Tomorrow is Millie Janalee's birthday.

And, although I've had the most difficult time coming to terms with the fact that a precious year has come and gone, (The most precious year of my life to date.  No contest.) I've also had a wonderful time going back in time.  I've looked at old pictures and videos.  I've smiled sweet smiles and cried loving tears.  I am overwhelmed, once again, by God's provision for our family.

What a difference a year makes!

I took time last night to put together a little video of the past year.  I've watched it probably 20 times already.  I smile at the same places every time.  I tear up at the memories of those newborn moments.  I'm taken back to emotions and feelings of excitement and thanksgiving.  I'm reminded of God's blessings.  I'm reminded of how sweet it is to trust in Jesus. 

  

Jesus, Jesus

How I trust Him

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus

Precious Jesus

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Happy Birthday to our sweet longing fulfilled!

Our Memorial...So That ALL Will KNOW

Yesterday at church, the sermon was taken from Joshua 4 where the Lord told Joshua, after crossing the Jordan, to choose 12 men to take up 12 stones on their shoulders from the middle of the Jordan River and build a memorial at Gilgal.  A memorial to remind generations of the time the Lord dried up the Jordan until the Isrealites could cross...just like he parted the Red Sea 40 years before.  "He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (vs. 24)

The question posed to us was: WHY?  Why was it so important to make much of God here?  Everyone knew about his power and how He had worked in the past.  Why did God make much of Himself here?  The answer: "He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (vs. 24)

 Here's what I found interesting as the pastor took us back to a little history of Gilgal (the place where Joshua was to build the memorial).  Gilgal was a major spiritual/holy location.  This was one of the three locations of the annual circuit court.  It continued as a special location where sacrifices were made.  It was the place where Saul was crowned as king.  (I'm sure I've forgotten other important events held there.  Sorry!  I'm not a theologian and I forgot a pen, so I didn't get to take notes.)  These were events that drew large crowds.  And, when those crowds gathered at Gilgal...they saw the memorial of 12 stones that should have reminded them about how God led the Isrealites and dried up the Jordan for them to cross.  When parents and grandparents told this story, they probably could've gone into even more history of the Lord's work...like when he parted the Red Sea.  And when he brought the Isrealites out of Egypt.  This memorial was built so that "all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful..."

What we must wonder is if this actually happened?  Did all the parents and grandparents continue to tell their descendents about what happened and what this memorial reminded them of?  We have to wonder if it did not.  Because, you see, Gilgal eventually turned from a "holy" location to a place of idol worship.

What happened to change the purpose of this location?

It's really speculation, but the pastor brought up his own thoughts.  And his thoughts slapped me in the face, to be honest.  He spoke about how when things become familiar, we tend to lose our reverence and respect for them.  We don't notice them as much.  We fail to see their significance like we once did.  We are left to wonder whether the people became too familiar with the memorial at Gilgal and failed to notice its significance anymore.  Did they fail to continue to tell the stories to their children?  Did they get so used to seeing the 12 stones at Gilgal that they lost respect and reverence?  This memorial was intended to be a sign "so that all the peoples of the earth would know..."  Not just know about God's power.  "So that [they] would know" his power and fear him.  

As the pastor's sermon continued, I began to find my own life lining up...more and more.  What memorials do we have in our lives that we have become too familiar with?  Do you have a memorial that God built "so that all the peoples of the earth would know that the hand of the Lord is powerful..."?  What in your own life is meant to be a reminder of how God has worked in the past, is working, and continues to work?  Have you become so familiar with it that you've lost reverence or respect for it?  Has it become unnoticeable?

A year ago, Russ and I were losing sleep and our appetites as we prayed day and night and dawn and twilight.  A year ago, friends and family members were sending us pictures of them "Praying for More" from all over the world.  Literally.  A year ago, we were trusting completely in God's power to build our family and fulfill the longing of our hearts in His way.

