Big Girl

Abigail is now 10 months old. Things change so quickly from month to month. She is walking a lot faster and wants to keep up with everything her big brother is doing. She is such a joy and brings smiles to everyone that she meets.

Here are some things she has enjoyed doing this month:

putting my phone up to her ear and pretending to talk on it while walking around the room

pulling the toliet paper off the roll

pulling books off the bookshelf

giving hugs and wet, slobbery kisses :)

clapping when she wants more to eat

drinking apple juice from a bottle or sippy cup

taking a bath

reading books

singing

playing outside

going for walks in the stroller or in my mei tai wrap

having her first ice cream cone

meeting her cousin Miko

giving

kisses

to

Miko

Meeting Miko

Fumiko Alice Rawlings was born April 12th at 3:33 p.m. She is such a bundle of sweetness.

Abigail

pats

those

she

loves.

Samuel

loves

his

cousin.

Buffalo

Bill

in

CO?

I miss Heather, Jay and Miko already! An eight hour drive seems too far when you have a little neice who is changing, getting cuter and doing new things everyday. Samuel loved spending time with his aunt and uncle. He also loved giving his cousin lots of kisses. And we found out Abigail wants to pat you on the head if she likes you. I am thankful that we got to spend a week with Heather, Jay and Miko. And look forward to the next time we will get to see eachother.

Boulder Falls

Samuel quote of the month:

"You know, God helps us worship Him."

That's so true, Samuel. We can't fully worship God without His help.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year again with the Martin's. Samuel had fun being a part of the Easter egg hunt and was excited to find candy and money inside his eggs. Our landlord Cindy is an amazing cook and this year she made a turkey and ham dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, rolls, carrots and much more! It was all delicious.

Abigail is 9 months old now and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. At her 9 month check up she weighed 18.3 lbs. and was 27.5 inches long. She loves playing with her brother and thinks he is the best! She also wants to try whatever we are eating. Her pediatrician said she can have whatever we eat as long as it doesn't look like a choking hazard. And no honey until after her 1st birthday. So we have been introducing her to lots of new foods.

Children of Peace

God is peace. We can be sure that Christ is found wherever His peace is. Where peace is there also are the reaches of His kingdom. Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Peace is a landing strip for Gods word. He releases His words to us on the fertile soil of His peace where it is sure to bear good fruit. James 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Peace is our umpire. It helps us discern what is from God and what is not. There is no peace for the wicked. The wicked hordes of hell and the kingdom of darkness are ruled by fear. When our peace has escaped us we can be sure that an enemy spy is in our camp whispering conspiring lies from Hell. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,…….

Peace is a guardian. It guards our hearts and minds in Christ from everything that is not of Him. Thoughts are gates to heaven and hell. When our thoughts are not taken captive to the obedience of Christ a gate to hell is open. When our thoughts align with Christ all the doors to hell are shut and peace reigns. Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace is a foundation on which God builds His kingdom. God will add to and build further where peace is a foundation. Everything built on peace will stand and all other ground is shifting sand. If we build upon an idea or a word spoken where peace did not underlay, that structure will without a doubt collapse. Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

We rule and reign in peace. When we are seated with Christ the enemy is under our feet. Our peace is only taken when we leave our eternal inheritance of sitting with Christ in heavenly places. Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Each Moment

I feel very blessed when I sit back and look at the children the Lord has given us. As Samuel is growing and maturing I wonder what his desires will be as he gets older. Will he continue to love sports, playing instruments and reading stories with his Mommy? Right now he gets excited about the littlest things in life. Or should I say the things that seem small to me. Going to the library, watching a movie, getting a piece of candy, getting a new toy: all these things that seem small to me are exciting to him.

I feel the Lord is showing me through my son to enjoy the small things in life. Often I am looking forward to certain events. Or waiting for this tribulation or that trial to end. And when that event happens or that trial is over what then? The Lord wants me to take each moment as it comes. Looking for Him in the midst of it. Enjoying the moment with Him. No matter how insignifcant something may seem in my eyes, EVERYTHING is significant to Him.

I imagine a child trying to get his moms attention while she is glued to the t.v. or a book. The child says, "Hey mom, I want to show you something!" And the mom says, "Just a minute..."

Sometimes I see myself as that mom and God is trying to get my attention like the child. God is saying, "Look over here, Jessica I want to share this hidden treasure with you! Won't you pay attention for a moment so I can share it with you?"

God is in each moment and circumstance hoping that we will turn to Him, look into His eyes of love and draw near.

I want to pay attention. I don't want to miss one moment.

i try to unload the dishes before she gets there, but she's pretty fast

fuzzy hair

this is what he did when we told him to smile :)

Abigail Walking at 9 months

Like Brother Like Sister

8 months & walking!

The Race