the guys

sons are a heritage from the LORD

{psalm 127:3a}

busy girl

and that is exactly was miss elliana grace is... a busy girl. here is what she has been up to lately...

...pretending...

... combine rides...
...exploring...

...hiking...

...being silly...

...lovin' on daddy... and a little more silly...

...lots and lots of riding...

...playing in the water...

...getting dirty!

everyday is a new adventure with this little miss (and her brother too!) i am so blessed to be her mama and enjoy the ride!

.eight months.

oh jed... where did the past eight months go? i know i will ask myself this many times as each month and year passes. i just want to soak up all of the time i have you as my little boy because i know these days are fleeting by too quickly. here is what you have been up to lately... ...you l.ov.e. your big sis elliana. she cracks you up. she tickles your toes, talks to you and makes you giggle. she is a part time play mate and a part time little mama. she has forced your bottle in your mouth, made several attempts to pick you up (which is quite the sight since you are about her size) and tried to change your diaper. lately i hear here telling you "no no mine" when you take her sippy cup or animal crackers or a toy she wants. we need to work on that...

...you have eight teeth, all of them came in two at a time and perfectly symmetrical to one another, it has been a very long and painful process but they sure look adorable...

...you already seek out tractors in a huge pile of toys... i think it's in your blood!

...you are sitting like a champ...

...but you don't sit long because there are places to go and people to see! you are constantly on the move and trying to get in to whatever you can find....

...you have perfected the army crawl. it is crazy how fast you can get around that way! you can get up on all fours but don't get very far that way...

...you really like food these days. it took you awhile to really appreciate squash, carrots, peas, but you are pretty much taking whatever i shove in your mouth (as long as you get a couple bites of fruit in between!)...

...you are starting to be a great napper...

...you are very aggressive, busy, persistant and keep your mommy on her toes...

...we cannot imagine out family without you jedidiah charles! we love you more than you can ever imagine!

for adorable baby bedding...

...go here!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mynammysquilts

how time flies...

just one year ago... ...this sweet girl had her first taste of sweet corn...

...where does time go?

Mr. & Mrs. McCarty

On July 3, we had the privilege of being a part of a very special wedding day. My sister, Tessa and new brother, Tom are now husband and wife! What a joy it was to be a part of such a special day. The wedding day was wonderful, a special celebration of the beginning of their lives together, but even more exciting than that day is knowing that the rest of their days here on earth they will strive to glorify God in all that they do. We love you both dearly and are so blessed to be able to call you family! Elliana was one of the flower girls, Jedidiah, a ring bearer, Jon was an usher and also assisted the little ones down the isle during the ceremony and I was the matron of honor.
Elli adores her Aunt Tessa

With the beautiful bride... such a joy to stand by your side Tess!

Can't wait to celebrate many more special days with you both!

so... we've got 2 kids!

I know that we have had 2 kids for almost 6 months now but I still get caught off guard every once and awhile and think "wow... we have 2 kids!" As Jed gets older and starts doing things other than sleeping, crying, nursing and just laying there and I begin to get glimpses of Elli and Jed laughing at each other, sharing (or not sharing) toys, interacting and as you can see in the photo, sitting in highchairs together, I am reminded... "I have two of them!" And for that I am so grateful!

sidenote: do you notice the only thing left on Elli's plate is green beans? That stinker!