Eli at Christmas

We have had almost a month away from home enjoying time with each part of our family while Matt is on terminal leave. He will be starting school in January and we are pretty sure we will not be traveling for a while after he starts. So, we wanted to get some visits in before that. Eli has really enjoyed Christmas. Last year he was a little too young to understand and have fun with his new toys, but this year he played with each one as it was opened. It was a joy to see him tear the paper and enjoy what was inside. He go more toys than any child could ever play with. I'm not sure where we are going to put them all?!? I guess I should have asked for a toy box for him! :o) It has been a blast traveling around and seeing family. We were able to visit Matt's Grandma Lois, Grandma and Grandpa Piazza, Aunt Gigi and family and Cousin Mike in St. Louis. They are such warm and welcoming people. We always enjoy our slow days visiting and relaxing with them! In St. Louis, we also had the joy of visiting some spiritual friends as well. We had a meal with Edna and Leroy Walters. They are a really neat couple and a couple worth visiting if you are ever in St. Louis. They are a couple who is committed to sharing the Gospel and it is so encouraging to see how much zeal they have for doing it!! We then went down to Camdenton, MO where we visited Matt's Aunt Robin and family and Uncle Ricky and family. It is always a treat to sit and laugh with them! They are so much fun! After our short visit with them, we traveled to spend the night with a family we had never met. It was really cool how it all worked out because we had asked Leroy fro someone to contact in the Springfield church to make sure we would make it there on Sunday. We called the couple, Nancy and Chris Meesey, and were invited to spend the night with them in their home. It was such a treat! They are such an encouraging family! We enjoyed talking with them until very late Saturday night and enjoyed most of Sunday getting to know them and enjoying the joy that spills over in their home. We then traveled down to Pocahontas for a nice visit with Grammy and Granny (Matt's grandmother and great-grandmother). After which, we headed home and the real excitement began. In Conway we visited Dad and Barb, Grandmother and Grandad, Papaw and Joe and Destiny and family before heading out to the farm at Cleveland and spending the night with Mom and Ken. We have enjoyed many days of shopping and decorating and preparing for our big Christmas here. It has been such a joy! Now we are thinking about leaving. It has been almost a month and we are all ready to be in our own bed for a night or two. There is so much to share, but I'm going to leave you with this. Eli learned to howl this trip and you have to hear it!

Toddler Wise

It's hard to say what I learned from the book Toddler Wise by Gary Ezzo. The first two books (Baby Wise and Baby Wise II) laid out a clear plan for getting your infant to sleep through the night and be a pleasant and happy baby. Both worked fabulously on Eli and have been a huge blessing to our home and life. Toddler Wise on the other hand is a book more focused on the individual toddler and the individual home and parent. Mainly, the book is about how to make your beliefs and goals for your child a reality. We all have different beliefs and goals and will all work towards a different end because of that fact. The formula is Belief + goal = WHY + How = Solution. They gave ideas for each of the 4 blanks in the equation, but, because we are all different (and every toddler is different), did not calculate the equation for us. I would like to know how you stop a 17 month old from biting his mom or throwing a fit at the store if he can't roam free. I have to praise Dr. Ezzo for not pressing on me a required discipline program for Eli, but it does make things a bit harder to have to make that decision myself! I need Dr. Ezzo or some veteran mom to come help me out on this one!! :o)

Eli's 17 Months

I can't believe Eli is almost a year and a half old. The time has FLOWN by. This month marks the beginning of a lot of talking. He has been trying to run, but falls most of the time. He puckers for a kiss quite often and he would do anything for a laugh. His favorite song is "Bob that Head" by Rascal Flatts. He has the head bob down pat. It is really cute! He LOVES playing ball and talks about the ball all the time. He also talks a lot about dogs and daddy. He can say Nana for my mom or for a banana and he says his name. He's truly a joy!

