Two Months!!

I was following my friends' blogs, and noticed that our blog had not been updated in two months! So many things have happened in the meantime - we haven't taken a lot of pictures, and so I just forgot to post!

In July, Joshua experienced the zoo. He was so well behaved and had a great time - but boy, it was HOT!! His favorite part was eating at Golden Corral afterward - he rediscovered ice cream. His first experience had been on his birthday, and he had NOT been impressed. This time he wanted MORE!

In August, Joshua and mommy went to go see Nana, Grandpa, Papa, and Nanny in GA. Daddy worked a band camp and was only home from about 10pm to 7am - it was the perfect opportunity for us to leave town!

We also signed and lost a contract to our house in August. We were shocked to find numerous problems with moisture in our crawlspace. We are almost finished with these repairs; we are supposed to be getting a new driveway this week.

School started in August, and God was faithful in providing a wonderful homeschooling SAHM to keep Joshua. He loves their family, and I know he's getting the best care possible. Keith's band is progressing well - the eighth graders played with the high school band on Friday. Kimberly's class is full of smart, talkative boys and slower, quiet girls. It is very interesting.

And finally... WE HAVE A WALKER!!! Joshua is finally walking mostly full time. He's been crawling and walking half and half for about a month, but he's finally feeling confident. He's actually going so fast that he falls!

Will you join us in prayer? We long to sale our house in order to begin the process of getting out of debt. We need God to work in a mighty way - we rest assured that He knows our needs and has already established every step necessary. We are praying for wisdom, peace, and favor. Please pray for health, and for Keith and Kimberly to remember to wash their hands often. We want to be very careful to not expose Joshua to germs.

We'd love to join you in prayer, too! Please let us know how we can lift you and yours up! Love you!

First Birthday

It is so hard to believe the our little guy is one! We are so appreciative of everyone who came to celebrate with us, in addition to all the help and prayers we've gotten over the course of the year.

For his party, we had kiddos over to play in the pool and blow bubbles... then we cooked out. It was great to see people from all aspects of our life together! He loved his cupcake - I made them from scratch! They were SO good!

I am reminded of God's goodness every time I get a smile from our little guy; every time he cuddles after nap time, and every time he discovers new things. Watch out world, here come Joshua!

Savannah

For our mini-vacation this year, we went to Savannah. Keith and I had gone two years ago and loved it so much that we had to go again! This time, we included the beach into our trip, and we were so surprised (and pleased) by how much Joshua loved it. I couldn't keep him still - he wanted to crawl all over the sand, and before I could say, "wait!," he was crawling to the water.

We also went to Paula Dean's restaurant, and it was so good! It was definitely worth Keith getting up and going to put our name on the list. We didn't have to wait long at all since he did this - I was very thankful.

We left on Sunday afternoon, and came back on Wednesday... only to get ready for Joshua's first birthday party on Sunday, with family coming in from GA on Friday. We have been one busy family!

For Sale!

The last few days and weeks have been crazy for us, as both Keith and I finish up our school years with EOGs (me) and concerts/competitions (him). On top of that, our house is officially FOR SALE! We are hoping and praying that the couple our house will belong to will find us quickly! Please - if you know people looking to buy, send them our way.

As we signed the contract for our house to go on the market, little did we know that our Sunday would not go as planned. We'd hoped for church and getting some work done around the house. However, Joshua woke up at 5:00am with a fever of 103! It was so weird - it was like a sudden attack. We spent the day giving him lukewarm baths, holding him, and working while he slept. Finally last night I was given the go ahead to alternate between Motrin and Tylenol to break the fever - it hadn't gone down at all during the day! Please pray that Keith and I do not get this virus, and that neither of them get the stomach bug I had while Joshua had the fever.

Well, on to clearing the house of clutter since I'm off work to stay with Joshua.... pray for quick healing upon both of our bodies, and God's grace while we wait for the house to sale. Thank You!

So BIG!

Joshua had his 9 month pictures today. He was SO cute though he was very tired - unfortunately on his clock it was nap time, though it hadn't been when the pics were scheduled. (Don't you love how things change from day to day?) I love the natural pics - no posing for our lil guy!

We are so thrilled with the progress Joshua's making! His first 2 teeth have broken through! He's crawling all over the place (and climbing on everything!) - he wants to walk really bad. He has also started saying "dada" - funny enough, when he does it, it sounds like he's saying, "hello, dada". He is such a blessing, and we can't believe that he's already 9 months old! Yay, God, for giving us Joshua David to love!

Latest Bits

Sorry we've been vacant lately! Here's the synopsis of the last month or so:

For mostly all of March, we've been sick. Joshua and Daddy have had the stomach flu, and Joshua and Mommy have had sinus/nasal infections. No fun. After 5 doctors visits and 1 trip to the hospital, the right tests were done and Joshua is feeling much better. We've missed A LOT of work and did NOT have a vacation.

At the end of February, our little man learned to CRAWL!! He is all over the place. It's so funny cuz he's so small - you don't expect someone that little to be crawling and climbing on things, but he is.

In February Joshua and Mommy flew to GA to see our family. It was good to see everyone, especially Nanny! Please continue praying for her health.

Our Big Boy

Johshua loves to eat his daddy's hat!!!

Have I told you all lately that I love our son?? He completely just makes my heart swell every day! I am so blessed and thankful for him!

Joshua is trying SO HARD to crawl and cut his first teeth!! You can imagine our amusement as he backs himself into furniture. He will occasionally get up on his knees, and even sleeps with them tucked under him sometimes. But for right now, he just spins himself around and around in circles, and cries when he gets stuck. That's not funny - but he sure it cute!!

I'm pretty sure two teeth are coming in at the same time - one on the left bottom, and one on the right. He is fussier than he's ever been, but he has a very good reason!

Joshua is also EATING!!! We started him on solids about a month and a half ago, and he loves it! His favorite food is one I dislike - avocadoes! I'm going to make myself like them, just so that I can keep him eating it. I won't eat too much though - they are high in fat and calories, but they are good for the heart and brain! He loves sweet potatoes too, and he always has to have his own spoon.

As far as milk is concerned, we are still incredibly blessed. We received a freezer full two weeks ago, and I think it's going to last at least another week. We have a donation already lined up for when it's gone too- YAY, GOD!!!!

Those of you following our blog, please remind me to update it!!! That sounds silly, but I completely forget about it until one of you do! Thanks!

Whew...what a week!

God proved to me how amazing he is this week. Not that I need convincing, but He showed off anyway.
1.) We ran out of donor milk on Saturday. On Saturday late night, milk was donated to our door, enough for 3 days.
2.) We were contacted to pick up 3 more days worth of milk on Sunday.
3.) We were contacted to pick up a weeks worth of milk tomorrow.
4.) THREE mothers emailed me offering milk, with at least one being a regular donor.
5.) A feeding issue Joshua and I have been having for over a month was FIXED!
6.) I thought I had pink eye - but Joshua had just scratched my eye and caused an infection.
7.) I threw my back out doing aerobics with my third graders - but I feel much better, only 24 hours later.

I know most of those were about milk. BUT.... my heart really grieves over not being able to give my little one what he needs myself. God whispers to my heart that His grace is sufficient, and I see it as He still provides the liquid gold Joshua needs, regardless of the fact that it's not mine. I am so grateful.