Blessed.

Jeremy and I are both feeling a little overwhelmed these last few days. But for once, it's a good overwhelmed feeling. When we move some place new, (and it's our 3rd move in 5 years, now) we're always a little anxious about starting over, making new friends, and now this new concern of our child making new friends, figuring out why we're in this new place, what God's plan and purpose is for our family. For us, this weekend was like one big, fat, wonderful, much anticipated answer to so, so many of our prayers and worries and desires. It's not like anything extremely out of the ordinary or monumental occured, but basically, we just spent a lot of time with new friends, began to share our stories of where we'be been and what God has done in our lives, and started to figure out, for real, some of the dreams God's been working on our hearts about--where we can serve, and minister, and really get involved. Not only all of that, but we decided to pick up a new little activity to try and learn together--raquetball--and we had tons of fun wearing ourselves out doing that. So, all that to say, a great, great weekend. One we're just looking back at already and saying...wow, God is so, so good. And a reminder that, when the tough times come, and they're sure to, to remember God's faithfulness, that He is working, that He does want to use us---broken, sinful, yucky us. Oh, praise Him! We are so very blessed.


Sunday night we grilled out with our beautiful new friends, the Edwards.


These girls were too much. So that they could be surrounded by fun things to do, the two kiddos and four adults sat all over Olivia's room and just laughed and played and talked. We did break, but just long enough to eat dinner, and then went right back to playing and having fun and laughing some more.


Carlise's daddy, Brian, reading a bedtime story to two sweet girls.


Carlise and Olivia were trying desperately to give us the hint that they were getting sleepy, but we didn't want our time together to end. If they could have clearly communicated in words, it may have gone something like this: "Seriously, guys, we're exhausted here! No more talking. We need sleep! So if ya'll aren't going to put us to bed, we'll just snooze here on this comfortable hardwood floor."


I love this picture because it is so Jennie and so Carlise. They are absolutely head over heels for each other. Jennie is such a great mom, and Brian such a great dad, and they're getting ready to do it all a second time with baby Evelyn, coming soon in September! We can't wait! More babies to love!

My good friend, Abby

Olivia's buddy, Abby, is going to be a big sister soon. Her mommy, Lia, had a doctor's appointment on Thursday morning, so Abby was able to come over and spend the morning here at our house. These girls remind me so much of each other--physically, more than personality-wise--but they are quickly becoming fast friends. Abby is three days older than Olivia, they both have beautifully full, round faces and bellies, and they both have very big, and ever-expanding, vocabularies (in my humble Mommy's opinion). From a personality standpoint, though, Abby is a bit more cautious and soft-spoken while Olivia tends to show a little less restraint in both word and deed. :) Both girls are so much fun and I love the friendship that is beginning between them, and between their mommies!

Gimme a kiss!


What a mess.


Sweet Abby.



But the girls had such a great time playing together the other morning. By the end of their time together, they had nearly every single toy out of all their baskets, bags, and buckets, dancing to music, sitting and reading books together. They had a blast. But don't worry, Lia--Abby and Olivia were both very helpful in getting it all cleaned up. Then we had a little snack of watermelon and strawberries and headed off to the library for some singing, banging drumsticks, and playing with friends. We're looking forward to sweet Miss Ab's next visit to play. Come again soon!

Fun at the pool

There are few things that Olivia loves more than the water. Which works out great for me since I love the water, too. Although Jeremy works at home, his job typically keeps him incredibly busy. But today was one of those rare days where, in the middle of the day, he was able to join us for a trip to the pool. We had so much fun. We each took turns venturing the waterslide with Olivia, she went through the water fountain for the first time, covering her eyes, taking a good water-beating, just to get to the little wheel, and we met some new friends--seems we make new ones on each and every trip.

Waiting...













Getting set...

















Sliding...














SPLASH!!!











A couple of pics of our bathing beauty:
























And one more pic that I couldn't help but post even though it's got nothing to do with swimming...just trying on Daddy's new Father's Day visor...Olivia has laid claims on it and isn't giving up so easily.

Happy Father's Day

So, this is my first official blog...just catching up with the rest of the world, I guess. And today is the day to celebrate Dad's everywhere. How blessed Olivia and I are to have Jeremy as the Dad in our little household. He is such a great dad. I know everyone says that about their dads but for real, Jeremy is such an involved, sensitive, hands-on kind of father, and you can SO tell that Olivia is so aware of how much he loves her. For starters, they look pretty much just alike...people often say she and I look alike...only up until Jeremy is out with us, and then I get no props at all. But it makes me happy, actually. I love seeing the "him" in her and, with the exception of when she bangs herself on the head to get attention like he did as a child, I know he loves it too.



Next, he is always so amazed at the things she is doing. Lots of men would be completely clueless when their children are doing new things, saying new words, making new faces, but Jeremy is so in tune with her and interested in her emotional, physical, and spiritual progress.

Finally, he shows his love for her through his prayers with and over her. We take turns putting her to bed, cause it's one of our favorite things to do, and sometimes unbenownst to him, I'll go ahead and turn on the monitor so I can hear them as they read a few books, sing a few songs, and then say their prayers. Of course, Jeremy is still the one doing most of the reading/singing/talking at this point, and his love for his daughter is often most evident through the words I hear over that monitor around 8:00 p.m. each evening. He said to me just the other day, "Probably my favorite thing is telling her over and over just how much I love her." How sweet is that? Now that is a good dad!

While on the subject of dads, Jeremy and I are also very blessed to have amazing fathers of our own...dads who have endlessly loved, encouraged, and supported us our whole lives through. So we thank them today, too, for all they've selflessly given for so long. And also how very much they love their grandchild(ren).

Olivia and her Poppy last Easter



Olivia and Poppa Don on a recent visit