10 Years

As my classmates enjoy our 10 year reunion, I am compelled to reminisce about the time gone by...I wonder what me 10 years ago would think of me now?
I'm sure she would first notice a me who could stand to lose some pounds, but I don't think that would be her focus. I believe she would see a woman who is so content with God's design for her life, so full of life and hungry for all that it can be.
I believe she would be surprised at how special my marriage is...how much fun we still have after so many years, so many hurts, so many changes. I think she would love what Matt and I have become.
I feel sure she would be surprised that being a mom brings a depth to life that you can't imagine without a child. I have more joy in seeing Eli enjoy life than anything ever!!
I would imagine she would see this 28 year old as someone who has not accomplished much, but she would be wrong!! I have accomplished everything that matters in finding the truth, the narrow road and am fighting with all my might to stay on that path to the gate! And the great part is that my best years are ahead of me! With every passing day I am better and I look forward to whatever will be. I have no need to look back at who I was! She was great, but not even close to what she is now!! Living for God brings joy unspeakable. He points us to life abundant, not a life of rules, but a life of purpose. It reminds me of a song I LOVE -

Men Who Dream
It shall be said among the nations, there's a God who shares our dream.

To share God's dream is more fulfilling than anything I could have ever imagined!! It is a life of joy, peace and contentment. I want this life for everyone I love.
It's been 10 years since I spent my days in CHS. It is a distant memory...The things I held dear then have become less than important to my life now. I am a new me and I love who I have become!

Eli's 16 Months Old

It has been so long since I blogged I don't even know what to say. Eli is growing so fast! I am blown away by all of the "big boy" things he is doing these days. He always wants his shoes on and will go get them when he discovers he is not wearing them. He will go get his toothbrush when prompted and doesn't much like letting you brush his teeth...he thinks he does a fine job of it. He climbs in the chair at home and up the stairs at church onto the stage. He LOVES Veggie Tales. Any time the tv comes on he starts making these crazy funny noises and claps his hands and points. I try not to let him watch it too often, but it seems to be on more frequently now that he can ask for it with his actions!! He is refusing baby food and some vegetables. He is walking everywhere and rarely falls...not quite to running yet, but I'm sure that's not a long way off!! Overall, he is just a funny little guy! He entertains me all day long! He can say only a few words...daddy, mama, apple, hi (has that one down PAT!), cracker (well enough that I know what he's trying to say), nana (with some practice) and I think that's it.
Not much more to report. Matt will soon be out of the Navy...only 50 something days left or so. We are looking forward to being home for Halloween...I've got to start working on Eli's scarecrow costume!! We are still working on a couple of projects on the house, but for the most part have been having a break from that. We are still SUPER busy with leading the worship ministry at church and possibly taking on the campus ministry soon, but that is still something we are praying about! Lots of great things going on here!! I'll try to keep blogging our progress!!

Locked Eli in the Car

Boy did we have an event today?! I went to Michaels for this silly card I have been working on for 3 days. I needed some ribbon. When Eli and I were packing up to leave I did my normal...got everyting out of the cart, put Eli in his car seat...Well, I stopped there because the car was quite hot seeing how it got up to 90 degrees today...So, I did the remote start thing because it was convenient. To do this, you have to lock the car...Anyway. To make a long story short, I closed all the doors with my purse and keys in the driver's seat and Eli locked in his car seat. With the remote start, the car only runs for 15 minutes...So, I'm freaking out. Thank God a police officer was right there and he got us all fixed up. We are safe and home now. I'm so thankful for Pop-A-Lock's policy - they respond quick when there's a baby in the car, and unlock is free. Although, I would have paid any price under the circumstances! :o)

