Packing

Noah enjoyed all our packing. We found out about John becoming the Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church and had two weeks to pack and move. We went straight to business. Noah enjoyed playing in the empty boxes and loved climbing on all the full boxes.
Noah enjoyed climbing in all the boxes so much that he found several other things around the house to climb into.


He also figured out how to climb into the empty book shelfs...

He had to get another swim in before we moved also. He got to have his first naked swim. So glad there were no mistakes!

The boys (dogs) didn't seem to mind all the moving. They get pretty spoiled cuddling with me after Noah goes to bed.

Here is Noah's first time to wear a belt. My boy is growing up! What a cutie!
Em :)

The Cattle Drive at the Stockyards

Monday, Noah and I went to the Stockyards to see the cattle drive and hang out there a little. We brought our lunch and had a picnic too. It was fun.

Noah got his chance to ride on a horse too! He was loving it at first but then got a little scared. After I held his hand while he rode, he looked around at everybody thinking he was pretty cool and that they should check him out. So fun!

Here comes the horse leading the cattle out. Noah was so excited!

Here they go right on by us! Noah even got to pet one!

Bye, Bye cows!

Here is the horse that Noah got to pet. Beautiful animal!


We will miss Fort Worth all the kiddos activities available! We've tried to do everything one last time before we go! What an exciting week it has been!

Emily :)

Oklahoma Visit

Noah and I were blessed to be in Oklahoma for 10 days! We drove up to Fairview Thursday night with Daddy. Friday and Saturday we had activities for John's 10 year high school reunion. It was fun to see everyone and visit a while.

Sunday John preached at his home church and did a wonderful job. God has really blessed him with speaking skills and a love for His Word. I can't wait to hear him every week!

Sunday night John flew back to Fort Worth to work for the week while Noah and I stayed at Grammy's house all week. We had a blast! We went to Grammy's neighborhood swimming pool a few days to try out Noah's new swimsuit. Check it out...

This is the first time he has ever been in a 'big pool.' He was very hesitant at first and I had to hold him a lot. But each moment and day he got more confident. I could tell he thought he was pretty cool in that pool! The baby pool had three different depths where the kids could step off. It was perfect for him! I imagine he will be a little dolphin by next summer!

Here is Noah showing of his cheese face and his cool ride to the pool...

Grammy and all her grandchildren...

Noah loved playing 'Night, Night' with Laney.

It is so fun to watch them playing together!

Grammy, Sarah, Braden, Noah, and I went to the zoo on Tuesday. Noah loves the zoo if you can't tell.

There is actually a lion being lazy behind us...look real close!

After our fun week at Grammy's was over, we drove back to Fairview where we had a family reunion on the farm on Saturday. It was really neat to see a lot of the family and visit a while. I loved seeing all of the babies from last year toddling around.

Daddy and Noah even took their turn on the four wheeler. Noah loved it!

Faster Daddy, faster!

Daddy took Noah to see the cows. He loves the cows and this is the closest he has gotten to any. Hopefully he can feed one the next time we go!

Moo!


I truly enjoyed our time in Oklahoma. It was so nice to be with family and friends. We hope to make our week long visit a yearly to-do at Grammy's.

:)Emily

Fun pics

Check out my tough face...Daddy play football with me...

Like you used to...see...

Peek-a-boo Mommy! You found me in the closet!

Cheese...

Check out my new do...

Backyard Fun!

Hello Everyone! Welcome to my backyard! Mommy lets me play a lot in the backyard. She tells me several people call me a bull in a china closet so it is perfect place to run off all my energy. It doesn't get too hot too since the trees shade most of the yard. Here is my slide thanks to my twin friends who gave it to me. I love to climb and slide!

This is my pool. It has really neat ramps to let my trucks drive on or balls to slide down.

It has a neat slide for me too. I also love the deep end where I can toss (or place) the balls through the circles and put the rings on the side.

Mommy was driving the truck down the slide and it splashed me when it crashed into the water. It was really funny!

She kept doing it over and over. You should have seen it! You would laugh too!

P.S. If you look really close in the last picture, you can see one of the five teeth that are poking through right now. It really hurts but Mommy gives me lots of hugs.

Emily (on behalf of Noah)

Having fun!

The last week or so has been a difficult time for Noah. He is teething worse than he ever has. Poor guy. I feel awful for him. He is also trying to perfect throwing fits. He likes to get his way and also gets frustrated when he cannot do something...like even pushing the shopping cart through the wall...I guess he's yet to realize all things are not possible for man. It is actually funny at times and I have to get myself together so he doesn't see me laughing. It is rather dramatic! He just throws himself on the floor...sometimes it looks like he is sliding into home base! So we are trying to ease his teething pain and be tender toward him but also trying to discipline properly...knowing the difference when he is hurting and when he is just selfish and impatient. But through it all, I couldn't ask for more in my precious boy! I am so blessed with each new day given to us to play, learn, and enjoy God's creation.

Noah decided to put some of his favorite things in his shopping cart to tote around...books and balls.

Since pushing something is one of favorite tasks right now, he also totes his golf clubs around. I imagine he will be playing with Daddy as soon as he can hold his own and actually hit the ball with his club in a reasonable direction. Let's face it...adults can't always do that! He should be good to go!

Noah on his horse...gotta get in a few rides each day!



