Encouraged

My Claire Elizabeth.  

She is quite a gal. 

Claire loves to jump on the bed with her brother, she loves to go outside, and she LOVES to check the mail.  She's a little chatter box while riding in the car, but she likes to talk very loudly - often to her brother's dismay.  Claire gets excited when we turn on a movie that she likes, and she loves to clap to "If Your Happy and You Know It."  She likes to share (she often offers me her pacifier) and many times she will stop drinking her bottle to "tell" me something, usually regarding the lamp or the flowers or the clock.  

Claire has very strong opinions and is very vocal about them.  She's been known to turn red in the face when she is frustrated, and she will let you know if she opposes your actions.  Yet she is easily delighted and is quick to let you know when she is enjoying herself and your company.  Claire has a precious laugh and can be quiet the cuddle bug.    

Claire seems to really enjoy when we read together, and she definitely has her favorite books.  As we were reading tonight, I steered away from our normal selection of bedtime books and chose a new book to read.  We looked at the cover, pointing out a few features on the brown bear's face, and I felt that Claire was enjoying herself.  As we flipped past the cover page, Claire made her opinion known.  She started shaking her head furiously and then turned around for me to pick her up.  She immediately faced the book shelf and reached for another book.  I got the message.  I picked up two of our "usuals" and let her choose.  She pointed to the nubby puppy, and we repositioned ourselves with this oh-so-familiar book in hand.  She sat delighted and content.  Oh, Claire.  There is no guessing game with you, my child.    

I felt the need to share this, specifically since my recent post.  I took Claire to the doctor for her 9 month check up.  I expressed to him how I watch Claire like I hawk and tend to overanalyze everything she does.  He said that he saw no areas of concern and felt there was nothing to worry about. 

I have found it that when Claire does not feel well, she exhibits behaviors that appear "autistic".  But don't we all.  I mean, who really wants to smile and be sociable when they don't feel well.  So unlike others in her family, Claire is just not going to act like she feels good when she doesn't!  This made sense to me, especially when the doctor affirmed her strong will.  He said we'll keep a close watch on things, but not to worry.  He then suggested that I read what Dr. Dobson has to say about the strong willed child!  

So I write this to say a huge "THANK YOU!" to those who have been praying for our family.  Oh, I beg you to continue!  But I did want you to know that I am so very encouraged regarding Claire, especially since she has been feeling better.  I know that I will just have to remind myself of her tendencies when she doesn't feel well and to not let myself be a worrywart the next time she's under the weather.        

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; 

in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to Him." 

Psalm 28:7

The "Sweetest T"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend.

I am so thankful for you, Sweet T, and I praise the Lord for the gift that you are to all who know you.  It is an honor to be your daughter, your kindred spirit.  

The way that you love and serve and give is overwhelming!  I am so humbled and grateful to be a recipient of your love.  And thank you for the way you love my husband and children.  We are blessed daily by you, "Our T".  

It is true that you have made such a difference in this world.  

May the Lord grant you grace to continue to honor Him with another year of your life.  

I love you so much.      

Scripture Memory Monday

Last Monday, the Lord stirred my heart to meditate on what it means to fear God.  I wanted to continue to ponder this for the week, praying that the Lord will grant me grace to truly understand it, apply it and cause it to permeate every aspect of my life.    

As I think about the verse below, it thrills me to know that one day the whole earth WILL fear the Lord, see His glory, and stand in awe of Him!  One day it will be impossible for those who now deny Him to deny any longer.  But until that Day, may we be busy working to spread the glory and wonder of Who God is to the ends of the earth, in order that men may experience the fear of God that drives them to holy obedience instead of that which drives them to pray for mountains and rocks to fall on their heads to hide from the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16).   

Oh, to fear God as I ought...this is my prayer.

"Let all the earth fear the LORD;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him." 

Psalm 33:8 (ESV)

  

Friday's Photo

Thursday's Thanksgivings

We have had Vacation Bible School at our church this week. 

I am so thankful that it worked out for John David to go each day 

and that - for the most part - he's had a blast!

I am so thankful that John David was in Miss Melanie's class.

Melanie is a dear friend of our family, and she and John David get to be around each other quite a bit.  Melanie knows the ways to best encourage John David and help him have a great time.  We are so thankful for Melanie!

I am also thankful for sweet Elizabeth.

She is a good friend of John David's from church.

Though she is a bit younger, we were so glad that Elizabeth was able to be in his class.

And the two have definitely stuck together throughout the week!

Thanks to Miss Melanie, there will be more pictures of this precious duo to come :) 

The next 3 pictures were taken today,

as we celebrated 

 9 months of Baby Claire!

Claire is so close to crawling . . . 

but she always ends up like this! 

I am so thankful for my little girl.  She is growing and changing so much.  And although I've already seen glimpses of her strong will and her personal opinions, she is such a joy and delight.  

Claire is going through the typical "attachment" stage, always wanting someone in sight and greatly preferring her mommy.  (I'm flattered, darling!)  I pray for grace to enjoy each moment of this phase, for I know she won't always cry when she can't see me nor will she always want to be right at my side.  Stages are fleeting.  Babies grow up too fast!

Claire has enjoyed trying new foods.

(most of them:)

I know that I take for granted that John David is such a great eater.  

I pray that Claire follows suit.

Oh, those precious teeth . . . 

I mentioned before how unusual Claire's teeth have decided to come in. 

As of the past couple of days, she has two on the bottom, front and center.

But we definitely get tickled over these top two.

Claire sat in a restaurant (Moe's) high chair for the first time.

When we do go out to eat with the kids, Claire has usually already eaten and stays in her own seat.  I could tell that dining with us yesterday made her really feel like a big girl!

And she still loves to jump!

This month David had to adjust her jumperoo for the second time, moving it up to the next level.  Those legs are getting longer and stronger (she's taken a couple of steps while well supported, of course) . . . and so chubby!  I love it :)


** A special thanks to Melanie, who took some of the above photos.  
Thanks for letting me borrow them for this post. :)  
You bless our family in too many ways to count!

Happy Anniversary (already!)

I have been wanting to share some of the beautiful engagement pictures taken of my younger brother and his bride before they were wed.  I couldn't post them all, but these were just a few of my favorites!  I figured that since I hadn't already shared these, the day of their one month anniversary would be as good a time as any.  It's hard to believe how fast time is flying.

Happy 1 Month, Kameron and Olivia!

We praise the Lord for your marriage and for all that you mean to our family.

You guys are so wonderful, so fun, and so loved.

**A special thanks to the young and talented 

Will Givens of Fine Line Photography 

for allowing me to post these beautiful photos.  

You can email Will at finelinephotography@yahoo.com to find out more about him.  

Or, if you are a part of the Facebook world, you can become a fan of 

Fine Line Photography and check out more of Will's work.

Scripture Memory Monday

"Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!

There is no want for those who fear Him." 

Psalm 34:9 (NKJV)

Amen and Amen!

Happy Father's Day!

I've always been a "Daddy's girl."

I love him so much.

And he is a wonderful "Big Daddy" to my children. 

Over the past 3 years, it has thrilled my heart to watch my husband turn into an amazing father himself.

I am also blessed with a great father-in-law ~

affectionately known as "Pappy"

And I praise the Lord for the amazing grandfathers He has given me.  

I am so grateful that my children are getting to know them.

"Daddy Jim"

and "Pop"

Last Father's Day, I wrote in much more detail, specifically about my Dad and husband.  At that point, I only had one child; I was less tired and had more time on my hands. :)  Click HERE if you care to read last year's post.