Almost Birthday Time

I'm so excited because Eli is about to turn 1. I can't believe an entire year has passed since he came into this world. It has been such a fun year watching him grow and change. He is a really social creature. He loves anyone and everyone who will show him a little attention. It is precious when he gives you that little 2 tooth smile! He will do anything for a laugh. He has this new shaking his head thing. I think it's the first sign of a real fit. It makes me nervous. I know he is getting ready to walk. He has truly had no interest in crawling. He can go from tummy to sitting, but no crawling. He gets really frusterated with the walking thing because he knows he can do it, but he just can't. It is really hard for him!
He loves playing with all his toys, especially the ones that have blinking lights. But only when Matt or I are in the room. He loves all technology: tv, computer, cd player and such. He really loves our talking thermostat with the blue light. When I get him up from nap he always wants to push the button and hear the man say, "Temperature is ___, Thermostat setting is ___." It is funny how exciting that is for him. He LOVES playing with anything that's not a toy, for example: rocks, jewelry and grass. He always wants the remote and cell phone. I think that is pretty normal...
For his birthday, I am planning is special day at a friend's house. They have a big back yard and we are going to have a baby water park there. Eli loves the water. He splashes at least half the bath water out at each bath time. I know he is going to love it!

My First Mother's Day

Today was so super encouraging! I woke up to the yummy smell of cinnamon french toast and coffee. It was such an incredible breakfast made by my incredible husband! Eli and Matt (with the help of some other friends) put together an adorable peice of art with Eli's hand prints and side hand prints in the shape of a heart, his picture and Happy Mother's Day across the top. It was so cute and something I will cherish forever! After all of that, I put Eli in my favorite outfit, and we were off for church. We had practice at 9 and church at 10. We left there straight to Tara's baptism and straight from there to lunch with old and new friends. It was a fun lunch at VooDoo Bbq (one of my favorite places). We went back to Emanda and Joe's to pick up Eli. They were taking care of him so we could have a peaceful lunch (bc when he needs a nap there's no peace and he needed a nap today). We were with them for a few hours before breaking away for home. We arrived home around 6. I threw together dinner and we crashed... Then around 8 we realized we didn't call our moms!! So, we both got on the phones and made our most important calls of the day - Our mothers!!

April 2009

Wow. It has been a while since I sat down to blog our life. Mostly because we have been so busy, I have had little time to relax and think. Eli is growing quick! He is over 20 lbs and 28 in. We are so enjoying seeing him try to crawl and walk at the same time. He is really struggling to make either happen. He will soon be 1 and I have no idea what we will do to celebrate that! Nana and Papa (my mom and step dad) were here for a few days to help us finish some outdoor work on the house. Matt and Papa Ken finished repairing and basically replacing our front deck, and mom and I planted our front flower beds. Also, Matt finished the roof on our main house. All of this in about 2 weeks...I said before it has been crazy! I have been studying with 2 girls...and approaching baptism with 1. It has been such a challenging and encouraging process. I have truly learned that God is the one who "makes it grow" (I Cor 3:7). And I have learned to trust Him so much more than ever before!

Eli's new trick

Eli has the precious new trick. He started clicking his tongue a few days ago and because we were so excited he has hardly stopped doing it. It is too funny! He is such a character!

Goodbye Dj

I can't believe we have sent away our baby girl. We have had Dj since she was a tiny puppy, and it feels so funny to have a home without her under our feet everywhere we go. It is sinking in and becoming natural, but I have to admit I spend at least a couple of minutes a day looking for her. It is a bitter sweet thing. She was such a precious part of our lives for so long, but since we moved to New Orleans, bought our home (with wood floors) and had our son, she has just not gotten the attention and play time she used to get. I truly believe it is what's best for her.
We gave her to Susan Balsom, a friend (sister) that we met through HOPE Worldwide. She is going to be such a fun mom for Dj...I know she will have more friends and play time than she's had in a LONG time with us!
Goodbye Dj.

Thankful for Friends

I am so thankful to God for my precious friendships! My heart aches when I think of the distance that is and will soon be between us.

Today, I had the honor of hanging out with a sister that encourages my heart like no other, Emanda. I think we are kindred spirits. We struggle with many of the same challenges in this life, selfishness, worldly sorrow... Noone I know relates to me like Emanda. I love when she comes to me with the same thing I went through just a few months back, and I can give her the same advice that helped me through that time...and yet she is wise beyond her years...when I bring something to her, she is always ready to pray and go to God and will always find a scripture to challenge and change my heart.

