Happy Birthday Mary Stewart

Happy 3rd Birthday Mary Stewart

We are thankful for your sweet & loving nature and the ability you have to make us all feel so loved and special.  It warms my heart to see you love Anna Caroline the way you do.

You certainly are a social butterfly and love all things princess so a princess breakfast was in order.

It is evident you are loved.  We are thankful for our family and friends who continue to pour into you.

Oh how you have taught me so much.  You continue to bring me to my knees for God to grant me the wisdom to love you well, to nurture your spirit, to raise you in home that loves the Lord first, and of course some days it's for extra patience (sadly you get your dramatics from your mother).

My do you love your daddy and boy does he love you.  There certainly is a sweet bond there.  There is something to be said for the way a daddy loves his little girl.  I pray for you both and that bond continues for the years to come.  I know there will be days where a daddy's love will be the one thing that will fix it all.  Very parallel to the way the Father loves us.

You are so fortunate to have such a large extended family that loves you so!  We are thankful that you have been able to know and love your great grandparents.  The saying "It takes a village" is certainly true. You are so blessed to have so many aunts, uncles, grandparents, and "adopted" family to embrace you as you grow.

Thank you Mary Stewart for the privilege of being you mommy.  May I never take it for granted what a blessing and gift you are.

 

Life's a Beach

Oh the beach.  So much happiness wrapped up in one word "beach."  We just got back from a wonderful trip with Matthew's family ( I started writing this a month ago). This trip has been in the works since the spring, but it couldn't have come at a more perfect time.  Thankful that in the Lord's provision he new we needed this trip at the end of the summer.   I have come to the conclusion that September might be my favorite month to visit.  It's not as hot, crowds have gone home and it's just calmer.

The only guaranteed time that all of Matthew's family is together is Christmas morning, and as families grow,  I know that's not always going to be a guarantee either.  It had been since Christmas since we had all been together.  What a great trip.  The house was beautiful, the company amazing, beach was perfect and the food was great too!

Anna Caroline wasn't a fan on the pool.  I think it has something to do with her being contained.  She's a free bird for sure!  The beach suited her perfectly.  She could romp around to her delight.

Mary Stewart loved it all.  Mainly ALL the attention from her aunts and uncles.

I walked away with a couple of things from this beach trip:

1.  I am ready for someone else to start having kids!!!  We need cousins!

2.  If we are going to get Dee Dee out of the kitchen (we all divided up meals, but she didn't listen) we are going to have to tie her up!

3.  I want a house in Watercolor.  Not too much to ask right?

Thank you Pa Pa and Dee Dee for a great trip filled with sweet memories!

* Sadly the only photos I ended up with were from my phone- forgive the quality*

 

All Who Are Thirsty

Yesterday at church we sang a short little song and it was just exactly what I've been feeling, longing for, and knowing.

Last week it dawned on me.  I am weary.  Weary for many reasons.  Two small active children.  A child who has needed lots of discipline and attention lately.  Weary trying to do it all: bible study, exercise, keeping a house.  Weary because of grieving. Weary because of the sin that rears it's ugly head.  However though I'm weary I cling to the truth that the Lord will give me the rest I need; true rest in Him.

Lately it seems everyone I am close to is carrying a burden, and even those I am not.  It is real.

Hope these words will find comfort with you too.

"All who are thirsty, all who are weak,

Come to the fountain; dip your heart in the stream of life.

Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away

In the waves of his mercy, 

As deep cries out to deep, we sing:

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Holy Spirit, come.

Holy Spirit, come."

I promise cute pics from the beach soon, and somebody has a birthday around the corner......

Preschool

Mary Stewart started preschool this year! We enrolled in the Tuesday/ Thursday class. She is loving it & hasn't looked back yet!! I am thankful for this. I was worried because we really didn't know many children going into this class & most of Mary Stewarts besties are all in a class together. Silly me! My social bug hasn't batted an eye. We have 2 great teachers in a class of 10. As I dropped Mary Stewart off on her first day, I was telling her " I want you to have a happy heart Mary Stewart and obey your teachers. I love you!". She hugged me, gave me a kiss and said "I love and miss you mom." I want to remember all of these sweet moments forever!
Later that afternoon Matt texted me to see how the morning went & if there were tears on either of our parts! I couldn't believe I didn't get weepy; probably because I was too busy trying to get out the door!

Mary Stewart continues to have such a sweet & loving disposition. 

We are excited for preschool!

Mary Stewart & I in her new classroom.  Not concerned with taking pictures.

Daddy & Mary Stewart before school!

Dee Dee was in town and enjoyed first day of school smiles with Mary Stewart!