Picking up the crumbs...

Sometimes I get so tired of picking up cookie crumbs, cracker crumbs, muffin crumbs and that is just the food products. The toys, bowls, laundry, and all the other items that get pulled out, thrown about and hid, are a whole different exhaustion.

As I was wiping up pop-tart crumbs this morning I opened the cabinet under the sink to find a cloth napkin that looked as if it had been wadded up in a ball. I pulled it out with frustration, thinking ahhh just another item to pick-up, and to my surprise when I looked in the napkin there was a tiny little animal cracker. Then POP a light bulb came on and I remembered the other day when Alvie was pulling things out of that cabinet while she was having animal crackers for a snack, she said, "tired, tired mama.....night night". I thought at the time she was talking about herself and I just made a quick comment and dismissed it, but she was really putting that baby cookie bear to sleep in that napkin.

Afterwards I felt a bit disappointed that I missed a sweet moment in my daughters life, only because I was too busy with other things to slow down. Needless to say, today and hopefully for a while, I will delight in the fact that the crumbs and other stuff that finds its way to the floor of our home, is there for a reason.

Catching Up

Do you ever really get caught up? I feel as if I am always running behind, and generally I am.

I feel blessed that God whispered in my ear tonight, "It is o.k., because you are running behind me, I am leading you". Thank you God for your sweet words that warm my soul and keep my feet dancing (or at least moving forward).

I know it has been a while since I have posted. I will try in my limited gifting of words to catch you up.

Our summer was pretty uneventful. I had surgery in early June that kept me close to home and my bed for many weeks. That wonderful experience pretty much killed all of our vacation hopes for the warm months. I am very thankful that I had a very smooth recovery and even more grateful for friends who helped out along the way.

Since there was not a lot of traveling this summer we have been going wide open trying to catch up and feed our cravings for adventure. We recently went to Louisville for the weekend to watch a friend compete in an Iron Man Triathlon. Then two days later we flew to Charleston for six nights. We visited Savannah and Kiawah Island while we were there. We had some great family time. So often, as I am sure most families can relate, it is she (Alvie) and I, or She (Alvie) and him, or He and I. Hardly ever, with a crazy ER schedule in the works, is it all three of us together. We do occasionally get a day here or there, but not many days in a row.

We came home from our adventures excited, relaxed, and peaceful. Praise Him!

We are in our last week at school before we dismiss for Fall Break. We will complete our Fall traveling season with a trip to Orange Beach. We are looking forward to visiting with friends while there and having another great stretch of family time. We are both very excited to see what Alvie will have to say about the ocean. She is a very verbal 19 month old and loves to express herself. .

Alvie has started preschool! I can not believe it. Lately I have kissed her little cheeks so much they occasionally look chapped. I just feel like she is growing too fast and I need to get it all in. When I picked her up from the first day of school she was asleep. When I got to the car to put her in the car seat she woke up and I quickly said, "Hey baby, its Mama, how did you like school today?". She responded with, "Boys...Cars Mama". Seth did not think that response was quiet as funny as I did. Must be his Daddy coming out.

Our prayers lately have been filled with concerns about the Orphans in Africa, our government/president, and everyday desires to get through each day. Praise God for He is faithful.

Until next time don't worry about catching up, just keep your eye on the leader.

Our sweet little girl got her first big sickness this past week.  She had strep throat (she actually caught it from me) and ran fever as high as 104.  She was pitiful.  This was my first real experience with our daughter that left me feeling so grateful, yet so helpless.  I am thankful that we have a God who is in control and brings all things together for the good of His kingdom.  I am thankful that He sent us a helper in the form of the Holy Spirit and I am thankful that I know He has experienced the helplessness that comes from being a parent and dealing with your child being in pain.   Thank you God that you loved us enough to send Jesus and to author a story that is righteous.  Thank you for healing our family this week and providing for our every need.  Pictures to come.  :-)  

ST. LOUIS TRIP

Just the two of us took a quick week-end trip to St. Louis to watch the NCAA Women's Final Four games.  We acted like kids in love, as you can see above.  :-)

More Jamaica Pictures

This was Alvie's little crib while we were there, she obviously seemed to like it.

Alvie taking a closer look at the Caribbean sea.

Daddy & Alvie getting ready for the pool.

Alvie getting caught picking the flowers off the vine.

Our good friends Michele & Caroline Bass.

No Problem Mon!  That is the most common saying on the island of Jamaica and is in my opinion the lifestyle that the very adoring Jamaican families live by.  I only hope some of that mentality, the thought that nothing is ever a problem, has rubbed off on my small family.  We had an amazing time and our little Alvie did wonderful.  We had beautiful weather, delicious food, moments of sheer stillness and contentment that only comes when you are made to slow your life down.  This was our fourth time to the island of Jamaica and each time HE shows us something different that he added to His canvas when HE created this amazing place called earth. Thanks be to our God for safe travel, fellowship with great friends, and wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.  

Alvie's Dedication

I can not believe it has taken us a year to get Alvie's Baby Dedication scheduled on our calendar.  No wait, I guess I can believe it, since we do live in the world of ever changing ER schedules and with a Momma who does not like to live a rushed life.  Good thing we learn to deal with things we don't like early in life.  :-)

The ceremony was beautiful and Alvie behaved very well.  Seth said in the car that evening on the way home (in his sweet Daddy Voice),  "Alvie do you feel any different since we gave you back over to the Lord?"  I very quickly piped in and said, " that is exactly right".   She is HIS!  May she acknowledge she is HIS early in life. 

We feel very blessed for our church and the opportunities they offer to help families follow after Christ.  We praise God for our beautiful girl and only hope that our actions as her parents will be seen faithful in HIS eyes.  Thank you Lord for Alvie!