Time Racing On

It's a busy time in our lives.  Serving at church, raising kids, trying to show them how to work hard and love hard and doing all manner of strange diaper cake concoctions.  That's what I've been doing.  Romy had a photo shoot Saturday.  She is just so beautiful and I wish I could capture her way on camera.  She is just a beautiful soul and I enjoy her very much.  

I was saying "round and round the garden" and she was doing the hand motions.

Look closely for her special feature... the ear that looks pierced, but isn't.

Why can't rolls be cute on adults?  I'd be set!

I love them and think they are beautiful treasures.

This is how I see them most of the time.

My three waves of Grace.

Thoughts on a Tuesday

I haven't weaned Romy yet.  I just can't bring myself to.  Please know I don't want to be blasphemous here, but I feel like Jesus in the story of the women that bled for 12 years.  I feel power coming out of me when she nurses.  I know breastfeeding isn't a super power, but it's close.  I know it's not the milk that is the power I'm talking about.  It is love.  I feel like I'm pouring love into her.  She's the only one that has made it this long and although she's not super into nursing, she likes it for comfort.  I like it for comfort too so I'll do it a little longer.  There, I said it.

A quote I heard from the sermon on Saturday:  "do you have space in your life for people who are far from God?"  Yes, I think so, but I feel compelled to make more space.  I know people all around me that do not know Jesus.  I want to have the ministry of availability. I want to be available to my husband after a long work day.  I want to be available to my children when they talk about their day, laugh, or play (or nurse).  I want to be available to my neighbors that are lonely and need to be asked to dinner, or a single mom that needs a hug, or a Muslim neighbor that needs to see that Jesus requires something of us too and that He's the Messiah.

Proverbs 1:8-9
"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching.  They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."

I do love garlands.  Been reading Proverbs lately.  Lord, help me to gain wisdom and discipline.

Romy Turns 1

We had a few neighbors and family over to celebrate Romy turning 1.  I must say, it probably was the party with the least amount of effort on my part.  But we had store bought desserts and she seemed ok about it. 

Here we all were singing Happy Birthday to Romy and he was lifting her up.

She was having a good time bothering my brother.

Beki and Jeff got Romy a whoopie cushion.  The kids thought that was great fun.  Giving a one year old a whoopie cushion... hum... their time will come.

Happenings

Here's Romy searching for food on the floor.  :)

Today was picture day at school.  I took these at home.

She came up with this pose... haha

all the Barreth Grandkids with Grandma Morris.  The chemo made her hair curly.

I made this with the help of mom for my sister-in-law's baby shower (Melody).  My first ever diaper cake.  The theme of the decor for the shower is "mama bird".

and last but not least... ROMY WALKING!!  We've been very busy moving and growing.