I will leave you with this sweet picture of being tuckered out after playing with his twin friends that are girls...had to say it that way...I can't get myself to say girlfriend yet. He is Momma's boy for now!

Weekend of Family

Since John graduated on Friday morning from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity, we had several family members come visit for the big event. We were all so proud of him!

First, Grammy (John's Mom) came to hang out with us and love on Noah. Here is a sweet pic of them reading since Noah kept bringing her every book he owned!

After graduation, the family came to our house for a little bit. It was fun to see Noah play with his two nieces. Grammy was so proud to have them all together! I love how Noah is just looking at Grammy with great delight!

Noah is a little funny about playing in his sandbox. He does OK if another child is playing with him but I don't think he likes to get his hands all dirty. Grammy said that his Daddy was that way also. When Noah falls, he likes me to get all the dirt and leaves off his hands. How funny! He is all boy...but a clean one at that!

Saturday after John's graduation, we went to The Great Wolf Lodge. John's sister and her family were staying there for the week end. It is a really neat place. The water park is so neat and toddler friendly too! This is a picture of them at the arcade having fun. Noah even found a wolf stuffed animal on the ground that howls. Bonus!

He is really into cars, trucks, buses, etc. One of his favorite past times is to stand on our front window ledge and call out each vehicle name. It is so fun to see him learn new things and take a joy in knowing the name of them!

That's all folks!

Our sweet boy

Here is our sweet Noah getting a good nights sleep. He is a great sleeper and I am thankful! He sleeps 11 hours at night and two for a nap in the afternoon. Although he is a joy and I cannot think of him without smiling, I am thankful for his naps and bedtime so that I can sit and rest. He is the best! I am contemplating on when to put a pillow and blanket in his crib...when do they start sleeping with those and actually keep their head on the pillow at night??? He is all over the place. I can check on him every 15 minutes and he seems to be on the other side of the crib. We will see...


He will rest a little during the day but it usually only lasts about 10 seconds and then he is off again. He found a great place to rest here near the back door. You think he is trying to give me a hint that he wants to go outside and swing???

He is so curious about the dog door. He often looks and and even tries to climb out. He has tried backing into and even just climbing out face first...hasn't worked yet and he isn't getting any smaller.

Here is another picture of Noah climbing through the kitchen chairs. Since he loves climbing so much, we bought him picnic table (maybe someday he will actually sit at it) at his very first time to Toys 'R Us Friday (he didn't even go there in the womb!). I think Daddy and Mommy were more excited to take him there than he even knew. But he quickly realized the excitement of the place when we got there. He was pumped! That was pretty much the first time we bought him new toys...haven't had to thanks to generous family and friends and thrift stores.

We also got him a sandbox for about $25 with a top! It is a turtle!

“A Tribute to My Wife, Emily, on Her Birthday” – An Adaptation of Proverbs 31:10-31

10 - I have found an excellent wife who is second only to Jesus Christ in my life. No money, fame, relationship, or reputation is better than her.
11 - Even in my most vulnerable moments I trust her, and she makes me a better follower of Christ while serving our family well.
12 - I never fear a disrespectful or contentious attitude—even when I am not present. I take delight in her and look forward to doing so for the rest of our life together.
13 - Her handiwork is growing in creativity and she desires to minister to others through it (see previous blog posts).
14 - I am continually amazed at her frugal spirit and at how she prepares meals for our family.
15 - Her heart turns quickly to the needs of others as she allows the LORD to provide for them.
16 - She focuses on maximizing our income and stretching every penny to its limit.
17 - Her strength and worth comes from a deep understanding of who she is in Christ—in spite of the fact she is smart, intelligent, and very beautiful. And her desire is for me and works diligently on working out her body for that purpose.
18 - She recognizes the Holy Spirit’s gifts in her life in order to be a blessing to others, and many profit from her willingness.
19 - I enjoy seeing her take care of the needs of our home and I delight to assist her tasks.
20 - She realizes that we do not own anything in this world—we only steward it from the LORD—so she is ready to give wherever God leads.
21 - Her care and concern for her family is ever present.
22 - Her beauty comes from her identity in Christ yet it radiates throughout her.
23 - She honors me as second only to Christ for her and supports God’s hand leading our lives.
24 - She looks for new sources of income for our family so we can be more generous.
25 - Her trust is not in a system but in a Person, so regardless of what the future may bring she stands firm in Him.
26 - She is a deep wellspring of wisdom where many turn for counsel and instruction.
27 - She works diligently to ensure the way of her household is right and true.
28 - Her son looks to her as a blessing and I praise Christ for what He is doing through her.
29 - She is not perfect, but I could not ask for anyone better with whom to do life together. There is no other for me.
30 - “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
31 - I love you, my dear wife. May your birthday be filled with the fruit of your hands—those who have received benefit from who God made you to be. I look forward to many more birthdays together.

John

More adventures for Noah...

Here is a pic of Noah using his golf clubs. He loves playing with the golf clubs, totting around his golf bag, and trying to hit the golf balls with his clubs. I guess you could say we are starting him early.He also loves all the different tastes of food. Recently he discovered ketchup. He loves dipping everything in ketchup and is already a pro at it!Last Friday Azi came over to play for a while and volunteered to pull Noah in the wagon...what a great idea! Less work for me!Here is another great pic of John and Noah wrestling. Noah just laughs and laughs the whole time and is so sad when it is over!

Emily :)