Sister Love

We really do love each other.......most of the time!

First Day of School!

Our little man has officially begun "preschool!" After our (MY) toiling over what to do for this year, we decided we would do a 2-day a week preschool in a 3-year-old class. Reed will be 4 years at the end of next month and would "technically" make the Oct. 1st cutoff date for being in a 4-year-old class, but after reading, talking, etc. we decided it would be best that he be an older one rather than a younger one. And since that means we have 2 full years before kindergarten we are still weighing our options as what is going to be best for him and our family. Now onto our pictures!

He loved his orientation day that only lasted a little over an hour. So he is very excited to go back tomorrow! We walked in, he said hello to his teachers, and found the area where he wanted to play and went right to it! I said bye and was able to leave.....I have to admit I was surprised as he is typically timid and shy, especially in new settings and with new people....but yet so happy he did so well! I was so proud of him...and for me---no tears shed for either. Maybe already having done MDO last year once a week, it just seemed naturally time to go back and I suppose no big deal to "go to school". So I am excited for him to have fun this year and make new friends. Praying our little guy grows and changes in a good way this year. We love you big boy and so proud of you!

Happy Birthday to Gigi/Mom!

We are so excited to wish my mom (Gigi) a very, very Happy Birthday! I tried a video of them together, and they just giggle the whole time....so it obviously worked so much better to do them separately....though Reed still gets silly. (Ok can't get Reed video to upload.....so mom you'll have to just watch EC). We love you and are so thankful for you in our lives! Have a wonderful birthday!

Guess who.....

has stood without support AND taken 2-3 steps without support as well??!!!

Our sweet Mary Etta of course! She is so proud of herself, and everyone cheers her on---then she stops and claps for herself as well (so sweet). Oh, clapping.....while we were at the Summer Project for staff fellowship time a couple weeks ago she clapped for the first time. What makes it even sweeter is when.......

After dinner each evening we would have a family worship time---all the kids would sit on the front row (I believe there were about 17 of them--so probably 2 rows!) Shane would lead the worship up front and sing kid friendly songs with clapping and hand motions for them all to participate in. I wish I would have taken some pictures b/c it was so sweet seeing Reed and Emery-Claire sitting with all the other children and enjoying that time. So during one song they were singing too and clapping all of sudden Mary Etta (who I was holding as standing on the side watching the other kids) started waving her arms and clapping as well! She was just grinning ear to ear and clapped throughout the song---oh so sweet! It just filled my heart with joy to see her join in---and know her first claps were praising the Lord (whether she knew that or not :)

Contagious smiles!

I know I've been very absent in blogging lately. No real reason except just the slightly busy household with a now 1, 2, and 3-year-old we have here! So here a few fun pictures from the past several weeks......

Happy, happy on last day of swim lessons! He so enjoyed them and the water this summer.....makes me sad it's over and we are heading into fall (though don't get me wrong--lots I do love about fall too!). Lots to look forward to with 2-day a week preschool and our new adventure on Wednesday mornings with bible study. So he still will have lots going on.

Fun at the Explorium a few weeks ago

A very always happy and SO SMILEY newly 1-year-old!

Loving her new "ride" she got for her birthday! And a fast push from brother!