March 2016

March 3rd

Love this boy : )

Springtime is in full bloom at our house!

Longer and warmer days make our hearts happy : )

First time in the swing and loving it!

I have enjoyed teaching through the Bible with my kids. This month they learned about the Patriarchs. This is an alter we made out of rocks (newspaper) while talking about Abraham and Isaac. I have created a separate blog as a resource to encourage others as they seek to train their children.

**Kids Era Blog HERE**

Kids had a "Daddy fun night" so I could have a girls night out...

I enjoyed the Winter Jam Tour with some amazing ladies in our life group. 

I love doing life together!

Note to self: Don't leave the car door open...even for a second

Looks like a scene from Toy Story

New PJs and Toothbrushes

Bedtime is a fun part of our day full of reading Bible stories, singing hymns, and lots of snuggles.

Comparison pic Benjamin and Judah (3 months)

Undeniably brothers

Happy Retirement to my Dad!

He is a very accomplished man and has dedicated the past 37 years to Eastman Chemical Company. Now it's time for his favorite things: Wood-working, kayaking, fishing, and seeing more of his grandkids (and daughter). This is his "last day of school" picture : )

I always love having my parents come visit us! 

My dad got to stay the whole week this time since he didn't have to rush back to work

Exploring the Botanic Gardens

I was thankful to have my parents in town while Benjamin had his surgery. 

He enjoyed the extra TLC.

Judah is starting to giggle - it's so cute!

Yep...lots of "man glitter" going on this month as Frank is wrapping up the construction of the guest house. We are on target to be finished in a couple weeks! 

My dad worked hard all week to help us get the house prepped for painting. 

Happy retirement...Ha!

I honestly think Benjamin will be disappointed when the guest house is completed. However I'm sure there will be plenty of other projects starting soon.

Hannah "helped" too

These brothers had their share of doctors and hospitals this month

Judah's three month cardiology follow up for his VSD (hole between his ventricles)

We found out it has healed! Praise God! 

Benjamin had his umbilical hernia repaired. The LeBohneur team was amazing and we are so thankful to have one of the best children's hospitals right here in Memphis. 

Popsicle in recovery...it was a rough day.

After a couple of days and a lot of TLC Benjamin was feeling back to himself again, but this time with a "new belly button" which he is slowly starting to accept.

Feeling better just in time for an Easter Egg hunt with our neighbors

(Benjamin showing off his golden egg)

3rd Annual Baby Swap Easter Egg hunt

I love seeing how these kids have grown

I think we have a egg-hog on our hands

Easter Egg hunts and dressing up are fun but not at all what Easter is about.

He is Risen!

**Check out our Holy Week activities HERE**

Easter Sunday

Corrie Ann and Hannah

Egg hunt at Nana and Pops' house with the cousins

Nana and Pops with their five grandkids

A Full February

Judah is growing fast.

He is holding his head up,

 interacting with toys,

and loving his bumbo seat.

Did I mention he is sleeping through the night now?! 

I feel like a new woman : )

We've had some warmer days this month and have enjoyed getting out of the house

Judah asleep in the wrap while we were out

Love these boys!

Hannah enjoys sitting in Frank's lap at breakfast.

"Bite please"

We had a nice visit with Mamaw and Papaw

(Judah 2 months & Papaw 96 years)

How blessed to be fed by your great-grandmother!

Our church partnered with Mission of Mercy to provide free dental care to thousands of under-served in the mid-south. Frank volunteered as a translator. He said it's the coolest thing he's ever seen on the Bellevue Campus. So proud of our church for hosting this event!

I've realized trying to take a picture of 3 kids is not an easy task...

...but I managed to get a few good ones this month

Even got a pic with their twin cousins Henry and Oliver!

Benjamin and Hannah now share a bunkbed that my dad built.

It takes a little longer for them to settle down for nap/bedtime but they enjoy being together.

Despite the winter months, our chickens have been in full production. We get around 8-10 eggs a day (from 12 chickens). We sold 10 dozen eggs this month - that doesn't include all the eggs we ate as a family.

Corrie Ann and Hannah

They are so cute together. 

They are good friends, just like their brothers!

Benjamin has taken on vacuuming this month (whoo hoo!)

One day he said, "Mommy, can you please pick up the toys in the playroom so that I can vacuum?" And to that I replied "Yes sir!"

Benjamin has now learned his first 12 catechisms! 

We celebrated by going out for ice cream

LOVE!

We had a scare this month when Benjamin's umbilical hernia became strangulated. The blood flow had been cut off from a loop of his intestines and it was a dangerous situation. Benjamin was in a lot of pain and Frank rushed him to the ER. God answered prayers quickly as blood flow was able to be restored and we dodged an emergent surgery. 

Another prayer answered was that Benjamin stayed very calm throughout the episode and allowed the doctors/nurses to examine him and perform the necessary tests. This was HUGE for Benjamin as he typically requires much prep for doctor visits. He will be having a hernia repair surgery at Lebohneur on March 17th.

Guest House Update:

Installing hardwood floors

I even helped a little while all 3 kids were napping

Beautiful!

Still needs to be sanded and stained

Tile floor in the bathroom

Stairs in progress

Benjamin has enjoyed helping Frank as he can. 

I think he will be disappointed when it's all finished but he will be the only one!

February 28th we dedicated Judah to the Lord. This is not for salvation but rather a public statement that Frank and I commit to raising Judah according to God's Word and His ways. 

We were honored that Frank's parents could be with us for this special day

Three other families in our life group also dedicated their kids. 

We love doing life with these friends!

One of the main ways we honor our commitment to raising our kids in the Lord is to give them a foundation in God's Word. I was inspired by the Spirit to teach our kids the Bible using the eras. This month we focused on the Creation Era. I created a separate blog where I posted about all the activities I did this month with our kids. My prayer is that it will not be used to compare but encourage other families to disciple their children God's Word. You can check it out HERE