Prom Pose

Guess who finally went out on a date last night?


Annie got in on a photo but she stayed with Aunt Tessie.


Wonderful to enjoy an evening out with my hubby! I can't remember the last time we had a two-hour dinner. We should do this more often. ;)

Our Weekend

Bebe and Papa Rick came for a visit. Along with Honey and Poppa, they helped us with a big, big project! (see before and after photos below)










We dug up old and/or dead trees and shrubs, transplanted boxwoods and monkey grass, spread topsoil, tilled it in, and laid sod. The yard is looking fabulous! The Gent and I are working on cleaning out flower beds, too. Then we just need to mulch them and that will be all until spring.

Jumperoo Fun

Technology Upgrade

This phone and I have been buddies for four years. We've been through a lot together. But I've finally decided to upgrade to one of these shiny new toys:



It does all kinds of fancy things, they tell me. Guess I'll figure them out someday!

We Remember

September 11 is a day of public and private remembrance for us.

We join with our country in remembering those who died on September 11, 2001. We remember the ordinary people who became heroes. We remember their families. We honor their memory by pausing for a day to remember.

In church yesterday, the pastor reminded us of how many places in Scripture God calls us to remember. Remember, lest we forget. Remember His deliverance, remember His wonders, remember His mercy, remember His sacrifice.

The pastor also talked about hope. We tend to treat hope as a verb, "I hope we win" or "I hope it works out." In the Bible, hope is a noun. Hope is a sure thing. He read these verses from Lamentations 3 that I have meditated on over and over again:

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

Hope is a certainty with our Lord. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. And when He comes, every tear will be wiped away. There will be no more death or suffering. In Him, all will be made new and all will be made right. In the end, justice does triumph over evil. Judgment will come. Heaven is real. But so is hell.

September 11 is also a day for the Gent and I to remember Noel's life, on what would have been our baby's birthday. We thank the Lord for our first baby and the gift of life. We praise Him for His faithfulness to us. We thank Him for His steadfastness and His mercy. We don't dwell on what might have been, but simply thank the Lord for what is. Even when we don't understand, God is good, and His love endures forever.

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for our friends Jacob and Shanna. Their little boy, Elijah, was born yesterday and is at peace in heaven now. Pray for their comfort and strength as they continue to glorify the name of the Lord in all circumstances.

Annie's First Food!

We decided on sweet potatoes as Annie's first food. I wrapped them in foil and baked them for 45 minutes, then pureed them in the food processor. I froze several portions, too.




She's ready! Nick thinks around the high chair is going to be a good place to be.




She got the hang of it pretty quickly. At first she thought she needed to suck her fingers to help her swallow. She was pretty darn cute, of course.








Very, very upset when the sweet potatoes were gone.




We tried the sippy cup, too.


All in all, a pretty successful adventure!