Jack - 6 Months

This is a month late, but here are some 6-month pictures of Jack Attack. He is the smiliest baby in the whole world, and he loves everyone. He loves to be on his tummy and "fly."

All ready for our move to Minnesota

At our church in Monterey

The End of a Precious Season

Today was my last Bible study in Monterey. We've been doing either weekly or biweekly ones since September 2011. I have grown so much and learned so much that there are not even words to describe the thankfulness I have for this season that God placed me in. 

These women truly taught me how to be a friend. You know the kind who is open and genuine. The kind you know you can go to with your struggles and joys and prayer requests. And you know that you will be prayed for. The kind of women who, after only a few meetings, you just know are kindred spirits. 

We've laughed, cried, hugged, prayed and come along side one another. Our children have gone from babies to little people. All the while we encouraged each other to persevere even when the sleepless nights and tantrums seemed like they would never end. When we felt inadequate or had been hurt, there was always encouragement to be gleaned. God truly showed Himself as we came back week after week to the oasis of fellowship in the midst of the little voices that consume our days. We are safe together.

So many of us have moved on to new seasons as of late. My sweet friend, Joy, introduced a quote that has become the motto for those embarking on new journeys.

“But, as for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of the Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,' can truly say to every group of Christian friends 'You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.' The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others. They are no greater than the beauties of a thousand other men; by Friendship God opens our eyes to them. They are, like all beauties, derived from Him, and then, in a good Friendship, increased by Him through the Friendship itself, so that it is His instrument for creating as well as for revealing. At this feast it is He who has spread the board and it is He who has chosen the guests. It is He, we may dare to hope, who sometimes does, and always should, preside. Let us not reckon without our Host.” -- CS Lewis

The following moments brought to you by the Monterey Area Christian Mommies Meetup and Bible Study:

And what gems these two pictures are!

MN Visitors

Early in May my sister-in-law, Erin, came to visit with our little niece, Fiona. Uncle Chris couldn't come because he couldn't get time off (Whenever I talk about Erin and Chris, Cora says, "Uncle Chris, I be shy!" I think she's planning on being standoffish for a little while the next time she sees him.)

We weren't too wild and crazy and spent a lot of time just chilling at home, with some visits to the ocean thrown in.

Carmel Beach

cousins bath time

Pacific Grove rec trail

Lover's Point Beach

bargain shopping for baby clothes

reading with Auntie Erin

Ariana's Under The Sea Birthday Party

Yesterday we went to one of the most amazing birthday parties I have ever been to. A couple from our church who we have been able to get to know through our small group have a daughter, Ariana, who just turned four.

Her party was themed "Under the Sea," and we entered their house to experience a craft time of making colored sand jars, finding the "treasure" in the sand box, and making jellyfish out of paper bowls and curl ribbon. All the while there was loads of sea-themed, kid-friendly food and the soundtrack to The Little Mermaid playing in the background.

The "cake" involved individual frozen dough in a cupcake form with cotton candy ice cream in the middle and a whale tail made of white chocolate coming out of the ice cream. I wish I had taken a picture of that!

As we left, Cora was invited to raid the "treasure chest" and pick a few things to go in her individual treasure box.

Seahorses with cutouts letters inside saying, Happy Birthday Ariana

finding treasure in the sandbox

time for presents!

(L toR) Fish bar, under sea pasta salad, octopus dip, fruit of the sea
in the middle is a beautiful sandpaper castle

Aimee found the outside toy box

my favorite: sand pudding (pudding with layers of crushed vanilla wafers and oreos)

PB & J cutout as dolphins

the birthday girl

fresh ocean water

sea foam, ocean pearls (cake pop-like wonderfulness), ocean jello (blue jello with a fish in the middle)

waiting for her last gift, a new bike from Mom and Dad

making a jellyfish with Daddy

the crayons were stars that Megan had made by melting down old crayons and placing them in star-shaped molds

hanging fish; on the right there was a net with fish hanging in the doorway that I didn't get on camera 

My Escapist

getting treasure from the lovely hostess