Spring

I've planted some flowers for the first time ever. They are still alive too. Our grass is super dead right now, so we needed some color to compliment our pretty little home. I have some more in mind to plant and then mulch needs to be filled in. Oh and Michael planted some azalea bushes for us too! I love beautifying things - that's a natural womanly instinct right? I just really hate bugs. But flowers are so lovely.

Rolls and Water

 Carmen got to experience the kiddie pool for the first time last week. Her buddy, Colston, got a pool for his birthday so on our 90 degree day we walked over for some "summer" fun. She really liked it! I learned that one piece bathing suits are really not practical on the wee ones. SO hard to get on and off and change diapers in. Or maybe that just goes for my baby....with all the rolls. Carmen looked so adorable in her swimming tutu though, I may put up with the fight just to keep the cuteness factor high.

  

I stole this photo from Colston's mommy because our girl is just so precious here:

Squeeze away!

Happy Easter

Easter is so fun with a little girl! Every day is fun with a little girl. If you don't have one, you need one. Here we are in our Sunday best, but really, here's Carmen:

Catch Up

March came and went but so much happened in that gloriously warm month. Our Shnookums turned 6 months old! Here's a photo moments before she turned and snapped the tulips, flung backwards, hit her head on the table, got covered in smelly tulip water from the vase that was laying on top of her. Happy Half Birthday Carmen! 

 We have introduced Carmen to solid foods. She's not the biggest fan as was highly anticipated by my parents and their recount of me gobbling up as much food as I could possibly handle at 6 months. She prefers the finest puree possible, sauce pan heated temperatures and a very clean mouth.

 
We had a whole play day with Aunt Jenny. She makes Carmen smile.

Aunt Heather started her on the ice cold beverages (of course not.) and we celebrated Aunt Bri's birthday and St. Patrick's Day together!

Mommy had a birthday too! She got lots of Starbucks. That ice cream cake was from Cold Stone. Oh yes.

Michael started our patio! It's made a lot of progress since this sand and gravel pit, but boy oh boy do we have a mess on our hands. It's going to be gorgeous and so summery when he's done.

 
Carmen loved the change in weather and continued being the cutest baby girl on the block. (And by block, I mean world.)

And then our Shnookums turned 7 months old!? She loves loves loves her daddy.

 

And one more because her dress and face are so fabulous.

And we're back!

At a loss for words

Sweet Carmen. I love you. I wish I had the ability to write a beautiful letter to you. But my words are not elegant or beautifully poetic enough to even come close to saying what's inside my heart. If I could express my thoughts and feelings adequately, tears would be flowing from everyone's eyes. The love I have for you, the joy I get from you, the bond we have is too deep and I am at a loss when I want to express it in writing. Other people can talk, speak, and compose much better than I can. It's not my strength. I hope that you won't ever feel unloved because I  fail to write to you well. I hope that my actions and life make up for it. I hope you know the depth of my love by the way I hold you, talk to you, play with you, feed you, cuddle you and teach you. I hope that the way I sing to you and laugh with you writes upon your heart more than a letter from me could. You may not have tangible memories of it, but I hope that there's an undeniable certainty of how much I love you and care for you.  You are my gift, my special girl!

More Jesus Please

I have been so saddened by some discussions on abortion sparked by Virginia's current progress in passing new legislation. I'm saddened by the revelation of people's deep depravity apart from Christ. My heart is heavy and aches for the lost. I so strongly desire to see these people be changed by the power of Christ.

Michael has been engaging old coworkers in thoughtful, respectful conversations on the fact of when life begins. Michael has such a sweet spirit, tuned into the heart of God and His justice and righteous anger. Michael believes that we have a responsibility to tell these men and women the truth or at least try. He's right, we do. But that's where I get discouraged. The worldly "debate" of when life begins just simply can't happen because to a non-believer (even some who call themselves believers) it just doesn't make sense. Their arguments make perfect sense to them because they are without communion with our Wonderful Savior and Creator of Life and ALL that is in this world, who, through His Word, teaches us the beauty and sanctity of life. They don't follow our rationale so any proof you give them seems as rubbish. You can't have a fruitful discussion if the two parties absolutely disagree on the fundamental basics. You go in circles. It's so frustrating to read truthful, powerful responses and then see others foolishly fight against the truth. The only thing I can do is pray. Pray for more Jesus. Pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit lives will be saved and hearts will be changed. I can pray for more people like my husband to stand up for truth and speak it to the lost in hopes that God uses them to bring His Gospel. So pray with me friends, it's our best resource in these times of trying to drive out darkness and fill it with Light!

Not really sure how much I want to blog these days. I'm trying to work on her baby albums whenever I get a free moment on the computer so that generally comes first. Plus Carmen is just too fun in real person for me to sit in front of a screen when we could be playing. She's five months old now and has a super happy, silly personality. I'm reading up on starting solids and what foods are best because I know that new phase is on the horizon. I don't want to start before 6 months, probably a little after that, but boy does she eye our food during meal times. Her little lips start smacking and her tongue starts moving and she follows the movements of the fork from the plate to the mouth. I have no doubts she'll do well and enjoy her new foods.