In Training

Goo has been training them... I love it.

Two good helpers after reading "Little Red Hen" there.

Don't worry... they have LOTS of fun at Goo's House, too.  
(I really do think Lily may be a good helper one day... if her desire doesn't die before her ability catches up.)

3 Year Stats

THREE YEARS OLD:

Weight: 29.5 lbs  (50%)

Height: 37 inches (50%)

 she's healthy and we are as happy as can be about that & about her

Ice Cream Sammies

...on the Front Steps with Friends

***Do you see Isaac?***

Maybe we could swap years with him, Aunt Joy?  

Can 1-2 be my year?

creepy cousin fun

Aunt Becky and Liam, then Uncle Tom were in town last week!
We had lots of fun seeing them a few times.

One morning we took the kids (and the grown ups had fun too!) to a nature center that's part of one of our county parks.  It was really neat!

There were lots of scary snapping turtles, snakes, bugs, birds, fish, etc.

 So fun to have Pop with us on a weekday morning.

 Peter's face is so funny here!

 This turtle was just balancing on this rock :)

 Then we went outside for a "warm" lunch.  It was one of the 100 plus degree days.  The kids insisted on playing on the playground and then came back to the table SWEATY.

 Goo got in on the fun too in a little sliver of shade.  Where is Liam in all of our pics?

 Oh, there he is running across the field in front of Peter!

We loved getting the chance to see and catch up with the Murphys!

song & words

i've run out of energy and motivation this week maybe its all caught up with me so i've been trying to take it easy this afternoon to rest in Him and heal and seek and trust,  not just clean my house i've been listening to a little Indelible Grace we sing a lot of their songs at church i appreciate how these songs are "real"  and not all "good" and what we traditionally  think of as "churchy" b/c that's what I really need and they help to put words to real things that  I feel and just can't put words to. Here's a link to the song, which is much better than just reading the words. I Asked The Lord 1. I asked the Lord that I might grow In faith and love and every grace Might more of His salvation know And seek more earnestly His face 2. Twas He who taught me thus to pray And He I trust has answered prayer But it has been in such a way As almost drove me to despair 3. I hoped that in some favored hour At once He'd answer my request And by His love's constraining power Subdue my sins and give me rest 4. Instead of this He made me feel The hidden evils of my heart And let the angry powers of Hell Assault my soul in every part 5. Yea more with His own hand He seemed Intent to aggravate my woe Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, Cast out my feelings, laid me low 6. Lord why is this, I trembling cried Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death? "Tis in this way" The Lord replied "I answer prayer for grace and faith" 7. "These inward trials I employ From self and pride to set thee free And break thy schemes of earthly joy That thou mayest seek thy all in me, That thou mayest seek thy all in me."

a walk to the park

To expend our after-nap energy, we took a picnic dinner and walked to a park near us.  There isn't a direct route there so we cut through a neighborhood, a wooded area, an apt complex, crossed a road and then through a office complex.  It would be fun to live in an area where sidewalks were more common.  :)

We walked past this super tall road sign... but not too tall that Daddy couldn't lift Lily to touch it!

 Getting carried... 

 Mike even packed our dinners... sandwiches, veggies, and strawberries.

I love Mike's happiness in these pics.  These kids have a really good daddy.  :)

And I have a good & hot husband.

They would race to the top of this...  one thru the middle and one up the side, then switch...  

 then down the slide

 looooong Peter

 sweaty, tired kids

The girl got a ride.

 Peter walked home, and often it was like "walking a cow", as he put it!  (I have no idea where he gets this stuff.)  He pulls backwards as we try and get him to walk forwards.

 and occasionally, he got a ride.  

Yep, he's a good and a strong Daddy.

grocery helper

Seriously, do they come any cuter and sweeter?  Is it possible to enjoy a child more than I've enjoyed this one?  Peter is in a morning VBS all week so Lily and I shopped together this morning.  She was really excited to help me get the items off the shelf and put them in the cart.  She "helped" put our things up to check out and then wanted to carry a bag out.  So I found a little bag and put the broccoli in it for her to carry.