroyer". All together a great day with my lovelies out in the snow, just makin' a mess.

Understanding - A Conversation

After we put the kids to bed last night I ran to get a few groceries in which I knew Abigail would be waiting up for me when I got home...she always knows when someone is out. Upon my return, I proceeded back to her room to say goodnight (again). And this was a part of our visit:

A: Mom, Daddy gave me his reading light to use since I can't find mine.

M: That was nice of him.

A: I know. But I am going to give it back when I find mine because I won't need it anymore.

M: Sounds like a great idea to me.

A: (with a puzzled look) But I probably won't find it until Jesus comes back.

The solution in her mind for all problems is Jesus' return. Can't argue with that, my friends.

Oh yeah we did!!

...Twice!!

By 11:45 this morning I could no longer restrain them. So we packed on as many layers as we could and headed out. And of course we had to be waiting on Daddy to come home from work "in the snow".

Don't have snow???

Over the past couple of weeks we have been suffering with some VERY VERY cold weather here in these parts of the woods. I mean REALLY cold. But what makes it even worse is we have no snow to show for it. So today, as I try to simmer my children's cabin fever, we made snowmen...with NO SNOW. The kids loved it and it is fun and easy for the young and old.

So here's the HOW TO:

Mix equal parts water and Epson salt.

Bring to boil.

Remove from burner and allow to cool.

Using dark blue or black construction paper draw a snowman.

Paint the snowman using the cooled salt mixture with a paintbrush.

Allow to dry. (We didn't...but when do we ever?)

Give your snowman life and personality with odds and ends around the house. (Sticks for arms, princess crowns, football, puff paint,ribbon, stickers...)

................

Thanks to Ms. Carolyn for sending Abigail home with such great craft idea hand-outs!!! They help make these cold days bearable.

And for all you Louisvillians, rumor has it that 3-5 inches may be coming our way tomorrow. Go here for a great SNOW ice cream recipe.