such a ham...

my everything <3

our little water bug

we started swim classes 4 weeks ago.. the first one didn't go over so well with noah.. poor guy cried half of the class. but we tried again and over the past few weeks, he absolutely loves it. he is such a ham.. he sees his daddy through the window and kept waving or pointing at him every minute or so and everyone was laughing at him because it was so darn cute!

he even likes to blow bubbles in the bathtub.. and the dog water bowl.. NOAH!! we have 7 more weeks to go and then would love to graduate him into the toddler class if he wants. we will have lots of fun times swimming this summer :) can't wait!!

forks and spoons

noah has gotten pretty proficient at using his fork and spoon.. and thankfully he is eating a little better now that he has a sense of independence. he is getting to big waaay too fast!

doing his new favorite thing... acting like a little indian

and peek-a-boo

a year ago today. . .

when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. -psalm 61:2

a year ago today, we got news that turned our lives upside down.  i still remember where we were and what we did when we got that dreaded phone call. i can remember my heart sinking into my chest... i remember the fear i had.. the panic. i remember calling out to God. and although a year ago today, it felt like my world was crumbling right before my eyes. but today... one year later, it is amazing to see how God used this to shape and grow us and made us all stronger... and learned and experienced firsthand at how good He is.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. - Genesis 50:20

like i have said before, God knew about the actions that were made way before we were even born... and could have prevented them.. but He didn't. God truly intended this for good.. and i have been humbled to see a glimpse of the purpose here on earth.. and i may never see His full intentions until i see Him face to face.

around december, God put it on my heart to start sharing His word with noah's birthmom.. it started with a text every day with a scripture that i found meaningful. last week, i received news that made me more than overjoyed at God's goodness and faithfulness. she told me that these verses helped her get closer to God and how she now looks to Him for everything and trusts Him wholeheartedly. and even further exciting (and not expected) news was the birthdad also has also found God. this made my entire year! when i got this note, i thanked God for answering these prayers that i had been praying all last year. God not only changed my heart.. and jim's heart... He changed theirs as well. please note that i am not boasting. any one can choose to do this. you just have to step outside your comfort zone. i could have thought, you hurt me, so i choose to never speak to you again. but how does God see that? Jesus didn't say being a Christian is easy. it is hard. but man, is it worth it. if the suffering was just for this purpose alone for them to know Him, it was worth it.

God used this to shape me into the person i now am. i still have a long way to go.. but know i wouldn't be where i am today without it. i learned that you have to trust Him... you don't need to try to understand. we always said "why" and now looking back, we had it all wrong. i wish i had of known that. when many people say "why' it can also make them drift and say that God doesn't love them and care for them if He is allowing bad to happen. they have got it all wrong. God is good- all.the.time. Christians are called to suffer. at the time, nothing makes sense.. but maybe if you are lucky, you will get to see part of the purpose He intended. i've learned you are nothing without Him. if you try to do things on your own, you don't get very far. life isn't complete without Him. it just isn't.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55: 8-9

thank you God for allowing this trial. life could be very different tomorrow.. make sure He is your everything.


the best year of my life.. so thankful for the path He led us to.. and got us through.

toddlerhood

i can't believe that the tiny little baby i held in my arms last year is now fun, hilarious, sweet, affectionate.. and opinionated toddler :o)

some fun things you have been doing..

can get from point a to point b in a milisecond.. a very fast walk/run.

love your cow.. you love that baby einstein cow.. and talk about him all the time!

love, love, love, ELMO! you light up when elmo's world comes on..

you can (well, 8/10) identify your eyes, ears, head, mouth, nose and feet

loves when we say "i'm gunna get you!" you start running and squealing :P

love bear/piggy back rides. all we do is say the words and you get soo excited!

love to play chase and love to play hide from daddy- your favorite!

become a very messy eater as you can use your spoon all by yourself!

becoming clingy! and i love it.. you are like a koala bear and wrap on tight.

got your first palet by your mamaw... she used to make mommy one when she was little! you love rolling around on it and playing with your toys

climb onto everything - such a monkey!

love helping unload the dishwasher

loves pepperjack cheese

loves (and not allergic!!) peanut butter (thank goodness!)

speaking in your own noah language... so animated!

been for lots of walks and love the park!! you love going down the slide with mommy.

will pick up random objects in the house... pillow, toliet paper, lotion, etc. and just start walking around and will walk up and give it to us and act so proud!

started swim classes.. first class, didn't like it too much.. but now you LOVE it!

loves the 'cheese poofs'.. the other day you found them and opened them up and stuffed about 5 in your mouth!

not so fun . . . giving mommy and daddy a run for the money with your eating... payback for me.. and mommy is still so picky.. pretty soon, i will have to eat everything i make you eat :O but you just love to throw your food off your tray.. without even trying it.

and got a bad cold in the nursery last week and spread the love with mommy and daddy :(

noah, we love watching you grow and love to teach you new things and love you so incredibly much. you are such a wonderful boy <3

~*~ our lucky charm ~*~

we are beyond lucky to have this little guy in our lives.. we are blessed.

my favorite boys <3

wordless wednesday