Art Show and Strawberries

This weekend we went to my cousin's art show and to visit Nana and Papaw and celebrate
another cousin's new baby (more pictures coming later this week). I love what R has done with her art--she has grown so much as an artist these past few years!

















Checking out Papaw's strawberry patch, yum yum!

Roomba Delight

I love my Roomba. I have the pet-cleaning series from Sam's Club. It was about $250 (yes, an investment, but much less than the $600 versions you see elsewhere). It is magical. I press the power button before I go to bed at night, and when I wake up in the morning the floors are clean and Roomba is back on the power-charging station. I have added about three hours to my week thanks to this little gizmo. (Because when you have three long-haired dogs in your house, you have to vacuum at least every other day to keep up with the hair.) The Roomba is not completely maintenance free. Each morning I empty the bin and clean the brushes. It takes about three minutes. And the Roomba has not completely replaced my Dyson (which I still love, it is definitely the best at picking up pet hair). Obviously the Roomba can't move dining room chairs and get into crevices, so about once a month I have to pull out the Dyson for those tasks. But overall, I am very satisfied.

What I'm Listening To

Here's a list of some of my favorite albums right now. Any suggestions for new artists to try?

Laura Story, Great God Who Saves and Blessings
Passion, White Flag
Gungor, Beautiful Things
Christy Nockels, Into the Glorious
Audrey Assad, The House You're Building
Selah, Hope of the Broken World
David Crowder Band, Give Us Rest
Need to Breathe, The Reckoning

Easter in Pictures

Off to church we go


We had Honey and Poppa over for a non-traditional Easter cook-out


We went super-casual this year, and the Gent made a masterpiece burger


I did make a fancy and yummy dessert - devil's food cake layered with mint chocolate chip ice cream, topped with chocolate ganache, whipped cream, and mint chocolate bits


Annie reading her new book, one of her gifts from Honey and Poppa


Easter basket from Mama and Daddy (play clothes, yogurt snacks, a puzzle, Harold and the Purple Crayon, and The Carrot Seed)


Honey has been working hard on refurbishing and painting this little kitchen set that Papaw made for her and her sisters when they were little! She and Poppa brought it over yesterday and Annie is having so much fun!!


Busy busy baby

Trip to See Family

Last weekend we went to see the Gent's side of the family. Annie had fun showing off her new skills and she chattered away the entire weekend. Now if only we could understand all that she is saying. ;)

Granny brought her an Easter bunny


Annie looked at the bunny and then went straight for the gift bag


Thanks, Granny!


Papa Rick and Bebe's new dog, Rudy. So so sweet.


Playing ball with Bebe and Granny


Fun times!


Hi, Aunt Sandra - I think Annie's teething again. Lots of finger-sucking going on around here.


Banquet at church


This pose makes me laugh, I don't know what she is doing!


My mini-me


What's on Bebe's plate? Annie wants some. :)


Sleepy Annie and Papa Rick

Not Much to Say

We did not see any change on today's ultrasound. I have decided to wait and let my body work naturally instead of medical intervention. It is hard to wait (doctor said it could be several weeks) but I know that is the best course of action for me. We are sad. At the same time, we've been down this loss road before, and we know eventually you get through to the other side. We are thankful for the life God gave us; we know all life is sacred in His sight. Please continue to pray for us, specifically for the miscarriage to go smoothly and not require medical intervention, for healing for our hearts, and for us to be reminded over and over again that God is faithful.

Psalm 62, by Aaron Keyes

My soul finds rest in God alone
My Rock and my salvation,
A fortress strong against my foes
And I will not be shaken
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse
And lies like arrows pierce me
I'll fix my heart on righteousness
I'll look to Him who hears me

O praise Him, hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

Find rest, my soul, in God alone
Amid the world's temptations
When evil seeks to take a hold
I'll cling to my salvation
Though riches come and riches go
Don't set your heart upon them
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven

O praise Him, hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

I'll set my gaze on God alone
And trust in Him completely
With every day pour out my soul
And He will prove His mercy
Though life is but a fleeting breath
A sigh too brief to measure
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever

O praise Him, hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah

O praise Him, hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God