Ivy is one month old!

Ivy has had an exciting first month of her life. Her first include: riding in a car, sleeping in a bassinett, taking a bath, wearing a diaper, visiting the ER, wearing clothes, and we celebrated by going to church for the first time! She is doing great and growing big! We are sleeping some and enjoying our time at home with each other.

The Price for Peace

This morning this is what our bed looked like! Emery woke up in the middle of the night because of a thunderstorm and Ivy has been sleeping with us because she is a newborn. Andy and I were out of bed and I just laughed at this sight. You will do what ever it takes at the early hours in the morning for your kid to go back to sleep even if that means getting out of bed yourself!

Potty training 101

Well, I don't know if we have had complete success but Emery is going potty on her own. We had a theory that if we took all her clothes off then we could catch her daily big job, and it WORKED! We celebrated by taking her to Baskin Robbins and having ice cream! We are so excited! Yeah Emery. We are so proud of you! Emery is learning how much toilet paper is needed to wipe her "body." (aka her bottom) I am also learning to celebrate every moment..even if you need a new role of toilet paper at the end!

Potty Training

Emery has decided that it is time to retire diapers and go on the potty! We have been celebrating with her all week. She has only had one accident (as far as pee pee goes...the "other" is another issue!). We are very excited for her and although the timing is a little crazy, she is ready and it has been fairly easy! Way to go E! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!

Perfect Love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
I have been thinking about this verse this week. Both of my children are spoken promises from the Lord to me and Andy. Emery's word that the Lord gave me is "for my glory," and Ivy's word that the Lord gave me for her is "to show my love."
Wednesday night we had to take Ivy to the ER. (Ivy is 3 weeks old!) My heart and mind were overwhelmed with fear. Thoughts rush in that you would pray would never be your thoughts! She was extremely fussy, refusing to eat and then when I called the doctor they asked me to take her temp and it was up so they advised us to take her to the ER.
Because she is such a brand new baby they don't allow much room for error and want to rule out everything which is quite invasive for any baby and for a new mommy. I was a mess and far more upset than sweet baby Ivy. Andy just started praying for me and for our sweet baby and quoted this verse as he remembered the word over her. Love...to show HIS perfect love, and that there is no fear in it. The Lord is so faithful! I was so encouraged to depend on His word and to believe that there was nothing to fear.
Everything turned out to be absolutely fine. All of the tests that they ran were fine and we just had to make sure that we continued to watch her. She hasn't had a fever since that night and she is eating well.
Thank you Jesus, for your word and that you use it to encourage and help us in times of need. I know that you love us, and I just thank you for our sweet blessing in Ivy and I look forward to seeing You use her to show us Your love. Thank you for reminding us that we have nothing to fear in You.

Do that again!

Emmy and I took in the Pop Goes the Wiggles show on Saturday. Emmy sat spell-bound throughout the show. We enjoyed their palpable sincerity and simplicity. After warming up slowly, Emmy finally took to the floor and danced along with the characters on stage - to the evident delight of several adults sitting around us. When it was over she said: "Do dat again, Daddy". I would have, but that was the last show!


During the show, a parents rebuke sparked his child's outburst behind me. This reminded me of the imperative to catch the heart of the matter - to understand what God intends for each situation, event and person. Especially my children. This is why it's necessary for me to spend time with Jesus every day, before the day begins, or I end up simply responding out of my spirit, instead of His.

Hoop dee doo! God speaks, even at a Wiggles concert!

I'm a big sister!

Summer Fun

All of our cousins are in town and we dressed everyone in a watermelon outfit and took pictures. Yes, we didn't get full cooperation with 6 kids under the age of 3, but isn't it all about dressing them and doing it for the moms at this age? They were able to sit still because we were bribing them with M&M's!