The Cheetah Book

While London was sitting on one of the bar stools the other day, she pointed towards the kitchen and said, "I want that cheetah book." Carter had gotten a book about animals for his birthday, so I thought she meant that, but I knew it wasn't in the kitchen. I walked in there and said, "There's no cheetah book in here, London." And she said, "Yes there is. In that drawer." So I opened the drawer she was pointing at, and this is what I saw:

The phone book! Isn't that hilarious? And yes, Carter has already pointed out to me that it isn't a cheetah on the cover. But I gave it to London and she looked at it for a long time, just turning the pages and looking them over. She loves that book!

We've had a fun week. Today was Carter's last t-ball game. He got two great hits and also did a really good job fielding the ball. He got a trophy too--his first one. He's so proud of it. He was carrying it inside when we got home and he dropped it on the tile. It broke into 2 pieces, and I just knew he was going to be devastated. But he wasn't...I told him I would glue it back together and he was fine with that. Wow!

getting his trophy

the trophy after I glued it back together with J-B Weld--good as new!

Here are some other things we did this week.

tried out Marley's car seat

We made this pizza using a pizza kit. It was fun to make but wasn't the best-tasting pizza.

spent time with Hannah

dressed up like zebras

smiled a lot

And because Justin has been gone to high school camp and senior trip since Monday, I received these flowers from my sweet husband for staying home with the kiddos. Thank you, Justin, for the flowers, and thank you, Wes and Shelly, for helping me so much while he's been gone! Only about 24 more hours until he's home...and yes, I am counting.

To read about high school camp and the recent youth mission trip to Costa Rica, visit the student ministry blog here.

Uganda

Our sweet friends, Mark and Monica Barret, leave today with the rest of their team to head to Mbarara, Uganda. Dr. Barret and Miss Monica (which is what we call them at our house!) along with their daughters, Bailey and Libby, are so humble about this ministry that God has given them. They take no credit for the amazing impact they are having on the people of Uganda, instead giving all the glory to God. We feel so blessed to be able to support God's work through this ministry.

One part of their ministry there is to the orphans. They have found sponsors for many of the children, providing them with basic necessities that they didn't have before, as well as schooling. This time they are hosting a pastors' conference and doing a mass wedding also. Marriages there require a dowry, which most families cannot afford, and many men and women are not able to marry. Twelve couples will be getting married while the team is there in one large ceremony, and the Barrets are renewing their wedding vows along with them. This will also be a wonderful opportunity for evangelism, because they are expecting as many as 2,000 people to attend the ceremony!

Our family sponsors Bosco, a thirteen year old boy. We were able to send a small care package to him with the Barrets, and Carter and London had so much fun picking a few things out for him. They are very involved in our sponsorship of him and love telling people about him and praying for him. Doesn't he have a great smile?

I am so excited about their trip and can't wait to hear what God does! For more information about Parental Care Ministries or to read blog updates while they're gone, you can find their website here. The first blog update is expected to be up probably Friday evening.

2 months old

Marley is 2 months old today. She had her 2 month checkup and shots, and she is doing great! She weighs 9 lbs 11 oz now and is 22 1/2 inches long. Needless to say, she did not enjoy her shots. I know that no babies like getting shots, but Marley REALLY didn't like it! Carter and London both cried when they got their baby shots, but as soon as I picked them up, they calmed down and stopped crying. Not Marley! She cried when I picked her up, while I held her, while I put her in her car seat, and while I carried her out of the doctor's office and out to the parking lot. Her mouth was open so wide I don't think she even knew I was trying to give her her paci! She finally calmed down a little when I put her in the car and started driving. Whew! I thought I was a pro, but she threw me for a loop today. I told Justin he's going with me from now on...

Marley also went to the nursery at church for the first time yesterday. She and her cousin Hannah wore their matching dresses, and were adorable of course. They were in the same classroom, but I don't think that they ever saw each other! Hannah was in her car seat sleeping and didn't wake up until after I picked Marley up. I'm sure they'll enjoy being in the same class when they are a little older. :-)

Uncle Wesley took these amazing pictures of the girls last night. I know I'm biased, but aren't they beautiful?--the girls and the pictures! Every time I see pictures Wes has taken, I want to go out and buy a really nice camera. But I think that a lot of how his pictures turn out have to do with the photographer, not just the camera. So I guess I'll just let him take all the great pictures, and I'll keep my little point and shoot! Marley has on the brown hat and Hannah has on the pink one in all of these pictures.

London's Baby Pictures

I posted baby pictures of Carter and Marley in an earlier post, and I mentioned that London didn't look anything like them as a baby. But I didn't want to leave her out, so here are some pictures of her. Can you believe how much hair she had?!

The day she came home from the hospital (my 29th birthday!)

5 days old

10 weeks old

Almost 3 months old

When I was looking through London's baby pictures, I came across these. Justin dyed his hair PINK three weeks before we had London! He lost a competition at the student center (or tied, maybe?) and had to dye his hair. This was actually a compromise...everyone wanted him to shave his head, but I had to put my foot down. A shaved head in all the baby pictures?! At least the pink hair could be fixed. I didn't go into labor early (induced, as always) and he was able to get it dyed back before we had London.