My other New Orleans friend that has forever made an impression on my heart is Nannozi. I am so blessed to have had her through my entire time here. She is so faithful...Sticking with me through the good and the bad (and the bad has been pretty bad!). She is such a faithful sister! I know through good and bad, happy and sad, she will stay faithful, and God is so blessing her for hanging in there for so long! I can't wait to see what's in store!

Another woman who inspires my heart is Laura (our most beautiful member...or at least in the top 5). She fought to become a disciple for so long and now she won't let go of what she has for anything. She dreams of reaching heights for God that only she can. She has such a moldable heart and I am so moved by her love for God and for me!

I can't leave out Tammica while I'm rambling on and on. She is truly my best friend in this life. Noone can see my heart like she does. She is the only person in the world who can challenge me and it feels like love. I don't know how to do it...You'll have to ask her! But I know God blessed my life the day she was born.

I hate to go on forever...I feel like I need to say Cherria has been such a bright point in my life...Like walking past a field of tulips on a warm summer day. I am so inspired by the change God has made in her and how she has fought tooth and nail to survive the last few years! And Melody...I feel like it goes without saying that she inspires every life she touches. She is truly worth more to me than gold and silver! My dear friend and mom-away-from-mom, Miss Tracy, has been my strong tower during some unbearable circumstances. She was there to carry me through losing my first son and there to see the birth of my second. She serves us like NOONE EVER has! I am blown away and will give God all the glory for all she has done for me! And last, but certainly not least, I am so thankful for Stef. She lived in our back house for a while and has helped out more than ANYONE wit Eli. She is such a giving friend and sister. Her example of love and sacrafice inspires me!

I am sure I missed so many...These are the few on the tip of my tongue. More to come.

My Birthday Gift

Matt, Tammica, Frank and I went to the Rascal Flatts' concert on Friday night. Matt was able to get tickets for all of us for my birthday gift this year. It was so good to have our best friends there with us. Tammica was not feeling super great because she is in her first trimester of pregnancy (with twins), but she really enjoyed the concert anyway. It was extra special because her last day at her super stressful job was on Thursday...So, she was able to just enjoy her time with us with no worries in the world...Other than the pregnancy ones. The concert was so much fun! I knew every song! I loved it! Thanks, Matt!!!

Clap and High 5

Eli has started clapping and giving high 5's. Here's a video of him enjoying this new skills.

ticklish

Eli's ticklish! Here's his daddy tickle time!

9 Months Old

I am trying to keep a monthly update on Eli to make sure my friends who are far away will see many up to date pictures of him and enjoy his newest adventures. This month he said his first word - "Dada". Matt was thrilled! I have a video I'll include so you can hear his precious first word. I'm working on mama, but I doubt it's coming any time soon. His new "toy" is his binky. He pulls it out and puts it back in. He swings it around and chews on it. He's gettin big enough for a big boy bath. In spite of the fact that his bathtub relcines, he HAS TO sit up. It's kind of a funny site to see. We are seeing the beginnings of teeth breaking through on the bottom. He doesn't appear to be too miserable with it for now, but who knows with him being sick he is just miserable sometimes! He's a slow bloomer on crawling and cruising. He'll stand with support, but doesn't do it on his own. I know these things will come and have no concerns about his development. We enjoyed our Mardi Gras celebration this month and a nice visit from Matt's Grandma Lois. Eli doesn't get to see his grandparents regularly, so, it's always a treat to have one come stay for a bit and be with him in his environment. The sad part was, while she was here he started coming down with this bug that's got him now...pink eye, ear infections, cough and misery. :o( SORRY, Grandma!