A year ago, God was preparing a memorial for our lives.  A memorial "so that all the peoples of the earth would know that the hand of the Lord is powerful..."  Not just a story of his power that others had heard about.  God's power was in the face of a beautiful blue-eyed baby girl.  God's power was in the weight of a sleeping baby in her mother's arms.  God's power was in the tears and smiles of a new daddy.  God created this memorial - not so others will know about his power - but for "all the peoples of the earth to know that the hand of the Lord is powerful..."

May Russ and I never become a "Gilgal of idol worship".  May we always remember to tell others about how God's power worked in our lives.  May this memorial, in the form of my angelic nearly one-year-old daughter, always be a reminder to our descendents, friends, family, and others..."all the peoples of the earth"...that the hand of the Lord is powerful.

The last part of that verse says "and so that you may always fear the Lord your God."  The verse changes from talking about "all the peoples" to talking about me.  "...And so that YOU may always fear the Lord your God." God created this memorial for others to know his power...and so that I may always "fear" him.  Some words used in translation for "fear" are: revere, worship, serve.  And plain old fear.  Not that we are scared of God.  Perhaps it's a different kind of fear.  A fear that we may defame the name of God.  A fear that we may disappoint Him.  A fear that He is fully capable of condemning me to hell.  But, because of His grace and mercy...I know He will not do that to those who believe in Him and accept Him as the Lord of their life.

Today, I was reading the blog of my college roommate (I labeled Nikki in the first picture collage in this post).  She and her family are anxiously and desperately waiting on THE CALL to go pick up their little boy.  They are adopting a 3 year old little boy from Colombia.  Luis turns 4 this month, and Nikki and her family cannot stand the idea of her son spending another birthday in an orphanage.  And they wait.  Oh, how that blog post took me back to a year ago. 

When we were waiting...

Waiting for our longing fulfilled.  Our memorial God created for His glory.

Waiting on the powerful hand of God "so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that [we] might always fear the Lord [our] God.”

There's power in the waiting.

And On the Fifth...

Our family had a woderful Fourth of July.  Millie Janalee and I were still battling that sinus/cold junk from the week before, and Russ began to have a tickle in his throat.  So, he woke up early Friday morning headed toward the doctor for his own sinus cocktail shot (I had mine on Thursday).  After the shot and a good nap, he was headed out of town for work.  In case you didn't know, Russ's schedule includes: work, work out of town, work, study, work, study, study, work, work out of town, study, spend a couple hours at home, and study some more.  So having him with us on the Fourth was a treat.  Millie Janalee and I were sad that he had to leave us, but we were thankful for the day we had. 

Just in case you didn't feel sorry enough for Russ, I've gotta say that just because he has to leave and work or study...doesn't mean the girls do.  Millie Janalee and I had a date with the lake!  Kristin and Lee had the boat on Friday, so Millie Janalee, Pawpaw, and I joined Kristin, Lee, and Dustin for a day at Pickwick.

"Can someone get my juice out of this cooler, please?"

"Hey!  I can't move, but I can wave at you."

I don't know if I mentioned this from our last boat experience, but Millie Janalee is NOT a fan of the "US Coast Guard Approved" life jacket!  And I don't blame her.  Bless her heart!  I laid her down to buckle all the clasps, and she couldn't even roll over.  She just laid there.  When she sits up, the life jacket smushes up against her neck and face.  It's tight.  And, she is supposed to wear it the whole time?  Bless it!  I now know what works the best...a Baby Mum Mum cracker!  As long as she has one in her hand, she golden.

Her favorite spot was right up against Pawpaw...asleep.  Sweet girl actually slept almost the whole afternoon.  I think we counted nearly 3 hours of naptime on the boat.  The fresh air just soothes this girl right to sleep.

While Pawpaw and Millie Janalee napped in the back of the pontoon, the rest of the crew enjoyed our day on the lake.   Don't let the "lake idea" fool you.  It rained for a good bit of our day.  It didn't stop us at all, though.  We spent the first part of our day dodging dark clouds and running away from where we saw rainfall.  The sun wasn't shining too bright, but who needs sun when you're on the boat anyway?  I still got sunburned!  At one point, near the dam, we realized that we had been cornered.  The dark clouds were in every direction except ahead.  And the lake didn't continue ahead.  Hmmm...  We, along with all the other boats in the area, raced to the nearest cove.  Some had boat slips there, and some (like us) did not.  We anchored down in a little insert surrounded by trees to break the wind and decided the only option was to turn the music up and ride it out.  Oh, and to hope for no lightning.

