This is a test, only a test.

We're experiencing technical difficulties so we are making sure that Michael's posts show up with his signature.

Just a swingin'

Viviane tried a "big kid" swing for the first time this past weekend at Poppa and Nana's house. It was a hit! She looked very grown up sitting there all by herself. Now that she has mastered the swing at Poppa and Nana's she is going to move on to the riding lawn mower! Here she comes, Poppa!

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Viviane had a great time outside at Nana and Poppa's this past weekend. She wasn't too sure about the grass, so the blanket proved to be a necessary "island of safety" in the middle of the grassland. We'll work on the grass thing, but in the meantime, Viviane continues to love the fresh air and sunshine.

Big Girl Barrette

Today was Viviane's first official day to wear a barrette in her hair!!! We've graduated from headband-only length to it's-long-enough-to-hold-a-barrette-in length! Doesn't she look like such a big girl with her hair pulled back?

Hot Off the Press

This is our most current family photo. It was just taken last night
by our personal family photographer, Mlle Donna Ruth Bixby :-) Thanks, Donna!

There's No Place Like [my sister's] Home

In just three weeks Viviane and I are flying out to Kansas to visit my sister Jenny and her family. I'm SO excited! It's been almost 2 years since our families saw each other; they've never met Viviane and we've never met Anna. Can't wait to see all 3 of Jenny and Lance's sweet kids: Ellie (7), Micah (5), and Anna (6 mos.)...and their parents too, of course! (The kids are pictured below; however, current pictures of their parents are hard to come by. Hint, hint. :-) )

This trip is another great reminder of God's provision: He made available the funds to purchase the plane ticket when we didn't think we could swing it financially, and He caused us to order the ticket at a time when the price had dropped $85 from what we expected to pay! Praise Him!

Looking forward to seeing you, Jenny, Lance, Ellie, Micah, and Anna!

Check Out the New Do!

Daddy has a little too much fun washing Viviane's hair sometimes!

War of Words

I'm reading a book called War of Words written by Paul David Tripp. God is using it to change me, and, let me tell you, it's exciting! I'd like to thank my former Pastor, Tim Bixby, for first introducing me to the book in a Sunday School series he did a couple of years ago, and I'd like to thank my sweet, insightful husband Michael for buying the book a while back and making it readily available to me. The current chapter I'm in discusses God's sovereignty and how understanding and believing that my God is King and that He is active in every moment of my life should affect my communication. The most recent section I read is titled "God rules over every aspect of our salvation." The following is an excerpt from that section:

This is the bottom line of biblical communication, the first and highest goal of all of our talk: that our words would reflect an attitude of worship that recognizes our utter dependency on God for salvation. He has chosen us to be his children, he called us to himself, he breathed life into us so that we could see and believe the truth, he justified us and adopted us into his family, he daily works to sanctify us, and he will take us to glory. It is all of him. Out of that realization will come a life of communication that benefits others and honors him. (p. 76)

A Walk in the Park

It turned into such a beautiful afternoon, so we decided to take a family walk down at Cleveland Park. The azaleas are still holding on for the season, but Viviane wasn't so sure about being placed in the middle of them! (Notice her leaning in the bottom 3 pictures.) We had a great time enjoying each other and God's beautiful creation.

Mystery Message

Can you guess what's written on the sign Viviane is holding? (Mommy's plans don't always work out the way Mommy is hoping!) Oh, and Becky...you're not allowed to guess because I told you about it!

Where's her sweet tooth?

We were all geared-up for Viviane's first experiential encounter with CAKE at her 1st Birthday Party, but Mommy was obviously WAY more excited about it than Viviane was. I don't think her sweet tooth has come in yet (although, maybe it's one of the newest 2...she has 6 teeth now!)