Rainy Day Spa Day!

Pretending Like It's A Hot Summer Day...Nail Polish...Hair Clips...Curling Irons...Dresses...Smelly Lotions...M&Ms...Lots Of Little Giggles...Lots Of Pictures...

Two Front Teeth!

Our little Jordyn girl turned 10 months old on the 20th!

Yesterday I took her for her check up and she is doing great! She weighs 20 pounds and is in the 60th percentile for height and weight and about the 80th percentile for her head. I can't believe she's just in the 60th percentile for weight - she sure seems huge to me!

A week ago she cut her first two bottom teeth! (I tried to get a picture, but she didn't really cooperate!) She is jabbering a lot more now and is eating table food! She likes bananas, green beans, sweet potatoes and cheerios a lot. She did not like the chicken! Her big sisters keep her occupied and she does great during the day until about 5:30 - then she is very fussy! I'm grateful for seasons! I know she won't always scream through dinner! I gave her her first sippy cup of water yesterday and she seemed quite intrigued by it! She likes to swing at the park and go for walks. She can army crawl when she wants too...usually she'll just sit in one place and not move for long periods of time! Then she'll roll on her side and just stay there. It won't be long, though, and I know she'll be trying to keep up with her sisters. Oh, and she's a great splasher in the tub and loves to jump in her entertainer! I put her in the grass the other day and she did not like that one bit. She waves hi and bye and Reagan is convinced that she says "mommy". I haven't heard that one yet, though!!

From John Piper's Blog

On March 16th, John Piper had this on his blog. I thought it too good not to share.

An Encouragement and Precaution for Parents
March 16, 2009 By: John Piper
Category: Commentary

Jesus tells of two sons:

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” And he answered, “I will not,” but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, “I go, sir,” but did not go. (Matthew 21:28-30)

I draw this advice for parents from these words: Do not despair of the rebel, and do not assume the heart of the compliant child is with you.

Which means practically, pray like crazy for both of them. And keep showing both of them the gospel of undeserved, blood-bought grace.

Georgia on My Mind!

It's been almost 2 whole months since we've been in our new house here in Georgia. Two whole months! Let's see, so far I have really been enjoying it up here...the only thing I haven't liked has been when it's cold and rainy! I know I've said it before, but I have been overwhelmed by God's grace. A line to a song that I really like goes like this "I want to be where you are my God..." and I know He is everywhere all the time, but I believe with all my heart this is where we are supposed to be right now and He has given us so much grace and peace throughout this transition. Yes, I get sad and miss family and friends, but how grateful I am for telephones and email and Skype and cars and planes!!

The girls are growing like weeds! I mean Reagan is getting so tall all of a sudden and is reading anything she can get her hands on. And she is actually wearing the knees out of some of her pants. She loves sliding on our wood floors and she's pretty adventurous at the park. She has been doing her chores and making new friends. I gave her a little haircut the other day because she kept bugging me about cutting it. Everyday she'd ask if I'd cut her hair and I just thought it was because all her little friends have these cute little haircuts. Soooo...I finally ASKED her why she wanted her haircut and she said it was because it was getting so long she didn't want it to get in the potty when she went to the bathroom! So, needless to say I gave her a good little trim! =) Also, Steve took her on a date on Saturday. He took her to Red Top Mt. and they went hiking. When she got home I asked her about it and what she liked about it and she said excitedly said she found a shiny earring on the trail! Steve couldn't believe THAT was what she was so excited about...what a girl!!

Sydney is talking up a storm! Thankfully we have Reagan to interpret for us! She keeps me laughing and on my toes! She loves her baby dolls and playing pop beads. (Side note - my girls dressed me up with pop beads this morning before we ran to Target. I totally forgot that I was wearing them until it was just about time for us to leave. Even ran into a neighbor. Real cute!)

I'll update on Jordyn after her doctor's appointment tomorrow! I'm a month behind on her check ups and I'm excited to see how much she has grown!

Oh, and we had a wonderful overnight guests this past Saturday night! Kathy, Jenn and Steph stayed the night Saturday night! It was so much fun to be able to see them - and talk the night away! =) Thanks for the treats, ladies - y'all are too sweet!! We've been enjoying them and the M&Ms have found a hiding place but I'm sure they won't last long!

