Lucy, Lu is turning 2!!!

My little girl is turning 2 today! WOW! Anyone who knows our Lucy, knows she is very determined, but very loving, too! We are so grateful for her, even times when we're not sure the best way to handle her. She keeps us on on toes for sure. We love listening to her talk and communicate with us, especially things like "I love you!," "Give you hug," "don't cry, Maymay"
We love watching you play with your brother. There are disagreements, yes, but often you get along so well. He is definitely your protector whether you need it or not right now (you can stand up for yourself that's for sure.) At the park just yesterday, a couple of boys approached you both and put toy guns in your face (I was a bit unhappy about this) but I quickly saw your brother push the guns away and help you up off the slide, grab your hand, and say "Come on, Lucy, let's get out of here." I love watching you both! When I hear you say "Hold me, Bubba" my heart just melts. You are very strong-willed and require a lot of patience. But I think that will be a positive quality as you grow. Your Mimi has said that hopefully this will mean you will never go along with negative peer pressure (boy am I hoping she's right.) But as strong-willed as you are, you are also that loving. Your hugs, snuggles, singing, your smile that lights up a room, listening to you pray "Dear God........Desus name, amen!" are worth it all! We love you, LouLou! Happy Bday!

Some things Lucy likes:
* "bubba" and "MayMay"
* "Momma" and "daddy"
*"waffles" in the morning
* any stuffed animal or baby doll - she will carry them around the house, likes to sleep with them and take them in the car with her.
* her family
*"paying" (playing) with her bubba
* "fying" (flying) in the air with the help of her daddy
* talking and using all of her new words that she is learning every day.
* saying "hold me (Insert name)" a lot :)
* saying "no" a lot - we're not sure how to get her to stop this...we've tried many methods :)
* Singing - she will sing songs and if she doesn't know word, she'll make one up. Many times I hear her singing a familiar tune with her own words...Her favs are Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle, Twinkle, All Night, All Day, and a couple that we have made up :)
* Reading books
* Being outside

Some things Lucy dislikes:
* Being told to do something or not to do something when it's the opposite of what she is wanting.
* Having to share when she is sure everything belongs to her :)
* Having help brushing her teeth those times she wants to do it "by mysef"
- I'm sure if I thought long enough this list would be longer, but then again, her main dislike is no.1 on this list - Just being told no or not to do something - she can't stand it!

One week

One Year
Two years

Stroller mishaps and other stuff.

Well - I try to be a good mommy. So I had a basketball game on Monday and Devan was finishing up baseball practice. I decided to leave a little early and go to school and let the kids play on the playground before my game. I get out, put Macy in the stroller and head on - thinking this will be good times for all. When we get to the curb going onto the soccer field, I pushed the stroller up and onto the grass, turning to wait for the other two to follow. Usually Lucy loves holding Brinton's hand, but not today. She refused to come over the curb with her Brother and started to whine. Well, he didn't want to let go of her hand and she wasn't budging either. I looked at the stroller making sure it was good - took two steps to grab Lucy up - I turned to look and what I saw will be etched in my memory forever - it was like it was in slow motion and I was frozen - I saw the stroller rolling down the hill with my baby inside - I put Lucy down, ran down the hill and got to the stroller just as it stopped on level ground. I looked in quickly so see my precious Macy still sound asleep as if to say "what, mommy, why are you so terrified, I am having great dreams...." Well, I moved her around and checked her just to make sure. I am sooooo grateful she was fine but what I haven't mentioned yet is that there were witnesses. The cross country coach and a few of the runners were out there. The coach was actually standing right where the stroller stopped, looked at me as I was running down and asked "Is it empty?" "No!" I yelled. The look he gave me after we knew she was fine, well, let's just say it didn't help me in the thinking what a horrible mom I was department. But all is well and God was watching over us!

