Sweet Sounds

I am not feeling totally up to par today, with the weather changing from hot to cold everyday. As I was sitting checking my email, while Karis was playing beside me, I heard the sweetest sound. Karis is singing her own version of two different songs, this is what I heard:
Why should I gain from His reward, I cannot give an answer,
But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.
What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This went on for a about 10 minutes. Oh how precious is the sweet singing of my three year old. I am so thankful that she knows such Christ-centered songs and that those are what come to mind when she is playing. The Lord always seems to know how to make me smile despite myself. We serve a loving and amazing God! Oh, how my children continue to teach me more of Him without even knowing it.

Random Pictures and Day Off!

Here are a few random pictures of Karis and Noah. The Brooks let us borrow their Bumbo seat for Noah. He looks pretty funny in a purple seat, but whatever. He will only use it for a short time.

Karis decided Noah needed her "night-night" as his hat. He wasn't so sure about it.

This was the first time we put Noah in the Bumbo seat, he was almost 4 months old.

About a month ago, Justin watched Karis and Noah and gave me the day off to go shopping. I had a wonderful time by myself and the trip was very profitable, I got a few things that I needed. Just built Karis her own throne out of blocks. When I came home she was pretty proud it. I am so blessed to have a husband who understands my need for alone time, just to get away, if even just for a few minutes. Thank you Justin for always serving me in the area and for always be eager to watch the kids for me. I love you!

"You're doing a good job, Papa John!"

Last week my parents flew in on Saturday for a week long visit. Since Justin was gone to Together for the Gospel, my parents decided it would be a good time to come. It was great having their help with two little ones. My dad took on a BIG project while he was here. He put together a wooden swing set for Karis and Noah, who will be enjoying his baby swing her pretty soon! My dad did a great job being patient with Karis as she tried to help. I will let the pictures tell the story.
I do have one thing to say though. The boards were not labeled in the boxes, so my mom and I spent an hour or so labeling the boards. Maybe next time I have a suggestion, Justin and my dad will listen to me!! My dad spent most of Monday-Wednesday working on the swing set.

Karis is helping Papa John hold the nails and bolts. She now knows what bolts, screws, and washers are. Every time Papa John hammered or used his wrench, Karis had to use hers wooden ones to help. It was very sweet.

This is one of the many awkward positions my dad had to get in to build the swing set. Karis thought it was pretty funny, Papa John on her level. She was very encouraging the whole time he was working on the set, she must have told him, "you're doing a good job, Papa John," about twenty times.

Amma is also getting down and dirty in this picture.

On Wednesday, the finished product, without the tarp on top. Justin and my dad did that later after he got back.

Karis is really enjoying her new swing set and I really enjoy being able to just let her go play outside by herself.

Just a random picture of Noah, he wanted Papa John to know that he did a great job!

We did some of our usual things like go shopping, eat at Dick's hot dogs, and hang out while they were here. My mom got a bad sinus infection and spent most of Thursday in bed. Thankfully, she was feeling better by the time they flew home on Saturday. We already miss you and are so thankful for your visit. Thank you dad for the putting together the swing set. Thank you Mom for just being Mom and being here. We love you both so much and can't wait to see you in June!

Happy 30th Birthday, Justin!

The BIG 3-0 has finally hit you babe (5 months before me). I cannot believe that we have known each other 10 years now, and we will celebrate our 9 year anniversary later this year. PASSION is the one word that always comes to mind when I think of you. Your passion to know, share, and love Jesus Christ is what drew me to you. Your passion for God's Word has overflowed into my life, our children's lives, our church family, and countless other lives. Thank you for holding God's Word in such high esteem and reverence. Thank you for leading me in having a passion for Christ in all things. To say I am blessed to be married to you is an understatement. God has blessed you with such a wonderful gift, to preach His Word, thank you for doing that for the last 10 years of your life. I enjoy walking along side you as we take this journey of leading your flock together. I love you, and I pray that in 10 years, the one word that comes to mind when I think of you is still the same!

Short trip to Maryland

Sunday after church, we backed up the Blazer and headed for a short trip to visit the Tombrella's in Maryland. It took us about 5 hours to get there, so we made it in time for dinner. We had a great meal and let the kids play until bed time. We then stayed up til after midnight talking and laughing. We have so much fun with our best friends. We are so blessed to have them in our lives for the last 10 years. The kids played great together and got along so well. On Monday, we took the kids to an indoor play place, called Little Sprouts. The kids had a lot of fun, and we did too!

Karis is riding on the roller coaster car!

Joel playing with the train set, while Karis and Samuel are jumping in the balls!

Samuel and Karis playing in the tree house.

Noah had a blast in the excersacuer. He got to see what Karis' excersaucer was like!

This is just a funny picture of Karis riding a fish.

We had a very fun trip and are sad that we won't see our friends again for awhile. God has been so good to allow us to grow together these last 10 years! We look forward to all He is going to do in our lives for the next 10 years. We love you guys!

Pop Pop and Grammy are Here!

I don't know how many times Karis asked me on Tuesday, "Pop Pop and Grammy here?" Every noise we heard, or every time Calvin barked, she asked me the same question. She was so excited about them coming to visit! We had a nice visit and did a lot of things in just two full days. They arrived Tuesday night, and of course, Karis went crazy like she always does, showing them everything and jumping on her trampoline like a mad woman. We spent Wednesday and Thursday hanging out, eating out, and shopping. Here are some pictures to tell of our adventures!

Noah was very excited to meet his Pop Pop and Grammy. They both enjoyed feeding and holding him a lot.

On Wednesday morning before our trip to eat at Dick's Hot Dogs, we took Karis to the new Gillete park. It was a little colder than we thought, so we didn't stay long, but she had a lot fun while we were there. She is going to be an avid rock wall climber!

Sliding down the colorful slide!

Karis decided that she would drive the car and let me sit in the passengers seat.

We climbed up on Noah's arc. She thought it was funny that the boat was named after her brother!

Resting with Pop Pop. After eating lunch, the guys played golf, and we took the kids home for naps. After they woke up, I made dinner and Justin and I went to church. It was strange being at church without the kids, I think I have forgotten how to have a real conversation with someone, where I can actually give them my full attention without wondering where my child is and what she is doing! That was very nice of Pop Pop and Grammy to watch the kids for us.

A sweet picture of the grandparents and grand kids. On Thursday, we went out to lunch, then did a little shopping. We went to Rocky Mount to Red Lobster for Justin's early birthday meal from his dad and step mom. We also were thankful that Pop Pop brought his suburban so we could buy the kids swing set at Wal-Mart and bring it home. My dad is going to have the fun task of putting it together in a week when they come for a visit. Noah surely enjoyed his lobster!

We had a wonderful visit, even though it was quick. I know that Karis always enjoys seeing her grandparents, and Noah really loved being held and talked to so much! Thanks for the visit. We will miss you until we see you again at the end of June!

(Grammy, I am not sure why we didn't get any pictures of you with the kids, that is defiently not a reflection on how much fun they had with you!)