Catonements

Update

2010-03-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

I have been extremely slack in updating here. The girls are getting so big. I try to see what "baby" is left in them, but it's very little if any. I'm starting to see such personality differences between them. Maddie is very responsible (first born) and is always trying to mother Anabel. She's my little helper. She's also very cautious/borderline fearful. It's a daily battle to convince her there are no bulldogs in the house and that she can come downstairs on her own, use the bathroom alone, etc. She is first to rise, and wakes up several times during the night (still). Anabel sleeps the longest and rarely wakes up in the middle of the night. Anabel has no fear. Which is mostly good. I say that because there are times I want her to have a healthy fear of the situation. A few days ago, she jumped from the top step and would have probably tumbled down the stairs, except I happened to be behind her and caught her.

These are the most recent pictures I have taken. They are having bunny portraits done next week and I'll post those to follow.

Anabel: Looks like her daddy, is sweet and cuddly, but very tough, like a bull in a china shop.

Maddie: Looks like her mommy, is smart and sassy, kind of sensitive, very creative and artistic.

Ashley's wedding teasers...Thanks Kickstand Studio

2009-09-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

My girls...

2009-09-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

2009-09-14T15:59:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, and Josh and I are 29!

2009-05-01T15:05:00.001-07:00

It's been a while...

2009-05-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

So I decided to update this page a bit. Maddie and Anabel are growing like crazy. Maddie is almost 3 1/2 and Anabel is 1 1/2. These are some pictures from last weekend. It was Maddie's first time climbing a tree at Papaw's house in Lancaster. As with most things, Anabel wanted to try because she saw Maddie do it. Also, Anabel climbs everything so she was a natural.

My Artwork

2009-02-10T06:14:00.001-08:00

I started a blog for my paintings. Please check it out if you have time. :)

www.shieldscatone.blogspot.com

Nana's birthday.

2008-11-23T18:51:00.000-08:00

We went to Lancaster on Friday to surprise Mrs. Catone for her birthday. Maddie loves to visit Nana at her school because she's fascinated with all things school right now. Nana even let her sit at her desk and make a couple of announcements on the loudspeaker.

The other pictures are of Anabel playing peek-a-boo with her placemat at Charley's Cafe in Lancaster. We went there twice over the weekend...it's so good and we recommend it if you're up that way.

Happy Birthday Emily!

2008-11-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

Nov. 10 was Emily's 25th birthday. As Jessica Simpson says, "which is, like, almost mid-twenties." Now a little something to embarrass her...

Cupcakes

2008-10-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU everyone for your support of our new cupcake business and your input.
The new name IS "Surely Goodness" and our new blog is

www.surelygoodnesscupcakery.blogspot.com

Maddie, the dentist

2008-10-09T13:41:00.001-07:00

First trip to the dentist. She was so good. She let them do everything- even the sucker thing.

"Now I'll take your picture mommy"

Killing time...so hard to floss with big gloves.

A friday at the zoo...

2008-10-03T16:00:00.001-07:00

Right before we stepped in here they said "don't let your little girl touch the birds-they may bite her" so that look on my face is stress. All she wanted to do was grab the cute little birds by their necks and squeeze.

Yes, you're taller.

The last trip we made to the zoo (only a few weeks ago) involved Maddie running downhill, full speed, away from a statue of a gorilla and crying because she was so scared of gorillas. We didn't even try to go see the exhibit that day. My friends distracted her and spoke in code around the gorillas. A goal of mine today was to get over the gorilla thing. This is my proof we're making progress.

My Business

2008-10-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that I run a little art business on the side. God has blessed me tremendously with customers and I pray my artwork and crafts bring Him Glory. I wanted to post a couple of my new creations. I'm thinking about a website for my oil paintings, but feel free to email me for any other random thing I can make for you. If you have an idea, I can probably make it happen. Blessings!

This hairbow was created for Maddie because of her fascination with frogs. It's uniquely my own, you can't find this anywhere else. This is the "small" - There is a big one for older children. I recently made a large and small one for two sisters for a birthday party.

I created this for my soon to be sister-in-law, Aubrey. She is a kindergarten teacher and wanted an apron to wear for work. I think this is common for elementary teachers these days. I couldn't find a cute one that met her needs, so I made one. It has a very cute lining fabric. It's brown corduroy with two, large pockets. The pockets are set at a slight angle for comfortable access. I'm working on another design that is pink corduroy with a brown/pink lining fabric. Will post soon.

K is for keeping summer alive!

2008-09-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

My favorite things from this past weekend:

-Working out in our new gym

-the delicious myoplex smoothie Tony made me after I finished working out

-playing on the beach with Maddie and Anabel, and letting them get all sandy

-napping with Anabel under the umbrella on the beach

-Maddie learning what "repeating" something means and then telling us everytime we repeat something

-Big bowls of homemade veggie soup that Tony and I made together. With a little cheese on top. YUM! Then a nap on the couch under a blanket and being tucked in by a two year old. So sweet. (it's more like being karate chopped but I love her!!)

sandy face
she wore herself slap out...

dancing on the beach

maddie and maggie with pigtails and polka dots. They just met.
resting in the shade after playing hard.

Can't wait to see this...

2008-09-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

From the same people that made "Facing the Giants" which made me cry the whole time. The trailer for this one made me cry too, I love the way these people want to make movies. What if every movie glorified God?? I also saw a story about Kirk Cameron where he wouldn't kiss the actress who is his wife in the movie so they used his real wife as a double. Go see it...

http://fireproofthemovie.com/

We don't work for them...we work for Him.

2008-09-08T19:33:00.001-07:00

For all my invisible mom friends. This encouraged me. Take the time if you have 5 minutes. Be blessed and go forth!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

She wants to be a lawyer...

2008-09-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Last night Tony and I were playing with Maddie and Anabel on the couch. She told Tony how she wanted to be a lawyer like him when she grew up. He told her she could do that. Then he asked her if she wanted to be a mommy like her mommy (me). She quickly said no. When he asked her why she said,

"Because being a man is more easier than being a lady."

I asked her "what do lawyers do?"

She threw up her hand and pretended to use some scissors and said,

"They cut peoples' hairs!"

