Brooks' 1st Birthday!

So finally I can sit down and add some pics from Brooks' 1st birthday party! We had the celebration at Virginia-Hylton Park in Lexington. We could not have asked for better weather (thank You Lord!), as it was sunny, but cool! Matt found an awesome picnic area in the shade with plenty of seating and a view of the creek...it was perfect!

Bruddahs :)

Grammy was the entertainment for the day :)

Livi was so excited for Brooks' birthday!

Yummy cake that Livi...I mean Brooks...picked out :)

Brooks' HUGE smash cake!

So generous to share with Gramps!

Brooks thinks he's pretty funny! :)

Brooks Turns 1!!!! Pics to come ;)

So I know it's been a while, like since NOVEMBER, since I've posted! We've been just a little busy! I promise I will post pics after Brooks' birthday party on Saturday, but I had to take a minute to reflect on the past year of his life.
It was a life that started out with strife. I was sick and didn't know it. He was on his way to catching my illness and we had no idea. With God's guidance, the doctor led us in a new direction; one that would steer Brooks from harm. To this day I still marvel at God's mercy. I am amazed that He would see fit to save MY son from potential sickness, even death. If you've ever wondered if God cares, I can tell you that He does! And the even more comforting thought is that even if something had gone wrong, He would have seen us through that as well. While I am so truly grateful to have a healthy, curious, getting-into-everything little man on my hands, I'm also relieved to know that God sees us through all circumstances, good and bad, big and small. The very God who created this Earth cares about me...and you!
So about Brooks - he's crawling/cruising everywhere. There are blockades all around the house! It's like a construction zone! He loves to be asked what a lion says - he'll roar a cute little roar :) He loves pushing things...anything...chairs, stools, trucks, pillows, anything that moves gets bulldozed around the house! He's got 2 teeth on bottom, the 2 middle on top, and 1 right beside his top left tooth is poking through. He is so easy to tickle, all you have to do is look at him and he knows it's coming! His tubes are holding up perfectly - he's sleeping better and is no longer in pain! He is truly such a joy, my little man. My little snuggler. Oh he's so snuggly!
As I said, pics to come...gotta run!

Livi Turns 2!!!!

I can't believe it! 2 YEARS! I remember being amazed when she turned 2 WEEKS, 2 MONTHS! But 2 YEARS! It's amazing how quickly it goes! All amazement aside, we had the best time celebrating with our lil' Sweet Pea. We went on a great trip to the park, ate ice cream at Cold Stone, had a reunion of sorts with Matt, Merrill and the boys in town, rode horses, held and fed animals on the farm and enjoyed a hayride! We'll never forget it! :) Here are some pics :)

Livi LOVED riding the horses!

"Is this hayride for me??" :)

All the kids waiting patiently to pet the bunnies!

Livi finally got a turn :)

Talking to the goose with silly Uncle Matt :)

Gettin' all sugared-up with cake, ice cream, and Capri Sun!

Brooks is already a ladies man with Grammy and Gigi :)

Pumpkin Carving '09

Soooooo I planned on creating a magical night...We would carve our perfect pumpkin, roast the yummy seeds, and then enjoy some hot chocolate as a family on the back porch. Yeah. Right. :) Livi wanted nothing to do with carving the pumpkin, Brooks was ready for a nap, and Matt had to talk about some urgent school issues with a colleague. I wound up carving the pumpkin while Brooks slept and Matt chased Livi around the house, all while talking on the phone. I then roasted the pumpkin seeds...they all pretty much burned. Livi was ready for bed right when Brooks was ready to wake up and eat his last meal. He ate almost a whole bowl of oatmeal and peas, so that kinda made my night :) We played with him for a while and then he, too, was ready for bed. Finally Matt and I sat outside in the "cool" weather to sip our hot chocolate, just the two of us. That was a pretty nice ending to a hectic, not-so-much-as-planned evening :) Here are a few pics!

Revelation Song

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be to
You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

Yeah... Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Fun Times!

Brooks - 6 Months!

I can't believe it's time to post another monthly update!!

Brooks is now 6 months old. He's sitting unsupported, loves sleeping on his belly (with his bottom in the air!), squeals constantly, and will begin eating baby food after his 6 month appt on Friday, October 16th :) He's such a joy - the most loveable little snuggler, smiley Joe. His best friend in the nursery at church is a sweet lady named Elaine. She literally gets upset when we pick him up to go home - I keep telling her she can take him home with her, but he would get REAL upset come meal-time!! She's an angel and Brooks adores her!

