Noah's First Birthday

Our sweet son, Noah turned one on Friday. We celebrated his first birthday for two days! The celebration began on Friday morning with a birthday party with lots of friends at the park.

Friends and fun at the park

                Noah going down the slide

Noah wasn't so sure about his cupcake

There was just too much pressure to eat the cupcake- my poor baby!

Noah opening presents and checking out the green ball he got from Mrs. Jaimie and her girls

Our family with the birthday boy

Noah tasting his cars 

Then, Saturday afternoon, we celebrated Noah's first birthday with family members in Jacksonville.  More presents and cake!

Noah eating his birthday cake (take two!)

This is more like it!

I'll stick my finger in it first to taste the frosting!

Now, I'll take a big bite!

Although Noah never really dug into the cake, we all had a great time watching him poke at it.  

Here's the birthday boy with his birthday present from his Aunt Charissa

Thank you all so much for celebrating our baby's first birthday with us. It truly was a wonderful two day celebration and we thank you for make it so special for Noah.

Noah,

Happy Birthday sweet boy! Daddy, Bella and I love you so much and we can't imagine our lives without you. You are such a blessing to us. We love your energy, excitement and your infectious laugh. We look forward to all the things that God is going to do in you and through you.

We Love You Bunches,

Daddy and Mommy

A Wedding & A Football Game

You might be wondering what a wedding and a football game might have in common. Well, they just so happen to be going on the same day. You see, on Saturday, my cousin David was getting married and it just so happened to be one of the biggest football games for the Florida Gators. Paul's dad had tickets to the big game in Atlanta, but my wonderful husband so graciously bowed out to attend the family wedding(love you sweetie!). So, Paul ( and a dozen other fans) stood in the hotel lobby watching the game from the t.v. screen. What a day it was! The Gators won and are going to the National Championship and my cousin David's wedding was a blast. Check out this cute video clip of Isabella with some other little girls celebrating a touch down at the wedding(note the Gator fight song in the background).

Go Gators!

The Newlyweds- Brianne and my cousin David

This is way better than a football game! Paul dancing with his little princess.

Noah had fun dancing too!

Our little party animal was finally worn out!

A Prayer For You

I've been reading the book of Ephesians during my quiet time and read this passage of scripture the other day:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

This was Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church. I've read that passage many times before, but this particular morning it stuck me differently. My God so ridiculously loves me despite all of my sins and failures! Then, thoughts flooded my mind of people I know that are hurting- physcially, emotionally, spiritually and financially. It has to break the Father's heart when he sees his children in pain. In the midst of difficult circumstances, God so lavishly loves his children and we have to trust that God has us right in the palm of his hands. We are not immune to hard times, but the one thing we can count on is God's love and goodness. I pray that each one of you would feel Jesus' embrace today.

All I Want For Christmas...

Is My Two Front Teeth!

Christmas decorating with kids

It's been our family tradition to decorate our home for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. So, Friday evening, our family continued the tradition except this time, we had two little ones running around to "help."

Yum! This ornament is tasty!

Noah's contribution to our Christmas tree

Isabella concentrating putting the hook on the ornament

Are we done yet mommy?

Although it's only December 3, we have already "accidentally" broken some ornaments (Bella throwing things at the tree) and I've already had to re-wrap a couple of Christmas presents (Isabella insists she was just too excited about the presents). Whew...it's going to be a long 22 days until Christmas, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

My Little Chef

Saturday afternoon, Bella and I spent some time in the kitchen making some muffins for her and Noah's Sunday school teachers. This was just a little way to let them know how thankful we are for their time teaching our little ones on Sunday mornings.

Isabella putting the paper cups in the muffin tin

Stirring the batter

Of course we had to taste them to make sure they were ok!

The finished product

Free Concert

I apologize in advance for the crick in your necks. I didn't know when I recorded this that I wouldn't be able to rotate it. Enjoy!



We even have a back up dancer trying to take center stage :)

Just in case you couldn't understand what Isabella was singing, here are the words:

Savior, He can move a mountain

My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save

Forever, author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

Although Isabella may not fully understand the words she is singing, I pray that the TRUTH of those words would be ingrained in her heart.

Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Our Little Rock Star

Doesn't Noah's hair look cool?

Paul's got a little bit of hair envy...but he's really happy for his son!

Living in Abundance

Many of you know that I love a good deal! Actually, I'm pretty frugal by nature. Don't get me wrong...I enjoy a nice splurge every now and then and I am blessed to have such nice things, but for the most part, Paul and I live on a budget.

Last February, my friends, Cassie and Jessica took me under their wings and showed me the ropes to couponing. What a blessing it's been to my family (thanks ladies)! I have gotten so many things for free including diapers (and you all know we need them!).

Here's a peek of an awesome deal. This past week, I went shopping at our local grocery store, Publix. I bought over $100 worth of groceries and after the sales and my coupons, I paid $27.93! Isn't that crazy?! As I drove home, I praised God for providing so abundantly for our family. Check out our loot below.

Isabella "reading"

I mentioned in my last email that I sent, that I was now teaching Isabella how to read. She's mastered all her letters and sounds so for the past couple of weeks, we've been working on sounding out words and recognition. I know this is hard to believe since I once was a schoolteacher, but I've not had the experience to teach a child how to read! I am currently reading a book that's got lots of great information but I do feel a little lost because it is unfamiliar territory for me. However, my wonderful mother-in-law (Nanny) taught Paul how to read when he was even younger than Isabella! Isn't that amazing?! So Nanny's given me some tips and Bella and I have been working on those flash cards with words and pictures on them.

About 2 weeks ago, I asked Isabella if she could recite parts of a book that we read together regularly and to my surprise, she had memorized the entire book! Since then, she's memorized 2 other books that we borrowed from the library.  She loves it when I ask her to "read" all by herself! So, without further ado, here's a small clip of  Isabella "reading" her nursery rhyme book that she got from her Nanny and Granddaddy. Doesn't she sound absolutely adorable?

Noah's Baby Dedication

We'll be dedicating Noah at our church this Sunday during the second service. How I wish you all could be there to share this special occasion with us! If God brings it to your heart, will you say a prayer for our precious son? As we vow to the Lord to bring Noah up in a godly home and to teach him about our Lord and Savior, please pray that Jesus would pursue Noah and that he would come to know Him at a young age. I'll post some pictures of the dedication next week.

P.S. Noah recently got a haircut...he's lookin like a rock star!

Welcome

I've been wanting to blog for a while now but never fully commited to the idea. I finally decided that I would just jump in with both feet! I wanted to start a blog for a couple of reasons but mainly to connect with family and friends that live far away. How we miss you all! I'm looking forward to sharing our family life with you, so take a peek...and welcome to my world!