The fun life of a student minister!

Our First Nephew!

Justin and I have 4 nieces, and now we have a nephew too! My brother and his wife had their baby last night. His name is Grayson Layne, and he weighed 8 pounds even. Go Kayla! :-) I really wish I could be there to hold that sweet baby, but it will be a couple weeks before we can make the trip. In the meantime, I'm not getting nearly enough pictures from my mom, but here are two that she sent.

Can't wait to meet you, little man!

Carter or Marley?

I don't know if I've mentioned this on my blog, but Marley looks just like Carter did when he was a baby. I was just going to send these comparison pictures to the grandparents, but I thought other people might want to see them too! Let me know what you think...do you see a resemblance or not?

Carter (top), Marley (bottom)



Carter (top), Marley (bottom)




Marley (top), Carter (bottom)




Carter (top), Marley (bottom)


London didn't look like them at all as a baby...I'll have to post her baby pictures soon too!

Bow Holders

My mom has a bow maker, so I have a million bows for London and Marley. Maybe not quite that many, but it seems like it! My sister gave me the cutest bow holder while I was pregnant with Marley. It looks so cute in her room and it holds all the bows that I have. So cute!

Shelly is making these tutu bow holders herself now. Here is one she made for a friend of hers.

She can make them to match any room, and she has a website with more pictures and information in case you know someone who is interested in having one. You can see her website here.

How is it that my mom and my sister can do any crafty thing that they want to, and I don't have a crafty bone in my body? God definitely gives us each different talents. I'm blessed to have them though--they'll make me anything I want! :-)

First Time for Everything

With a new baby in the house, there are lots of firsts! Recently Marley smiled for the first time, and yesterday we put the toy on her bouncy seat for the first time. Before she had just been sitting in it, but now when she kicks, which she does a lot, the lights and sounds come on. She loves it--look at those smiles!

About a week and a half ago she took her first bottle. A friend of mine told me that it's best to introduce the bottle between 5 and 7 weeks if you're going to, so Justin gave one to her. He said she's a pro!

We also went to Wal-Mart last week. It was Marley's first time to go there, and my first time to go with 3 kiddos! I was taking these pictures in the parking lot before I put all the groceries in the car, and a woman walked by to put her cart up. She said, "First trip to Wal-Mart?" I thought that it was so funny that she knew why I was taking pictures. It was a successful trip--I'm so glad they have this kind of basket at Wal-Mart and Target. I actually went back to Wal-Mart yesterday with all 3 of them, this time with London wearing panties. I was worried I would have to drag all of them into the bathroom for her to go potty, but she never needed to go. Such a big girl! I'll post more on our potty training adventures later...

It was really bright outside, so the kids didn't want to look at the camera.

I knew that I would marry Justin from very early on in our relationship, although I didn't tell him that. (You understand why if you know how our dating relationship went! Major lack of commitment on his part...but I'm so glad I waited for him!) So the first time we kissed, I had a feeling it would be my last first kiss, and I did tell him that. (And it was, for both of us.) Anyway, this time with Marley is kind of bittersweet for me, because a lot of these firsts are my "last firsts" because we're not planning to have any more babies.

I took these cute pictures of London and Marley on Tuesday. I hope they'll always be as close as Shelly and I are. How can I tie these pictures in with the rest of the post?...First time to wear these matching dresses!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Vacation!

Last week we went to Broken Bow, OK with Justin's family. We had a great time spending time together and relaxing by the lake. All 5 of us stayed in one hotel room, and it worked fine! Carter and London were so tired each night that they fell asleep quickly--for the most part--and Marley can sleep anywhere. Each night when I was up feeding Marley, either Carter or London or both sat up and talked to me. It was kind of nice to have some company while I was awake in the middle of the night, because Justin NEVER wakes up. He thinks Marley's been sleeping through the night since she was born!!! And yesterday he tried to tell me he was a light sleeper, but I think he realized his mistake immediately when I gave him a look. :-) He's a great daddy, it's just a good thing he's not the one who has to wake up and feed her!

Carter and London both tubed behind the boat several times. This was Carter's first time to tube by himself, and London's first time to tube at all! That had a great time and we were so proud of them. Carter never wanted to stop!

Carter tubing all by himself

London and Daddy tubing together--I tubed with her too, but we didn't get any pictures. She loved it, and when we went over the waves she said we were bouncing like Tigger!


Carter tubed for so long that London fell asleep in the boat!


Daddy skiing




Yes, I did wear a bathing suit 6 weeks after having a baby--but only because I love my kids! I wasn't going to tell them I couldn't get in the water with them because I didn't want anyone to see me in a bathing suit. But this is the only picture you'll see of me in it! :-)


Marley's first vacation

All the grandkids on Justin's side--Mallory, London, Carter and Marley, Rylie, and Morgan

Thank you Bob and Judy for a wonderful vacation!