J is for Jesus!

2008-09-04T08:19:00.001-07:00

There's no way to talk about my family or our identity without first talking about Jesus. Every day we try to look more like Jesus and teach our children directly or indirectly about Him. I look forward to teaching Maddie when she asks questions about the Bible and I'm always praying that the LORD will guide me into what to tell her when. I've neglected to teach her what dying and death mean, for obvious reasons- she's only 2. However, today she brought me her Bible Story book and asked "why is this lady crying?" I noticed it was the story of Jesus' death and it was Mary who was crying. I explained to her that she was crying because Jesus was on the cross. She said, "Is He dying on the cross?" So, OK here we go... I told her the story of Jesus dying on the cross and coming back alive after 3 days. We talked (again) about sin and what it is and what it means to be forgiven. I thought to myself, "she's really taking this in!" So a few minuts later she asked me what Heaven will be like. I explained what the Bible tells us of Heaven. She said, "I want to go to Heaven and see Jesus." After we talked about that a bit longer she asked me if she could talk to Jesus. I told her that's what we do when we pray and asked her if she wanted to pray. She folded her hands...peeked at me out of the corner of her eye and said "I think I'll just call Him." While I was a bit stunned I watched her pull out her pinky and thumb in the shape of a phone and call Jesus. Here's how her side of the call went. "Um, hello, Jesus? Are you dead? (pause) Oh!" Then she excitedly yells "mommy! Jesus said he's not dead, he's alive and we can come see him in Heaven!"

Conversations like this confirm to me that I'm where God wants me, laboring at home all day. It's like... clean toilet, potty train, go to the mountaintop to commune with God, catch up on ironing. Just another day that I'm blessed with.

Mark 10:15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

For such a time as this...

2008-08-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

I, like many people, have not been thrilled about the choices for President this term but then-- HEY!! Where'd Sarah Palin come from? Who is she? I love this woman. She seems to be a righteous, virtuous, courageous woman, one whom seems to be after God's own heart. Remind you of anyone? She reminded me right away of Queen Esther, also second in command. Like Esther, she is a beautiful (the Bible says she was "lovely in form and features") and confident woman who has a history of standing up for what she believes in. She is a champion of life which I'm extremely passionate about. She is a former beauty queen, shoots guns, hunts and eats Moose (I'm not sure why but it comes across as really cool), has a son who is a current soldier in the Iraq war, etc. Why do people like her so much? Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. I think God is bestowing his favor upon Sarah for his purpose. I can't help but think that like Queen Esther, she could be divinely placed in a position where she could be called upon to defend her people. She will undoubtedly be under attack in the coming months. We must pray for her for whatever purpose the LORD has chosen for her to be in such a position.

Esther 4:14

"...And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

I is for Irish dancing...

2008-08-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

Watch this and see if you can spot the Irish in Anabel...

Little Heidi at the zoo

2008-08-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen the movie Heidi with Shirley Temple? My mom first bought it for us because Maddie reminds her so much of Shirley Temple in her build, her curly hair and her tendency to break out into a performance. In the movie, Heidi has to go live with her grandfather in the mountains where she learns to milk a goat. We've only seen it several hundred times, so if Maddie looks like she knows what she's doing here she kind of does. With very little instruction she hopped on the stool and starting milking this cow. It actually had rubber utters that milk would come out of. I'll have to admit she did a little better than I did. I panned out on this shot so you could see the expression on this cow's face.

Here's also a good shot of Emily feeding a giraffe. She thanked Bob the volunteer (who cameo's in the next picture- see his nametag) for helping her. He told her he wasn't a volunteer, that his last name was volunteer. Then when she fell for it he said, "well, you are a blonde." What? Funny.

(Chrissie Giraffe and Bob Volunteer)

Thanks Karen and Keri Lyn for going with us to the zoo! I'll email the pics soon!

H is for Honorable Mention?

2008-08-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

OK, so I don't know that, I'm just hoping. I entered a painting into the Cooper River Bridge Run design contest and here it is. I'm pretty sure it didn't win but I'm going to keep trying (next year). Tony joked that he was going to make some t-shirts anyway and we could wear them for the run. I wouldn't be surprised to see him pull a truck full of shirts with my design up to the run with a grass roots effort to make the "unofficial" shirt the one to wear. Who needs to win when you have family and friends like mine?? On a related note: I'm working on a website for my art so stay tuned...

G is for Good ole days...and girl talk.

2008-08-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

The good ole days were when my bestest, Missy, lived in town and our biggest concern was which day to lay out and how many cookies to make...2 for me and maybe 10 for her! Last night my parents, me, Tony and our girls got to have dinner with our sweet friends, the McGuires. Peyton (their little girl) and Maddie had the best time. Their conversations between a 2 1/2 yr old and a 3 year old are hilarious. They are probably some of the only toddlers I've ever seen sing the entire first verse of "Be Thou My Vision" as our entertainment for the evening. It's so obvious that they are being raised differently than the world. I kept catching them out of the corner of my eye biblically reproving each other. "Peyton, your mommy said to sit down" and "Maddie, your mommy is talking, don't inturrupt." It's really funny. Today I had the chance to steal Missy away for lunch and it was, again, the best time. Our girls played and shared lunch while Missy and I caught up. We talk almost everyday, you'd think we'd be caught up by now. But in person it's different. After, we wanted to shop so Peyton and Maddie shared my double stroller, Missy helped me strap Anabel onto me with my baby carrier and she carried Asher around. I could see the eyes of the ladies in Hand Picked get really wide when I pushed two toddlers in with a baby strapped to me. Here are a few pics. Missy, I'll email them to you too. Hope to see you in Charleston on Monday!!
Missy with Peyton (hers) and Anabel (mine)
looks serious
Me with Asher (hers) and Maddie (mine)
"Peyton, do you want to come to my house and play?"

F is for Football Season!

2008-07-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

We know it's still 4 weeks away, but we can't wait! Thanks Nana for the cute shirts. Go Tigers! (And Gamecocks!)

E is for Ear Infections...and eeeewww.

