Eric

We're sponsoring an orphan. Reece chose him.
Eric.
His parents were killed, and he now lives with his aunt who has tb.
Reece likes that he likes football.
Needless to say, they could use our help.

Reece and I had some deliberate conversations today about Eric, and people, many, many people, less fortunate than us.

We we talked about sponsorship and giving some of what God through Daddy provides for us to Eric and his family. Reece liked the idea, but then said, "Don't give him any of my money. I need it to buy toys."

Ouch. I began sobbing.

I tried to explain it more, but ultimately, that's the place he was in.
God was just going to have to work on his heart, and I would continue the good work we had begun.

The very next day we were playing on the playground. Reece excitedly called me over to him. He showed me a penny he'd found, and said enthusiastically, "Mom, let's send this to Eric!"

Lord, I know I am all too tight-fisted myself, with my wants. I'd like to say I freely give anything and everything for Your glory, but I know that really it is a day-by-day process. A process of me thinking of me less, and thinking of you more.
I shouldn't expect anything less from Reece. But, thank you today, that he thought a little bit less of himself and more of others. Even if it was a penny. Today, the amount didn't matter (he doesn't know the difference anyway), it was the heart.

And although we're sponsoring Eric, I have a feeling God will do at least as much work in us, as in his family.

boys and girls

Oh how I used to think that boys and girls were brought up to love trucks and dolls respectively. I was so wrong.

While Shelley was in town, we hung out on the playground one morning together. Felt like the old days a little, except the kids were at best crawling before, and now they are oh so big.Miles, Reece, and Turner race cars and play superheroes.And Mclaine, well, she's all girl...and a doll herself!

Hello teeth

After a nap, diaper freshly changed, I plopped Zach on the bed in his room to play. Despite all the pain of teeth moving lately, he just chomped and smiled, as if to say, "I'm too cute not to get your camera.". (And, I'm going to be munching on whatever you give me, while I smile.)(um yeah, first w/ the bounce flash needed some adjustment)I probably should have positioned him better, but you know me,
I just like to let them do what they do right where they are.Why yes, your lens cap will do nicely.Flopped on over. Just love this one above.Giggling.
Oh those precious little hands.
(and yes, a little different styling)Close up of those teeth,
but still that smile and those sparkly eyes steal the show.

Yesterday I wrote on fb - Uh, hello tooth #4...wasn't even watching for you and broke through you did. Sneaky ivory.

That's because I've been watching that crazy lateral incisor on top. I call you snaggletooth and my little vampire. Bottom teeth weren't as bad, but having some on top and bottom...ouch! ouch!

You are absolutely infectious, Zach-a-roo. How I possible warrant or deserve these smiles, I'll never know, but just know that the feeling is absolutely mutual.

I wrote earlier on fb today...
life just paused a moment when picked up Zach from the nursery after bible study. One of the women was peacefully holding my baby asleep in her arms. So thankful he is loved on so well, and even more thankful that I'm the one that gets to do it 99% of the time. ♥

Outtakes

The last of the pics from our trip to H-town, at Mom's.
All are outtakes except this first, where Reece is in Tootie's bed, snack bar in hand, watching his 'show' first thing in the morning.Breakfast outside.
What a yard.Car was packed and everything. Ready to leave, I made everyone pause their plans a few more minutes, and just look what moments they made...I've come to appreciate her more and more, turning messes to sprinkles, scattered to fun-loving, and picky to great taste.

Somedays it's a whole other world, I tell ya. But with each trip, I've begun discovering something new to love. Love you, Momma.

wedding in the park

Small, quaint, casual, and personal - a wedding in the park.
Chris and Jennifer were getting married.They fondly refer to themselves as "Fin & Jenner" - can't you tell they are goo goo with each other. They are!

I friended Jennifer on Facebook even before I'd met her. I kept seeing their sweet wall posts and comments to each other, and thought, we're going to be relatives soon, we might as well be friends! ; ) She's a doll.

