Thankful Praise

Thank you for the cross, Lord.Thank you for the price you paid.

Bearing all my sin and shame, in love you came

And gave Amazing Grace.

Thank you for this love, Lord.Thank you for the nail-pierced hands.

Wash me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know...

Your forgivness and embrace.

Worthy is the Lamb,seated on the throne.

We crown You now with many crowns

You reign victorious!

High and lifted upJesus, Son of God.

The darling of Heaven, crucified...

Worthy is the Lamb.



(Hillsong lyrics)

Is My Makeup Too Heavy?

These pictures are pretty self explanatory. Once again, Claire got into some make-up. Only this time, it was her sister's play make up. And this time, she had a partner in crime...her friend Philip!

Claire's Three!

Claire turned 3 years old on Friday, October 30th! Where did my baby go, I'd like to know? We had a little dress up party for her that day and she had such a fun night! Right now in her life, Claire has many more little boyfriends than girlfriends. Even the kids her age at church are mostly boys! We love boys and since we only have one of them, it was a fun (and loud) night!

So, what do you get when Belle, Superman, a ballerina (with her bear), a ninja (with a pirate's hook), a cowboy (wearing knight's armour), Batman, and Elmo all squish on the couch together?Easy...Belle, Superman, a ballerina, a ninja, a cowboy, Batman, and Elmo all wanting to get OFF that couch and eat pizza! But they were patient for a little while longer while I took a few close ups of Claire with her friends!

Claire with Superman (a.k.a Philip)

Claire with the knighted cowboy (a.k.a Tine)

Claire with Batman (a.k.a Travis)

(I have to add that Travy started calling Claire his "honey bun" on her birthday. So sweet!)

Claire with Elmo (a.k.a. Titus)

Daddy wanted to dress up, too. Oh wait, that was real. Poor daddy.

Finally...time to eat!

What's one more boy? Malcolm (Jake's friend 5 houses down) came over in the middle of the party. I love this picture that Beth snagged of the two of them.

Easy decorations!

Claire requested a "pink, princess party," so I decided the princess doll cake would be made again. The next picture is the princess cake I made for Lydia's 3rd b-day party...for comparison sake. I cheated with Claire's and just kept the Barbie's clothes on for the top. I was much too pressed for time after volunteering at the school that day as well. *Sarah Beth...this princess reminds me of you trying to hug me wearing that shawl over your wedding dress =)*

Lydia's cake in 2006

This was cake #2. (I did try to flip it...sorry).

Singing "Happy Birthday!"

Not long ago, Claire used to sing Happy Birthday to lots of people. She would just change the name after "dear..." Now, when it was her turn, she was a little embarrassed.

Out comes the princess.

Time for presents...here she got make up from Philip.

*Notice my big smile...stayed tuned for my next post and I will tell you why I thought this gift was so funny. She got playdough from the 3 T's, which she has LOVED playing with. A Minnie Mouse from the Tuey's, and some fun Tinkerbell stuff from Grandma and Grandpa (jammies, a movie, and a little figurine). Mommy and Daddy gave her stickers and a brush of her own. Mommy is still looking for a special doll for Claire. All in all, she had a great time! In fact, the next day, she said, "I'm ready for my party!"

One more picture....she had to try on the "lips" from Philip right away...again, and again, and again. She even offered her "lips" to just about all of her party guests, although I believe I was the only taker.

Happy Birthday, my little Claire Bear. I love you so much!

Hang On To Your Body!

This is just a quick post I wanted to write because if I don't do it now, I'm afraid I will forget to. Remember in my last post when I said that Claire was one funny, little girl? Well, my now 3 year old (that will be my next post), made me laugh some more yesterday. I have to preface what she sang with why she sang it. For months now, Lydia has been infatuated with Annie. I think she first saw it at Grandma's house. Grandma let her borrow it and it has been watched many a time since. So, it is not too strange for Lydia or myself to break out into the song, "Tomorrow." Well, it must be a catchy tune because now Claire is singing it. Only there is a slight change in words. Here are part of the the words of "Tomorrow," according to Claire.

