So - Chris has built a watchtower - aka a swingset/slide - in our backyard. It is such a beautiful day outside that Isaac, Lacie and I just had to go out and play. After awhile of chasing each other, swinging and so forth - Lacie decided it was time to eat. So she and I retired to the back patio while Isaac braved bugs and climbed the highest heights. It was a lot of fun to just watch him play and use his imagination. While my mind was drifting off into the sweetness of the moment - baby girl in my arms, little man playing quietly in the yard - I thought I heard Isaac say something. Now apparently some of our neighbors were outside working on their backyards at about this same time and Isaac was in fact addessing them. As I tuned in - I heard him loudly exclaim from the top of his tower - 'Hey, you soooo naked!!!' To which he followed up with - 'Nnnnipples!!' (A discovery we have recently made in our household and that he loves to point out whenever in view!). Now to answer your question (because I know that you have one) - no - I did not run up to verify if in fact one of our neighbors happened to be without clothes. Instead I just tried to control my giggles, called Isaac down, and explained that such discoveries should not be yelled out. He just smiled and went on his way. So let this be a warning - if you go walking around our house without your clothes - you WILL be called out!

Several weeks ago, I wrote about being challenged by our church to go love on someone for Christ. This week I got to follow through on my request to my friend to paint her daughter's room. I was very nervous about it and Chris calmly sat me down and reminded me that I wasn't going over there to make her fall in love with Jesus. I was going because I have fallen in love with Jesus. That reminder quieted all the nerves within and I found myself excitedly making my way to her house. It was a very long two days of painting, juggling the kids, and trying to sneak in some moments just to talk and laugh with my friend - but it was worth it. I love my Jesus more than I can express and keeping in mind that I was doing this out of that love for Him - just made it a sweet time! And as you can see from the picture of my little man that was taken while we were there - he had a pretty sweet time too. (You boys will do anything to impress the girls!!) Thank you all for the prayers and I just ask that you keep praying for my friend.

Last weekend Grandma and Papa Cinnamon were here (and Grandma Great) - and they helped Chris build a swingset/slide for the kids. And just yesterday, Chris put all of the finishing touches on it. Now for those of you who don't know - we have a motto in our home - 'Go big or go home!' I am proud to say that my Christopher has upheld this creed to it's full extent in regards to this slide. Do you remember the movie 'Crocodile Dundee' where he says 'That's not a knife. This is a knife.' and he pulls out this mini-machete from his back pocket? Well, everytime I pass by my living room window I can't help but think of that line - only I have tweaked it to say 'that's not a slide...this is a slide!' It is huge, but Isaac absolutely loves it and it's massive size (especially in comparison to his little frame) doesn't frighten him a bit. Me, on the other hand...I get 'seasick' on the swing. :) It's awesome though - all are invited to come play!!

Some friends of ours are having a baby today (we're praying for you Clay and Erin). This is the third baby to come about at the Journey Church in the last few months. Apparently, my son has been exposed to too many pregnant women. We were playing today and I started to tap a rhythm on his tummy. He quickly grabbed my hand and said 'don't hit the baby'. I sweetly replied -  'What?!?!' 'Mommy, don't hit the baby in my tummy'. Yes, it is time to take this boy to a monster truck rally, a baseball game - something. Oh, dear...

At Blackbaud, where Chris works, there is a pond in the parking lot. Chris sent me these pictures today. If this is what's going on outside - what on earth is happening inside? No wonder the poor boy is so stressed!!

