***PLEASE PRAY***

PLEASE PRAY for these dear friends! Their entire family was in a car accident this evening and two of the children were possibly ejected. They are being transported to the hospital right now. Please pray with me and beg for God's mercy in their lives!!!

13/52

Having some relaxing fun as a family outside one summer evening.

12/52

So I couldn't decide....

from our trip to Fort Menendez yesterday.

Weaving with Charis...

....candle making with Mercy....or.....

....my tribe inside the Timucua Indian home. lol ;)

Julia turned 1

June 5th marked the 1st anniversary of the birth of our 3rd little girl.

We just went and had Julia's pictures taken. I wasn't very optimistic after remembering Mercy's pictures plus the fact that Julia has been sticking to me like glue lately.

Gracie wanted to come along for the ride so I let her carry Julia in and then we let her play on the floor while we waited instead of having her in our laps. I thought this might make it easier to separate her from us when our turn came. She played so happily, giggling, smiling, laughing. When we walked to the room though she stopped still in the doorway and then the fun began! Hahaha, I can laugh at it easier now that Mercy broke me in on this experience. ;)

She started walking away from the spot immediately, wanting Mommy to pick her up. I brought cheerios along to see if we could bribe her, lol.

Starting off so-so, eating a cheerio.

>

Cute face with cheerio in the mouth.

Happy face with cheerio showing! At least she smiled, Mercy didn't even do that!

Playing with Mr. Teddy

(or eating a cheerio off his nose - but hey, it worked and looked cute!)

You're sitting me down?!

I'm serious, Mercy must have told her what to do.

From smile, to uncertainty, to I do NOT want to do this!

I might stop crying if I have my finger but don't think I'm gonna smile.

I'm sorry if this makes me a bad mommy but I love this picture. :)

From then on it was just a daze of sad faces, we didn't dare try and move her again and do something different.

But I'm happy with my one smile, cheerio or not and the crying while hugging the teddy bear (who is a tradition for 1st birthday pictures in our family...only Mercy would have nothing to do with him) is priceless! ♥

For comparison:

Caleb, Charis & Mercy

Hope you are having a lovely Thursday!

A reminder

I was reminded this week of the importance of what we let influence our children.

They are watching, looking, soaking in all that is around them and it is important for me to remember to try my best to have only wholesome things surround them.

Charis and Mercy were looking through a JoAnn's advertisement and saw this picture. I had seen it but didn't give it a second glance or thought. They saw it though and came to me asking if I could do their hair like the girl in the picture. Part of me was surprised at them having noticed her and asking me to imitate her. But it was a wake up call to make sure, especially while they are so young and impressionable, to help them protect eye gate, ear gate etc. And to encourage them to strive after imitating Christ who left us an example to follow.

I did let them have their hair done like her, they were very excited but these are just some thoughts that came to mind. :)

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" 1 Peter 1:21

11/52

One evening after not napping my little buddy fell asleep in my lap at my desk.
She is my shadow, following me everywhere. If I sit ever down she wants to be in my lap - although Julia has now figured this out and will spot Mercy across the room in my lap and start toddling towards us protesting the whole way cause she wants to sit in my lap too. But that is another story. :)

Happy Friday to you all!

10/52

Heehee, so it will probably take me 2 years to post 1 years worth of self pictures here. I have been such a bad blogger lately.

Anyways, it's me getting to visit with a sweet friend and finally meet her baby in person!

Charis and her friend. :)

And these two spell trouble if you can't already tell that. ;P

I hope you have a lovely weekend!