Charlotte's Birthday

We had an Elmo birthday for Charlotte on Saturday. Just family over for some swimming, hot dogs, and cake but she had a blast. Here are a few of the shots from the day!

Week 2-Digital Scrapbooking

Okay so it has taken forever to get to week 2, but I finally did. These layouts are the ones I created in week 2 of my online class from Jessica Sprague.com. It really is a cool class. Let me know what you think.

Our Baby Girl is 3!!

Today is Charlotte's 3rd birthday.  I can hardly believe it.  She is in so many ways a different little girl than the one who came home almost 20 months ago, but in some ways exactly the same.  She can give us a total run for our money one second, and completely still our hearts with her sweet smile and precious little voice.  She has learned so much in the last year, how to eat solid food, how to talk, she is starting to use the pottie, loves the pool, loves ELMO, and loves to do whatever Ethan is doing.  We are so proud of all she has accomplished this year and can't wait to see her in the Big Sis role.  Happy Birthday sweet girl, we love you!!

Loss-update

Update:
Ethan wrote this letter today without me even knowing it. He asked if his Nana could take when they lay Uncle Bill to rest in Maine. Such an innocent little heart.



The beginning of summer has been hard for us, unfortunately.  We have had to endure a very hard loss in the family with the passing of my Uncle Bill.  We have gone through so much with his passing, more than I would wish on any family.  Without going into detail, please know that my family could really use your prayers for the next few months as we work through the whys and our overwhelming grief at times.  Please pray that each of us will be able to refrain from blaming ourselves, and have peace.   Peace in knowing that we were blessed to share 42 years with him, even though those years were way to short.  

 ²⁸"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

This verse has brought tremendous comfort at this time.  Pray if you would too for our Ethan.  This is the first time he has really experienced the loss of someone close to him.  He really was Uncle Bill's little buddy and Ethan misses him a lot.  He also just has lots of questions about death, very innocent questions, but he is still working through all of this in his mind.

From Drop Box

(Ethan and his Uncle Bill in 2001)

We will miss you Uncle Bill, but are so glad that you are no longer suffering.  Happy that your tears may now be turned into joy.  We can't wait until we can join you again one day in heaven but until then we will continue on here.

Pics from our Beach Trip

We had a great time in Kitty Hawk, NC this week. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Happy Father's Day

This is a video that is up on Steven Curtis Chapman.com  created just for father's day using pictures from the readers of Jim Houser's Blog.  Well of course I sent in a photo, pay close attention to the video at about 1:05:)  Love IT!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am most thankful for my amazing husband. He is so supportive, especially since I have been unexpectedly pregnant:) He even scheduled a prenatal massage for me last Saturday. It was awesome.  (He is pretty handsome, too.  Don't you think?)

Ainsley Elizabeth

We have finally decided on a name for our little blessing. Ainsley Elizabeth....story behind the name? We were discussing names on our last date night at PF Changs and Jay just said how about Ainsley, and I liked it. I also have always liked Elizabeth and when I looked up it's meaning it means "God's Promise." We thought that was completely appropriate...given we followed his call to Charlotte and his has more than fulfilled his promises by blessing us with Ainsley. It so nice to talk about her as a real person and not just "the baby."