First Date

Well, Natalie and Michael are off on their first date. Some of our friends graciously gave us two tickets to see "The Wizard of Oz" at the theater in Tyler. We decided it would be fun for the two of them to go since Laney is still a BIG momma's girl. They're on their way to eat at McDonald's and then off to see the play. I hope Natalie has a wonderful time and doesn't come home terrified! I think she'll really enjoy it. Michael will too as long as she doesn't ask why every 5 seconds.

Laney is content playing on the floor beside me. I think she's enjoying the quiet. Natalie has been crazy today! We've wrestled several times just playing around. I'm not sure where she learned how, though. One time, she was sitting on my head. Michael said, "Toot on mommy's head." The next thing I know, she's really still and quiet and she does it!!!!!!!!! Maybe she'll chase the boys away on her own when she gets older. On the other hand, I really hope we can phase that out soon. I would much rather her act like a lady and have better manners. As long as she just does it around the house with us.

That's about it...Not too much else is going on around here. I'm hoping to get some mending and a few other things finished later when Laney goes to bed. Right now, I'm gonna go round us up some dinner and snuggle with her.

Church or Worship

As I was getting ready for church yesterday morning, I was talking to my mom on the phone. She said they were visiting a new church...again. She and my dad have lived in a small country town (much like GS) for 9 years next month and they still haven't found a church where they can get plugged in. Some of my earliest memories are from being in church with my family. My mom taught preschool choir and my dad helped with the bus ministry. Over the years, we moved churches several times, but we always got plugged in quickly and loved serving. So, it breaks my heart that they still haven't found a church.

During our service at MSBC, I worshiped God with all that I was. We have a wonderful music minister who loves the Lord. Then, I drank in every word from our pastor. We are truly blessed to be at a church that loves God and reaches out to our community. Our pastor isn't afraid to preach the Bible. He doesn't just preach all the stuff that makes you feel good. God uses him to bring us His Word that convicts and changes hearts.

I'm saddened that churches like ours are few and far between in our world today. This is evident in my parents' lives. They are seeking a church that reaches out to the community and isn't content with just playing church on Sundays and Wednesdays. I pray that God will lead them to a church where they can worship Him, be taught from His Word, and find a place to get plugged in and serve.

Sometimes being a minister's wife is tough. Most people don't understand unless you've been there or you are directly related to someone who is in ministry. Even through the tough times, I never regret the profession that God has placed us in. We have always served at churches that love God and reach out to people. We have been truly blessed to serve with wonderful people along the way. It is hard when God says it's time to move, but He has always provided us with everything we've ever needed and so much more. Hopefully, we'll be at MSBC for a long time. I've really grown to enjoy small town life. I've also never had so many wonderful and godly friends.

I mentioned in a previous post that our church is participating in GPS 2020. The first phase is to reach everyone in Texas with Christ by Easter 2010. It can seem overwhelming at times. But as our pastor said yesterday. You just have to obey God. He will work in hearts. Only He can call someone to Him and save them. It's not our job to save people. We just need to obey God. The next four months are going to be very busy preparing for a harvest. When I start to wish that things weren't so busy, I try to remember that this is what God has called us to do. This is what our lives should be about. So many times I seem to get caught up in my everyday tasks of cleaning, cooking, clothes and my girls that I forget God wants me to go outside my comfort zone. So many times I feel like I'm just going through the motions. I want God to work in my heart and life. I pray that GPS 2010 will move so many of us outside of our comfort zones to reach out to our community. Watch out GS, God has amazing things in store for us!

New Year

Okay, so I've been really bad about posting to my blog over the past few months. So, as Natalie watches Cars and Laney plays beside me I'm gonna do a quick recap of the last few months. Our holidays were wonderful! We spent lots of time with family and friends, ate way too much and made lots of wonderful memories! The girls are getting so big and changing more and more each day.

Natalie will be three in less than two months! I'm still trying to figure out where the time has gone. She's way too smart for her own britches! She loves going to PDO, puggles, playing with Laney, playing with her doll house, and playing games with Michael and me. She comes up with the funniest stuff and never ceases to amaze me.

Laney just turned 8 months. On Christmas day she got her first bottom tooth and the second followed close behind. She's learned to crawl and is finally okay with playing on the floor by herself. She is almost fully weaned now, which sometimes makes me a little sad. She's done amazingly well with it. Since she got her teeth, she has started "talking" so much! She is finally starting to become more of a daddy's girl. She is still a big mommy's girl, though. She loves to play with Natalie. I pray that they will continue to have a close relationship as they grow up.

