"Fall down riser"

Last Sunday, when my parents were here, we had a very exciting time after the service taking Karis to the immediate care because she "fall down riser." At the school, we always have to move the risers for the service. The children love to play on them after we move them back while we are picking up other things. It hasn't worried us very much because they are usually very careful. Karis must have missed a step because all I remember is Jonathan picking her up off the floor and bringing her to me. She started crying and when I looked at her chin, I new why. She had a pretty deep cut and it was bleeding. Needless to say, we took her to the immediate care to make sure she didn't need stitches. I tried to reassure her while we were waiting that the doctor would fix it, and she was okay until we actually saw the doctor. My parents were wonderful through it all.

Karis showing off her band aide.

I bought butterfly band aides to help it heal better, and Karis kept saying "no touch."

Family Reunion in Texas

On Tuesday, April 10, Karis and I flew to Texas. Justin's dad and step mom, Pop Pop and Grammie, picked us up at the airport. We visited with them, his sister, and his grandparents until Thursday.

Karis got a really fun filled Easter basket from her Aunt Courtney. She really enjoyed playing with the bunny ears. She had a lot of fun playing with Pop Pop and Grammie. She also enjoyed her time at Papou and Mamou's house.

My parents picked us up in Beaumont on Thursday. I did get to see Laura for a few minutes. It was a short visit, but at least I did get to give her a hug.


Madison, Brooklynn, and Karis enjoyed playing with one another at Papa John and 'Amma's house on Thursday afternoon. We got all packed and we ready for our trip to McKinney for the Rehms' family reunion, this is my mom's two sisters and all their children and grandchildren. It was a lot of fun to see everyone, but Karis had a hard time being around all those new people. Mama, as I am now called, had to be very close at hand for the entire trip.

Karis and Brooklynn decided the bookshelves were great places to play. They really got to enjoy each other's company by the time we left.

We stayed at my parents house Monday and Tuesday. Monday night I got to go eat dinner with five of my college friends. It was wonderful to see them all and to share what God has been doing in all our lives.

Wednesday we left really early to head back to North Carolina. It was a very hard two day trip. Karis was wonderful and didn't have any accidents. Thank goodness for DVD players! My parents just left this morning after staying a week with us. More to come on that.

Still Here

I wanted to let all of you guys know that I am still here. Karis and I made a trip to Texas, and we just got back late Thursday. We had a wonderful time with our family and I will post pictures and more later.
God has been so good to us, and I am so glad to be home. Being away from Justin for 10 days was too long!

Ponder the CROSS

Today is such an amazing and agonizing day in the life of every person who knows Christ as Savior. I am humbled by God's love for man to put His only Son up as a sacrifice for our sins. I am also relieved that God's wrath has been averted from me to Christ by God placing Jesus as our sacrificial Lamb. We do not deserve the cross, but God in His mercy and love used the cross to appease His wrath for sin and to grant us forgiveness through Christ.
I pray that as you go about the day that you will ponder the cross. Ponder Christ's pain, obedience, humbleness, submissiveness, and love. Ponder our God who proved Himself righteous to all by not overlooking sins anymore. Ponder what a great gospel we should incorporate in every aspect of our lives. Ponder the cross today!

Stickers are so fun!

Who knew stickers could be so much fun? I bought Karis some stickers at Wal-Mart the other day, and she spent the afternoon sticking them to the paper and then her leg. She thought it was very funny!

The mind of a child really is a precious thing. Karis continues to amaze me. God continues to teach me patience for Karis with potty training, for some children it really is an on-going process. For two months now we haven't had any accidents, and just in the last few days, we have had three big ones. I can at least be thankful that she only has accidents at home and not out in public! I need to remind myself that she is only two, two and two months. No matter what she is a blessing, and I love every moment I get to spend with her.