Almost Sitting Up

I say almost sitting up because most of these pictures are pics of Aubrey sitting up with something helping her. That's what we're doing now. She usually tips to one side or the other but is getting stronger and stronger at sitting by herself. This is a typical "Aubrey" face. She does the wide-eyed, excited smile ALL the time.

Here I am sitting on the couch with mommy and daddy.

And, I love standing up and holding onto things. Here I am holding onto what appears to be a girl that looks just like me.

Random Facts

Yes, I've been tagged. I'm not posting the rules because I am going to graciously decline tagging anyone else (but if you want to put up your random facts, I'd love to see them!):

Here are my 8 random facts:

1. I hate the color pink. I've never liked it. My room was pink when I was growing up because I never had the heart to tell my mom I didn't like it. She thought for years that I loved pink. (sorry, Mom).

2. I was 11th in state in tennis my senior year of high school. That's right, out of who knows how many I was 11th...proof that something is terribly wrong with the pooling system. I am not bragging, truly, I NEVER should have placed that high.

3. I love any and all chick flicks, cheesy or not. You know all of those really stupid girl movies that everyone makes fun of? Yeah, I secretly love them all.

4. I used to be the semi-director of music concerts my brothers and I would put on. The Temptations, and more specifically, David Ruffin, lead singer, had nothing on Drew. :) Blake & I provided the amazing backup and choreography. Fun times last year. (by semi-director I mean I had a very persuasive way of forcing the brothers to do things they never otherwise would have done).

5. I really don't like flying. I like how quickly you get places by flying but don't like anything else about it. Ironic that I'm married to a pilot.

6. I want to live on a horse ranch someday. That is a very large, far-away dream that John & I have. We'll see what 20+ years in the Coast Guard will do in shaping that dream into reality.

7. I love rollercoasters. The higher, the more loops, the more drops, the better. Always have loved them. I used to stand up on my toes when I was little so that I could say I was big enough to go on the big rides.

8. I love being a military wife. The biggest reason for this is because I am married to John, so I'd love being any kind of wife if it meant being with him. But, being in the military challenges me to step WAY out of my comfort zone in how I operate inside my home and how I build friendships outside. I am introverted to the n-th degree but we have an open door policy at home. I am a HUGE planner but usually have about an hour notice that we are having 5 hungry, single guys over for dinner. I hate saying goodbye but we are constantly seeing dear friends leave for Hawaii, Japan, and everywhere in between. And many of these friends we won't see again until eternity. But I am learning to let go of the grip I have on keeping everything nice, tidy, and controlled, and I am loving people more deeply than I thought was possible. It's a really wonderful thing. WHEW, that was a long one! :)

There you have it. This was hard! :)

How to Know Where Grace Lives

My mom introduced me to the blog of a family friend who is in Indonesia with her husband and five children where they are missionaries. I have enjoyed reading it; several times it has helped me re-focus my perspective on what I am doing and Who I am serving. She put up a little saying that I wanted to share with you. I give her credit for being the one I got it from, but I don't know if she wrote it or if someone else did.

How to Know Where Grace Lives
* All the neighborhood kids want to hang out at the house where grace lives.
* There is always enough for one more where grace lives....one more for dinner....one more to sleep over....one more hug....one more kiss.
* You can see people dancing where grace lives.
* You can hear things like, "Please forgive me, I was wrong....You are my treasure..."
* The eyes of the children where grace lives shine with joy and anticipation. They have not been wounded by impossible expectations. They have not been distanced by rejection. They have been embraced and accepted and loved.
* The moms at the house where grace lives are just regular, everyday moms,but God lives inside them. By His power, they are becoming holy and righteous and good. They stumble but recover quickly. They make mistakes but say, "I'm sorry." They get blown by the winds of heartache and adversity, but their hearts remain tender toward God.

Oh, how I pray my home will be one where grace lives. If you get the chance, check out her blog: www.ajoyfulhomemaker.blogspot.com Her writings are such an encouragement for the wives and moms who are going against the norm and striving to build up their husbands and home.

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."
-Proverbs 14:1

Our Girl

Just a fun picture of Aubrey girl. She is so full of spunk!! And she makes both of us laugh constantly with little things she does during the day.

Chronicles of Sweet Potatoes

Today was the day Aubrey tried sweet potatoes for the first time. I pureed a nice one up for her last night and stored it in the fridge for today. Yum, right? Is this a normal reaction as a child eats a specific food for the first time? Ha. She did this every time but then...

really liked it!!!

"I can feed myself, thank you very much, Mom."

"See? I can do it."

"You want some?"

Pensacola

Okay, so this picture turned out to be pretty small but I just wanted to put it in because these are many of our friends here in Pensacola. This was taken over 4th of July at the Patterson's house. We've been asked a lot how we like living in Pensacola. We always say that we really like it and this is why. These people are incredible friends and we are so thankful that God has placed them in our lives for this season. There is no real reason for this post other than I have just been reflecting a lot on all that God has given us this last year. And our dear friends in P-Cola are at the top of the list.