Wordless Wednesday

The B-I-B-L-E, Yes That's The Book For Me

Each year our church presents rising third graders with their very own Bible. I know it's a tradition at most Methodist churches around here and in fact, I was presented with my own Bible back when I was a wee 3rd grader (many, many moons ago).

Each year I watch the proud kids receive their very own copy of God's word. This year, it was our family's turn. I still sometimes have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Anastasia is in 3rd grade!

She was so excited about this milestone in her Christian life. On Sunday, Anastasia stood with her friends in front of the congregation and was presented with her Bible. Some of our family stayed over from Allie's party the day before so they could be on hand to share this moment with Anastasia. After the presentation was over, she and one of her good friends spent the rest of the service exploring it with new eyes. They've been reading the Bible for several years now, but there's something different about being handed a Bible with YOUR name imprinted on the front. I think that even at 8 (almost 9) years old they realize the significance of our church family giving them such a precious gift.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Birthday Pictures...finally.....

So inquiring minds have been wanting to know why there weren't many pictures posted from Allie's party on Saturday. The truth? My camera broke. More specifically, the lens is broken....so I borrowed one and to be honest, the pictures weren't that great. But through some birthday miracle, it started taking pictures again on Monday. I didn't get a single shot of her in her adorable birthday outfit on Saturday, so I made up for lost time yesterday afternoon. She was in a playful mood and we got some fun shots. What a ham she is when a camera is clicking away in front of her!

Allie: The Retrospective

4:41 p.m. on Sept 10, 2009

4:41 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2010

4:41 p.m. on Sept 10, 2011

4:41 p.m. on Sept 10, 2012

Happy Birthday Allie!

Today is Allie's 3rd Birthday. We had a party over the weekend with our dear family and friends. It was a wonderful celebration at our home with those who mean the most to us and who have really supported us over the years. She got so many wonderful things!

Today she took some treats to school so she could celebrate with her friends there. I'll be sure and post her picture this afternoon with the clock (taken at the time of her birth). I still can't get over that she's three!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Fall is still a few weeks off but she gave us a fabulous sneak peek today. We celebrated with a lovely afternoon walk...and some shadow play.

Fresh Flowers

I love fresh flowers. There's just something about the way they brighten a room and bring the outdoors in. Yesterday I made a run to Trader Joe's and picked up an inexpensive bouquet. It was enough flowers for two vases!

Wordless Wednesday

Leave Me The Birds and the Bees

Joni Mitchell was totally right. Spots on my apples are definitely the way to go.

Our church has a "Hunger Helper" market where members of our congregation share of their talents and gifts. It's everything from fresh basked bread to crafts to jams and jellies. The market is set up in the breezeway each week during the summer and the money helps fund our church's soup kitchen ministry. We recently snagged some locally grown apples. I noticed the spots immediately and smiled. I've been singing Joni Mitchell ever since. And I may be biased, but there is nothing like the taste of an apple grown in the orchards of our area.

Mantle Makeover

We moved into our home six years ago this summer and while we've made some big changes over the years, there are some spots that look exactly as they did the day we moved in. Last week I looked at the fireplace in our living room with fresh eyes. I realized how old and tired it looked (kinda like me...). A makeover was definitely in order.

I can't show you the before picture. I was so busy getting out with the old and in with the new that I forgot to take a shot before I made the changes. The fireplace itself had gas logs in it, despite not actually having gas to the area. It also had these fern thingys on top of the logs....which you can see in this picture from Christmas.

I was on a mission to update the area and went to several stores before I found what I wanted. I got some cute details...and more importantly....new art. We've never really bought anything for the walls of our home. Most of what's hanging up is hand-me-downs from my parents or grandparents. The new items have made a huge difference and we really love the look and feel of our living room now. Although, the kids are under strict orders not to place their crap belongings on the mantle. I told them there was a force field up there and anything that was placed on the mantle would be directly sucked into the trash can. So far it's working....

I really love the little owl. And he matches the green vase I already had.

The basket holding our blankets was actually made by my great aunt!

Allie and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Allie recently moved up to a new class for Sunday School. She is now out of the nursery and in an actual class where they do a Bible lesson each Sunday. Now don't get me wrong, there's a healthy dose of playtime and snacking as well, but there's also a curriculum geared towards toddlers.

Jamie and I like to ask Allie what she learned when we pick her up after church. Yesterday we were loading her into her carseat for the ride home and we asked her to fill everyone in on her lesson. She proudly held up a picture she had created as a part of it.

The lesson from Genesis was on Joseph and the coat he was given by his father, Jacob. As you may remember, that coat was a point of contention between Joseph's brothers. Allie's interpretation of the story was awesome. I really should start recording these things, because there is no way I can do it justice. She completely understood the story though. "Joseph's fwends were vewy angry with him. They didn't get a coat and they were jealous."

I'm incredibly thankful for the amazing teachers who can help even my three-year-old understand the lesson behind a Bible story. That is a gift and talent not everyone possesses and I'm sure glad we have such awesome folks at our church!

Olive's First Birthday

My cousin Jamie (also known as "Girl Jamie" in these parts so as to differentiate from my husband "Boy Jamie") has two awesome kiddos. Her youngest, Olive, turned one this week. Jamie is a AMAZING photographer and she snapped some pictures of the birthday girl for her big day. You really should check them out. They are some of the most beautiful photos I've ever seen!

No first birthday would be complete without a huge bash, and we were fortunate enough to be able to attend Olive's birthday party last night. My parents actually rented a minivan so we could all ride together down for the event!

The party was at a beautiful park on the water down in Chattanooga. My cousin went all out. She's so darn crafty in a way I will never be! It was a lovely evening and I'm grateful we were able to be a part of the celebration! My pictures are so-so....I suggest you check out Jamie's blog for a much better view of the party.

Cute party details!

Granddad and Allie throw rocks in the water

Birthday girl in an outfit made by her momma

Ainsley gets silly in the basket