A couple of weeks ago Will, the pastor of Journey Church, challenged all of us to 'Journey Out' and to serve and love on others around us. At that particular service - we each received an envelope with a random amount of money inside and we were challenged to think of someone who we could bless with this money over the course of the week. Now I wouldn't particularly call myself an outgoing or relational person - so my first thought was to 'accidentally' leave my envelope at church. But low-and-behold it made it's way home and has been sitting on the desk taunting me. :) I thought about going through the drive-thru at McDonald's and anonymously paying for the person behind me, but I didn't feel that would fulfill the true goal of this endeavor. So I began to think of what I could do and got very excited over an idea to help do a home improvement project for friend that I have been spending time with over the past several months. She had noticed the picket fence I painted in Lacie's room and had mentioned wanting to do that in her daughter's room. Neither she nor her husband are 'handy' with that kind of thing - so she felt it might just be a pipe dream or something they did once they could set aside some money to have it done. After thinking of this idea I went to small group that night and heard an exciting story from one of the girls who had already blessed someone that week. Hearing her story only engerized and pumped me up to offer up myself to this friend. On Friday we met for a playdate and I waited for the right moment to explain what our church had challenged us to do and that I would like to offer myself up to her. While I did get the opportunity to fully explain what brought me to South Carolina, why I was apart of this church and so forth (all brought on by questions from her) - my opportunity did not come. For with every answer I gave to her questions - I was met with cold responses and obvious walls. I went away disappointed in myself that I didn't just push through and offer anyway.

I got to really thinking about it over the weekend. And felt myself beginning to feel discouraged and doubtful. Then I ran across Hebrews 12:2-3 that says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  This morning I decided that I would try again and called my friend. I explained what we had been challenged to do and that I would be honored to paint her daughter's room for her. After some hesitation, she very thankfully said yes.

My prayer for those of you reading this is for follow through - that I haven't just made some grand gesture and then don't act on it. And also that I really allow Christ to flow through me - not getting in His way - as a relationship with Jesus to my friend 'is fine if that's what you're into'. I ask for prayers - that I might put away doubtful thoughts, but trust in a God who can move mountains. Finally, I just ask that you pray for this family - that they in time (whether I am honored to experience it or not) come to know Jesus as Lord, Savior and glorious friend.

This week has been a lot of fun for Isaac because his buddy Joshua has come over to play and spend the day with him three different days (Monday, Tuesday and Today). Then to top that off we went on a playdate with Joshua, his mama Jenny, their baby girl Emma and our baby girl Lacie yesterday at the Charleston Children's Museum (an extremely cool place for those of you who live here in SC). In fact I felt like 'super mommy' yesterday because after a fun morning playing at the museum we had to go straight to the doctor's office for Lacie's two month check-up. Where we found out that our little girl - well, isn't so little. :) 24 inches and 12.3 pounds. 90-95 percentile for her age. WooWee! After long naps from both of them, we all trecked off to the YMCA for mom and dad to have some time to exercise. It was a hopin' day and a rather successful one at that.

So riding that high, today I thought to myself - I will put on my 'super mommy' underoos and fly through the day again. I will take all three kids out shopping. So I lined the back seat with carseats and piled everyone in. Having my handy dandy cracker supply and multiple sippy cups filling the center console - we were off and running. First to the dump- yeah the dump (don't knock it til you try it!), then off to Target or as it is affectionately known in our home the 'popcorn store'. About the time we reached the store - Lacie decided she was hungry. No problem. Parking at the far end of the parking lot I pulled her out and from the front seat proceeded to entertain the boys with every song that I knew of - filled with silly faces and funny noises I soon had the back seat giggling without control. Super mommy to the rescue. Finishing quickly we headed into Target and to one of their 'monster' carts. Sitting both boys in their seats and Lacie in the front basket, quickly buying our $1.09 popcorn combo we were off and rolling yet again. The boys sweetly shared their popcorn - Isaac would hand Joshua a piece 'Tank oo Isaac' 'Oh, you're welcome Joshua', all while Lacie sat bright eyed cooing and smiling at the lights overhead - sweetness oozed from the cart. Slowly I walked the aisles collecting only a few necessities and daydreaming about the things I wished I could buy. It was a lovely time. We checked out and made our way back to the car where Lacie realized that she was tired and would not be settled down with a mere pacifier. Placing the boys in their seats, giving them their cups and remaining popcorn - I gently rocked and sweetly sang Lacie to sleep. Super mommy rides again. We were soon on our way home when I heard a panicked voice from the backseat. "I got to pee!' This is not good. There is no way that I can pull over, unbuckle all three babies - hurridly make it inside somewhere and get him on a potty without an accident. What do I do? This is just not good. I actually thought to myself - maybe he can hold it - okay not a particularly smart thought. The crys and screams from the backseat quickly escalated as the poor child was doing everything in his power to try and hold it. I looked back to see a true look of fear and terror on his face and really could only imagine what was going through his head. So doing the only thing a 'super mommy' could do - I pulled the car over to nearest parking lot, flung him out of his seat, stripped him bare for all to see and loudly demanded 'PEE'! I can only imagine what people veering out of their windows must have thought. Of course I had no dry clothes for the boy (there was some leakage) - so I promptly placed my bare butt child back in his seat. And we have now made it home. Needless to say I think my 'super mommy underoos' now have a shot elastic band and I, like the children, am ready for a nap!