Sick Baby Part 4

And the story continues. Matt, Eli and I made our way to the big hospital today for an ultrasound on Eli's head. His head is a bit bigger than average and with a premature baby that can mean many things so we just wanted to make sure none of them were true. He passed his scan and is totally fine. His awful cough and ear infections are continuing to be a problem, but I'm certain with time and the meds we are using he will be back to his old self eventually. It just feels like forever! I am so thankful to say he is still sleeping through the night in spite of all that's going on. I say that to say for some reason I'm not getting the sleep I need. I'm finding myself falling asleep in the afternoon and not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. I assure you I'm not pregnant!! But I have no idea what it is. I am going to the dr tomorrow myself to talk about what is going on and hoping for a solution that will help me to feel rested again.

Sick Baby Part 3

We had to go back to the dr again today. Eli is really sick in his lungs and may have asthma. We are administering breathing treatments every 4-6 hours for a week. Also, he has 2 ear infections. So, he will also be taking antibiotics for 10 days.
On another note, we have an appointment for an ultrasound on Wed to look at another little concern the dr had. I'll be sure to post more information as I have it.

My First Ebay Auction

I put my first diaper cake on ebay today. I decided I would try one and be done. If it sells, I'll make a store, and if not, I'll let it go and find something else I love to do!

Sick Eyes Part 2

We went to the pediatrician yesterday. Poor Eli has pink eye. The doctor gave us some drops and says it should clear up fairly quickly. He also has some inflammation in his bronchials (at least that's what I understood). She gave him a breathing treatment (Albuterol) to see if it would clear things up, but it didn't help. And to be honest with you, I was thankful it didn't help because he screamed like we were torturing him the entire 15 minutes that mask was on his face. Last night I woke to him coughing this nasty cough and suddenly I realized - maybe I want the Albuterol to work...It really made my heart sink to think he was suffering and there was nothing I could do for him. He is sleeping well this morning. So, I am leaving him that way. I will keep my blog up to date on his progress...

Fat Tuesday

Matt and Grandma are really enjoying her tourist time in New Orleans. We have really had a lot of down time with Eli not feeling well, but they still managed to enjoy one of the big New Orleans parades, Bacchus. It was a super great time for them. They were able to enjoy the parade with some of our close friends, Stfanie and Schnyeder, a dating couple in our church, and their family. It was really a good time for them.
On Fat Tuesday, we went up to Veterans in Metairie and enjoyed a family parade with some of our church friends. Dennis (our pro bbq-er) made burgers, brats, hot dogs, chicken breasts and so on. It was so good to get that friend time in. We all grabbed a burger when we got there and then grandma disappeared into the crowd to enjoy the parade. And she didn't return until a couple of hours later when I went to get her from the front lines collecting toys and beads. She was like a kid at a candy store!
Now we are home going to head over to the french market today for some collectables. Then we will enjoy a nice dinner while Eli spends some time with one of his favorite friends, Nannozi.

Eli's Sick Eyes

My poor little baby has sick eyes. It started yesterday with some mucus in both eyes and the day ended with his left eye swollen and yucky. When he woke this morning his left eye was stuck shut and his right eye was starting to look bad. Now his left eye is fairly clear and his right eye is totally gross!! I guess we will go to the doctor tomorrow!!

My Dream Job

I've been thinking of the possibility of enjoying my artistic talent and getting a little money on the side. I always seem to come up with this idea only to shoot it down because I just don't believe I can do it! Recently, for a dear friend's shower, I made a diaper cake. I SO enjoyed making it and have come full circle again hoping and dreaming of my perfect job. I know I would love to be an architect or interior designer/decorator, but really my dream comes from a great desire in my heart to use this talent God gave me. I hope to put some of my diaper cakes on ebay. I'll keep you posted.

Grandma's here!!

Matt's grandma flew in from St. Louis last night. She and Matt dropped off her bags and went straight to the Hornet's game. They had super great seats and a really good game.
We have enjoyed our morning. We went to the gym where Matt and grandma enjoyed a bike ride and some stretching and I did my own thing. We came home and Grandma fed Eli his lunch (apples and bananas). Now we are relaxing and waiting for dinner tonight with the Stephensons. We will be enjoying the Mardi Gras festivities this weekend. More to come...