Livi is still going to MMO on Tuesday and Thursday. She's a big girl this year and gets to stay late for Lunch Bunch with her friends. She usually eats a pb&j, string cheese, grapes and blueberries, Goldfish, and drinks apple juice. She's still loving tumbling/cheer class (I realized that I can't really call it gymnastics since they really work on coordination, tumbling, obstacle courses, etc) She's picking up such hilarious things these days..."Oh goodness", "Sweetie pie", "Pudgy Tales" (Veggie Tales), "No ma'am" (really said "No mayam"), "Happy birthday", "Oopsy daisy", "I dropped it!", "What's wrong?", "What happened?", etc. She's a chatterbox!

Matt is working harder than ever at school. Things have been a little more demanding so far - he attributes it to the economy! Everyone seems to be on edge. Definitely praying for continued patience and persistence!

I'm just hanging out as always - making birth announcements/birthday invites! I've been doing lots of crafts with Livi and am re-learning the different/new kinds of interactions with Brooks as he grows! Staying home is such a gift, I don't thank Matt enough. I would be so sad to miss these precious moments with these kiddos - they're a blessing!

Brooks - 5 Months!

SO Brooks hit the 5 month mark on September 14th ;) It's going by so quickly! He's doing so many new things - rolling both ways, looking when we call his name, sitting with less support, standing with little support (holding a finger), turning the pages in his board books, almost getting up on his knees (already up on his elbows)...the list could go on. :) He's such a sweetheart, the ladies at church never want to hand him over when it's time for us to pick him up on Sunday afternoons! He's a charmer ;) Here are a few recent pics!

Heaven's New Choir Director

It was a sad day for me - August 29, 2009. My sweet Papa went to be with the Lord. Once I had my sobbing under control, and only through the grace of God did I utter, "Praise the Lord"! He's no longer in pain, no longer wondering how long he'd be in that hospital bed, no longer hungry, tired, and muted. He's in heaven, having been welcomed by God Almighty, and is most likely leading a choir in a joyful rendetion of "How Great Thou Art!". Papa is no doubt reaping the rewards of his selfless and never-ending mission to win others to Christ. While his life here on earth may have seemed lack-luster to the world, in Heaven, he's enjoying riches beyond what we can imagine.

Though I'll miss him terribly in these months and years ahead, I can joyfully say that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I'll see him again. And that reunion will be even sweeter since he is the very man who led me to the Lord.

So friends, if you don't have that peace of knowing where you're going when it's all said and done, I urge you to contact someone you know who can help you in that decision. Contact me. Contact someone. Tomorrow is never promised - do you know where you'll spend eternity?

Presented below is the plan of salvation. Take a moment to read over it, and if you make the decision to become a Christ-follower, please contact me so I can be in prayer for you as you begin a personal relationship with the Maker of heaven and earth!

1. Admit you're a sinner
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent)
Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you all will likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)

3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
"God showed His great for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"If you confess the Lord with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." (Romans 10:9)

4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to be your personal Savior
"For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

Here's an example of what you can pray:
Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior, following Him daily.
"Therefor, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you choose eternal life with the Lord, here are some things you should do:
1. Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day. He cares about even the little things!
3. Be baptized, worship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
4. Tell others about Christ - share the Good News!!!!

Brooks - 4 Months

It's so hard to believe Brooks is already 4 months old! He's doing so many new things, it's hard to keep track in his baby book! With Livi, I had time to write out descriptions of all the new tricks she was performing; but with Brooks, it's like, "rolled from front to back 8-24-09". How sad! I guess it's just gonna have to do! He'll have that whole "2nd born" complex that I had growing up!

Besides rolling from front to back and back to front, Brooks is also sqealing/screaming and gurgling a ton, sitting unsupported in his Exersaucer, grabbing at anything that moves, and turning pages as we read to him. Needless to say, he's changing every day!

So as not to forget his sweet sister, Livi is having a ball at gymnastics (rolling, learning to lean/reach backwards for future back-walkovers and handsprings, stretching, etc). She'll continue MMO in the Fall; something she LOVES and looks forward to on Tues and Thurs! She's learning new words and phrases every day! Some of her favorites include, "I drop it", "Come on Mommy", "I'm comin'", "I got you!", "I watch DDD?"

Here are links to my recent Facebook albums!

Summer Album

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=92344&id=503682431&l=fa79f89dcc

Livi at Monkey Joe's

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=94642&id=503682431&l=d5135a4887

August '09

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=94642&id=503682431&l=d5135a4887