For Kelsey

I read this post today on someone's blog. Her little girl recently accepted Christ. I wish I could write so eloquently. How often have I thought similar things and just didn't know how to put it into words for my precious girl.

To my sweet (Kelsey): As hard as I try for my family, I will never do it all right. In fact, I fail miserably pretty much on a daily basis. But I’m so thankful for a God who does everything right. For a God who has a perfect plan for your life. For a God who knows you by name and knows the number of hairs on your head (Which is a lot by the way!) :)

While raising children is an incredible blessing I’m so grateful to be a recipient of, it comes with great responsibility. As much as I hope every decision I make for you is the right one, as much as I want to be an example, the truth is I don’t always know what’s best and I certainly don’t measure up to the example of Christ. But He loves me anyway, and He will always always always love you.

My prayer for you daily is that your heart will desire the things of God, and that you will serve Him wholeheartedly all the days of your life. I began praying before you were even born for your confidence…for you to know and understand who you are in Christ Jesus above anything. I thank God for answered prayers in your decision at an early age to follow Him. I thank Him that you know whose you are.

And I will continue to pray that you will know and understand what He has done for you in order for you to know His name. I will pray that you know "his majesty resides inside" of you, and that you would "forever believe" no matter what. And although at your young age, you haven’t necessarily known “brokeness” as mentioned above, one day you will feel and understand this. And I pray that in that moment, his “grace would overwhelm you.” I pray that you will always be “convicted by His Spirit” and that your life always “led by the Word…” because “His love will never fail,” (Kelsey.) Never.

I love you dearly.

http://armyofthelivinggod.blogspot.com/2011/01/to-know-your-name.html

Pink Eye, Pink Hearts, and the end of life as we know it!

Aaron opening his first Valentine. Thanks, Nanny!

Kelsey with "the gunkies."

Aaron, rolling over from his BACK to his BELLY!

So now when I put him down at one end of the room,
I come back and he is at the other end. He's on the move!!

We're so proud of you Little Buddy!

Miss Katie's Birthday... AKA... a trip to the mall!

Going to the mall just isn't what it used to be.

Before kids, I mean!
For one thing, my friends and I take up a TON more room!

We end up spending the whole time looking at exciting things like horse heads on sticks.

Taking your friend out for a birthday lunch = food court
(You can tell Kelsey's smiling, even with her mouth full of food.
I guess that's why they call it a "Happy Meal!")
Instead of loading yourself down with shopping bags, you end up
filling your "cart" with stray kids and lots of snacks!And when you turn around, you remember you forgot about the quiet one! Ha ha!
But what precious bundles I came home with today!

Yes, not quite the same as before ... but oh so sweet now!