Clap your hands

Isaac learned how to clap his hands this week. I got just a tiny glimpse of his new skill on video. In case you're wondering about the end of the clip, Isaac LOVES the camera strap!

Go Outside, Mommy?

Blessings and Loss

My heart is broken for an Albany family that lost their sweet baby girl to spinal meningitis yesterday. She'd been in the church nursery Sunday night, showed symptoms and was rushed to Atlanta (Egelston) Monday, and passed away yesterday. Her name was Madeline. She was seven months old. Here is her obituary. Her sweet picture is there. Please pray for the family. I don't know them personally but I feel so sad for the absence I'm sure they must feel. When my friend Belinda lost her baby at eighteen months, she said she felt God's peace the entire time. That makes me feel better, but I know they will have some dark days ahead, too.

On a brighter note, my friend Sudana is bringing little Israel into the world today. She has been at 4 cm for over a week! I wish I could be there, and take pictures of the little son that they have longed to hold for many years. Here is her with Isaac.....

Treasures

Today my friend Stephanie and I had a garage sale. Last night after we set everything up, we prayed over our stuff and asked God to bring the people who needed what we had to sell. We ended up doing very well.... selling lots of stuff, having a smooth and hastle-free morning (except for a brief sprinkling), enjoying mild weather, and talking with lots of people. The greatest blessing to me, though, was hearing these comments from my "customers"......

"You have it? This was just what I was looking for"....

"I used one of these when I taught school and now my daughter is teaching and needs one...."

"My mother-in-law has this and I've been wanting one too"........

"My church is studying this book, I've been buying them whenever I can find them"......

"This is perfect for my granddaughter's first birthday party. It's the exact colors we need. I'll put it on the table right in front of her"......

"How much is that? I've been looking for one"......

"My grandson has been wanting one of these to use at kindergarden"....

"You have three of them? Perfect for my grandchildren, they are 2, 4, and 6. They can all three play together"......

"My friend's son keeps borrowing mine. I'm going to get this for him so he can have his own".......

"I want to come back and buy the whole box".....

"My cousin needs these, I'm getting them for her".......

I absolutely loved seeing so many people happy with their "little surprises" (what Noah calls it when I pick up something for him at a garage sale). It was sweet to see them smiling as they held their treasures and walked down the driveway. I felt blessed to be a blessing.

It's a girl!

I am rejoicing with my friend Sherrie , who is thirteen days away from flying to China to bring home her new adopted daughter, Sophia. Rick and Sherrie have waited patiently for many long months to add this little Asian princess to their family. I love the scripture on her blog,

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west"

Isaiah 43:5

Sophie will immediately become a little sister to four brothers. How loved and protected she will be!

Congratulations Sherrie! Can't wait to meet Sophie!

Petra is home

My car has finally been repaired from the accident I had Father's Day weekend. The insurance company took two months to finally "conclude their investigation". Apparantly the guy who hit me had been using his truck for work purposes, and was hauling wood or something in the trailer that caused him to lose control. I thought the insurance folks were trying to find a way to deny coverage all around, but just as I started getting estimates on my own to file through my carrier, they sent a check. So, I dropped off my wounded Petra for a week's worth of repairs. In the meantime, I drove this....

A Jeep Commander, very cool. Three sunroofs. The babies had sunroofs. Three row seating, too. That was awesome, all that room.

So anyway, I have my Petra back home safe and sound. She is the proud receiptient of a brand new window, mirror, and door. Charlie's Paint and Body Shop did a great job. Everyone was friendly and all my questions about the insurance were patiently answered. They painted the door three times to get the right shade and blend with the rest of the car. The car's been washed and vacuumed. Yea, Charlie is great. He even licked my toes every time I was there. Here's Charlie....

Kindergarden

My sweet boy started kindergarden this week. Here are pics from his first day of school. He said he was a little nervous at first, but then "got brave" and liked it. His teacher seems great. She even offered the moms reassuring hugs as we all left our children, teary-eyed, in her care.

This year is a double whammy for me; I have a son starting his first year of school and a son starting his last. Bookends to childhood education. Oh, how meaningful. And it pulls on my heart.











And a video from Noah's first school bus ride!

Toys Toys Toys

Noah and Isaac now have "quiet time" together, time for Noah to rest, and for Isaac to play in his crib while he enjoys the company of his big brother. I suppose Noah thought Isaac was a little bored during quiet time, so he went to the toy box in the closet to retrieve a baby toy or two.

Isaac's hero, indeed. :)