Here are a few pictures of the kids from this week. Avery is wearing one of her "vintage" looks from when I was a baby. Jonathan took the picture of me and Avery!

Ordained Praise

Her tiny fingers pointed toward the mantle.
Ba-bal.
What? I asked, lifting her closer to the nativity scene she was pointing to. It is still lingering a few weeks after Christmas has passed.
Ba-bal, she said again, reaching toward the manger.
My lips were eager to share an early gospel with her, opening to tell her about the baby Jesus. And then the truth caught my breath.
Yes, baby girl, you are right. You are so right. He is the Bible.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Vacation

Melissa over at the LPM blog just inspired me to get my rear in gear and post our vacation pictures. Ben and I went to Puerto Rico for our 10th anniversary and it was FABULOUS! We had never done a vacation like that and let me tell you it was life changing. At the end of a summer in student ministry we were more than ready for some down time together. To have that in an amazingly beautiful place was more than I could have hoped for. It's so hard to choose which pictures to share. Everything was so great.

These guys hung around outside at our resort.

One of the waterfalls at El Yunque rainforest

Our lunch spot while in the rainforest

The blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan


The fort that once controlled entrance to the new world


And finally, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Culebra island. We flew in a teeny tiny airplane to get there.

See? Told you


Ten years together. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Love you baby!

Inside where the bones are

Last night I was trying to explain to Jonathan that something that had happened had hurt Avery's feelings. She wasn't hurt on the outside, but her heart was hurt. I felt like he understood when he asked, "Does it hurt inside where the bones are?"

News Flash

Avery took her first steps tonight! We were reading Bible stories before bedtime in Jonathan's room, and she finally got enough courage to take a few steps from Amy to Ben. We were so excited and she walked back and forth between Ben, Amy, and I several times. Jonathan thought it was the best thing ever, I don't know if I have ever seen him smile so big. I am so glad that it happened when we could all be there to cheer her on and make her feel special.

sisters and roses

When I was growing up and we would drive hours away to visit family, my sisters and I used to laugh and laugh about how my mom and her sister would always be matching once we got there. Now look at us:
Amy came into town today to stay with us for a while. We are so excited to see her!

Also, look at this rose bush that is growing in our back yard. They are mini roses and are vining on a tree. Gorgeous!!!