Spunky Monkey and the Grace of God!!

Time to document!!

I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing us through different seasons...some that have their fair share of trials and others that don't. Through both God shows Himself good and faithful and true. That being said, I have to document this season with Sydney. For me, transitioning from one to two was quite difficult! Sydney has been a bit of a challenge at times =). Through the first year of crying (screaming) going into Children's Ministry, to working on whining and defiance, to me just wanting to stay home because I didn't want to have to bring her out in public, etc. (Pause - I have to go take care of her because she is putting boogers on her sister!) BUT over the last few months we have seen God changing our little pumpkin! I mean dramatically! Every time someone here says how sweet Sydney has been, or how she has responded or how she has shared or been kind, truly my heart leaps! Now she is the one talking to everyone in the stores, being super goofy (which she has been able to make us laugh pretty hard since she was very little!) and learning to respond and obey. I know she is so young and I am sure there will be many more challenging seasons with her, but I tell you what - I'm going to enjoy this one!!!

Here's a little update on the things she likes to do!

Ham it up! She making up silly songs to tunes she knows, dance crazy and make funny faces.

Play outside - especially swing. She's loved going to the park and playing in our backyard. I love when there's something she doesn't particularly want to do because then she pulls this cute little look and says "I'm too little"!

Play with her sisters. She makes sure Jordyn doesn't have to make any effort to move - she brings everything right to her! She also loves playing dolls, LPS, doll house, Legos, Tinker Toys and digging in the dirt with Reagan!

Worship. She has been learning worship songs and I love hearing her rendition of them when we are hanging out at home or in the van or outside. Also she has been attentive and singing and dancing at church.

She's not too big on eating right now (unless it's something like McDonald's) or dogs!

Well, that's the skinny on our little Spunky Monkey right now!

Sunday...Fun Day...

Park Day!! After church and naps on Sunday we headed to the park! It has been beautiful here the past week, so we've been getting out quite a bit. The girls and I have been to a park in Woodstock several times and I've wanted Steve to go, too. So Sunday we brought Reagan's kite she got for Christmas and met up with some of our new friends =) and spent the afternoon at the park! Then we went to Brande and Eric's for burgers and hot dogs! I really enjoyed watching the kids playing (and playing, too!) and hanging out with the Holms!

Bentley's Birthday!

This past weekend we headed to Greenville to celebrate baby Bentley's first birthday!! This time last year Bentley was coming home from a month and a day in the NICU. A month before we had traveled to S.C. to be with Danny and Nikki and to see baby B. A year ago we were praying that God would sustain his little life, that He would heal his body and restore him to full health. Well, had you been with him on Saturday, you would stand amazed as we did! He is absolutely healthy - and adorable! God has healed everything that needed mending! And boy, are we grateful! We look forward to seeing him grow...and see what a fun BIG brother he's going to be! Yep, shortly he will have a little brother or sister! He had a Kung Fu Panda birthday with an incredible Vietnamese feast! The girls had a blast playing, too.

We had another great treat last weekend, too! Mom, Dad and Amy drove to our house on Friday and then up to Greenville on Saturday. We were so glad they were able to make the drive up! Even though their trip was quick, it was SO GOOD to see them. Friday we sat around and visited and then went up to My Corner Office (Steve's bosses' other company!), then home for dinner! Amy, Steve and I stayed up and watched videos on YouTube and laughed and laughed and laughed!

Weekend with Mama!

Two weekends ago my mom came for a visit. (Yay!) It was cold and rainy and snowy, but that didn't keep us from having a good time! We hung out at the house on Friday and then Saturday Steve worked and kept Jordyn and Mama, Reagan, Sydney and I headed to the mall for the day! It was so much fun! It was great to get out, too. Then, my mom watched the girls so Steve and I could go out on a date! I was so excited - we hadn't been out on a date since we moved here! On Sunday my mom stayed home with the girls while Steve and I went to church. Then we ordered in BBQ from a really good BBQ place down the street from our house (they have fried pickles, so I'm hooked!) and then my mom made us a really yummy dinner! I can't believe she's already been here twice! We really enjoyed her stay and the girls had a "tea party" complete with a tinker toy birthday cake before she left! The girls and I went to the park in the neighborhood either the day she left or the next day...can't remember which! We were the only people there - it was great!