Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Outside

Outside: Maggie's favorite place to be.
As soon as breakfast is over, "Outside, Play". As soon as nap and snack is over, "Outside, Play". We are getting ready for bed, "Outside, Play."
These days I hear those words and just thank God for the blessing little Maggie is and how blessed we are to be called to raise her. I am so thankful she can play outside. I am so thankful I can spend so much time with her!
Well, today we went to Uncle Bryant's pool with Steph.
She loved the float Aunt Kate and Big gave her...until we tried to put her in it:) We will have to ease into the float idea.
She loved the pool and she is trying to swim!
My favorite is when she "lays out" with Aunt Stephanie.
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3

Saturday, May 21, 2011

J's Graduation

Today we attended Joseph's High School Graduation from First Presbyterian Day School. He was president of his class of 100 (the largest class to ever graduate from FPD). He will be attending Auburn in the fall.
Although they had a great commencement speaker (Bryan Chapell...one of my favorites!), Maggie did not make it through the whole thing and I found these two in the snack shop:)
Mags with Uncle Joe and Daddee
The Whole Gang
Dinner afterwards...
So excited for Joseph! War Eagle :)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

A Playground in Our Backyard!

Alexander IV Elementary School is behind our house with a great playground...
...it was great to take a break from unpacking get out of the house.
She loved to explore the new playground...
...and blow kisses.
It was great to take a break from all we have going on in life.
"16 He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me." Psalm 18
The gate leading from our backyard to the school.
A view of our backyard.
Maggie trudging through the backyard...
...to our new home:)

Monday, May 16, 2011

Dress Shopping, a State Championship & our New Home

Last Thursday Maggie and I went dress shopping with Stephanie...
...Steph bought her wedding dress!
And Maggie began looking for her flower girl dress:)

On Friday night we went to the GHSA Girl's Soccer State Championship Game...
...where we won!!! 3-2.

We also had our first meal in our new house.
(a special thanks to Ellen Royal for the delicious meal)
Maggie loves her new playroom and reading her books in there.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

From Columbus to Macon

Last Wednesday night we packed up this room...
...and drove away from 3013 18th Avenue with tears pouring down our face.

Monday morning we unloaded our moving van into this room...
...and showed Maggie her new playroom.
She has been helping us clean and get ready to move in...
...hopefully tomorrow night?!
(notice the "keys" at the bottom left...she says "keeeys" all the time and loves to take them to doors and "unlock" the doors:)

Monday, May 9, 2011

A Wedding!

Yes, my post are coming up like whirlwinds, but that is the pace of our life right now...

Stephanie is engaged!!! She is marrying one of Jack's best friends and fraternity brother, Jarred Griffin!
Stephanie and her flower girl!
Mags examining the ring...
...and trying it on for future reference:)
Oh yeah...Jarred is one of my good friends. We have traveled to Africa and back! What an exciting (less than) 6 months to come!!!

HOHOHOHO...takin' a Break

This weekend we took a break and went to Chattanooga to visit the Royals. Maggie calls Holden, "Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho," with her lips rounded and so excited at the sound of his name.

Here she is saying, "Ho, it's MY crossword puzzle...let me show you how it's done."
Riding around the condo...
...Uncle Big pulling them.
They loved it!
Luuuving Big
Aunt Kate and Uncle Big

Mags took her first bath in a big bath tub. She was unsure at first...
...but grew to like it.
Next Post...a BIG announcement and then some moving pictures to follow!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day...Remembering Legacies

As I sit down at 10:45 pm on Mother's Day, I think of how busy these past couple of weeks have been and all we have to do tomorrow as we move into our NEW HOUSE!!!

More importantly I am stopping to process what today means. I think of the legacies left to Maggie...
Nanny Gorveatte (who gives us 4 generations)
Grandma (who Mags is named after)
Granny (who will teach Maggie all things Southern)

Bubba (who is dearly missed)
Nancy/Mia (who will pour magic into our lives)

My mom (who spoils Maggie with fun treats and snacks and lots of love)

I go back to the Bible and look at the "Lineage of Grace"...the women God used to bring Christ to earth. The women God chose to fulfill His Covenant.
Finally, as I rocked Maggie to sleep at 10 pm tonight and feel like a failure for the lack of schedule, all the traveling and dragging her through the moving process, the Lord reminds me that she is HIS. He has given her to us for a short time to raise. We will fail, but I pray first and foremost He will call her His and He will preserve her and she will see the Gospel through our parenting.
Finally, I am thankful for Jack. God has given me a "bookend" to complete my parenting. I love to see him interact and love on Maggie. At the end of the day...THANK YOU, Lord! Thank you for the legacies, thank you for YOUR fatherly love, thank you for your GRACE and MERCY, thank you for the Cross.