Wordless Wednesday.

Saturday in the park.

And it felt like the 4th of July, well maybe not quite so hot, but it sure was nice, so nice that we had to bust out to play. David picked up sandwiches from one of our favorite spots, and we headed out to the park for a picnic. The children were so excited.

Yummy lunch from Lenny's complete with Capri Suns flavored waters.

Tilly and Summer enjoying their lunches.

Story's just along for the ride.

Silly boy cheesing for the camera.

The best part about our picnic was the playground!

Getting ready to sliiiiiiide.

Taking a minute to smile at mommy; they are so compliant!

Heeeeeey Mommy!

Notice Tilly is climbing with her cookie in hand. She does not play when it comes to food!

A little chocolate face!

Love this little guy, who's not so little anymore. Wow.

Love this pretty girl too, who's almost as tall as her big brother!

Love this little one, who's so determined to keep up with the big ones.

What a fun day at the park! SO thankful for my sweet family and the memories we are making together. Don't worry, my wordless Wednesday post will make up for the lack of Story pictures!

Our contribution.

For the 3rd annual FBC Austell cake and pie auction set to raise money for our mission trip to Wyoming this summer. We made our very own New Orleans' King Cake sans the baby because we couldn't find one. Well, David did most of the work, big surprise, ha! All I did was braid the dough and pour the icing. The children were so very excited. In fact, the couple who bid on and won our cake, soon found their table surrounded by our big 3 with their spoons in hand. Mr. JB and Miss Lou were such good sports, they just let the children dive right in! Needless to say, we had a little trouble getting everyone to sleep that night.

Valentine vow renewal, sort of.

Do you ever do anything just on a whim? Probably lots of you do. Not me. Not usually. I'm really not very spontaneous, and sometimes I wish I were. But, I really love a plan. I mean is there anything better than researching something, plotting out the details, and following through? Well, about a month ago, I was driving somewhere by myself, which is a rarity in itself, and the local Christian radio station I listen to was advertising a Valentine vow renewal. The DJ went on to give details of how it would be a romantic night for you and your spouse with the opportunity not only to renew your wedding vows, but also to enjoy a concert and a cake reception. Okay! Well, on a whim I decided to apply (not really sure if that's the word I'm looking for) for this Valentine vow renewal. I mean, what did I have to lose? Nothing. So, I wrote my 150 word essay explaining why I thought they should choose us. I think the whole 4 kids, 4 and under sealed it for us because just a few weeks later I received an email saying you have been chosen to participate in 104.7's Valentine vow renewal! What! So exciting! The best part is that I never told David I applied. He is always doing really sweet things to surprise the children and me, and I just never feel as though I have the opportunity. Mostly because he is in charge of the checkbook, so there's no chance of a surprise. In fact, he knows I've been to Starbucks before I even go! I digress. I forwarded him the email, and he found a sitter, 3 of them, to take care of our precious little ones. Saturday during nap time, we got all gussied up for our date. We left the house in plenty of time, but then. . . two words, Atlanta traffic. We were in the car for an hour and half to go 32 miles. Needless to say, we were late. So late in fact that we missed the vow renewal party, sad! However, we did get to see this guy in concert, and he was phenomenal.

Yes, this is from the back row. Remember the late arrival part? Anyway, this is Josh Wilson, and if you've never heard his stuff, it's pretty great.

Most of the songs he played came from his new CD, which was released the same week of the event. After the concert, we went to the reception, which offered samples of wedding cakes from an Atlanta bakery. We also had the opportunity to meet Josh Wilson, along with Kevin and Taylor, the morning DJs for the Fish. Sadly, we did not take our pictures with any of them. This is all my fault too because I just embarrass too easily and didn't want to ask! Afterwards, I was really bummed. One day, I'm going to get over my reservations about life and just put myself out there! It was a fun night. We had our pictures made, and we won a DVD/CD prize pack, so that was neat. Most of all, we got to spend the evening together. Thankfully, we didn't need the vow renewal ceremony to be married, ha! However, if given the chance, I would say 'I do' all over again.

Rock star daddy's back again!

On a last minute's notice, David volunteered to fill in and help at Tilly's Valentine's party. This is his third year to be in Miss Page's class for her Valentine party. He's pretty awesome, don't you think? Being the stellar Daddy that he is, pictures were even taken. It matters not that I sent the camera down to where he was. Tilly looooooved having her daddy in her classroom with her. She was still talking about it days later. Thanks, David, for being our Valentine!

We love you!

Miss Page's classroom. She has taught our big 3, and we can't wait for Story to be big enough to be in her class too!

Tilly's class at school.

This is one of Tilly's favorite, favorite friends. She talks about her ALL the time!

Tilly and her friends doing their Valentine craft.

The Builders enjoying their Valentine treats. Happy Valentine's Day, Tilly! We love you!

Wordless Wednesday.

Story's 9 month stats.

Yesterday, after school I took Story for her 9 month well check up. It just so happened that I had my camera on hand (thanks to Valentine's parties at school), so I was able to snap a couple of pictures of this little cutie.

Story weighs 19.5 pounds, 65th percentile.

Her height is 29 inches, 95th percentile.

Heart, lungs, ears, everything looked perfect. So thankful for a happy, healthy baby.

Last week, when I did her 9 month blog, I posted that she was getting her fifth tooth, but boy was I mistaken! She is cutting all kinds of teeth at once, her 7th tooth (4 on top, 3 on bottom) just broke through on her 9 month birthday. David and I remember the other children doing the same thing once they started getting teeth, they all seemed to come in at once!

Happy 9 months, Story!

My valentines.

