thinking of the fair

Hello Friends,

It's been a while.  I can't believe we are already into September.  A lot has happened in the past few weeks.  Some really great things and some really difficult things.  Today though, I want to take a break from it all and recall the particularly happy time we had at the state fair a few weekends back.  We went with family on a sunny Sunday afternoon.  Ernie loved looking at the tractors and he even tried his first snow cone :).  It was the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer.  

It's been a while

Hi there!  Has it really been over a month since I wrote?  Wow, where has time gone?  Anyways, a lot has been going this past month.  The two biggest milestones: 

1.We moved. 

Where did we move to?  Well, we are currently searching for a place in the cities.  It helps that my husband is a real estate agent :).  Also, while we are awaiting the right home for our family we are staying with family in Zimmerman.  It has been such a blessing!  I'm thankful for their hospitality, love, and care. Ernie has been loving it too.  He's getting awfully fond of the pups and seeing grandpa, grandma and uncle Jordan every day!  The sad news about moving is Miss Gemma moved out too.  It isn't goodbye yet though.  She won't be leaving for a couple of months.  She moved in with her aunt and mom to spend time with family before she returns to Thailand.  

Here's a belated photo of a beach day with the lovely lady:

 2.Earnest turned 11 months old (he's almost ONE YEAR OLD!).

 He is looking and acting a whole lot like a toddler.  Do you see all of those teeth?  He's been a hoot.  He has been keeping me busy with crawling, pulling up on things (almost walking!), making animal noises, trying lots of new foods (he pretty much eats what we eat now), blowing kisses, swimming in the pool, and being as silly as ever.  I'll share more pictures soon, I promise :).

I hope you all have been enjoying summer and all of the fun this season brings.  

Much Love,

Jen

On Father's Day

Dearest Joshua,

Today we celebrate your first year being a dad.  What a year it has been!  You are an amazing man and role model for Earnest.  Thank you for being such a hard worker, an excellent provider, and a fierce protector.  Thank you for unconditionally loving us and leading us.  You are setting a Godly example for our son that will impact him for years to come.  I am thankful to God that you are called to be Earnest's father!  My heart is overflowing as we celebrate you today!  We love you papa!

XO,

Jen and Ernie

Here you are with Ernie in the first days.  You look so proud!

And here you are with Earnest most recently.  Still looking as proud as ever.

a birthday gift

My handsome husband's birthday was a few weeks back.  To celebrate his 27th year Earnest decided to give his papa something special.  Josh got to feed Ernie his first solid food!  I'm not sure who enjoyed the experience more :).  

Here's a glimpse of the exciting occasion:

Earnest was very eager to eat whatever was on the spoon.  However, when the liquidy stuff (it was mostly milk with just a sprinkle of rice cereal) finally entered his mouth he wasn't quite sure what to think!

After a few more spoonfuls though; he really liked it!

 The whole event came to a climactic end as Ernie reached for the rice cereal and dumped the rest of the bowl all over the table.  And that was that.

There's no use crying over spilt milk.

Well, I did it.  I cried over spilt milk.  Breast milk actually.  Spilt all over the fridge.  Let's just say Saturday was a rough day.  It started out just fine; I attended Saturday school with Jemimah while Josh was able to spend some quality time at home with the boy.  When I got home we were planning on rushing out the door again to run errands.  We had A LOT to do that day.  Everything got put on hold though when I came home and saw pools of white in the fridge.  And because the husband and I got into an argument about it.  Kind of a big argument that involved saying things we didn't mean, blaming one another, and (me) playing the victim.  We hadn't had an argument like that in years.  We had turned something small into something monumental.  We hadn't believed the best about each other and we hadn't remembered that we were supposed to be one, and on the same team, as God has called us.  We forgave each other and found forgiveness in the Lord as well.  And after it got resolved we laughed about its origins.  Milk.  Really?  Well, I'm thankful for forgiveness that's for sure.  And, I'm thankful that God has a way of slowing us down and working on our hearts.  Even if it means spilling our milk.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

-Colossians 3:12-13

she's a mrs.!

I am proud to announce that my little sister got married on Friday!  It was an unseasonably warm January day...perfect for outdoor photos.  I snapped only a few photos being that I was the matron of honor :).  Their photographer was amazing and I can't wait to see how he captured their day!  I used my mom's camera; so unfortunately I won't be able to share the few shots I took for awhile.  

Here is an instagram pic of the happy couple to hold you over:

I'm smiling just looking at these two and remembering their wonderful day!  My heart is full!

Happy New Year!

We just got back from a long, relaxing weekend at the cabin.  Our bags remain unpacked (but that can wait until tomorrow).  We had a grand ol' time celebrating the New Year with family.  

Here are a few photos from our New Year's Eve:
Jemimah and her friend Leah

there was a bit of silliness before the clock struck twelve

Earnest didn't make it to midnight to bring in the New Year with us (he actually went to bed quite early at 6!).  However, he was bright eyed and ready to celebrate the following morning!

Happy New Year Friends!