Family Time

A few pictures of the grandparents with my kids!  My parents live 7-8 hours away from us so we cherish the times we get to see them!  

My dad thought Hays' hat was the cutest - and I couldn't agree more!

We love our Pappy and YaYa!

Lucy Day

I'm playing MAJOR catch up on the blog!  So sorry it's been so long!  I had to have a scheduled c-section with our son Hays so we knew the exact day we would have him!  I wanted to make the last few days special with Lucy, so we declared our last Saturday together Lucy Day!  We wanted to do all fun things that she loved to do!

We started the letting her pick our her breakfast - she chose pretzels and applesauce!  Then, we went outside and played in her car!  

She loves that thing!

After that, we went to the United Methodist church where they have an indoor playground.  I didn't get any pictures because I was too busy chasing her around making sure she didn't get hurt in the super tall play place!  

We took her to lunch at ChickFilA.  I'm not sure if that's her favorite restaurant or her daddy's!  And of course, we HAD to share a cookies and cream milkshake!  "Shakes" are one of her favorite things - and I can't blame her!

We came home for naps and that afternoon we went to the park!  I think that is DEFINITELY her very favorite thing in the world!  

We just wanted to make the day all about Lucy since we knew in a  few short days, her world would be rocked by a new little brother!  

"Family"

I have been extremely weepy today.  Blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but Jesus has been wrecking my heart lately.  The last 9 weeks on Tuesday mornings, I have been listening to my friend Kathy Howard teach her study Unshakeable Faith.   

 

It has been so challenging.  This last week we focused on a very important faith trait: be connected to a local church body with love and service.  Kathy talks about Peter's life in this study, how Jesus transforms his life.  

Kathy says, "During a post-resurrection appearance, Jesus specifically emphasized the connection between loving Him and loving those who belong to Him (see John 21:15-17).  Right after breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asked Peter 3 times if Peter loved Him.  Three times he said, "Yes, Lord."  And all three times Jesus replied with a command for Peter to care for His "sheep."  Jesus made sure Peter got it: to love Jesus is to love and care for His body, the church."

The 5 1/2 years Jared and I have been married we have lived far away from family.  But because of our church, we DO have family here.  Our church is our family.  We have been SO incredibly blessed to be where we are, in the church we are in.  

But, I was also very convicted by the study this week.  What am I doing to care and love on others in our church and our community?  I am not perfect, the church is not perfect, but we should be striving to do what Jesus says, "care for my sheep."  

Kathy says, "Jesus commanded us to love each other like He loves us.  Deeply, unselfishly, with the other's best interests at heart.  In this way, Jesus used His body, the local church, to love His children.  He cares for us, comforts us, provides for us, and encourages us through the hands and feet -- the lives -- of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  In order to give and receive Christ's love like God commands, we must have a vital connection to a local church body."    

This is a picture of our growing family (with our little boy in my tummy)!  But Jared and I feel very called to foster/adopt.  We have NO idea what this means for us, we just know that our family isn't complete.  Jesus was GRACIOUS enough to adopt me into His family, I just feel called to add another member of our family that way too.  I think this is why our family and our church means so much to us.  

If you are reading this and don't have a church home, I encourage you to find one.  If you live in our area, come check out our church - The Woodlands First Baptist Church, Birnham Woods Campus.  We are an imperfect people but we would love to be part of your family!