The month of May was busy and fun. Here's some pictures of the 2nd half of May. My friend,Julie , came from Augusta, GA to meet Claire and visit with us. We enjoyed playing around in Claire's room, Julie played the piano for CLaire (Julie leads the children's choir at her Church and is the pianist for their worship services), and we went to Homewood Park to swing and slide. We are on the hunt for the parks with the baby bucket swings. Julie is the type of friend that refreshes you and is rejuvenating to be around - Life-giving friend! Thanks, dear friend, for making the effort to come love on us! Claire can't wait to come to Augusta to see you - who cares about the Master's or James Brown's statue?!
Jeff returned from a week long conference in Honolulu the day before Memorial Day. We missed him greatly and he says Hawaii was NO FUN without his girls. He had few sips of pineapple juice in our honor. We missed him lots! Yes, we could have gone with him, but I was not ready to put a 9.5 month old on a 10 hour flight and yank her through a 6 hour time change to be stuck in a hotel while he was in meetings most of the days. So, after he returned and we decided to spend Memorial Day resting as he jet-lagged and make sure we did NO work and did something fun with Claire. So we did just that. We took Claire to Captured Creations to do her first art project - a collage of her hand prints. It was tons of fun and she enjoyed slapping all the paint around. Later we took her to discover a new park to us in Hoover - Georgetown Park. I joked with Jeff that we are getting to see a whole new side of our city and ourselves now that we have a child...we love it! We had no idea Hoover had so many great parks tucked away in neighborhoods. I loved seeing the Mommy or Daddy Duck with her/his baby duck - Very protective...as is any parent of their baby "duck". She also loves her duckies at bathtime :)) Finally, I included some pictures of Claire's everyday activity of exploring her world in my kitchen and her toy box. She is giving Dora the Explorer a run for her money!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
9 month photo shoot
Here's Claire at 9 months. Thanks To Cathy for meeting us at Aldridge Gardens. Great place for photos and crawling on the grass. With Claire in our lives we now look at places through the lens of "Would Claire enjoy this?"...I have walked around these Gardens before enjoying the Hydrangeas and the trails and lake for myself...but never thought of a child enjoying it. Another adjustment to parenthood that we are making and enjoying!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Ellie Rose Henderson
The world is now a better place that Ellie Rose Henderson has entered the world today at a healthy 7#5oz and 19" long. This pregnancy has been a faith journey for Robert and Andrea and Ellie is indeed a miracle! Brodie will be the best and very protective big brother. Congrats and we are so thankful for God's grace and hand in your lives!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Mother's Day 2011
Ah Mother's Day! This was the 38th time to wish my mom, "Happy Mother's Day", the 4th time to wish Happy Mother's Day to my Mother-In-Law and the FIRST Time to hear it from the giggles of my baby girl. Last Mother's Day she'd been in my belly about 7 months. We celebrated with my mom with a nice lunch outside at Max's Deli. It was fun looking around the table and now joining her ranks of motherhood. Thanks, Mom, for all you have done for me! Thanks for passing down the "Mother's Topical Bible" that I'd given you some time ago. It will be special to hand down to Claire when she's a mom. Thanks for being patient with me, even now, as I continue to grow and now grow in motherhood.
Actual Mother's Day weekend was spent in Baton Rouge to celebrate Doris' Birthday (She doesn't like a big fuss!) and celebrate Mother's Day with her. We enjoyed seeing Grandad and Uncle Bobby. Uncle Bobby has a standard poodle, McGyver, that Claire got to meet for the first time. She handled it well. She also got to show them how she likes to swing at the park. Grandad started teaching her ball handling skills, in case she likes basketball. We broke up our return trip by stopping in Brandon, MS to see Aunt Bobby and Uncle John. They were great to provide us a wonderful meal and put Claire down to sleep so we could go to a movie for the first time since she was born! It's always good to get out for a "Date Night" especially when your sweet one is fast asleep!
As I pondered it being my First Mother's Day I went to Proverb's 31. It talks about needing strong arms and I agree! I think the best thing Claire needs from me is to see me loving her Daddy well and modeling for her a close relationship with Christ. I'll do my best and say, "I'm sorry" when I screw up, which is likely to happen quite a bit. Jeff was so wonderful to give me something I don't get much of - TIME! He made me 4 homemade gift certificates that were good for a bike ride, 2 hours of reading, an afternoon of shopping for me, and an one hour massage! Thank you, Sweetheart for those gifts and your consistent encouragement!
Here's a few photos of Mother's Day Celebrations.
Actual Mother's Day weekend was spent in Baton Rouge to celebrate Doris' Birthday (She doesn't like a big fuss!) and celebrate Mother's Day with her. We enjoyed seeing Grandad and Uncle Bobby. Uncle Bobby has a standard poodle, McGyver, that Claire got to meet for the first time. She handled it well. She also got to show them how she likes to swing at the park. Grandad started teaching her ball handling skills, in case she likes basketball. We broke up our return trip by stopping in Brandon, MS to see Aunt Bobby and Uncle John. They were great to provide us a wonderful meal and put Claire down to sleep so we could go to a movie for the first time since she was born! It's always good to get out for a "Date Night" especially when your sweet one is fast asleep!
As I pondered it being my First Mother's Day I went to Proverb's 31. It talks about needing strong arms and I agree! I think the best thing Claire needs from me is to see me loving her Daddy well and modeling for her a close relationship with Christ. I'll do my best and say, "I'm sorry" when I screw up, which is likely to happen quite a bit. Jeff was so wonderful to give me something I don't get much of - TIME! He made me 4 homemade gift certificates that were good for a bike ride, 2 hours of reading, an afternoon of shopping for me, and an one hour massage! Thank you, Sweetheart for those gifts and your consistent encouragement!