Here is what's been happening since Valentine's day...
     Built a fence
     Enjoyed our first family visit with Grandma and Papa
     Little man turned 3 years old
     Big man turned 32 years old
     Grew!
     Joined the YMCA
     Celebrated Easter
Chris is a little on the stressed side with work. :( But keeping a good attitude, doing awesome things for church, and still taking the time to love on his babies when he's home! (If I don't say it enough - this man makes me so proud to call him both my husband and best friend!). Isaac is really growning - he is so funny, incredibly smart, and more handsome everyday. And if you tell him 'you're so funny', 'you're so smart' or 'Isaac you're so handsome' - he will quickly say 'Yes! I am!' Okay so we need to work on our humility a bit. Lacie is growing. I like to say she's filling out. But with her chubby legs and double chin...well, let's just say I'm trying to talk Chris out of calling her 'pudge' or 'butterball'. She's just a healthy girl - and there's just more of her to cuddle. :) We go tomorrow for her two month check-up - wow, two months already. That should catch us up. Now that life with two babies is becoming easier to handle - our updates and stories won't be as scattered.

Happy Valentine's Day!! It has been a grand ol' love-fest around here today - so we thought we'd send a little of that love out to you all. Earlier today Lacie was laying on the bed and Isaac came in right beside her and laid down with her. Together they watched a movie - but surprisingly Isaac kept being distracted by Lacie. 'I want to look at her", "She's sooo bee-U-tiful", "I love my Lacie" and my favorite - "Mama, she's pretty like you". Does my son know how to give a Valentine's day gift or what? After many kisses, he finally settled in to just laying beside her holding her hand. It was too painfully sweet to watch my son be so crazy in love with my daughter! There are a few pictures on the photo album if you want to check them out. (Yes, I've put new pictures of Lacie and of Isaac up too - You'll have to check those out respectively).

Anyway, it is our prayer that this Valentine's day you are reminded of how very much God loves you! I can just imagine Him - being distracted by you - so in love with His creation!! Have a blessed day and know that we love you, as well.

Truly - what a difference a week makes! Home since Sunday afternoon - the four of us have been adjusting pretty well. Chris - who has risen to an all new hero status in my mind - has spent the week taking care of me, being the extra dose of energy for all three of us, working diligently with Isaac on potty training, loving on his baby girl, and doing countless other things both big and little. Isaac - has excitedly welcomed his new sister into the world - though is somewhat disappointed that she won't go play basketball with him in his room. He's been mommy and daddy's little helper and has upped his dramatics to new levels. While loving Lacie - he's done a lot of testing of mom and dad's love - with many tears, 'don't want to's' and the like, but is slowly coming around. Lacie - is eating like a pro, very content with life unless pooping or being changed, and is quietly taking in all of her surroundings. Quite the cuddle bug it is hard not to spoil her with constant cuddles, hugs and her favorite - kisses! Me? - Healing, resting, still trying to let all of this sink in - and feeling overwhelmingly blessed. Some minor baby blues moments but prayerfully those will pass soon. In short - marveling at how I can be so deeply in love with these three people! Enough chit-chat - it's all about the pictures - make sure to check out our new addition in our photo album.