Here are a few of pics up of the kids . Everyone is seeming to adjust nicely with the addition of little Macy. She is doing well herself. She doesn't cry very much and is sleeping pretty good too. Her brother and sister enjoying kissing on her and making sure she's okay. Lucy says things like, "Don't cry, May May" and "it's okay" and her newest, "dust (just) a minute." (I wonder where she hears this stuff??!)

Macy's Here!!!

Well, Macy is punctual! She arrived Monday, January 12, which was her due date! I started having minor contractions that morning. Summer came over and took care of Brinton and Lucy. When we got to the hospital I kept having contractions, but after a while they slowed down - what!? So they started potossin (sp?) and she came within a couple of hours. She weighed 8lbs. 5oz. and was 21". She's the biggest of my babies... Once again I opted to have a natural birth (no epidural) and was so glad when she was delivered :) We are so thankful everything went smoothly and that she is a healthy baby. Thank you for all of your prayers for us!

Brinton's new bed and Merry Christmas

May I just say that my dad is very talented. He can build and fix almost anything. We had been talking about getting a bed for Brinton since he's slept on a mattress on a floor for over a year now. My dad said he could build him one for Christmas. Well that sounded great to us! But he didn't just build a bed. He made a baseball bed with a shadowbox sort of thing. It had bats, cardinals, pictures, hats, gloves, etc inside the casing. It also has a built-in nightlight at the top. Brinton loved it! Thanks Grandad!

Brinton looking at the stuff inside

He didn't want to pose

My dad and mom came to our house this Christmas :) Since traveling for me was not an option. We had a fun time opening presents and just relaxing and spending time together. My kids love their mimi and grandad.

Excuse me, I'll have to call you back later.

Headphones from great-grandmother

Dancing, Dancing!

Brinton enjoyed putting on the Christmas hat, turning Christmas music on, and dancing like a crazy man! Lucy joined in on the fun, too. They were so funny and cute and it really tired him out!

I'm dancing...

I just liked his hair in this one.

We're slowing down

It's so hard being a performer.

Go and make disciples of all nations...

THE GREAT COMMISSION...How often do we think of this commandment from our Lord? Especially when we are actually talking about other nations and not just our own. I know I am guilty of not thinking of it near enough...but man has it hit me full force.

I have been meaning to do this for a couple weeks now, but have not been able to sit down and put my thoughts together. A lot of you know my sister, Jill and her husband and two kids left for Rwanda, Africa on December 2 to do mission work there. They will be there for a minimum of 5 years. I, as the rest of my family, am so glad they are doing the Lord's work and that their kids will be able to grow up serving the Lord in such a special way. But a part of me wants to be able to bring them home whenever I want. That's the selfish and human part of us. I know the Lord has put upon their hearts the people/orphans of the genecide that happened over 10 years ago in that country. I love them dearly, and even though I will miss them more than I can say, will miss watching firsthand Fred and sweet baby Tess grow, learn and experience so many things, I will know that life is not about us and our wants and needs, but ultimately making disciples for our Lord and Savior.

Please pray for my sister's family and their team as often as you can. For their safety, learning the language, culture shock (as it sets in), the people of Rwanda and for us here in the states who will be missing them.

Chris, Jill, Fred and Tess - Thank you for giving up so much to give others so much! We love you!

Lucy and Tess

The grandkids

This girl is in love with her cousin, Fred

Tess with her Aunt Kaylee at the airport -

did I really let them take her with them on the plane?

Brinton's 3rd birthday party

I know this is a bit late - what a surprise :) We had a small, and last minute, party for Brinton for his birthday. The Brentwood tournament is always this weekend and Devan has to be at the gym Thurs, Fri and Sat. We weren't really sure what we were going to do, so we just decided to have a few friends come eat cake and them play outside. Brinton loved it! I made him a Diego cake (next time I will not pick one with so many different colors - I thought about just finishing him with the same color late Friday night :) It did drive me a little batty, but I was happy to do it for my little boy.
Diego - Boy am I glad that's over :)

My friends

Yummy...

Our family :)