Can it get more beautiful outside?

One thing I love about North Carolina is the seasons. I especially love Fall and Spring here. The weather today is in the seventies, sunny with a light breeze. I went to walk Toby on Saturday and it was so beautiful I didn't want to go back inside. I told Justin how amazing it was outside and we decided to take Kate and Toby (our dog) for a walk. There is this great trail right across from our house. I am sorry to say that I had never been on it until Saturday. It was so beautiful that I took pictures and I wanted to share them with you, but something is wrong with my memory stick so the pictures I wanted to post are lost.

I decided to take Kate out today and take her picture by some of our beautiful trees and the entrance to our neighborhood. These pictures don't do it justice. It is so beautiful around here. Thinking of the seasons reminded me of an old Nichole Nordeman Song, "Every Season". She compared how God works in our lives to each season. She sings, "So it is with You and how You make me new with every season's change, and so it will be, as you are recreating me, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring." Psalm 33:4-5 "For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." I have posted a little video with the song below.

Why is it so hard to leave our baby?

Justin and I decided to take a little trip to Houston this week.  I have heard such great things about this city... especially how great the shopping is.  We are so happy that everything worked out and we were able to leave Kate with my family.  

It was so hard leaving her in the airport.  I fought back tears as I said good-bye to her in the airport... but now I can't fight the tears.  I miss her so much.  Before we had Kate, I had no idea what my friends were talking about when they said that they couldn't leave their kids... now I know.  Well, I know she is in good hands and we have had a really good time.  Justin is looking forward to getting together with one of his really good friends today.  Please lift us up in your prayers.

Here is a fun picture of us playing around with Photobooth on the plane.   A little Andy Warhol throw back.

Does anyone need motivation today?

I don't know what it is about rainy weather, but it makes me want to curl up in bed and do nothing. Ok, well, lately all I have felt like doing is nothing. I have no idea why.

My friend Lea has greatly motivated me. I read a post from her blog last week that I can't get out of my head. Here is the link: blog it all. She made these adorable checklist and pockets for her family. While I am not even remotely as creative as her, she has motivated me to get my fly lady checklist and schedule back out. I am going to work on it now. Hopefully my house will be spotless by 2:00pm today.
Here are some pictures of the amazing system she created.

Why is Kate growing so quickly? Please make it slow down!!

Six months ago today our baby girl, Kate, was born. Justin and I still can't believe we are parents. It is so exciting, fun and scary for us. We have been so blessed with our little one. She has slept throughout the night consistently by seven weeks (she knows her mom and dad need their sleep) and has such a laid back personality (90% of the time). To date she can roll over, eat solid foods, jump in her jumper and almost sit up on her own. She loves to talk to people, laugh, play peek-a-boo, pet Toby and play in her exersaucer.

For some reason we always thought we would have all boys, but we are so enjoying our little girl. Thank you, Lord, for your amazing blessings... and for not always giving us exactly what we ask for. Here are pictures of her today, enjoy. (She is still in her PJs, but we had to put a bow in to cover up her bed head - she takes after her mom in that area.)

When will this election be over?

I am so looking forward to November 5th when all the political ads stop and all the votes are in.  I am not really one who gets into politics, but this election season has been so crazy.  How can I not pay attention?  All the hype has really sucked me in.  I have to admit that I think Obama is going to win and I started getting some anxiety thinking about it.  Is he linked to terrorist?  He is socialist?  The abortion issue really concerns me as well.  With all of that on my mind, I saw this video John Piper did about the election.  I really feel that he puts everything into perspective.  I have posted the shortened version here, but he also does a longer version.  You can go to his blog: Desiring God Blog to see the long version.  I would definitely  take a couple minutes to watch the short version.  I am so glad that those of us who have a relationship with Jesus Christ can rest in Him and know that HE is in control... not a president.