2008-07-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have a picture for this one but if I did it would be one of Anabel smiling from ear to ear and laughing at Maddie's baby shrek doll making burping noises (that was a gift I'm not a Shrek fan). I almost cancelled her Dr. appointment today because she was just being her sweet little self. But I'm glad I didn't. Anabel has her first ear infection and it's a double!! Even after sitting in her carseat at Publix for a 1/2 hour while we waited on her medicine she was still smiling. Even after I realized she was sitting in a puddle of poo (and I do mean "puddle") in her carseat, she was still smiling. Grinning from ear to ear. It's by God's grace that she was asleep when I arrived at the store or I would have taken her in without her carseat and we all can imagine the mess that would have been. This sassy little manager lady came over to help bag my groceries and was leaning over talking to Anabel. I went ahead and fessed up to her what had happened and she still insisted on helping me out to the car. Sweet girl. She and I had a good laugh about it on the way out. But what do you do? And y'all thought this blog was about ears.

D is for Daughters

2008-07-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

Is there anything better than both of your babies snuggling you at one time? (Well, it's better when Tony's in on it). I hope they're never too big to sit with me and just hug.

C is for CATONE!!!

2008-07-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

As in, we're growing! No, I'm not pregnant- I know how you people think. Tony's brother, Jason got engaged over the weekend. I couldn't be more excited!! I just saw these pictures and literally I wanted to scream! In a good way. My new sister-in-law will be Aubrey Oliver. Well, she will be Aubrey Catone! I've known for about a week that this was happening and it was really hard not to give it away. I'm not that great at keeping secrets. Aubrey and I went to the nail salon and went to Zumba and I almost gave it away a few times. Next time I have a secret I'll just avoid the person because I wanted to tell her SO BAD!! She was so surprised though. I am so happy for y'all. I love you both and we can't wait to be a part of it. We wish you all the blessings that come from planning your wedding and being married. You are perfect for each other. Aubrey, I love you girl and can't wait til you're officially a Catone!

Here are a few pictures from their engagement. Yes, he wrote it in the sand. Her family got her to look over the edge of the deck at an oceanside restaurant. Then she says she lost it, cried, freaked out and ran to the beach where she tackled him. She says, "He was saying something but I don't know what because I tackled him."

B is for Baking!

2008-07-11T05:32:00.000-07:00

OK, no one I know would consider me the best cook ever, but I do love to try. (I really would be nowhere without my Paula Deen cookbook). I'm a much better griller than baker. Still, there is something so southern as sweet tea about making supper for your family. Some days I think that a five dollar footlong from Subway will save me time, money and energy, but then again there's just nothing like a home-cooked meal. I try to make dinner all but one night a week. That one night really does end up being five dollar foot long night and I do know how to appreciate it!! So I decided to share my favorite recipe for cheese grits. I actually made this for dinner the other night with shrimp and I thought my version of shrimp and grits was really good. Let me know if you want the shrimp part of the recipe. This is a staple recipe for brunch showers or just brunch in general. I haven't met a man yet (and only one female) that doesn't love this. I have to thank my friend Julie Armstrong for sharing this with me.

Also, here's the recipe for Monkey Munch that I promised you, Missy. I used to make it when it was called Puppy Chow and then "jon and kate" made it called Monkey Munch- which Maddie calls "Monkey Lunch." I don't have the heart to correct her. So now we call it Monkey Lunch. It's really addictive. Let me preface this by saying Aubrey and I made this the other day by measuring out all the ingredients very well. Then we decided to throw out the directions and eye-balled it by basically doubling all the peanut butter and chocolate so that's the only way I know how to make it. Welcome to how I cook.

Jalepeno Cheese Grits:
- 1 cup quick cook grits
- 1 block of Mild Mexican velveeta cheese (at Publix this is by the spaghetti stuff)
- 1 stick of butter (I use light butter)
- 2 eggs
- about 1/2 cup milk (I use Fat Free milk but it's really good with whole milk)
- salt and pepper to taste

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot. Add 1 cup of grits and reduce to simmer until grits are cooked (about 8 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes. Add stick of butter and block of cheese and stir until melted. crack eggs into a 1 cup measuring cup and beat lightly with a fork. Add enough milk to fill the rest of the measuring cup. Add this mixture to your grits. Transfer to a baking dish- I use a stone baker- and bake at 350 degrees for about 1/2 hour. My dear friend Julie makes this fluffy like a suflee, but I like mine a little more runny like traditional grits. So, cook it however long you need for how you like it. That's how not-exact I am with recipes. :)

Monkey Lunch:

Melt together:

1 stick butter
1 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Pour over 8 cups Rice Chex cereal. Coat cereal well and cool. Shake cereal in a large ziplock freezer bag with 2 cups powdered sugar. I think this would probably work better with about 1/2 the butter it calls for and half the amount of cereal.

A is for Alligator Hugs

2008-07-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

This morning Maddie greeted me at her door with a big smile and said,"Mommy, I'm gonna give you a great big Alligator hug!" Then she did. I asked her where she got that and she said she made it up. Here she is demonstrating the hug. First you open your arms like the alligator's mouth, then you clamp around the person you want to hug and squeeze! So cute.

And yes, she's eating pink pancakes. And yes, they have sprinkles in them. God willing I will have a baby boy someday and I'll need some advice on some non-girly ways to raise children. For now, she loves it.

Alphabet blogging

2008-07-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

This is not my idea, but I love seeing everyone's alphabel blogs. I'll give it a try to.

Personality test

2008-06-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

I always think these are fun. Here are a couple I did today and results. What is yours???

The VALS test: http://www.sric-bi.com/VALS/presurvey.shtml

My result
Experiencer/Achiever

Experiencers are motivated by self-expression. As young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool. They seek variety and excitement, savoring the new, the offbeat, and the risky. Their energy finds an outlet in exercise, sports, outdoor recreation, and social activities.

Experiencers are avid consumers and spend a comparatively high proportion of their income on fashion, entertainment, and socializing. Their purchases reflect the emphasis they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff.

Motivated by the desire for achievement, Achievers have goal-oriented lifestyles and a deep commitment to career and family. Their social lives reflect this focus and are structured around family, their place of worship, and work. Achievers live conventional lives, are politically conservative, and respect authority and the status quo. They value consensus, predictability, and stability over risk, intimacy, and self-discovery.

