Playing with the Family in tne Snow

We have not posted at this blog is a LONG time, but this was the easiest way to post these videos. Enjoy!

Vacation Pictures

Vacation

We went to Edisto Beach with the Millers a couple of weeks ago and had a wonderful time. James and I quickly realized that vacation with a toddler is very different from vacation without one. We used to go to the beach with a pile of books and we would lay in the sun until we couldn't stand it anymore. This year we didn't sit on the beach with a book much at all, but I had so much fun with my little girl.
It was so amazing to see Sadie experience a lot of firsts. She loved the beach - being able to run with no restraints. She loved the water and didn't get upset at all when she fell and got water in her face - she just got up and kept going with a huge smile on her face. She loved being outside must of the time. The house had a screened in porch that Sadie played on most of the time. We also rented bicycles and Sadie was totally relaxed riding along with her Daddy.
She has such a special personality and I just relished being with her for a whole week with nothing to do but enjoy her. It really just keeps getting better and better - each stage is more and more fun! I don't miss the newborn days at all! My friend Melissa has a tiny baby boy - I held him during house fellowship last night and got my fix!
As wonderful as the week was with Sadie, I am ready to an adult vacation with my husband - I have a pile of books waiting on me!

I Want One!

How cool is this?!?

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!

Slow Parenting

James and I love this article! We really want to enjoy Sadie without feeling pressure to make her advance. James and I have had some of these conversations before, but this author says it so much better than I could.

http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/parentingwithoutamanual/?p=140

The Life of a Minister's Wife

The Life of a Ministers Wife - part 1 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.">


The Life of a Ministers Wife - part 2 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.">


The Life of a Ministers Wife - part 3 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.">

First Snow

Here are a couple of pictures from Sadie's first snow. We were completely unprepared - we left the house Sunday morning and had no idea that it was supposed to snow. Lyndie didn't even have a jacket!

Trust your Mom Instincts!

I read this article and it was really encouraging to me. I thought some of you might also find it encouraging. I'm a new mom, but I am definitely learning that all moms and children are different. It is so important not to judge another parent's choices in raising their kids. The most important thing we can do as mothers is to love our children and teach them in the way that they should go.

I enjoy getting advice from other moms and love to hear what works for them, but at the end of the day, Sadie needs me to follow my instincts and have her best interest in mind. Being a mom is such an awesome job - a job that deserves respects and honor. I have some awesome friends who are such good moms and some that will be great moms soon! Thanks for all that y'all have taught me and for the encouragement I receive from you!

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/why-youre-great-mom-no-matter-how-you-mother

Too Cute

I just uploaded some pictures from January and this one was so cute I had to post it. Sadie was watching the Inaugural Ball in this one. She was my dance partner for a couple of songs (her daddy wouldn't dance with me).

Break from the usual

Today is a good day to take a bit of a break from the usual. Typically, we use this blog as an opportunity to share cute pictures of Sadie with our family and friends and give updates on what Lyn and I have been doing.

Sadie and I spent nearly all day yesterday playing, eating and napping (her not me - I try to reserve naps for Sunday afternoons) with CNN Live in the background. We took a few moments, such as during President Obama's inaguration speech, to take a break from playing, etc. to sit and watch attentively. I realize that this past election session was a difficult and controversial one for many followers of Jesus.

No matter who you voted for, and no matter how excited or nervous you are about the next four years, there was no way that you can ignore the historical significance of the events yesterday. I, personally, fought the whole lump-in-the-throat thing all morning as I watched interviews with Rosa Park's attorney, Dr. Martin Luther King's speech writer and attorney, Congressman John Lewis, and many others connected with the civil rights movement.

When President Obama took the oath of office (that the Chief Justice screwed up - good grief it is in the Constitution!), I was struck by the fact that a man who (40 years ago and in some places in the South not so long ago) would not have been able to stop at a roadside restaurant and expect to be served lunch, was now the most powerful man in the world.

Imagine being a man or woman in the crowd who had prayed for equality, marched for equality, been beaten for equality, and unlawfully arrested in the fight for equality, who was able to see with one's own eyes a piece of that dream realized. Some commentators said yesterday was the fulfillment of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream. Some said it was a down payment on the dream. Regardless of to what measure one felt that the dream was fulfilled, it is true that the events yesterday were a huge step in the right direction for America in regards to racial equality.

I was convicted that there is still so much about the civil rights struggle that I am not aware of and do not understand. Lyn and I talked last night about how there are so many people who simply are ignorant in regards to the struggle. As a matter of fact, she and I both saw a modern day example of black face (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface - take the time to learn if you don't know what it is) last night. I was able to cool my anger with the hope that the people participating in it were young and hopefully simply ignorant, but everytime I think about it I want to yell...and then cry.

The picture did serve as a reminder though, that while America has come a long way (as was demonstrated yesterday) in regards to racial equality; we still have so many more battles to fight and people to educate. I hope that you were inspired yesterday and hopeful for the future. May we all live in such a way that we may demonstrate the love that God has for all people and the truth that all people are created in the image of God and are of equal value and deserving of equal treatment.

FYI - I am planning a trip to The King Center in Febuary if anyone wants to carpool.

December Pictures 3

One of Sadie's Christmas presents - we bought this at a craft festival in Madison. I really love our town - I'll miss it when we move back to Athens, if we ever get back!
Sadie in her crib - just thought this was cute. She puts everything in her mouth, but still no teeth.


Sadie has been eating solids for a couple of weeks. She loves sweet potatoes.

Christmas Eve @ my parent's - she was trying to get my necklace in her mouth.

December was a pretty busy month for us. I took at trip to New Jersey/New York for work and when I came home Christmas Season was in full bloom. We had so much fun watching Sadie open presents and enjoy all of the decorations. We also loved spending a lot of time with our families. We are so blessed to live close to both of our families and we couldn't function without their support & help. Both sets of our parents love to keep Sadie for us, giving James and I a chance to spend time together without interruption every now and then.

My parents set a great example for me by going on dates about once a week. My brothers, sister, and I would spend time with my Grandma and my parents would enjoy time without us! They have such a great marriage and know that regular date nights helped a ton. James and I want to continue to take time to cultivate our relationship as husband and wife as Sadie gets older and we have more kids. That's was sort of a weird tangent!

Hope you enjoy all of the pictures!

More Christmas Pictures

Worn out on Christmas Morning @ Home
Opening Presents Christmas Eve Eve @ my Parent's

Our little musician - she loves playing the piano!

Kissing Uncle James

Putting ornaments on the tree