Father & Son

 This past weekend we celebrated six sweet months with our precious little one and Derek's first father's day! Sunday's are not usually fundays when you work in full-time ministry, but we had a great day together as a family. Here are some shots from our daddy/son photo shoot.

 Our blue-eyed beauty refused to take a nap all day, but still managed this smile even though it was 100 degrees outside!!

 In case you are wondering, Ezra has one stingy patch of eczema left on his left temple. We've mostly cured his skin completely by doing an intestinal cleanse for formula #1 & #2 from www.herbdoc.com
We are so thankful that Ezra is almost over this season of itchy skin. Seriously, we believe in herbal medicine! None of us have had any medicine in months now!!

 He loves to sit up!

 I know everyone calls E mini-D, but E looks an awful lot like my nephew Caleb!!

We have our first tooth people!!

One family shot. I'm working hard to lose my baby weight. It is a process...

Five Fabulous Flirty Fotos!

 We are on a battle right now to conquer ECZEMA! I'm excited to say, We are FINALLY WINNING!  Thanks to a very knowledgable friend, we are learning all about homeopathy. Ezra is currently undergoing an intestinal detox (www.herbdoc.com) and it is repairing his guy and flushing out all the toxins that sadly have already found a home in our little guy. Eczema tends to flare the worst during the 6 to 9 month stretch and we are only days away from entering the race.

 In other news, E is such a happy baby. I don't think D and I have had that "look" of harassed parents, yet. Even though we aren't sleeping through the night consistently, we are still so overwhelmed by the unconditional love from the little guy that we have smiles on our faces. Even in the midst of complete uncertainty about Derek's job search, the churches replacement search and our eventual/have-no-clue-when move to Washington State, we are so aware of the blessing of Ezra, of a God that walks AHEAD of his children and prepares their way, of a strong marriage and of family and friends that have loved us through it all.

 VACATION is just around the corner! We are taking our little guy on a monumental road trip. We are also praying that the road trip does not end up being a monumental catastrophe! E continues his hate-hate relationship with his car seat. I'm anxious just thinking about the long drive! But, I can't WAIT to sit on my parents back porch and just BE.AT.HOME! I can't wait until the lake weekend with all my homies from college. I seriously am looking forward to being in Nashville with Derek's college dudes, wives and chillin'! To celebrating the Fourth of July, backyard BBQ's, ATHENS!!!, Ashley's wedding and the absolutely beauty and peace of sharing Ezra with family and friends!

I hope the video below works for you guys. Our cutie is a camera ham! 

Five months of CUTENESS!

December 14, 2012

January 11, 2013

February 11, 2013

March 11, 2013

April 11, 2013

May 11, 2013

The words do not really need detailed captions. They are priceless to E's daddy and I. This little guy is such a beautiful reminder of God's power, majesty and beauty. EVEN when your child goes through a growth spurt where they forget what it means to sleep! (RIGHT NOW!) Ezra has grown and changed so much over the past few months. But, looking back at those first few days, D and I can see the personality in his face. Our kid is one fun ball of laughs. He's also one sigh away from pulling their hair out of our heads! (YESTERDAY - when he refused to take a nap!) But, we've managed to form a routine around here to deal with the rough patches and savor the sweet ones. I have so many pictures I want to share, but our computer is on the outs and has a hard time uploading. More to come soonish.

Stank EYE - That picture that you wish your mother didn't have

YES, this is the best picture ever! All Ya'll homies beware! Ezra-of-the-stank-eye is coming for you! (Ezra, some day you will find this picture as humorous as we do, but until then, it's okay to have a sense of humor.)

Our little guy is hilarious, folks. He has discovered his "appendage" recently and cracks us up whenever he is on the changing table. He's laughing and loving it. This kid LOVES to laugh! However, don't laugh too hard back at him. He get's upset and scared when other's laugh back at him.

 Rolling over. Step 1: Pushing off

Step 2: Falling         

Step 3: Safe Landing

Step 4: Sigh of Relief

 Sometimes, this is what it takes to get to a smile! 

Putting the old away

I can't believe that Ezra is almost 5 months old! I can't believe that just yesterday I packed away ALL of his three month old clothes. Is this really happening? Why does he have to grow so fast?? I blink and there he goes, growing, growing. Slow down sweet boy. Mommy and Daddy aren't ready yet!

Yesterday at church Ezra was the BIG KID! Three babies were present in the congregation. One younger by 8 days, the other only 3 weeks old. EZRA was the BIG KID! And the loud one, apparently. While the others sweetly napped, Ezra could be heard throughout the church cooing, moaning and making other cute, but loud, noises. I LOVE THIS! There is nothing that warms my heart greater than hearing a baby in church, crying or not! As my husband prayerfully considers what planting a church will look like, I beg him to always allow WHOLE-HEARTEDLY babies in the service with their parents. Mark Driscoll loves to have children in the service as a sign of life and blessing! I couldn't agree more! What better statement to those mommies and daddies lovingly sheparding their children than a welcome - for all - into the church, where ALL can be fed! Now, if we can only free the mommies up to nurse while in their church. I'm blessed to have a church that provides a cry room with the service being mic'ed in. My wish for all mommies!!!

Bird Watching Fun with my Men

May 5, 2013' 

 My baby Pumpkin and handsome husband and I went bird watching at our local nature preserve this past Saturday. We spent a very VERY enjoyable time together spotting some new species that we had not seen before. I got a glimpse of an Oriole and a solitary sandpiper.

The handsome boy continues to grow so quickly. I had no idea how much he has grown until I saw a newborn this past weekend at church. Ezra was the BIG KID!

 Baby Binoculars are next on our list of must have baby toys!

Absolute favorite time of the day with these two guys are early morning snuggles. Ezra LOVES to snuggle in the morning. He is perfectly fine staying in bed, slowly waking up and smiling up at mommy and daddy!

handsome boy alert!!

4 months, 2 weeks old

Maternity Photos by Amy Dey Photography!!!

First, I just want to say thank you to Amy Dey Photography!!! 

My awesome BFF and college roommate took some amazing photos (with a less than amazing model) and made 32 weeks of pregnancy look flawless! 

So thankful to Amy and the beautiful morning we had together. 

The Amazing Photographer!!! Amy Dey