With many wants and needs, Achievers are active in the consumer marketplace. Image is important to Achievers; they favor established, prestige products and services that demonstrate success to their peers. Because of their busy lives, they are often interested in a variety of time-saving devices.

Color Quiz
http://www.colorquiz.com/

(OK, I copied this one down word for word, although it makes me feel a bit manipulative and "charming." Haha. Whatever...)

Your Existing Situation
Works well in cooperation with others. Needs a personal life of mutual understanding and freedom from discord.

Your stress sources
Anxious to experience life in all its aspects, to explore all its possibilities, and to live it to the fullest. She therefore resents any restriction or limitation being imposed on her and insists on being free and unhampered.

Your Desired Objective
Wants interesting and exciting things to happen. Able to make herself well-liked by her obvious interest and by the very openness of her charm. Over-imaginative and given to fantasy or day-dreaming.

Your Actual Problem
Seeks to avoid criticism and to prevent restriction of her freedom to act, and to decide for herself by the exercise of great personal charm in her dealings with others.

Your Actual Problem #2
Has a fear that she might be prevented from achieving the things she wants. This leads her to employ great personal charm in her dealings with others, hoping that this will make it easier for her to reach her objectives.

Mother-daughter art time

2008-06-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

Lately Maddies really wants to do whatever I'm doing such as fold clothes, clean the bathroom or paint. Today I had a scripture board a friend of mine asked me to make(if you're wondering what that is I have a picture of the one I made today below) and Maddie really wanted to paint too. So, I got a board for her and some paint and let her go at it. Notice the look on her face- she's thinking hard. I didn't help her at all. One thing my kindergarten teacher noticed about me when I was little was the way I would color from one side of the paper to the other. I didn't leave any white spaces. Other children would focus their picture on the middle of the page. It was fun to let Maddie go and see her cover every inch of her board with paint. Hopefully God is instilling a passion for art in her as I have. Or maybe it speaks more to our personalities being similar in some way. Either way here's her description of her painting..."It's a walrus, oh, no, it's a tiger. And a ducky. And another walrus."

Zumba

2008-06-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

If you've never taken a Zumba class, and you like taking "classes" at the gym and/or dancing you should try it. I'm hooked for sure and wish I could go everyday. It's ridiculously fun. Thanks Aubrey for taking me with you!!

For him whom my soul loves...

2008-06-16T03:49:00.001-07:00

I have truly the best husband I could ever ask for. He is my best friend and we share everything. I could really go on and on, but I want to honor him in a different light given that it's Father's Day. Second to being the best husband I know, he is the most loving father to his two little girls that I've ever seen. I always knew I wanted to be married to someone who loved children and wanted lots of them. On one of our first dates Tony said that he would one day love to have 10 and I was overjoyed (I saw his heart and knew the number could be negotiated at a later date). Cut to today. I knew he would have our little girls in the backyard playing baseball, which I think is adorable, but I didn't foresee all of the wonderful ways he would just let them be little girls and nurture them and love them. I have learned so many things in life from Tony and have been the most inspired by him more than anything. He is a dreamer and visionary and has taught me over the years to not compromise. He is the most determined person I know, not to mention the most brilliant. I thought that having children would kind of be my thing where I would have the instincts. That happens sometimes in more practical ways but there are other times where I want to say, "stop, don't play in that dirt" and "you can't climb ladders" or don't touch those rocks, they are dirty. Tony ends up being the one with the sweet heart to say it can all be cleaned up and "I'll just stand right here, go ahead and climb." Then I go to do laundry and he has a pocket full of garden variety pebbles. It's no wonder Maddie is such a daddy's girl. For now Anabel is my sweet Mommy's girl but I cherish it now because as soon as she's old enough to know better, he'll have her heart too. It will be well deserved. What a blessing to my children that God gave them such an encouraging and loving Father to point them towards Himself. I have no doubt that that's what Tony will do- point them towards the love of Christ. There's no greater joy for me than to see him teaching them and guiding them and molding them.

Hopefully I haven't embarrassed you sweetie, I love you and more people should know the wonderful father that you are. Happy Father's Day!

A little teaser for you guys...

2008-06-13T20:12:00.000-07:00

All the grandchildren
Bored waiting for breakfast. The boys don't usually take our photo shoots seriously.Emily and Lawton (looking uncharacteristically sinister)Vanessa and Josh looking chipper
Me and Tony looking...something.Ashley and Corey. Hello, beach model?

Vacation at last!!

2008-06-11T18:36:00.001-07:00

Sorry I've been slack about the blog, we're at the Isle of Palms this week on vacation. By "we" I mean my WHOLE family- Mom, Dad, Emily, Lawton and Abigail, Josh and Vanessa, Ashley and Corey and my whole brood. It's really the only way to go. If you're a mom and you want a vacation, you have to take sisters, a brother and a Maws/Bop bop to watch your babies. I only had to cook one night too. It was tonight. Baked Spaghetti. YUM!!

I'll post some pics soon. It's fun having Anabel and Abigail here together being one month apart in age. It's an awesome sight to see how much stuff a baby needs on the beach. It's kind of like the beginning to the show "Yes Dear" if you know what I'm talking about...stroller, umbrella, Bumbo seat, beach bag, baby bag, toys, oh it goes on and on. Oh, and somewhere in between applying 50 sunscreen to my babies, I turned myself a beautiful shade of golden burnt. We play the Wii a lot at night (I might add I'm getting pretty good at Guitar Hero). I'm getting OK at shooting pool- in real life, not on Wii. Speaking of pool I saw some amazing synchronized swimming going on in our pool today. Tony was not involved in that. I'm not surprised :) but somehow Lawton and Corey got pulled into that one. Corey has a very nice pointed toe and I'll ask his permission to post his high kick picture. I laughed until I couldn't breathe on that one. I know you're reading this Missy, I'll call you soon. I miss you. We miss y'all too Jason and Aubrey. We need some serious Catone catch up time. More to come...I promise.

10 years!!