The World's Wisdom vs. God's Wisdom

We had a super challenging lesson at midweek tonight. It really made me wonder if I am really patterning my life after God's wisdom. The world's wisdom just makes more sense to us. It is so natural for us to run after what feels good and makes our lives easier. (I Corinthians 1:18-20) God didn't call us to comfort. He called us to a radical life of denial of self and death to self. (Matthew 16:24-26) I was most challenged when Bonny read Matthew 15:7-9...Is this me? Do I honor God with my lips, but my heart is far from him...worshipping him in vain and teaching rules taught by men? God calls me to a life of love (Matthew 22:36-40). Love is not natural. We can only do it with Him. I guess the thing I left thinking was I MUST check what I do with the Word. I can't count on my instinct because I will naturally go back to a worldly pattern and therefore not be living within God's wisdom. (Isaiah 55:8) And the conflict goes on.

Confessions of a Remodeler UPDATE...

I am happy to report that we have finished the kitchen floor (grout and all) and finished tiling the half bath and the baseboards are on for more than half the house!! Yay! We have made progress. AND in the process I have not started ANY new projects (unless buying paint for the kichen counts because I DID do that!). Progress feels good!! :o)

Attitude

Omigoodness! I didn't think it started this early, but Eli has become so territorial! When he gets ahold of something, it is HIS and you better keep away!! We were at the grocery store yesterday, and he had my purse...Well, as you all understand at some point, mommy needed her purse. He went into screaming and fitting! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It has continued today with all kinds of new things...example to the left with the camera...Everything within arms distance is HIS!! He's showing his true colors! So much fun!!

Confessions of a Remodeler

ok...i have a confession to make. i love remodeling. i can't get enough of it!! my problem is i can't just have one project going at once...maybe it's a little bad, but i am always doing 3 or 4 projects at a time. this means when i start something new it will likely be months before i finish it if ever. oh...and i won't try new things without someone present (matt most of the time) so if something goes wrong, we can work together to fix it. it makes life hard for matt becaus he could care less about remodeling, but he is always getting drug in on my crazy projects. i am actually in the middle of remodeling a half bath in our house. this one has been especially fun because we (matt) had to use a jack hammer to get the floors out. well, the floors have been out for around 2 months and we have made no progress...we bought the new fixtures so they are junking up another portion of the hosue and the toilet is on our back porch. i also have to finish tiling the laundry room and grout the kitchen floor...and reinstall a whole house worth of base boards that we took off to lay the flooring. needless to say i have too much going...and i may never finish!

Mardi Gras Craft

It's funny...When Matt and I moved to New Orleans we had this ugly view of Mardi Gras...almost like we should leave the city when it's coming because it would be unbearable to be around all the drunkenness and sin (won't get specific on this). I would have never believed the church people not only attend the parades, but have a barbeque at one of the parades in our area (Metairie) for the church and friends! It is such a fun event and a great reason to get out and relax with friends...and to celebrate life. When do we ever do that any more?!
This past Sunday after church, some of the church women came over, and we made Mardi Gras wreaths. Another way the city celebrates is to put up decorations and one of the decorations commonly seen is a wreath on the front door covered in Mardi Gras beads, masks and other decor...
That is one thing I love about New Orleans...people here are always looking for a reason to celebrate!
Mardi Gras CAN be inappropriate, but it doesn't have to be!

Eli's 8 Months Old

Elisha is 8 months old! We went to see the Pediatrician and he weighs 18 lbs. 6 oz. and is 16.5 in. He is a little less than average on his weight and height, but is above average on head circumference. My Eli has a big head! I guess he's smart! ;o) He is in perfect health (Praise God!). He is even thinking about crawling and cruising (picture attached). I am sure we have some time before he's going on his own, but he it thinking about it!! He has a new love for his feet. This complicates things when I'm changing his diaper!! He's really becoming a little character. He has a lot to say and wants everyones' attention!! We are enjoying every minute!

I'm going to be 28...