The sun will come up, tomorrow, so you gotta hang on to your body!

Of Picnics, Books, and Bugs

While these two have been in school (this picture was taken on their first day), I have had some fun times with Claire. There have been some grumpy times too, and I think I just figured out part of that grumpiness last night...I didn't know but she has been working on her 2 year molars (just a few days before she turns 3). But overall, this time alone with Claire has been a blessing. Let me tell you, she is one funny, little girl.
Here are some pictures of a day last month when we decided to have a picnic in our front yard.

We ate lunch, read books, and just enjoyed hanging out with one another. It was almost unbearable for Lydia to hear we had done this without her, so I offered to get the sleeping bag back out again and spread it out for her for an afternoon read and snack. Her frowns quickly turned to smiles!

The only problem now was figuring out which position was the most comforable.

And while Jake does love a good book, this day he decided to engage in another favorite past time...catching bugs. His classroom has frogs and he had been catching frog food!

Happy 8th, Jake!

Eight years ago, a little boy entered into our family on October 14th and stole my heart immediately. How could I love one so much that I barely knew? And yet, that love was intense and fierce. I now understood the terminology, "a mother's love..." I was so thankful to the Lord for His precious gift to Dan and myself with entrusting this little one to us. I still say that today. My, oh my, there are so many times I feel I fail my kids. But, God, in His Grace, allows me to keep the privilege of being called their mama. These days are much harder than the ones pictured above. The issues are tougher and our goal is to raise our son with a heart that follows after the Lord. Respect, obedience, and gratefulness are continual goals, instead of holding a head up (as pictured below) walking, talking, and potty-training. While those physical milestones were important, the heart of my kids is oh, so much more!

And it is because we still have an intense, fierce love of our Jacob that we require certain things of him. It seems to me we have entered a new "era." Eight years old seems so big-kiddish! New responsibilities will come as well as new challenges. The call of being parents is crucial...and I have to remind myself that I am my kid's parent right now, not their friend. That day will come. And so to my big, ol' eight year old... I love you soo much. You make me smile and you have since the day we brought you home. I am overflowing with love for you and thank God so much for putting you in our family. You are a blessing from the Lord!

Claire's Twin

While these pictures are about a month and a half old, I had to share them and the experience. One day, near the end of summer vacation, we decided to go to the Greene as a family and let the kids play in the fountains (we are so blessed to be only a mile away). Claire has yet to completely soak herself in the water, but she always seems to find something to do on the outskirts of the splashy fun. She'll wander around the circle, find a puddle, and often times, a friend as well. And this day was no exception...only this time, she found her twin. Granted, she would have to be a fraternal twin, as the girls were complete opposites...Claire, with her blond, straight, short hair and blue eyes and Aubrey with dark, curly, long hair and beautiful brown eyes. Also, I suppose the whole twin thing doesn't work because of the fact that Aubrey was almost a year younger than Claire. But find each other they did. And it was instant friendship. In fact, the next time we went to the Greene, Claire asked where Aubrey was. Enjoy the pictures...they are pretty cute! This was when the girls first discovered each other. I love the look on Aubrey's face! Gotta love Old Navy bathing suits on clearance from the summer of 08'! I think I paid 2 bucks for it!

Posing for some pictures...the sign behind them was a big hit as well. In fact, I disrupted their obssesion with it as I asked them to stand still for some pictures.

Ok...carry on.

"Hey, you wanna see this show with me?"

"Oooh girl, I love those shades! Can I try them on, PLEASE?"

"Pretty please?!"

"I really like them, but maybe I will try and find my own."

"There, that's better."

Aubrey had to go, so they said their good-byes. Claire still managed to have a ball without her new found friend. But I'm sure she'll keep asking about her when we go back.

Claire's Baywatch Run

Listening to the music.

Hey Lydia, that's a Jake pose with your tongue sticking out.

Jake drenched (and wearing what looks like a teeny, tiny hat).

Dried off and ready for some ice cream!

Grandma Kanost joined us, so it was an extra special afternoon! Now I know where Claire got the idea for this next picture...