2008-06-01T06:51:00.001-07:00

My 10 year high school reunion was last night. It was a lot of fun, and pretty much what I expected. I'm more blown away by the fact that I now refer to something as happening a decade ago!! That makes me feel like I'm on the brink of being old! Here's a fun picture of me and Tiff at graduation. Then, me and Lori from last night and Tiff and Curt. I think Tiffanie has one of me and her. I'll try to get it.

I really only took 3 pictures. Oops.

She's waited her whole two years of life for this...

2008-05-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

I forgot a weekend picture. It was too cold to go in, but Nana helped her float.

My Favorite Things...

2008-05-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

We had the perfect day this Saturday. We took back roads to LA (SC, not CA) with the windows down, listening to our favorite music, laughing all the way to hang out by the pool, eat popcicles in the sandbox, and go to dinner with Papa and Nana. I captured a few moments I think are precious.

Miss ta-da
Naked babies are SOO cute! Especially when they are giggling at daddy.

"I'm ready to go, I got all my duff"

No, mommy, no more pictures.

Come thou fount...

2008-05-17T00:48:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have times where you feel like the LORD wakes you in the middle of the night to do some business- the kind where you can't sleep and the only remedy is to ponder a verse, as if the Holy Spirit can't find a pure enough time in my day for me to just be still. It often happens to me as if I'm being called on to pray for someone or something specifically. Often, these sessions end in tears for me. I am having one of those nights. Tonight it's by means of some terrible nausea, probably from food poisoning (you wanted to know that right?) but whatever the reason I just need to do some business with God. I have walked in the flesh all day and my spirit can't sleep. I've been praying and I just need that thing that takes me to the deepest worship. Sometimes (most often) it's the Word of God itself. Tonight I'm being aided by ancient lyrics of one of my favorite hymns, "Come Thou Fount." The Holy Spirit uses words written in (I think) the 1700's to aid my worship tonight.

Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.

Tonight, though, I need another verse. It cuts deeper. It rings truer to me today.

Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I'm come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.

(Another verson says:
Hither to thy love has blessed me;
though has brought me to this place.
And I know Thy hand will bring me
safely home by thy good grace.
Jesus sought me when a stranger
wandering from the fold of God;
he to rescue me from danger,
bought me with his precious blood.)

and lastly,

O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.

I am restraining myself from posting the last two verses over and over in a row. I don't know why, I think it has too much content to be pondered once and I'm in that place where my soul seems to transend and be in tune with God's and I'm not sure how long I've been there. I've added the melody of this song to my playlist below. It's been a recent theme of mine. I pray you might be blessed by it as well.

Remember Harley???

2008-05-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

For those of you that remember Harley, this is hilarious. I let my brother and his wife have him when the babies got here (not just anyone would do, but they love him as I would). Vanessa's sister, Nadia, and husband took him to Georgia and this is a scrapbook of his journey. Great for GA fans...and engineers. My brother is in school to be an engineer (and Nadia is already one) which explains some of the chalkboard humor.

Harley's page

Quick pics

2008-05-14T14:51:00.001-07:00

--Anabel eats! But doesn't like it.

--Anabel wants to be Maddie already. She loves her new frog like her big sister's. Maddie, however, is happy to give it to her- She doesn't care for the imposter.

--Maddie's saying "you're a sweet little baby." Sometimes she rubs my head and says "you're a sweet little momma."

--New painting is basically done. Well, they are never DONE. I'll probably take it down and paint some more.

--Mirror is hung! It's heavy. Hope it holds. :)

on motherhood...

2008-05-12T20:20:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, our pastor opened his sermon by reminding us that this Sunday was about paying honor to someone who is often forgotten....the Lord! After we all chuckled and Mothers' prides were hurt all over, I started thinking about all of the young women I know who have recently had, are having, or really want to have children and families to serve. They are dropping like flies from the business world and downsizing their homes to have children. Many that I know have forgone finishing college and given up their SUV's for mommy vans. Many more (along with their husbands, of course) have pulled their children from public school and have given up their "mommy time" of shopping and making extra money to "raise a Godly heritage." Not that they think public schools are bad, they just see such a missed opportunity to teach their own children how to count and how to write and how to study God's word. Or if they are like us, they want their children to be friends and learn to spend time together and love on each other. Not all motherhood requires these particular sacrifices, but I'm pointing out some extreme ones to make a point.

Maybe it's just my stage in life, or maybe it's just that God is blessing me with such selfless people as an example, but I think the art of motherhood is making a comeback. I love when a woman will respond to the question "what do you do" with a non-ashamed answer "I am a homemaker and a mother" without apologizing. Perhaps society should apologize to these women (without whom the world would cease to continue- I might add) for making them doubt that the most honorable calling is short of the world's glory. Nothing else is needed. Nothing has to be proven. I am so thankful for my mother, who stayed home with us for so many years. She and my dad made it work. We didn't have the best of the best but we were so rich- in family and in love. I have learned to appreciate a good word of advise from an artful homemaker more than anything else. It is truly an art to have an organized family in which everyone's needs are met. More importantly, it's an art to die daily to yourself and keep giving. For them. For our LORD. I love all of you (you know who you are) and I encourage you in your sweet motherhood.

Sweetest Conversation today...

2008-05-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

Me: "Maddie, I love you, you're my sweet little girl."

Maddie: "I love you too. Mommy?"

Me: "yes Maddie?"

Maddie: "I like you."

Me: "I like you too, baby."

Maddie: "I'm gonna take care of you FOREBER!"

please note, the emphasis at the end of the last sentence because she got really excited and loud. Also, please note that she's 2 and some 2 year olds don't even talk. Here she is promising to take care of me foreber!

Almost as sweet was when she told my mom yesterday that she was her "best pend."

Shieldsisms

2008-05-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

Tony will randomly laugh at me while I'm telling him a story and based on the way he's laughing I can usually tell I've said something wrong. Not wrong wrong, just a little mixed up. I don't know what happens, it's like my emotions take over my brain and I'm speaking before I'm thinking. I like to think that I'm fairly level-headed and booksmart (I did graduate USC's business school with honors), but I just call these my Jessica Simpson moments. Like when I say I'm "happy as a tick" (I guess it's full as a tick) or "out like a log" (instead of out like a light). They just make so much sense to me my way. If a tick is full he's happy right? I just picture this little tick with a big grin on his face and a little fat belly. When I'm sleeping hard I would say I'm about as animated as a log. What does out like a light mean? Lights are usually on. So, these new sayings that have my meaning are called "Shieldsisms." Tony gave them that name and he keeps a running list. His favorite is when I've been cleaning like a wild banchee.