Dustin

Kristin and Lee

We all got SOAKED!  Our bags were soaked, our boat was soaked, and the thunder rolled.  The lightning did light up the sky a couple of times, but nothing too major. It was a fun memory.  Millie Janalee pretty much took over all our towels as we blocked rain from hitting her face and covered her so she wouldn't freeze.  Ha!  Once the rain storm passed, we were good to ride!

Millie Janalee's hair was wet, so I decided to style it a bit.  Lee turned the music back up, and Millie Janalee was up and dancing!  Performing her little heart out...

Regardless of the rain, it was a very pleasant day on the lake!  Daddy and I headed back to the house, while Kristin, Lee, and Dustin headed toward Lee's aunt's house where they would spend the night.  We met Mama at the house, got showered and dressed, and enjoyed a yummy dinner at a local steakhouse.

The rest of our night included a visit with Maw Maw for dessert, and a lazy bedtime!  So, I guess you could say, "And on the fifth, we played."

Baby's First Fourth of July

After Millie Janalee's long nap where she wet her crib and her cute celebratory outfit, we changed our clothes (Thankfully, Maw Maw had been shopping for some patriotic baby clothes...plus what I had brought.) and headed over to Auntie Kristin and Uncie Lee's house.  Kristin and Lee are always good to host family celebrations, dinners, movie nights, and game days.  Ha!  Truth be told, Kristin does love to entertain...but she is also very allergic to animals of any kind.  And seeing as how Dustin and I both bring our puppies to my parents' house when we are in town, she kinda can't come over without her eyes turning wrong side out.  Either way, we are thankful for her hospitality and Lee's patience as he cannot get away from our family on his days off. 

Ever.

Lee was rockin' the whole 'Merica theme while Kristin was all classy Navy.

My dad already picked up Maw Maw earlier in the day when we were all playing on my parents' back deck.  Millie Janalee loved her cane.  I just try not to think of all the places the bottom of that cane has been.  Ha!

When we all arrived at Kristin and Lee's, Millie Janalee posed her best and waved her flag in front of Uncie Lee's patriotic flamingos.  Nothing says Independence Day like a patriotic flamingo.  Don't you think?  Lee was busy on the grill grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, and Kristin was busy preparing dips and fruit kabobs.  Mama and I jumped in to help where we could.  Mostly, I was watching Millie Janalee as she was in the living room with Maw Maw alone.  Think glass vases, brick hearth, lots of pottery, and electronics....combined with a great-grandmother who doesn't move fast or see well.  So, I was pretty obsolete in the kitchen.  I felt a little better that Russ and Daddy were helping with the grilling.  Or at least that was their intention.  I'm not sure three grown men need to ALL be grilling together on the same grill. 

I digress...basically, we all got busy.

Including Millie Janalee!  After a few times of grabbing her before she picked up or knocked off something fragile, I decided she may enjoy crawling around in the grass.  What I didn't anticipate was her actually crawling up the concrete steps to the patio.  Now, I'm not completely naive.  I did anticipate her pulling up on the step.  I had NO idea she would be able to climb up all four steps by herself! 

But, she did.

And we let her!

So, now I see that Uncie Lee and Auntie Kristin's back yard is now a danger zone for the next few months of Millie Janalee's life.  Haha!  I'm really just kidding.  It's not like she will ever be out there alone anyway.  Until Uncie Lee builds her that fence she asked for.  [Hehe!]

Kristin brought our appetizers outside while we enjoyed conversation, wonderful temperatures, and keeping the grill master company.

Fruit kabobs in the shape of the American flag!

Sausage and cheese plate?  YES please!