She cotton-eyed joe'd right up to her groom...Oh how I love this hand-off smooch!

We sat on picnic blankets on the lawn around the gazebo. It was so lovely. I snapped a few, but didn't want to intrude by moving in closer with my camera.Mom liked the view from the back and held Zach for a while during the ceremony. (Yep, he's eating her necklace.) Pretty sweet stuff.Blessing and prayer with Benjamin and Lauren. So dear.

And then the announcement!Afterward they shared communion, and then served communion to their guests. That's what I call a family table! Afterward, hugs, kisses, smiles, and cheers filled the air.I love this picture of us that mom took. To me it is perfect... perfectly imperfect.
Zach is either trying to eat my face or happily yelling, I think the latter.The first inklings that he may in fact one day crawl. Oh what great motivation just 1 blade of grass is to him. But, please don't get me wrong, I'm in no hurry my little guy to crawl. Take your time, Bubbly, take your time.

Oh these brothers...what a wonderful gift to us.Mom positioned us for a couple more family photos before we headed to their house for dinner, cake, and more QT.We feasted at Chris' house and enjoyed more family time together. Reece had more time with his cousins, including Ben and Lauren. Zach did so well considering he had fallen asleep in the car. I carried him in the ergo all evening, and he either slept like a little angel against me or gave big smiles for anyone who looked his way.

After cake, the photographer nabbed the newly marrieds for a couple of shots on the porch. I timed one just perfectly with the flash and although the shot with my camera phone is grainy, it's darling.Big, warm congratulations, Chris and Jennifer,
I mean Fin and Jenner. ; ).
We love you and were so thankful we could be there today to share in your celebration.

Cousins

Two big reasons to come into town...time with cousins. We don't see each other very often, but we make the most of any time we do get. Friday, we spent all day with Lucas and Ginny, Reece's cousins. And I got to spend time with my cousin too, Scott.

Oh how I'll never forget the last time Reece and I came to visit.

I cherished the time today.
It started with some time checking out the toys together and playing in the playroom. Next, a snack was followed by popsicles.
Lucas was playing coy with me.When Aunt Beth and Uncle Robert showed up, we trekked through the back yard, opened the fence straight into their back yard. What a setup. The kids are 1 fence away from their grandparents!

There is a huge, wonderful playscape, a hummer, and a zipline. F-U-N.Lucas showed Reece how it worked and then he had a turn.Reece asked Aunt Beth where they got the zipline. After she answered, he told her that we, his parents, "just don't know where to look." Goof! Not sure what he meant, but boy did it tickle AB.UR is quite the fisherman, actually all the guys in this family fish. Not one to appreciate a stuffed, hung fish, but I dig this one, big time.

After hanging in the back yard, we ate lunch and then the twins took a nap. Reece had been eyeing the pool since we got there. Scott decided it was warm enough, and as soon as the twins were up, we were out.

Scott got in the pool with the kids. He was wonderful with them.
Mom got farther in than I did, who only dribbled a few toes.Scott and I both admitted we used to think that boys like trucks and balls, and girls like dolls and pink because WE the parents gave them gender-specific toys and pushed them toward those things. We agreed that we were never so wrong. God designed boys one way and girls another, specifically.

Lucas and Ginny are a perfect example of that.
Lucas is fearless, friendly, kind, and all trucks/balls/sports. I've nick-named him Arnold Schwarzenegger, because he has this very deep, husky, manly voice that is just hilarious coming out of that little body of his.

Ginny is a bit more cautious. She was so nurturing and attentive to Zach's needs. She's dainty and knows what she wants and what she doesn't, and was oh so much fun.

Oh my, this next picture is a new favorite, after a tentative Ginny swam to her daddy.Oh Reece, you cracking up, cracks me up (and melts my heart all at the same time).There were some very special moments, and some new favorite pictures as a result. I am incredibly thankful for our time, and our day together.

(After we left town, Lucas missed us. He referred to Reece, as cousin #4 because Lucas couldn't remember his name but knows he's 4 years old. Precious.)