The Royal Wedding

I must admit, I've been a bit cyncial as I've endured all the media hype leading up to the royal wedding today. I get very tired of the media pushing their idols down our throats. However, when all was said and done, I've now watched the royal wedding twice! I was fascinated by the whole event, especially the Christ-exalting focus of the service itself. I have no idea how many (or I should probably say few) really understood that emphasis, but it was there nonetheless. I think one of my favorite moments was watching Elton John sing, "Guide Me Now, O Great Redeemer." A reminder that indeed every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

As a woman, watching the royal wedding made me reflect on my own wedding day and sort of wishing I could live it over again. There is just something about women and weddings. I was reminded that I have yet another wedding to participate in - and it will be the royal wedding to beat all weddings since before the world was formed.

On a pregnancy note, I've had a rough couple of days. Nothing major, just some really painful contractions. Tom wanted me to call the Dr. last night, but we decided to wait it out for a little while. Eventually, the contractions did subside. I just saw the Dr. on Wednesday and she said that 34 weeks is a big milestone because if labor were to begin, they wouldn't do anything to stop it. The baby is developed enough that he wouldn't have any major setbacks, although he would probably need to spend a few weeks in the NICU to gain weight and learn how to feed. As comforting as this milestone is, I'm just not ready. I want this baby to stay put for a few more weeks. I'm wondering if these contractions have started because we have been SO busy this week. Tom was off for spring break and we made use of every single minute. Among many things, the biggest accomplishment of the week was that we got the boys room painted and moved Peter's stuff in. Last night was his first time sleeping in his new toddler bed. I was fully prepared for a few night's of adjustment, but he laid his head down and went right to sleep as if that's the only bed he's ever known. He took a nap in it today and again, he did great. Obviously, being in a new bed and a new room does not disrupt Peter's disposition in the least. I, on the other hand, went to bed in tears. I cannot believe that my little baby is not a little baby anymore. He is a little boy. So bittersweet for this hormonal mommy. I will post some pictures of the new room soon.

Happy Easter 2011!

My mom made matching Easter dresses for Alana and her doll.

And, as you can see, Alana now has glasses! We took her to the eye Dr. about a year and a half ago and her eyes weren't too bad, but they have steadily become much worse since then. She loves them. She's experiencing a whole new world!

This was the best picture I could get of Peter today. He looked like such a little boy and not a toddler anymore.

HE IS RISEN!!!

Sick Girl

Poor Alana woke up vomiting this morning at 5:30 a.m. I wasn't all that surprised because it's been making its way around our church the last couple of weeks.

Our dogs are doing their best to comfort Alana.

Although laying on the couch with Alana isn't all that different than how Maverick usually spends his days. He is not a high energy dog.

I took this picture last week and it has struck me how much these two look alike.

Scripture Memory - April 15

It's time for our next verse: She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. - Proverbs 31:17 (ESV) This is one of my favorites in the description of the Proverbs 31 woman. I used to think less of myself because I was such a "strong" woman and I thought the Biblical ideal was quiet and gentle and submissive, which it is. However, according to this verse, strenth is also part of that ideal. Strength and submission can gloriously coincide in God's plan.

Spring Happenings

When Tom mows the grass, he has a fan club. First, we all go to the front porch and watch him mow the front yard. Then we head to the back porch, and watch him mow the back yard. Of all of us, Peter gets the most excited to watch him mow. To Peter, it is the biggest thrill to watch Tom push that noisy lawnmower around the yard and wave to him as he comes by.

Tom let Peter "help" him mow yesterday.

He also let Alana help, but I don't think this was because she loves it so much as to teach her to do it so Tom doesn't have to:)

Peter continued to mow the porch after he helped his Daddy.

On another note, Peter hit a major milestone (for him) on Saturday. He got an "official" haircut! I've been cutting his hair because he has had such fear/panic issues as a result of his MANY Dr. visits. I wanted to try it on Saturday because he is growing up and changing so much and it is becoming much easier to reason with him. He did wonderful! He sat on Tom's lap and the beautician gave him a sucker (which helped tremendously) and he only started to cry a little bit when she got the blowdryer out to get rid of the excess hair. I was so proud of him! It was also an encouragement that maybe he'll soon be able to handle having an Echo done without sedation, although to Peter, there's a big difference between a beautician and a Dr.

Scripture Memory - April 1

We are plugging along in our Scripture memory. Last year, I taped all our verses to the door by the dining room table as a visual of God's Word that we had hidden in our hearts. Here is where we are so far this year.

Now it's time for another verse: "She considers a field a buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard." - Proverbs 31:16 (ESV)

Have a great weekend!