I bring this up because now Maddie is calling me on it. Not really the correctness of a cliche but I will just say something silly and she'll keep reminding me of it all day. This morning I told her something was crazy as crack corn. Of course I made this up on the spot but it became her favorite saying. We made popcorn and she wanted to know if it was crack corn. I've also learned recently from a Christian more wiser than me that saying things like "Oh my word" and "Oh my stars" is still taking the LORD's name in vain. I won't go into how, lets just say that I'm very aware of the ending of the sentence "Oh my..." so once I've begun to say it I just finish with something that rhymes. Oh my... birds in the sky. Oh my...ham and cheese on rye. Sometimes it's aloud. Sometimes it's just in my head. Why can't I just say "Oh my" and just quit. Why does my OCD take over and have to have an ending?? The Bible says we will one day be accountable for every word. I say a lot, but I think even more. Maybe God will forgive the thoughts that I catch before they become audible.

Asher Justin is here!!!

2008-05-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the first pictures of Justin and Missy's newest creation, Asher Justin. Great job y'all he's beautiful!!

Asher Justin McGuire is here!! From the McGuire's blog:

It's a boy! At 7:39 p.m., the Lord brought Asher Justin McGuire into the world! He weighs 8 lbs. 7 ozs and he and his mother are both doing great! Soli Deo Gloria!

Asher means "blessed and happy" in Hebrew. He obviously got his middle name from his Daddy. Bless his heart, the poor thing looks like his Daddy, too!

Missy's in labor!!

2008-05-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

I have to pay tribute to my beautiful friend Missy McGuire. Many of you know her, many more know her because I talk about her constantly. Her aunt actually calls the duo known as Missy McGuire and Shields Catone, "Catuire." She is currently in labor to bring another McGuire baby into the world. This little miracle is such a blessing to all! I love this family so dearly, I can't wait to hold this precious baby. It makes me cry that they are a world away in St. Louis or I would be there right now! Missy a.k.a "the missile" is my dearest friend. She calls me "hooch" but would never admit to it. We make each other laugh, talk on the phone non-stop (Ask Tony about my cell phone bill, he has the proof!), but more importantly we sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron. She and I are, as Anne of Green Gables would say, "kindred spirits." I have prayed for this baby for so long. Not quite as long as they have longed for this baby. God bless such sweet people for their persistance. Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.

Here are some really recent pics. Have you ever seen so much JOY? Justin, thanks for the play by play. I feel like I'm right there!! And I better not hear of any epidural stories. Hook the woman up! Love y'all!

Oh, How Blessed!

2008-05-02T04:07:00.001-07:00

Oh yeah- My little honey bunches of butterball TOOK A PACI at 5 months old. For the first time! How perfectly random is that!! My mom sang the hallelujah chorus when she saw it. We prayed and prayed that Maddie would take a paci and she pretty much never followed the rules as a baby so I was not so surprised when she never took to it. PLUS we had so many feeding issues with her that her doctor didn't really let us give it a good try.

Cut to today, my sweet little rule follower, Anabel. She is by-the-book baby. She cries, eats, laughs and snuggles when I want her to. I'm not exactly sure what to think. So imagine my surprise when I had a second baby rejecting the paci. I had a bit of mommy envy when I saw little babies in their carseats sucking away- cheeks just-a-moving. So I had resolved that she was perfect that way and we'd be better for it. Then RANDOMLY yesterday I tried again. It just so happens that she's getting really loud in her joyfulness and I kind of wanted a nap. And Voila!

With a little help from my sister Emily (through mom) we figured out how to keep it in her mouth. Notice, both hands are occupied. I LOVE IT!

The joyful one/ The Thankful one

2008-04-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

I recently started to see some real differences in Maddie v. Anabel personality-wise. It's so cute how they have their own way of doing things and expressing themselves. Everyone said they would each be their own little person, I just couldn't get past expecting Anabel to be exactly like Maddie. It seems to be something they are born with, God-given, not only what in instill in them. I call Maddie the Thankful one. There are many things I'm pounding into her brain including saying "yes ma'am" and "yessir" but saying Thank you was never a problem. It seems to overflow from her little heart especially when I least expect it and most need it such as, "Thank you mommy for changing my diaper." Anabel, on the other hand will smile if you so much as glance her way. She loves to smile. It seems to take a good bit to make her frown or cry. She has so much joy. I could also call her the "chill one." You know what that makes Maddie. Some of you don't need me to say it to know Maddie's a little high strung and dramatic at times- all girl though. These are a couple of pictures of my "chill one" and her big sister running cirlcles around her.

House pics- finally!

2008-04-27T12:28:00.001-07:00

This is mainly for a couple of people who have been asking about our paint job/new furniture etc. We spent about a week re-doing some rooms in our house. The office is now the dining room, the excercise room is now the office. I'm still painting the office though. Next I plan on painting the girls' bathroom and maybe our bedroom. But I'm tired. :) Missy, can't wait for you to visit, you can't really get the picture in pictures. I know how silly that just sounded, just go with it. Lastly, I'll re-post some pics when my giant painting is done that goes above the couch and a mirror is hung in the dining room. For now it's a little plain. With that being said, come visit!!!

Naptime- fussy and joyful?!?

2008-04-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

This is how Maddie acts everyday around naptime. Sorry for the tantrum, it's over as quick as it starts (although I've been needing to catch one on tape). Get past that and she sings a couple of songs. The first is the Thankfulness song. We sing it at night. The second is a song my mom sang to me and my sisters when we were little. As I said before, some words that seem to start with "h" really are s's or l's. As in, "no don't hing it, het Maddie hing it."

