So, So, So Pretty!

Sorry, can't help myself! She is so pretty!!




And a sweet shot with big big brother.

Biker Boys, First Foods, and More!

The boys after helping Daddy wash his motorcycle.


Clay and Thomas both had bike-a-thons at school last week to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital. It's a super fun event for them and certainly helps a great cause. Clay has been the fastest in his grade each year. This year he topped out at 92 laps!


Thomas held his own at 31 laps!


Water break!


Gaby getting her first taste of solids. She started on rice cereal about three weeks ago.


Yummy peas, started last week. She likes sweet potatoes even better.


Gaby and a good buddy!


Bathing buddies!

Six Months of Love

Dear Gabriella,
Today marks six months of your life with us. This has absolutely been the fastest six months of my life, but also the most treasured. I know I've already written this about you, but I really don't know how we lived without you before. You've been in our arms for six months, but in our hearts, for much much longer. It feels like we've loved you forever....like there was no beginning. Somehow it feels like we were just waiting for you prior to September 23rd. You have filled a space in my heart that I didn't previously know was empty. So many people think we wanted another baby just because we were "trying to get a girl." I don't like that for a couple of reasons. 1. We would have loved you no matter what gender you were, and 2. It feels like your brothers weren't then as remarkable to us and they so are. All three of you are gems. I do love that you're a girl, but not because you're a girl, just because you are you. And you, my darlin', are just purely perfect. I love you forever. I love you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.
Love, Mommy

I love being a mother. To love a child is to get a glimpse of how Jesus loves us.

Some photos of the last week.

This will be a favorite forever!

This is how I found her the other day after I finished vacuuming. She had rolled herself to this spot and was all tangled up in the balloon string....and obviously, very happy about it!

Sweet, sweet girl....and so pretty in turquoise!

Taken this morning. This is how she usually falls asleep; with her hands clasped and sucking her right thumb. Endearing.

Hiking

We had a fun weekend with beautiful weather. It felt like it had been a long time since we were all really together. Ronnie was TDY for almost a week and upon arriving home, promptly returned to the grind that is Weapons School a mere 12 hours later. To say we are all eagerly awaiting June 12th is an understatement!

Anyway, we took advantage of the first day of spring by going for a hike at Red Rock Canyon. We even took the dog who was truly in his element. The desert has to be a Labrador's least favorite place on earth! We let him run free part of the time which included frolicking through two streams and smearing his face in the mud and algae. Yes, he was filthy, but he had a ton of fun and so did we!

Getting sleepy....

Thomas resting on the way back up.

Out!!

Is She....?

Is she a teenager already? Every time I look at this picture, I think "that's what she's going to look like when she's a teenager." Chilling in the chair, watching tv (the girl loves tv already!), but hopefully NOT sucking her thumb! It is pretty stinkin' cute now though!

National Lutheran Schools Week

The boys are celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week this week at school. Of note really for them are fun dress-up days. Today was Career Day for Clay and Crazy Hair/Crazy Hat day for Thomas (he wanted to do both). Just a note from Clay: He actually wants to be a football player when he grows up, but he has to wear his Dallas Cowboys jersey for Sports Day tomorrow. He does have other sports wear, but apparently, they just won't do. This was his second choice. Everyone needs a fall-back plan! It just so happened that it was a non-flying Monday for Ronnie, so we ended up with the lookalikes! By the way, just in case you're wondering, Ronnie loves wearing his blues (insert sarcasm here!)

A Prayer

As part of my quiet time this morning, I was reading the book When Mothers Pray by Cheri Fuller. It's a really good book! Anyway, I wanted to share this prayer that she wrote in there since many of you have little kiddos like me. I think you'll see why it struck me. It's simple, but covers so much. Pretty sure I'll find myself praying this one daily.

Lord, thank you for the precious children You've entrusted to my care. Grant me the grace to be faithful to pray for them and to never get too busy to come to You with their needs and my needs. I pray for the wisdom to know what's most important in this season and for Your love to cover all I say and do. In Jesus' name, Amen.