Michael is working hard at the church. We've started a GPS (God's Plan for Sharing) program which keeps him even busier. He loves working at the church and spending time with us.

I think I'm finally caught up on sleep for a little bit from the holidays and the girls waking up at night. I'm still trying to get back into the swing of sewing. I sewed so much before Christmas that it's okay if I don't see my machine for a while. I guess that's about it. I'm just trying to enjoy each day and take things as God brings them our way. God has blessed us so much this past year! I'm excited to see what He brings our way in 2010.

Hair Cut

It seems like since the day Laney was born, she has had a tail at the base of her hairline. For some reason, this hair has continued to grow really fast. Well, I got tired of it and finally remembered to cut it at a convenient time. After a quick discussion with Natalie about only mommy can cut hair, I snipped it off. Of course I had to save it for her scrapbook. I'm sure no one but me will ever notice it, but it looks so much better! (By the way, the strange lighting on her head is the sun coming in through the blinds.)

Before

After

Fall

Well, I'm finally getting around to updating my blog. We've been busy around here! I thought I would have lots of free time once Natalie started PDO, but, boy, was I wrong! Natalie is loving school and getting so big! I love to watch her play. She has such a vibrant imagination. Laney is 5 1/2 months old. She's finally learned to eat baby food and she loves to eat! She's discovering new things everyday. I'm staying busy with family, friends, church, Bible study, MOPS and sewing. I'm trying to cherish every moment because it seems like time is flying by so fast! Here are some recent pictures. Enjoy!

Getting ready

Here are the pictures I promised of Natalie's nap mat after it's all finished. My friend, Jennifer, did a wonderful job putting Nat's name on it. Now, it's all ready for school tomorrow.


Of course I can't blog without posting a few new pictures of my girls. I don't have very many of Natalie these days. She has learned how to take pictures and is becoming quite the photographer. We're also in the process of potty training, so most days she isn't dressed appropriately to take a picture of her.

Laney loves to suck on her bottom lip. I'm sure it's part of the teething process, but as far as I can tell, no teeth are in the near future.



Nat loves to eat stff off the blender. By stuff, I mean chocolate chip cookie dough, bread dough, and biscuit dough. I personally think it's gross (except for the cookie dough), but she loves it. She doesn't eat it very often, so for those of you who are concerned about the raw eggs you can rest at ease. I'm not sure if you can tell or not, but she's asleep with her Bible in the middle picture. She loves to "read" her Bible and take it to church. I'm so glad she notices us doing these things.

Natalie is such a great big sister. She's always wanting to help me with Laney. Laney just loves to watch Natalie, too.



Here's Nat's picture skills at work. I think she did a good job.



I tried feeding Laney some cereal a few days ago, but she wasn't really interested after the first bite or so. I'm totally fine with it. We'll just stick to nursing for now.


Natalie starts PDO tomorrow and MOPS starts Wednesday. I'll let you know how the week goes. Hopefully, all will go smoothly, but I never know with Natalie.


Here's picures of Natalie and Laney (they're about two weeks apart here). I think they favor a little bit, but don't look that much alike. So, what do you think????

Housekeeper and Water Babies

I'm happy to say that I have hired a housekeeper! She's wonderful! She let me take a few pictures while she was cleaning today...

She only charges hugs and kisses! Natalie was so adorable helping me clean this morning. She even told me to move back so she could sweep our bathroom. I'm so proud of my baby girl!

Laney is changing so much. She is learning how to use her hands. She loves to hold toys and pull her paci out. She is talking like crazy! She is even more interested in what is going on around her. She's also smiling even more, which I didn't know was possible.


Here are a few snapshots of Laney and her friend, DJ. They are 9 days apart. It's so fun watching them grow up together!


Natalie is turning out to be quite the daddy's girl. She loves playing in the water with him. I'm so glad that she's wanting to spend more time with him.



Laney got in the pool the other day, too. It took her a while to get used to the water, but I think she's going to be a water bug like her big sister.


While I was checking my email a few days ago, I heard Natalie in the bathroom. Here lately, this is not a good thing. We're working on potty training, which is going great! But, she is obsessed with washing her hands (and anything else she can get in the water). I walked in and saw this...

She told me, "I was just washing my hair."

Grammie and Grandpa came for a visit this past weekend. Here are some pictures with them and the girls.


Here are some adorable shots of the girls together.


And Natalie let me take a picture of her. She doesn't want me taking any pictures of her most of the time.