HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTI!!!

AttentionWorld:

Today is my sweet sister's birthday! I dare not tell you her age for fear of her wrath, but even though she's my older sister, many would venture to say that I am the older one! She's tiny, spunky, active, hilarious, tender, and beautiful. I could go on, but it would take all day! She understand's me in a way only a good sister can. She's always been there for me with no questions asked. So, Christi, I love so very much, and I hope you have the best day celebrating your birth today!!!

She Walks!

My baby Annalee decided on Saturday the 17th of March, 2007, that she was going to walk. She held on to the door, pushed it away from her as if saying "I don't need this anymore!", and walked into the kitchen, like it was an everyday occurance! I've thought for the last 3 months that she would walk any day, but she wanted to do it in her own time. She's so very cute, and because she's a little smaller than average, it looks like she should be too little to be walking! I was so excited for her accomplishment, but in a way it was bittersweet. This is literally her first steps as she grows and develops and eventually won't need me to hold her hand and help her. My mind races forward to when she's grown, and I can't stand it! I pray that the Lord would help me to remember and record these milestones in life. I want to enjoy every stage of life with both of my girls. I don't want to look back and see that I rushed them through just because life can get stressful at times. They are sweet sweet children and the Lord has given them to us as the most precious gifts.

sisters

not sure how to turn the picture!

I love watching my girls play together. I like to see how Paige can make Annalee belly laugh like no one else can. It makes me so thankful that God allowed us to have them and that they have each other. What a sweet God to give us sisters! Siblings in general I guess, but there's something so precious about sisters that is personal, obviously because I only have sisters! Paige and Annalee are only 22 mos. apart, so they are inevitably close by age. But, I can see already how Paige mothers her sister and loves on her and even protects her. I pray that they have this bond forever and that the Lord one day draws them to Himself so they can share an even more intimate part of themselves with one another. I know that my sisters are such a blessing to me and there's a connection that is matchless to anything else. I love that they will grow up together and be silly, and laugh, and cry, and mature and struggle even. I look forward to watching the Lord walk them through life and really can't believe He's chosen me to parent such beautiful beings! What a huge responsibility. Good thing I rely on Him and not myself or else we could have one big mess on our hands! The Lord has truly blessed us.

Tears for missing pieces

Tonight I sat alone as Annie went to bed with a headache. I began reading some websites and came across one in particular about children with autism. I sat listening to a music video at http://www.frinkfest.com/ where I heard a song about a child who was born with autism and how it affected the family around him. In a matter of minutes I was crying asking God why do I have to choose whether to serve him or these children. It was clear that answer right now comes somewhat poetic from the movie Amazing Grace where William Wilberforce is asked that it seems he is having a hard time choosing to serve God or politics. He was encouraged to do both. I guess I always feel my days at school are not what they really are according to scripture. The acts of eating drinking or yes even teaching...all for the glory of God. I cry more than most men I am sure, not knowing why, if I just have a week heart or a broken one, but either way it makes me delight in knowing I cry for what I know is the will of God for me...today.

What I won't walk for...

Dear family and friends,
It's clear that I have been doing a lot of practice walking these days, but I am still reluctant to step out on my own. My mom and dad have tried bribes like french fries, crackers, cookies, and even themselves but right now...I am still doing things my way. If you have any hints for them feel free to give them to them. On the positive note, I'm not holding back on talking and have learned this new fun word called "no." It's really cool. I'm sure I'll share it with you some time.
AGP

Who is that teenager in our house!

Last night I was sitting at the computer desk feeling very sick fighting a sinus infection when around the corner walked our teenage 3 year old. I looked at said to her, "what are you doing? She with the utmost sincerity looked at me tilted her head and replied, "I just finished my bath and need to dry my hair," as if I had asked the most ridiculous question ever. It amazes me how much she grows by the minute these days. I guess we'll start planning high school graduation soon...but not yet.