Sadie's First Birthday Party

She Takes After Me!

Sadie's first chocolate chip cookie (that we know about)

I think she liked it! :) What chance did she have of avoiding a sweet tooth with me as her mom!

Sadie's Walking!

Sadie started walking a few weeks ago. This video was taken at an elders' meeting (the wives get to hang out and eat together too) at Greg and Rachel's house. This was the first time that Sadie had taken more than a step or two together. She pretty much learned to walk that night while the guys were meeting. I think they were wondering why we were cheering and clapping so much.

Twilight 2009

Most of you know that we LOVE Twilight! We look forward to it every year and I always hated it when James missed it when he was in Kentucky. I think each time we go, we remember all the times that we didn't get to go together and it makes it that much more special for us.

We are such creatures of habit and we always sit in the same place and we usually eat at Barberitos before hand. This year Matt and Lydia joined us - it was actually Lydia's first time! I'm so glad they got to go together before they head off for Portland. I really hate that they're leaving, but I am excited about the adventure that God has in store for them.

This was Sadie's first Twilight, and I think she liked it. She likes to people watch like her mom & Nana. She also tried to get to all of the dogs that she saw. I thought she would fall asleep in her stroller (we took the bigger stroller Saturday night), but she hit a wild streak and stayed up till around 10:30. Derek, Tara, Greg, Rachel, Mom, Dad, James, Tiffany, John, Marlena, and Jessica ended up joining us later in the night. I think that is one of my favorite things about the race - having a good excuse to sit outside with friends! I also love running into people I haven't seen in a while - we always see the Parhams and the Carsons!

I had one Twilight first - I ran the 5K Saturday morning. I have not run consisently since I was about 3 months pregnant and I ran one day the week before the race to get ready. It was ugly!! Jessica ran with me and I definitely slowed her down. I kept telling her to leave me behind, but she stayed with me. Thanks Jess! Rachel also ran the race, but she actually runs these to win them! We were not even close to one another during the race, but we met up when it was over.

Month in Pictures 3

These were taken the last day John and Marlena were here. We almost got Sadie to look! We love you guys and are praying for you as you serve our country!

Month in Pictures 2

The first time John and Sadie met!

We had the Schimmels and the Millers over to our house for Easter. It's so nice to get to be with both families for a holiday without running back and forth. Paul was the only one missing. : (

Sadie's fancy church dress! Our youth pastor, Barry Shettel, retired from Prince Avenue Baptist after almost 30 years of serving as the youth pastor and almost 40 years total! James and I would not be who we are today without his influence. He is actually riding across America on his bicycle as we speak. You can check out his blog if you are interested www.4295miles.blogspot.com

I am so thankful that he has been willing to let God use him in youth ministry. James and I actually met and started dating when we were still in his youth group! Anyway, James used to lead worship, and we went back to Prince a few weeks ago for James to play in the service with the old praise band! Melissa was a complete trooper and sang her heart out the day before they induced labor!! As her husband recently said, God didn't make Melissa weak!!

Here's Melissa & Riley!!! He's absolutely perfect and we are so happy for the Pepins!

Month in Pictures 1

Quick Catch Up

It's been a crazy couple of months! I finally got around to putting pictures from the last two months on the computer this week so I thought I'd share some. John was home for a few weeks. It was so good to see him. I miss him so much, but I am so, so proud of him and his service to our country. He's volunteered to go to Iraq at the end of May, so please pray for his safety with us.

James is on sabbatical from dcf right now. We're taking some much needed time to get refreshed spiritually. We've both been guilty of pouring out without filling up. I took a lot of time this weekend to praise God and to read His Word. I am so amazed by how powerful and how good God is. I don't know why I don't remember this every day! Here's one of my favorite passages I read this weekend -

1 Peter 3:8-12 (English Standard Version)
Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake 8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days,let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;11let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

I want to be a blessing to other people!