Em's first haircut

A couple of weeks ago, Emma got her first "haircut".  I don't think anyone really noticed except me, because they only cut off 1 inch in the back, mainly.  Her hair has been slow growing...it still isn't even all around, but I couldn't stand for them to cut off too much!  It is tapered in the front. :)

Before...

She was very excited about getting her first haircut!  We just went to the Super Cuts down the road from our house.

She turned her head when asked, and stayed very still!

After (with lollipop and hair clippings in hand)...

 Can you tell?? :)

 I love these curls!

The one with the dimples

"Mommy- how I go to sleep?"  ("Close your eyes and think happy thoughts...")

(Emma, what's your favorite animal?)  "Daisy's my favorite animal"

"My face is coughing"

(Before she goes to sleep each night....) "Baby hug...aww, now BIG hug!"

"Orangen"= orange

"Little Buddies" = brothers (she used to combine their names and call them "Dathan")

"Gracelet" = bracelet;  "Rings" =earrings 

"Daddy, you have some hairs growing out of your mouth" (in reference to Jared's beard :))

Rub-a-dub-dub...

3 kids in a tub!  Well, I've started bathing all 3 together now.  It is, of course, much easier to do when Jared is here to help...I hand him one, he puts diaper on, crib, then comes to get another.  But that isn't always possible, so I have to be quick.  Sometimes I wonder after all chaos, how clean they actually are...

 Ethan on left, David on right.  David gives me this face ALL the time...such a charmer.

Guess who wants to stand up in the tub??

 Happy Ethan!

Ethan is "bathing" himself!  Emma never did this, but both of the boys rub their bellies in the bath, and when I put lotion on them.  Cutest thing :)

 Ethan messing with brother...

In other news, the boys have started "talking" to each other!  LOVE.  And imitating Emma (screaming contests).  So fun :)

Remembering Me-Me

My beautiful grandmother "Me-Me" (my mom's mother) went to be with Jesus on Saturday morning.  She had battled with Alzheimer's for over 10 years.  Such a tragic, terrible disease.  But we have hope because we know that Jesus is her Lord and Savior, and that she has life eternally!  Free from sickness, from pain and tears!  She is fully restored and redeemed.

Me-Me with Emma when she was about 6 months old

It is still a little hard to say goodbye this side of eternity...she meant so much to me and will always be remembered.  She loved my Granddaddy so much, and he stood by her side and cared for her as long as he could.  Some of my favorite memories...

• Racing with sister to the screen door, creaking it open to hear Me-Me call "You-hoo!".  She always did.
• Her hands, wrinkled and soft, spotted with age.  Anyone else remember their grandmother's hands?  I loved holding them, looking at her fingers.
• Watching my mom and her together.  I just loved watching them talk with each other...such a sweet, close bond.  
• Me-Me's gentle voice, always kind and patient.  Even Alzheimer's couldn't phase her gentle personality.  I never heard my Me-Me raise her voice.
• Orange cake.  It is the only cake I ever remember her making.  I'm sure she made others, but it was everyone's favorite and always present at family dinners.
• Teaching me to snap green beans.
• Canning crab-apple jelly from crab-apples picked from a tree in her yard.  I thought it was the most amazing thing.
• Week-long vacations at Me-Me and Granddaddy's house in the summer...just me and sister.
• Cinnamon toast for breakfast 
• Sweet tea with lemons...along with Dr. Pepper for my granddaddy (his favorite).  
• Playing Old Maid, Go Fish, Uno, Monopoly...
• The cards she sent me on every birthday and valentine's day.
• Paintings and sketches she made...she had such a talent for it.
• Watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy while eating "dinner" (lunch)
• The irises she planted in her yard...Mom moved some of those same bulbs to her house.
• Times she helped me write letters to their sponsored child across the world.  The love of Jesus truly shone out of her heart.
• Watching her face light up every time she met Emma.  Even though she never remembered her, each time she was overjoyed to find out she had a granddaughter.
• The last conversation I had with her (over a year ago).  She didn't seem to recognize me in the beginning, but for moment she smiled at me and said, "oh honey, you're all grown up!".

We will never forget you, Me-Me!  Thank you for all the memories you gave me that I can share with my children and grandchildren.  Thank you for all the love you poured out to us, for all the times you listened and consoled, all the times you taught us to care and love others.  We are rejoicing that you are Home, dancing with Granddaddy!  Looking forward to the day we will see you again!  We love you!

Baby Dedication

Last Sunday we had a little baby dedication service at church for the boys.  We were so honored to have our family and some of our oldest friends join us for this special occasion.  We laid hands on the boys and prayed for their lives...for their protection, their future spouses, and most of all that they would know and love Jesus, and that He would be glorified through their lives.

It was nice to pause and remember how vital my prayers for my children are.  I love the book, "The Power of A Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian.  It is a must read and great resource for every parent.  We can't handle the responsibility of raising these children alone- or in other words, I don't want to rely on my own wisdom and strength, because I will fail miserably.  I need supernatural power from God to help me through my days, grace when I mess up (which is SO often), and faith to know that He is sovereign and faithful.  These children are His, and I am so thankful that he has entrusted them to our love and care.

Sadly, this is the only picture we got of the day.  Thank goodness for Jared's iPhone!