Aggieland!

This past weekend, we hit the road and headed to Aggieland to visit Gabe, Megan and Ella! It was a whirlwind day and a half, but so much fun! While the girls have been with us before to College Station, they had never been to campus, so we braved the Parents' Weekend crew and headed to the A&M campus. Below are lots of pics to document our FUN!

Welcome to Aggieland!

Aren't we cute?!

This tree really is IMPRESSIVE!

Gig' Em Ags!

The sweet girls who get the gift of my Aggie Elementary Education Degree on a daily basis:)

@ the education sculpture

So much exploring to do!

"Wow Mommy! This tree is BIGGER THAN JESUS!" - Lizzie upon seeing the Century Tree

Pennies on Sully's Shoe

Lizzie did it all by herself (while also knocking off several other pennies)

So, the class of '05 did something cool!

A fantastic duet!

Love those Daddies!

Mommy's girls!

Not interested in posing

What are you people doing to us?!

Our gracious hosts and bestest Aggie Friends

Justin and the girlies

Lainie and Ella have more important things to talk about than the book Aunt Megs is reading!

Elaine: "Cat VERY HIGH!"

After a fun day, the car seats were calling their names... LOVE MY GIRLS!

What a GREAT Weekend!

After 2 Months

Saturday would have been Charlotte Jane's 2 month birthday. A lot has happened in the last 2 months and our family continues to do well. Please don't mistake our doing well for us being strong people; rather we have been strengthened greatly by our faithful God. When an unexpected scenario brings sadness and a longing for our baby, He is there to bring great comfort. When Lizzie asks a tough question, He is there to speak through us in a way she can grasp. When we just need to smile He brings laughter to our home. When we need to know we are not alone He brings along a friend to speak Truth into our hearts. Our God is sooooo good!

There have been a couple of key elements of our healing this month. Thanks to a lot of credit card points, the generosity of Angela's parents to donate their hotel rewards points, and Justin's parents' willingness to take the girls for several days, we were able to get away to DC and Virginia for a few days. It was a refreshing time for us to just relax and enjoy each other. Also, while we were away, we had the opportunity to visit our friends Kyle and Christine who recently planted a church in Charlottesville. Our time together was really good as we talked about life and the goodness of God despite challenging circumstances. After several days of just being with Justin, I definitely felt like I came home from our trip a better mommy!
Our girls' favorite song lately is actually just the bridge to a great song called All I Have is Christ. We have been singing "Hallelujah, all I have is Christ! Hallelujah, Jesus is my life" over and over and over around here lately, and it never gets old. The reminder that every ounce of my life should be about Jesus and that He is truly all I have that is promised gives purpose to my moments and my days and peace in the storms, and hallelujah! He is worthy of praise through it all!
My most unexpected sad moment this month came at the dentist office... They took some impressions, and the cement stuff they used was the same stuff they used to make Charlotte's sweet little footprint for us. I was overwhelmed momentarily with sadness, and then my sweet Jesus reminded me that Charlotte's feet that were crippled in her time here on earth are now made perfect in the presence of Him who makes all things new! Her pain is no more and she is FREE, just as her name indicates! That turned my tears into a smile...
Tonight Justin and I were able to go to the cemetary and put some flowers there. We walked up to see a heart drawn in the dirt saying "we love you". It was a precious reminder that we are not walking this road alone; thank you heart drawer:)
WE love you too Charlotte Jane! Thank you for all you continue to teach us.

22 Months

Ok... At 22 months, Elaine's personality continues to blossom and her zest for life is contagious, yet exhausting for this momma! This month her vocabulary is growing and we are able to communicate with each other quite well. I got so excited that she clearly said "Fruit Loops" at 8:00 the other night that I gave her a little bowl before bed! (the kind with extra fiber... good for her, right?!) The next night, she tried this game again and asked for "Juice" right before bed. After a considerable fit when I offered only water, she asked for a snack. I conceded and allowed her to have the orange ("moge") she requested. Elaine took one bite, held the orange out to me, smirked, and said "Juice!" Are you kidding me!?! Sneaky little lady!

We continue to battle over wardrobe, but usually I can get her to accept one of two options that I pick out. Elaine wants to do pretty much anything that Elizabeth does which includes buckling her car seat, swinging on the big girl swing, playing hopscotch, opening doors (she needs another inch or two), singing, making crazy faces, climbing into the car, or whatever Lizzie happens to be doing at the moment. She still loves to snuggle and to be with her "Mommy and Daddy" (she no longer calls us Mama and Dada!) and is growing in her enjoyment of books, especially a counting book with a page of 50 DOGS (still a Favorite)! She will point as I count and repeat the numbers after me, and as she gets dressed she says, "one, two," as she puts her arms in a shirt, legs in pants, or puts her shoes on. Elaine's hair can now be put into a big girl ponytail, and is getting long enough that it must be styled to tame the crazy curls!

As Elaine matures and her personality emerges we continue to pray that God would use her spunk for His Kingdom and that we would guide her well.

Love you Lainie K!

iphone + TV remote = power!

singing along

snuggled with Sissy

SO BIG!

Fun at the Park with Grammy & Pop