It is so funny how life gets away with you...It seems like the time between 18 and 28becomes a blur and all you remember are a couple of key moments.
My key moments...
1. Finding Matt and setting out to marry him and accomplishing that task at all cost! and believe me, it cost A LOT! That's a long story. I'll tell it sometime if you are interested! :o)
2. Finding God in the most unlikely place (a single brothers' household in our apartment complex in SD). And realizing that after so many years of searching, He was right there all along waiting for me to give up myself and do things HIS way!
3. Having 2 sons: one living and one "lying down in peace; asleep and at rest with kings and counselors of the earth." (Job 3)
So, here we are with me soon turning 28. Is this supposed to be a tough age to get past? I guess it just feels so grown up...So unlike me! Maybe it's having and holding a son, a precious gift from heaven and knowing he depends on me for everything or maybe it's one step closer to 30 and not really sure I want to take it, but here I am.
I can't say I'm wise by any ones' standards, but a couple of things I have learned along my journey...
1. It's not a good idea to open your home to just anyone. We have learned through the school of hard knocks that too much love can cause a heart to grow sour. Time and time again as we have been willing to invite outsiders in (mainly men who are not following God) we have found them to eventually hate us for it. It's a sad truth. (2 Cor 6:14-15; Prov 25:21-22; Prov 29:10)
2. You are never more happy than you are when you are giving of yourself. I find that in my marriage and my relationships there is an evil at work. Satan is always wanting me to think of me and do things for me, but when I turn and obey God's command to put others first (Rom 12:10; Phil 2:3-8) I am so much more satisfied and taken care of. My heart truly finds joy and satisfaction when others are my focus.
3. One can never know all they need to know. There is so much to learn especially for Believers...The Bible is an endless mystery and as soon as you know something you must learn something else! The learning and growth never ends. I love this about the movement we are a part of. It is so encouraging that our leaders may have been teaching and learning for 30 years +, but they are still eager to learn today...and to learn from someone like me! That takes humility! I pray that when I'm in their shoes I will be that moldable, that humble!
4. There is no doubt in my mind that God's way is the best way. I said in #2 above that I found Him in the most unlikely place. I just wasn't looking in the right place. He isn't found in a church building, on a mountain top or in an emotional experience (Jn 4:21-24)...He can only be found in His Word. (Jn 20:30-31; Jms 1:22-25) His guide book for life. (2 Tim 3:16-17; Jn 8:31-32) I won't be fooled any longer by eloquent speech or good intentions. (2 Tim 4:2-3) God's word is clear and it is my only guide. (Heb 4:12-13)
I'm turning 28! Wow! I pray this year will bring much fruit and MUCH honor to God! I can't wait to see what's in store!

Matt singing the National Anthem at the Hornets Game

Something very special happened today! Matt sang the national anthem at a Hornets military appreciation basketball game. It was such an incredible event for him and our whole family!
We were treated like royalty. We had our own dressing room and were able to eat dinner with the staff.
He did an excellent job and I am so proud!
I didn't have my camera because it is out being repaired...So, I didn't get video, but we will buy the video from the Hornets and have it forever! What a special moment!
I wish everyone who loves us could have been there!!

The Cough

We have a new attention getting action going on in baby world. Eli was enjoying a moment alone (or was it us enjoying a moment away?..either way) in his car seat when from the other room we hear this ridiculously fake cough. It went on and on as if he were perfecting it, but never really got it down. And so it has continued. Any time he is lonely for attention...even when we are shopping at the store...cough cough cough. It is so neat seeing his little person come out! He is going to be a character (like daddy!)!!

Little Monster

o my goodness. eli is so funny!! he has started this new way of loving...we'll call it his kiss. it is the craziest thing. tammica was spending time with him the other day and he started squeeling and moving in to "kiss" her cheek. i'm sure he only meant love by this gesture, but it was so loud and wet!! you wouldn't have believed the laughter it caused as tammica got tickled eli got louder and did it more...then we were all laughing!