Um, I'm trying to update our blog picture and clearly I'm having problems. Its not supposed to be gigantic! :) I may need Josh's help on this one. Stand by. Also, the Easter post will have pictures soon!

Living He loved me, Dying He Saved me

A few pictures of the eater egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Brown's....

I went back to look at the pictures we took as a family for Easter and they are just pitiful. Wes had an emotional breakdown that day and I cooked Sunday dinner...and I was disheveled, Wes's eyes (and face!) were blotchy from crying and we are basically a mess. Project for next week: Dress the boys back up in their Easter clothes and take their pictures! ha! :)

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

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Father God--thank you for the Cross! Thank you that in life You loved me and in death, You Saved me!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Family Pictures-Spring 2011

Stuff in my head...

First, I have to say we are getting ready for our firstborn's birthday party. I'm having a hard time comprehending that he is turning FOUR. FOUR?!!? How did this happen? Motherhood is so bittersweet for me. I love watching my children grow and experience and learn...but I literally feel like the time is slipping through my hands like sand. I mean, I physically want to grab on to it and STOP TIME. I've found that having a second baby is interesting because I have a better understanding of the truth that he will not stay a baby. I mean, intellectually I knew that when Owen was a baby, but I didn't quite understand that the infant I held in my arms would soon be a three year old crazy (but super lovable) person :) And now that I've experienced it, I literally ACHE to keep Wes little. At the same time I look forward to the new stages. Its such a conflict. I'm not sure I was prepared for these emotions when I became a mother...but here they are. And I must enjoy each moment for what it is and try so hard not to focus on how fleeting these days are. Ugh. Its so hard. I would have a thousand babies, but that wouldn't solve the problem. They will all grow up.....they wouldn't be mine to snuggle forever even if I had 17. And, no worries...no part of me wants 17 children. You know what I mean :)

Our house is still for sale. We have had a few showings and no offers. I'm completely peaceful about this. Completely. It drives my husband crazy. I'm happy to move if the opportunity presents itself, but God has me wholeheartedly content and peaceful in knowing that He will move us if we are to move...and if we aren't...then here we stay. Like I said before, staying here forever was NEVER the plan. I know what my neighborhood has become. I really do have a grasp on that. It makes me sad, it frustrates me but God has brought me to this really cool place where I just honestly believe that we are completely covered in grace and protection And, I've really been convicted that we have to be prepared for a "no" answer. I think there are a lot of things in life that we think we have figured out. It doesn't make sense to us that God would want us to stay here. It doesn't add up that with the way our neighborhood has gone down the tubes that raising our boys here is the best answer. But, I've seen God work through crazier situations than this. And, I've seen Him say NO to things that I couldn't believe he was clearly saying "no" to. He is really speaking to me through all of this....trust. Wait. Be still. Hold on. Listen for me. Move when I move you. Coming through this "we want to move and get out of HERE" process is so much more about honoring God with our character than physically moving. To close this section I've written about moving...I will say, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24) :)

I've been reading One Thousand Gifts, (who isn't, right? :))...and man. Its one of those books that is going to change my life. There are a few books that have done this for me. "Redeming Love" (Francine Rivers) was one of them, "Disappointment with God" (Yancey) was another and this one is proving to be just as powerful. I'm only now getting into the main crux (chapter 5), but reading through how she came to this process of gratitude has been super eye opening for me. "Eucharisteo", gratitude/thanksgiving linking us to salvation, and so much more---whew. Powerful stuff. Without a doubt, I recommend that you pick up a copy and start reading today! I'm excited to start making my list. Also, Ann Voskamp has a blog...I've just starting following. Love it. Check it out : www.aholyexperience.com.

Thats about all :) Just had some stuff floating around in my heart that I wanted to put in writing. Looking forward to Easter and celebrating Jesus death and resurrection. So absolutely grateful for what this means in my life!

Grateful for two precious sleeping boys tonight. A warm, cozy home. Bills that are paid. A husband who is becoming ever more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and God's timing...and learning to rest in that. Thank you Jesus :) We are so completely blessed.

Halfway to a year

Happy six months, Wes! We love you baby!
We haven't been to the Pediatrician for your check up yet, but I'm guessing you weigh between 16.5-17 lbs. You are getting HEAVY! ( I'll have to come back with the actual stats later) You wear a 2-3 in a pampers diaper and you fit easily into 6-9 clothing for the most part.
I thought for awhile that you had a tooth poking through, but I was wrong. Nothing yet...although I imagine it will be soon. You are a big slobbery, hand chewing mess.
You are nursing about every 3.5-4 hours. Every once in awhile I let you suck on a banana, some avocado or try a bit of what we are eating. You have done fine with everything we have let you try. Today, I mixed up a little bit of oatmeal for you to try and you loved it :)
You still roll everywhere. You can't quite sit up without help yet. You've gotten yourself up on your hands and knees a time or two like you wanted to crawl, but those moments were pretty short lived.
You continue to think Owen is hysterical. You hang out with daddy much better now, and still love me a whole bunch but are doing better with other people as well. We've put you in the nursery at church a few times now and it hasn't gone particularly well :) Poor baby. (poor nursery workers) You'll learn that its a fun place to be eventually :)
For the most part you sleep from about 8PM-6 or 7 AM. It doesn't work like that every single day, but in general, that is your schedule. You continue to be a pretty pitiful napper. I'm trying to be better at laying you down at the same times every day, but if we are ever out doing thing you usually fall asleep in the car and this messes everything up.
You also are developing a bit of a temper! You've thrown a couple of what I consider to be "baby tantrums" :) Maybe you are just really passionate, but we'll see how this translates into toddlerhood!
Love you sweet pea. Can't believe you are six months old. It just goes to fast. We are so happy you are ours.