Children at home. . . Baby's two months old!

Do you think Hannah loves her baby brother? She calls him "Baby Daniel." And he's beginning to look a little stout. =)

Did you know how exciting it is to wash dishes? Nathan injured his back at work one night recently and wisely began putting the stool in front of the kitchen sink for hand-washing (instead of us lifting Hannah up). Only problem is, that gives Hannah easy access to the sink. Whenever it crosses her mind, she perks up and exclaims "Dishes!" and runs to the sink. The real joy is in the running water.

 Abigail took this picture of Mommy and her boy one night while Jennie Lue was over. . .

And the first smile we've captured on camera - they're quick flashes that don't wait!

Nathaniel two months old. At his checkup, he weighed 12 pounds, 5 ounces and was 22.5 inches long. Our baby boy is growing fast!

Big sisters forever asking to hold their brother. . . love it, and them!

Ree and Calvin's renewal ceremony

April 30th our friends Ree and Calvin renewed their vows to one another and had a wedding-like ceremony and celebration since they'd been unable have a traditional wedding when they were married three years ago. Nathan, Nathaniel and I were honored to take part.

Ree and her bridesmaids (me, cousin Starry, sister Kandis, and friend Carrie Ann)

Ree and Calvin's younger son Andre was glad to be in his mommy's arms again!

Ree and Calvin's older son Desmirion was worn out from the late night before and all the excitement and finally fell asleep in my lap.

The happy bride and groom - Calvin and Ree (Shirkisha)

My handsome escorts!

Visits from our friends

Nathaniel, Hannah, (Stephanie the doll) Abigail, Asher and Karis. Karis stayed with us two days a week until her little brother was born last November. It was fun to get together again!

We love "Baby Sky." (In fact, before Nathaniel was born, Hannah was sure that the new baby joining our family would be "BeBe Kye." Sky's family brought us pizza for supper!

Bing's birthday was the day before so we celebrated. . . she had plenty of help with her cake and candles!

Sweet and crazy children

All of these pictures were snapped on/from the couch within two minutes time on April 25.

Nathaniel almost seven weeks old

Hannah two years old

Abigail five years old

Resurrection Sunday

Now is Christ risen from the dead! We rejoiced to celebrate Easter and pray for the days when our little ones will receive new life in Jesus!

The Power of the Cross

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

Chorus:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev’ry bitter thought,
Ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
“Finished!” the vict’ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

Final Chorus:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Words & Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
© 2005 Thankyou Music.

Mid-April

 This little boy gets lots of attention from his big sisters!

 We "finally" had Jennie Lue over to meet "our baby" (hers too =) and she enjoyed feeding Nathaniel a bottle (with supervision from Abigail).

April 18 the children (can't say "the girls" anymore!) and I met Ree and her boys at the park to play and have a picnic lunch. The warm weather and time with friends did us all good! Desmirion and Abigail always have fun together!

 Hannah and Andre enjoyed the swings (Nathaniel stayed with me in the Moby wrap quite contentedly)

 Ree and Andre

 Devoted big sister Abigail wanted to be in Nathaniel's weekly picture =)

 Cute enough? Love those big round eyes! Six weeks old already!

Wanna kiss those cheeks!

Happenings around the one month mark

After my second migraine in a week, Mom came to help. . . and stayed almost a week (through two more migraines and a bunch of appointments). Her care for the children was such a blessing - enabled Nathan to go to work when I was incapacitated. Dad came in for the weekend - to meet Nathaniel and catch some time with the granddaughters.

 Think Abigail enjoyed having Grandpa visit?

 My three precious little ones. . .

 Sweetly sleeping boy

 One of his 327 kisses for the day

 Little man one month old!

 Pushing up on the Boppy - he's strong but not happy about the exertion

Lamour (a dear teen from our Shepherding Group) came to help me a couple of days while Nathan was out of town. She brought her schoolwork, but didn't get much done despite lots of help from Abigail and Hannah!

A baby shower and a three-ring circus in the same day!

April 2, my friends Kerri and Rebekah hosted a baby shower brunch for Nathaniel and me! We had a wonderful time with friends and Nathaniel received lots of cute clothes, diapers and wipes - so grateful for the kindness of our friends!

Nathan won tickets to a old-fashioned three-ring circus and we couldn't pass up the opportunity for the girls, so as soon as Hannah finished her nap, we packed up and headed out for our next adventure. Nathaniel didn't seem to mind the excitement. . . he napped in the Baby Bjorn.

Every circus needs snacks!

Abigail was just a wee bit excited!