We enjoyed the delicious burgers, hot dogs, sausage, cheese, fruit, chips, and dips prepared by our hosts before relaxing and playing for the remaining hours of daylight.  The boys all headed to the driveway for a game of basketball while the girls visited, played with Millie Janalee, and cleaned up the food.

Me and my bestie

Lee and Russ

Lee and Daddy

When the sun set and our first fireworks TV special, Macy's Fourth of July Celebration, ended we headed out back for Millie Janalee to experience her first Fourth of July fireworks fun!  I mentioned to my dad that we needed fireworks for Millie Janalee's first Fourth of July.  We typically have huge fireworks shows that draw quite the crowd.  This year, Millie Janalee probably wasn't ready for that.  Anyway, Daddy jumped up and started rummaging through the coat room (or whatever it's called...that little room right off the garage before you get into the living room).  He came out with a box of old bottle rockets and sparklers from Kristin and Lee's wedding I guess.  Ha!  Works for me! 

It was time to try them out!  Russ took Millie Janalee while Pawpaw lit the first sparkler.  Kristin tried to join in, but she kept having sparkler malfunctions.  Remember, these were pretty old.  Probably not the safest idea.  Ha!

Millie Janalee's first sparkler

"What's wrong with Auntie Kristin's sparkler?"

A few minutes later, we all notice a loose sparkler flying around in the back yard.  It turns out that Susu was performing her best rendition of a raindance mixed with a flag girl from a marching band.  She was running and twirling and dancing and waving that sparkler all over the place!  Quite the spectacle.  The best part is she was doing it off to the side all by herself.

Just another day in the life of this family.

Presenting: a grandmother and the dancing sparkler

Millie Janalee was captivated.

Russ talked me into joining the fun, so I gave it a whirl.  I gotta admit, though, that my twirling and waving the sparkler was nothing compared to Susu's dancing and running around...

Once the pretties were over, it was time for the boys to play.  Daddy pulled out the who knows how old bottle rockets.  Millie Janalee didn't seem to mind the pop too much, so we stayed outside to watch the madness.  When these guys get together with anything dangerous...things get a little crazy.  It seemed that Russ and Lee were trying pretty hard to finish my dad off.  Bottle rockets ended up landing in his sandle, beside him, heading toward his head, and he was dodging and weaving all the while.  Russ and Lee claim their bottle rockets were coming off too soon and breaking off.  Hmmm...

Regardless, it was hilarious to watch.  Grown men laughing hysterically, shooting each other with bottle rockets, and yelling lots of "Shoot!" "Oops!" "Uh oh!"  My  job was to keep Millie Janalee clear of any direct danger.  Ha!

Russ

Lee and Daddy

At one point I heard a thud, and turned around to see Lee flat on the ground.  He exerted so much force getting his bottle rocket up that he missed one of those concrete steps and landed flat on his back.  I gotta say that I'm laughing out loud even as I type this!  Oh my, it was so funny!  I couldn't get my camera up fast enough to catch him flat on the ground, but I did manage to get him stumbling back to his feet.  By the way, do you notice that Lee is running around the backyard shooting bottle rockets barefoot?  Just wondering.

Millie Janalee and I had enough smoke for the night, so I took her inside to change into her pajamas before our final Fourth of July TV special.  One spectator lasted for the entire bottle rocket circus...

Maw Maw

Yep, this family can turn a quiet family dinner and televion into quite the experience.  That's how we roll...

ONEderful "Summer Camp" Morning

So, we've reached the stage of busy-ness!  Miss Millie Janalee is busy, busy, busy!  We have stayed on the go a lot, so there has not been a shortage of things to do or entertain her.  Now that we're home for a little while, I felt like our days were getting redundant.  Blame it on me being used to staying on the go with fun activities.  I try to alternate toys I pull out from her toy chest each day, but I still feel like there's only so much you can do in the confines of our little apartment.  It's a big exciting day when we venture out to Toys R Us or stroll to the  mailboxes.

So, yesterday I began my Pinterest search for 1-year-old activities.  My inner-teacher came out with flashing lights as I began to think of what I had around the house.  First up...eating and playing with our Cheerios.

