Stylin' in a Onsie

Last year for Mother's Day my dear husband bought me a sewing machine.  At the time, I had recently seen this post on my friend's blog that showed those little onsies with a tie sewn onto them.  I loved them and it was the very first thing on my list to make with my new sewing machine.  I also wanted to make some though that looked like a sweater vest.  I had made a few for my nephew and a few for my friend's new baby.  I never got around to making any for myself so I was super excited when I found them in a box of clothes Liz gave to me when we were in Oklahoma!  One day I'll make some more!  It is one of my absolute favorites!  And this isn't the best picture..but you get the idea.

Way Back When: Easter

Yeah...I'm still trying to catch up.  Maybe if I stopped taking pictures I could get caught up..but I don't really see that happening.

These first few are from Easter morning after we got home from church.  Everyone was kind-of tired and hungry, so I tried to make it as painless as possible.

Later Sunday afternoon we headed over to our friend's house (Matt & Sarah).  They were kind enough to host a big Easter dinner and egg hunt for a few families. 

Blaine was one day shy of 6 months on Easter so I tried getting a few shots of him out front while we were waiting for everyone to show up.  He's so handsome!!!

 

The rest of the time we just enjoyed hanging out with our friends. 

Ms. Milly

This is Sarah and her second, Cameron.  (He recently turned one and I wanted to share the newborn pics I took of him last year, but I can't find them.  Stink.)  He's such a cutie!!!

 

Ms. Sofia

Ms. Andi

And Ryan inspecting all his loot.

 

To be honest...I have about 4-8 more pics from the get together..but my computer was giving me issues downloading them, so I decided to call it quits.  Hopefully I can move forward now!

I didn't really plan anything Easter related for the boys this year, in the worldly sense, so I know the boys (especially Ryan) really enjoyed the egg hunt.  It was kind of crazy the week before since we had just gotten back from Oklahoma and then we learned that Tim's Grandpa had passed away, so I was busy unpacking and making other preparations for Tim coming home. 

There were two major things in the few weeks prior that I think gave us a good view of Easter this year.  The first thing was our memory verse for the letter "R."  Exodus 20:8, "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy."  The little devotion that went with it talked about the importance of every Sunday being special because of the fact that Sunday was the day the Jesus rose from the dead.  That reminder alone was good for me, but it was also a great way to start talking about Easter and why Jesus did what he did.  Out of His love for us.

The second thing that brought up a lot of conversation about Easter was a few weeks later when Tim's grandpa passed away.  I was able to explain to Ryan that because of what Jesus did for us Tim's grandpa has left this earth but is now singing praise songs to Jesus in heaven.  There was even a moment at the party where Ryan was out back with Matt and Will and he told them "My Grandpa died."  Matt told Sarah and I later he was like.."Oh man.  What do I say?.  How do I explain this to him?  Am I going to have to go into theology with him?"  But Ryan's quick response smoothed over the issue..."But it's okay cause he's in heaven!" 

I'm so glad my son has the mind to understand, but I've been praying for his heart to perceive what this means for him.

Photo Shoot: Bo & Liz

While up in Oklahoma I was able to take a few pics for Tim's sister's family. 

Meet (officially) Bo, Liz, Elijah, Jack, & Baylee.

Unfortunately I didn't get as many as we wanted.  We had good intentions of getting some single shots of each of the kids, some of just the kids, some in their OU shirts (good thing we missed that one. hehe), etc.  We even planned to split it up on different nights, that way the kids didn't feel so overwhelmed all at once.  The night we planned to do Baylee's it was SUPER windy.  Poor girl couldn't really look up without the wind taking her breath away.  Plus it kept blowing her over.

The night we did the family ones we had met for dinner first.  We were also trying to wait a little later for some better light, but the later we waited the crankier all the kids got.  At least the younger ones.  Including mine.  And Elijah was very distracted by Ryan and Colin who were running around playing and helping PaPa up in the garden.  It's so hard to sit still when your friends are playing! 

I love the way Liz's eyes pop in this one!

So..not my best, but a few manageable ones.  We miss them so much and always cherish our time together with them.

Catching Up

Ok...so it's been a while.  I have a whole months worth to catch up on.  A LOT of pictures.  So...back in the begining of April, when my back went out, Liz (Tim's sister) drove down to help me out for a few days.  She left her older two at home but brought Baylee with her.  Baylee is 10 days older than Blaine.

Last time we were together, which was about two weeks after I had Blaine, we didn't get any pictures of them together.  One would always be sleeping and the other one would be awake.  So here are a few...

Then, after I was able to see a chiropractor and get an adjustment, we carpooled up to Oklahoma.  It's always a joy for us to go up and visit with Tim's family.  I took many, but here are just a few.

He's So Close!

Yes, my baby is 6 months, 1 week, and 2 days old....and we are still encouraging him to roll from his back to his belly FOR THE FIRST TIME!  :)  He's been quite content just laying around and hanging out.    He just found his feet about a week and a half ago.  Both are normally things you'd normally see around 3 to 4 months.  hehe.  I love how every baby is different and they all seem to get it eventually.  He seems to be getting frustrated though and frustration leads to motivation.  (No matter our age/circumstance that seems to ring true.)  You can see in the video though that after trying for a bit he decides it's better just to lay there and suck on his left fist.  I have a feeling it will be soon though!

Pure Goodness

Back in October when Tim flew in for his R&R his flight time was moved up and I was caught unprepared.  We were still at church and I didn't bring either of my cameras with me.  This time I had a doctors appointment that same morning but made sure to bring everything with me.

Ryan was just talking non-stop and Colin was ready to start wrestling right then and there.  :)

I Will Rejoice and Grieve.

Last night right before going to bed Tim and I learned that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. 

Although I'm a Christian and I know Christ has called me to share Him with others, it is not always at the forefront of my mind.  When my path crosses with someone else I don't always consider where they stand in their relationship with Christ.  The bigger picture is not always my picture.  But today my heart felt heavy.  For a while I was thinking I was kind of crazy and getting things mixed up with the emotions of Tim leaving  back to Iraq again today.  And although, my heart is heavy for that, I honestly can say I can feel my spirit grieve for Osama Bin Laden's soul.

I know what he represented here on this earth was wicked and it caused pain in the lives of many. 

For his ways of wickedness to die, I rejoice. 

For one of our missions as a country to be completed, I rejoice. 

For the change this might bring for the people of the Middle East, I rejoice. 

For his soul, I grieve. 

Can you imagine the force with which reality must have struck him after he breathed his last?!  To stand before our God and for Him to say, "I knew you not."  To have everything he believed so strongly in and fought for to finally be covered in the light of the truth.  For the blinds to finally be removed from his eyes, yet he no longer has the ability to make the choice to walk in it.

Some have said "Justice has been served."  But isn't death and separation from God the justice we all deserve?  We ALL have sinned. 

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23 

No one of us is greater.  Only by accepting the grace of God that he extends so willingly are we saved from our justice.  Oh how he wants each of us to accept that grace and have a relationship with Him.  And how much more must His heart grieve at the loss of one?

“Say to them, ‘As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his ways and live.’” Ezekiel 33.11

I am still a proud American and Army wife. 

I still believe there are just causes for war. 

It was a victory for our country but a loss for the kingdom of Christ. 

For this I will rejoice and grieve.