Stuck on Band-aid

2008-04-21T06:31:00.002-07:00

Several times a day I will say something and then think, I know what I meant, but what is Maddie going to do with that. Usually I say something I didn't mean to say like when I'm driving- "Whoa, watch it dude" and then I hear from the backseat "Mommy, did you just call that man dude?" And she never just lets it go. It's always "is his name dude?" "What is a dude?" So, I've become way more careful at what I say. Not that "dude" is such a bad word, but I get myself stuck in trying to explain myself. Still, this morning I was going to wake her up and I had a jingle stuck in my head from a commercial I just saw. I was singing "I'm stuck on Band-aid, cause Band-aid's stuck on me." I quickly thought "did i just sing that out loud? Here it comes..." Sure enough after a few seconds pause I heard, "mommy, do you have a boo boo? Where is your band-aid. Is it stuck?" AAAAHHHHHH. Try explaining it without using words like commercial or jingle. I just said it's a silly song.

Another funny one happened the other day while we were at lunch with my mother-in-law. She was telling me a story and said, "I couldn't believe it, I almost came out of my pants!!" Of course, she was just expressing how shocked she was. Still, here pipes up Maddie (who had been quietly playing until she heard this.) "Nana, what happened to your pants? You almost came out of your pants? Did you have to go home and get NEW pants?" It can make your brain hurt to try and get out of one of these.

2008-04-21T06:31:00.001-07:00

Maddie's prayers

2008-04-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

I'll write a quick entry tonight. I just put Maddie down for bed. We usually brush teeth, read a book, sing a song and say prayers. Last night, Tony said "why don't we teach her to kneal and pray." I thought it was a great idea. As we all knelt beside her crib, she put her face to the ground and wanted to say her own prayer. "No, het Maddie do it by herhelf!" Yes, l's and s's are often h's as in "uncle Hawton" or "Dr. Hoot." I can usually understand her. So, we let our sweet two year old say her own prayer. If we lead, it goes something like this, " Dear God... please help... Maddie sleep. Amen." She added a slight twist, "Dear God... please help... Maddie leep... much berry good. Amen!"

New Earth??

2008-04-14T19:55:00.001-07:00

I came across this on Myspace in a bulletin, and I was blown away. It actually makes me angry. In case I need to say this here, I think Oprah's an fool and she's taking millions down with her. It doesn't sound like she's even read the Bible. For once, I'm actually speechless. But what do YOU think?

Afterburn

2008-04-01T04:31:00.000-07:00

Since I've basically been pregnant for 3 years, this has been the first Spring we've been able to ride some rollercoasters, but we finally got up to Carowinds last weekend with Jason and Aubrey! Here is a hilarious clip of us on our favorite ride, "afterburn." Tony would love to be a fighter pilot, so he loves this ride. Contrary to some miscommunication on the phone, this video is not titled "afterbirth." Sorry to disappoint. Enjoy. (As a heads-up, the last minute of this video is just a good ole plug for Carowinds.)

Me and Mini-me

2008-03-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

Earlier tonight, I went by my parents' house on the way home from the store so Maddie could visit with Maws and Bop bop for a while. As we all sat around the table talking, Maddie ran circles around the table and acted like little silly girls act. It went on for about 15 minutes until it was finally time to leave. After asking her to "come here" several times and chasing her for a time out, they both started smiling. I looked at my dad, then at my mom, then back at my dad as if to say, "it's been a long day and I need y'all to support me right now." Dad said, "I know we're smiling on the outside but we're really laughing on the inside." Then we all started laughing because I knew exactly what they meant. I had more energy than most 2 year olds when I was a toddler and literally ran circles around my twin brother for the first few years of life. This was the dreaded payback they always wished for me. But, I love every second of it. I love that Madaline means "strong" and that she is strong willed. It will come in handy when what her friends want her to do is different that what we've taught her. Secretly as I'm disciplining her I'm often laughing because her persistence, steadfastness and just plain creativity are all qualities that will make her a beautiful young woman not swayed by the world. Her creativity in "painting" the table with yogurt may make more mess for me now, but one day will make her a passionate artist. At least that's my prayer. For now I'll just try to enjoy the unpredictable way she is just so sure the blocks need to stretch from one side of the room to the other, or that she really thinks she needs to go potty every 10 minutes for a whole hour! God created her in His image and she is wonderful. And I can't wait to see her daughters and smile with her about their inherited persistance as well. May I be so blessed.

New pictures to share

2008-03-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

I just have some fun pictures to share with y'all from this week:

-Tiffanie Wallace had her baby boy in January and this past week we got together for our little ones to "meet." He's so cute...

-Also, I have some funny ones of Maddie who is forever cracking us up. She loves to make us laugh so she'll do something and then say "is that funny dada?" The other day she shut herself in the guest bathroom. When I checked on her she was looking through some photo albums on the floor. Then, a few minutes later she was on her potty reading some apologetics. Please note, she also had a leadership book and the Westminster Confession of Faith to choose from.

-Anabel got a new Bumbo seat. She's all smiles as if to say, "why didn't you tell me sitting up is so much fun!" She'll be 4 months old in another week.

-Lastly, The one of Maddie in her highchair is her showing off the hotdog lady I made her. She has a cheese dress (yellow is the new color for spring) and broccoli slaw hair.

Other funny quotes from Maddie:
-When she got a new sundress, "Do you love it dada?"
-(Looking at the sky at night) Maddie:"Dada, I want a star" Tony:"I can't reach the stars baby" Maddie: "Jesus can reach a star for Maddie"
-"I want to touch the sky" [reaches for the sky then frowns] "It's too big, Dada"

Remembering Lauren Jones

2008-03-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

The anniversary of Lauren Jones' death is quickly approaching. She is such a sweet child of God, one who I will never forget.

I want to pay quick tribute to her and the way she lived her life- a lovely example of grace and passion for the LORD. If you knew her you know exactly what I mean. If you didn't, you missed out. I wish everyone could have known her smile, her generosity, her priorities. I have a few very fond memories of her that I think about all the time. One is the time she, Emily and I drove to World Market on our lunch break from The Cason Group. I wanted to chat but she kept telling me to turn up the CD I had in my car. It was a bunch of hymns including "Before the Throne" which is on this page currently. I wanted to girl talk, but Lauren wanted to worship. I wanted to shop, she didn't want to leave the car until she finished singing to God and praising Him! She never missed an opportunity to love God. Even if nobody was watching. Another memeory I have is she absolutely loved this story my husband would tell where the punch line was "eatin' cookies." She made me do it over and over, even though I don't do the joke justice. She just wanted to laugh until she cried. Her eyes would almost disappear as she threw her head back in laughter. Anyone who knew Lauren knew the joy she carried around with her. She could light up a room. I laugh/cry remembering her. I miss her but I know she's "worshipping on the front row."