We're not one of those families that eats around the dinner table right now.  Mainly because Russ is studying his tail off for boards coming up, his schedule is pretty sketchy, we are rarely home, and Millie Janalee and I prefer to eat our breakfast in the living room.  She usually eats her Cheerios off the ottoman while standing against it.  And I eat mind sitting in the chair beside her.

I'm a teacher.  I've known the benefits of using muffin tins for things.  But...duh!  I never pulled it out.  So, I gathered all her Cheerios off the ottoman and began dropping them in the muffin tin.  Of course, I counted them out loud for her!  What else would a teachery mama do?!

Millie Janalee loved it!  She loved the sound they made when they dropped into the pan.  And she loved fishing them out with her little fingers.  And, after a while, she loved picking up the muffin tin and shaking it until all the Cheerios were scattered around the room.  I figure our floor is probably cleaner than her paci after a full day's crawling, so I just left them there and let her find them throughout the day.  Ha! 

After breakfast, it was time for ART!  I love a good craft project!  I haven't done much any since we've lived in our apartment.  Basically, I get stressed out when things get unorganized and everywhere.  In a small space...it's difficult to find a place for everything.  I figured this art activity was mess free and easy enough to try with my Little Bit.  It was Ziplock art.

You need:

• Ziplock baggie
• paint
• paper (or not - you can just do this inside the bag without paint)
• baby oil (I failed to use this, but I will next time)

Ziplock baggie art

I picked up Millie Janalee and placed her in her high chair, but next time I'll probably just let her sit on the floor.  My little student was ready to paint! 

I squirted a few places with paint, and placed the paper inside the baggie.  Of course I checked the seal of the bag a few times before we started.  Seeing as how I used acrylic paint and not washable.  It's all I had.  (I have since bought washable Crayola paint.)  I taped the baggie to the high chair and showed Millie Janalee how to spread the paint around.  Truth be told...she was probably equally as interested in trying to pick up the baggie that was taped to her high chair.  This is why I will probably just let her sit on the floor and play with it next time. 

But, all in all, I'd say she's a little "Baby Picasso" in the making!

When her project was completed, I took all the tape off so she could finally pick it up.  She was so proud of her art!  She held it up for me to see...

Then, I realized that she was just playing Peek-a-Boo...

She enjoyed squishing it around...

This is the part I'm not pleased with.  When I began the task of taking the paper out of the bag, the paint smeared as it came out.  I've gotta figure out how to take the art out of the bag without messing up her art.  I would label this summer art craft as a semi-success.

Millie Janalee's first abstract painting!

Feeling inspired and productive with our structured morning, I didn't stop there!  I found a few things around the apartment for us to try some Marble Art.

You need:

• a container with a top (I chose a shoebox)
• yellow paper ovals
• black paint
• marbles (I didn't have marbles, so I found these glass beads I had leftover from making refrigerator magnets)

I taped the yellow paper ovals to the bottom of the box, squirted a little black paint in the box, and threw the beads in.  Then, I put the top on and taped it shut...very well.

Now, Millie Janalee could paint!  I showed her how to shake the box and hear the beads bounce around.  She was a fan!  She picked up the box, turned it over and over and over, shook it around, and kicked it.  After a little while, I decided it was time to check her artwork.

Obviously, she wasn't finished painting.  Maybe next time I'll just let her play with the box until she gets distracted by the next best thing.  This is what happened when I took the box up...

I opened the box to check out her work, and it looked so good!  Millie Janalee is such the artistic thing!  Ha!

Millie Janalee's marble art

I took the painted ovals up, and laid them out to dry.  Later in the day, I glued them to paper and added wings and antennae to complete her bees.  Of course, I labeled the art and dated it at the bottom.  It now hangs proudly on our refrigerator!

As soon as we finished our "summer camp" activities, it was 12:30 and my sweet girl was rubbing her eyes.  Naptime called!  Our morning went by super fast, and I felt like we weren't sitting around playing with the same toys in the same spot again.  It was a "one"derful summer camp morning!