This is my first valentine and the most important one. He was about to head out to do our weekly grocery shopping (I know, I am spoiled, completely rotten), and I had already changed out of my church clothes, but I wanted my picture made with him because when I think about love and Valentine's Day, he comes first. He loves me better and bigger and deeper than anyone, even when I don't deserve it. He is such a beautiful example to me of how Christ loves the church, and I am so thankful that our children see that example in him. I pray that God will equip me to love him and encourage him and help him, this one who was created for me. I'm so thankful for my first valentine, especially because he gave me four little valentines, whom I also love with every fiber of my being.

Today, after church I wanted to get a picture of the children all dressed up in their reds and pinks, so I had David take a picture of my four little valentines. He teases me saying that as our children grow up, every time they are asked to sit on the couch, they are going to think I'm planning to take their picture! It's the only place where I can keep all four of them still for a minute!

So, here I am with my four little valentines. SO thankful for each one of them and the joy they bring to my life. I love Carter for his deep perception of life and what is going on around him. He is so very thoughtful and compassionate. I pray that God will continue to work on his little heart and mold it into a heart for Him. I love Summer for her quirky ways and deep belly laughs. She has this uninhibited nature that I adore. I pray that God will tap into her free spirit and use it for His glory. I love Tilly for the way she loves. Last night as I was getting ready to go on a date with David, she said, Mommy, you so beautiful! I didn't even know she knew that word. I love that she still wants me to hold her. I pray that God will use her love for people to reach others for Him. Story, our sweet baby Story. I love the way her eyes light up and how delighted she is when she sees David and me. I pray God will cause her to delight in Him all the days of her life.

Speaking to my heart.

"God calls us to particular Kingdom tasks, in part because He gifts and suits us for them. But he also does so because He uses the demands of the task to further shape, refine, & rework us into a greater likeness to Jesus. The mission is a part of the discipleship process. Our obedience is in effect fuel for the Refiner's fire."

Dr. Chuck Kelley, President New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Happy birthday, Lincoln!

One year ago today, we welcomed this precious bundle of joy into our family!

We can hardly believe this snoozing newborn is now this big bundle of happy baby boy!

Happy 1st birthday, Lincoln!

We love you!

Happy 9 months, Story!

Mommy, I already know what you are going to say, and I am 9 months old today. Believe it. We're not getting any younger, you know?

Oh, my sweet Story! I can't believe it. In fact, just today I had a glimpse of my life in about 10 years with a 13, 14, 15, and 16 year old, and my heart might have stopped for a few beats. You are indeed 9 months, and what a busy month it has been for you. In fact, some weeks it seems like you change so much we can hardly keep up.

At the beginning of this month, we celebrated snow week, and it was so much fun to be at home with all of you for a whole week when we should've been in school. I loved it! This was day 4 at home, and we busted out the Halloween costumes for fun.

Here's what you are up to at 9 months:

• Your doctor's appointment is not until Monday, so we don't know your stats just yet.
• You did have to go back to the doctor this month for a sick visit though. You had hand, foot, mouth disease and your poor little body was broken out everywhere with blisters. It was pitiful, but you were such a trooper. In fact, after looking at you Dr. G couldn't believe that you weren't screaming in pain. The first night you did keep us awake all night long, but we forgave you because it didn't happen again.

• You are wearing size 4 diapers and 12+ month clothes.
• Your shoe size is a 2.
• You have 4 teeth, with a 5th one coming through on top.
• You sleep from 6 pm until 8 am most every night. You take a morning nap for about an hour and a long afternoon nap for 2-3 hours.
• You love bath time. This month, you moved from the baby bath tub straight to the big bath tub! We were so surprised that you took to it so quickly. With your brother and sisters, we transitioned to a blow up toddler tub, but we just put you right in the big tub! I guess that's what happens with the fourth baby, ha!

• You have become even more mobile this month. You have moved completely away from the army crawl to all fours.
• You are pulling up on the furniture so you can stand, but you have not begun cruising yet though we think it's only a matter of time.
• You love for us to hold you while you jump up and down.
• You dislike being on the changing table at all times.

• You love to feed yourself. In fact, with the exception of yo-toddler and oatmeal, we hardly feed you with a spoon.
• You are eating cut up vegetables and fruits like a champ. You also love macaroni and cheese. This was your first table food to try, and you loved it! You also love multi-grain cheerios, yogurt melts, and puffs.
• We have to watch carefully because sometimes your big sisters "help" you eat your food!

• This month, we traveled to Shelter Cove to visit the Hollands, and your cousin Haleigh loved playing with you. She was such a big help.
• You are talking a lot with your favorite words being mamamamama and dadadadadadada. We don't mind!
• We are teaching you to sign "please" and "all done."

• Your brother and sisters still like you, which we are thankful for. Tilly adores you and calls you her "baby sister!" So cute!
• Carter likes to pick you up and move you from place to place; he is such a big help with you.
• Summer is extra sweet with you too and loves to sit with you in the floor and play with you.
• You don't have to much, but you seem to entertain yourself well, which is a gift.

• This month was your first time to actually play at Jump4Joeys. You loved crawling over the bouncy toys.
• One of my favorite things that you do when I pick you up is you rub my hair with your hands. It is so sweet. Tilly does this too; I wonder if she taught you?
• You loooove kisses, and you have begun to kiss us back, full open mouth on the mouth kisses, there's nothing sweeter!

• The biggest highlight of this month was having Papa and Gigi come for a visit.
• You did great while they were here. I think you loved having all the extra attention. You even got to spend a day with Papa and Gigi by yourself while the big 3 were at school.
• I think we all behaved well enough that maybe they will come back soon, ha!
• And, finally, here is the monthly picture with all four of you. Can't believe how much all of you have changed since you were born. You are even big enough to sit by yourself on the couch, what!

Happy 9 months, Story!
In case it's not so very obvious,
we love you to the moon and back! A whole bunch!

Wordless Wednesday.