One of the last conversations I had with Lauren was about her career and how she didn't sense that the LORD was leading her in any certain direction. I'm sure I thought I had something wise to tell her, but the truth is, His plan was to take her to be in Heaven. She was so sensitive to His direction on her life, she just felt a big blank future. She never quit praying though. One of her last Bible studies would be on Psalm 90:12..."So teach us to number our days,That we may present to You a heart of wisdom." How appropriate for sweet, little Lauren. She couldn't get enough of this. I believe the story goes that the person who led the Bible study on Psalm 90:12 eventually gave her his own notes because she wanted more and more. I pray we are all so sensitive to what the LORD's teaching us.

Lastly, Lauren and I talked about her wedding day all the time. Not that she was engaged, it's just what girls do. I don't remember her talking about the dress or the cake, just that she wanted "In Christ Alone" sung at her wedding. I never really thought of it as a wedding song, but Oh how appropriate it turned out to be. Well, Miss Lauren, I can't hear this song now without weeping thanks to you! HAha. I absolutely love you to death, literally, and look forward to worshipping with you in Heaven!! Praise and Glory be to our LORD!! I have the words to the song below, but it's also on my playlist to the right. We all sang this at Lauren's funeral which we will call the "Wedding feast" to her savior. I believe our eyes are not yet ready for the beauty that was on that day in Heaven. Lauren and her savior being united in Heaven...White linen and light...and she presented her crown at His feet in splendor. I believe the angels were singing this for her...

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here inthe love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in theground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till Hereturns or calls me home
Here in the power of ChristI'll stand

Amen.

Sisters...

2008-03-05T12:28:00.001-08:00

(Anabel on the left; Maddie on the right)

The second day of Anabel's life, and my first day of rejoining the world after my Ambien wore off, our friend (and their pediatrician) Luke said "Anabel looks so much like Maddie- they'll have fun with that." I remember thinking, "I'm so tired that I can't even think about it right now. But, when I WAKE UP I'm going to look at some old pictures of Maddie. Sure enough, each day as Anabel gets bigger and starts making expressions I see how much they really do look alike. I hope they always enjoy that and build each other up, always sticking up for the other and preferring the other in brotherly [sisterly] love.

Good Morning

2008-03-03T04:22:00.000-08:00

No, really, it's been a great morning so far. The LORD has been hammering one theme home to me lately: Faithfulness. It started as a word study on "Victory" and quickly became clear to me that I really needed to focus on "Faithfulness." Yes, it's one of the fruits of the Spirit, but I haven't had enough of it lately. I've been asking God to bring me victory in certain areas and what He's been showing me is so simple- If I will be faithful in these areas, He will bless it. This morning as I left the gym (at 7am) I had a HUGE blessing for my faithfulness. On my way home I saw the sun rise, big and beautiful on the horizon. Scripture flooded my mind: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.(Psalm 19:1). I would have missed it this morning had I stayed in bed. Even though I was on the road with everyone else in the hustle and bustle, I wished I could have gotten out of my car, stood on the roof and pointed saying, "Hello!! Where are y'all going?? Don't you SEE THIS??!!" I know that would have been unreasonable, but I wanted to do it! It's a small reward, but I expect to have to be "faithful" for more than a day for the big victories I'm asking for. I just appreciated my wink from God this morning.

A few days ago I went to a parenting class, where I got such a bright spot of wisdom from our former Pastor's wife, Nancy Campbell. She was talking about how as mothers we say the same and do the same things over and over until we're blue in the face, and there's not really a guarantee that we will get the results we want. I've been feeling that way lately and been a little discouraged by it. After we all laughed in understanding, she said something that hit me really hard. She said, "you may do the same thing 700 times a day for 15 years, and your children may still be aberrent. BUT, at least you were faithful." I could have kissed her. I was so blessed by her wisdom I wanted to share it with everyone. It was exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right time. I don't labor and do all that I do for myself and my selfish outcomes. Ultimately everything I do is for the LORD and His glory!!
On that note:
Proverbs 3:3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Heapin Hizards!!

2008-02-28T10:43:00.001-08:00

Today we went to a place in downtown Columbia called Leapin' Lizards. Maddie calls it "Heapin' Hizards." She had so much fun playing with her buddy Lasya. It's a good time for me to catch up with Claudia, Lasya's mom and my dear friend. I have to keep my eye on Maddie, though, because she's a handful. If there's an area of the playroom where children aren't supposed to play, she finds it. Here are a few pictures:
She counted to tell all the kids when they could slide.
This is her fireman friend. He followed her around.

An artist like Mommy!!

Blessings

2008-02-25T20:25:00.000-08:00

Psalm 127:3 says, "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him."

I love the surprise joys of parenting that you never see coming. The LORD always sends me a blessing when I least expect it to make me smile. Tonight as I was putting Maddie to bed, she said her prayer (by herself) and as she kissed me through her slats of her crib I thought my heart was going to explode. As she told me she loved me (it's usually "Maddie hoves Dada") I laughed at this little person who has her own thoughts and own way of expressing love. She's so little, yet she is showing signs that she's taking in what we're teaching her. I love when I see evidence that she's created in God's image, as we all are. In the pictures below, she's trying to be fair to all of her animals. Making sure I tell each of them goodnight and making sure the important ones are covered up with a blanket. She's showing them love as we show her love. It's a reminder of what a big responsibility we have to model Christ's love to her. And this is really what her crib looks like every night. I only allow so many animals at once. There are about 20 in her toy bag. For now, these are the really important ones: Big Elmo, little Elmo, big waddy, little waddy, George (curious george), dolphin, tiger and Jaffy (giraffe).

Why not?

2008-02-25T11:04:00.000-08:00

I've created this so our family and friends can keep up with what's going on with us and the babies. Please feel free to leave comments. I'll try to keep it updated in my "free time."