Here's a few photos of Mother's Day Celebrations.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
A Historical Week of Extremes - Tornadoes, Tying the Knot, Terrorist Terminated
From April 27, 2011 to May 2, 2011 some of the most extreme and world-events occurred in history. They do have a common thread. At home and noted around the world, some of the deadliest tornadoes swept through Alabama and surrounding states leading to mass destruction and a death toll of over 250 in Alabama and still counting. The number of tornadoes that day are still being counted and are over 100 in tally. The sirens went off at 5:15am and we were up for the first round. Claire slept right through the alarm. We stayed home from Day Care and by the end of the day we were thanking Almighty God that Jeff decided to work from home and not be in Tuscaloosa that day. We stood in our den glaring at the TV Screen watching the 1/4 mile wide twister rage through Tuscaloosa and travel on the ground over 100 miles. Personally we never lost power and only had a few limbs down but the surrounding areas and even neighborhoods had tremendous damage, injury and even death.
Two days later the eyes of the world went to London for the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Don't you love it that the future Queen of England's name is Kate! So I did watch the ceremony later that day and enjoyed the beauty and pageantry and gleaming faces of the two royal love birds. They truly seemed to be enjoying themselves and didn't mind giving the crowd 2 kisses from the balcony. So where do the now Dutch and Duchess go on a honeymoon? Google tells me theyhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif rented a private island. Not bad! It was heartwarming to see the love and support London gave to the Royal Couple. Aren't you glad you didn't have to plan a reception for that crowd, have all that security and never mind that your Grandmother-in-law is the Queen of England! Enjoy The Sermon of the Bishop of London
Three days later from that Pinnacle of Pomp we swing to the Middle East with news of Death of Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 01 attacks. It was interesting to hear the buzz and response from everyday common folks...Most were glad he was gone but didn't seem to now rest on our laurels that we were completely safe from any other attacks. Terrorism is not localized but a malignant tumor with tentacles in lots of places not caught on ultrasound...all in the name of holiness. Yuck!
Two days after that announcement, back at home, our little girl turned 9 months old. Wow! She weighs 15# 9 oz (6%) and is 26/5 inches long (25%) and doing great. She's crawling, pulling up on her feet, and can even balance unsupported for about 15 seconds before landing on that diaper padded bottom. She has 2 teeth on the bottom. She's into finding out what is in my kitchen drawers and loves Tupperware bowls and chasing a Power Ade bottle around. She does "baby rock climbing" in the kitchen using the knobs as "holds". She dances when she hears music from her "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" book. She and we have survived her first stomach bug and 2 weeks later a ear infection. She's got a pretty good pain tolerance according to the MD. We are taking 9 month photos soon and look forward to sharing those. She's a blessing to us and many!
So what's the common thread? The Gospel of Jesus Christ went out around the world from 3 totally different angles, cultures, and experiences. Isn't God creative to get the attention of so many in so many ways! From rural Alabama and destruction making people think about what is important in life...to the Altar of Westminster Abbey hearing the Good News Proclaimed from the height of wealth and beauty to the Middle East, where God shows He will not be mocked and He has not forgotten those who lost loved ones. He will do what it takes to reveal Himself through His Son to a lost and dying world. He uses my 9 month old everyday to remind me of my dependence on Him. What does it take for you?
Two days later the eyes of the world went to London for the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Don't you love it that the future Queen of England's name is Kate! So I did watch the ceremony later that day and enjoyed the beauty and pageantry and gleaming faces of the two royal love birds. They truly seemed to be enjoying themselves and didn't mind giving the crowd 2 kisses from the balcony. So where do the now Dutch and Duchess go on a honeymoon? Google tells me theyhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif rented a private island. Not bad! It was heartwarming to see the love and support London gave to the Royal Couple. Aren't you glad you didn't have to plan a reception for that crowd, have all that security and never mind that your Grandmother-in-law is the Queen of England! Enjoy The Sermon of the Bishop of London
Three days later from that Pinnacle of Pomp we swing to the Middle East with news of Death of Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 01 attacks. It was interesting to hear the buzz and response from everyday common folks...Most were glad he was gone but didn't seem to now rest on our laurels that we were completely safe from any other attacks. Terrorism is not localized but a malignant tumor with tentacles in lots of places not caught on ultrasound...all in the name of holiness. Yuck!
Two days after that announcement, back at home, our little girl turned 9 months old. Wow! She weighs 15# 9 oz (6%) and is 26/5 inches long (25%) and doing great. She's crawling, pulling up on her feet, and can even balance unsupported for about 15 seconds before landing on that diaper padded bottom. She has 2 teeth on the bottom. She's into finding out what is in my kitchen drawers and loves Tupperware bowls and chasing a Power Ade bottle around. She does "baby rock climbing" in the kitchen using the knobs as "holds". She dances when she hears music from her "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" book. She and we have survived her first stomach bug and 2 weeks later a ear infection. She's got a pretty good pain tolerance according to the MD. We are taking 9 month photos soon and look forward to sharing those. She's a blessing to us and many!
So what's the common thread? The Gospel of Jesus Christ went out around the world from 3 totally different angles, cultures, and experiences. Isn't God creative to get the attention of so many in so many ways! From rural Alabama and destruction making people think about what is important in life...to the Altar of Westminster Abbey hearing the Good News Proclaimed from the height of wealth and beauty to the Middle East, where God shows He will not be mocked and He has not forgotten those who lost loved ones. He will do what it takes to reveal Himself through His Son to a lost and dying world. He uses my 9 month old everyday to remind me of my dependence on Him. What does it take for you?
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