E loves her daddy too!!!

And, apparently, is just as amused with him as she is with G!! These are the memories that I cherish. Thank you, Lord, for these sweet moments and for allowing us the opportunity to be loved by these precious ones. We are grateful.

Sleepytown calls....

As most of you know and so graciously keep your unapproval quiet, I have nurtured this child to sleep with loving mommy milk most of the days of G's life. I could count on one hand the times he has fallen asleep without it. And in those times, he has awoken at least once to partake of this cherished drink or in my absence, cried on the shoulder of the willing comforter (daddy.) With that said, I stumbled upon this today and was completely surprised! This is the FIRST time he has fallen asleep on the floor. What you don't see, is that moments earlier Eme was beside him on this blanket trying to "eat" his hair and hands AND he was awake playing gently with her! I took her back to their room to change her diaper and came back minutes later to find that he had fallen asleep to the sounds of Baby Explorer, a musical favorite of his when he was Eme's age. Wow - guess all the playing we've done outside the past few days has worn him down!

All Giggles

Eme can't get enough of her brother! These little monkeys just keep rolling....no bumped nogans yet!

Yana is loved!

Friday night on the way home from eating dinner, G said, "I want to see Yana." Not wanting to get his hopes up (since he has no concept of time), I replied with, "Well, maybe we will see her soon."

Sat. morning after I returned home from the gym, Yana's car was in our driveway! I was informed that he jumped for joy with excitement when she walked into the house. I love that he gets excited about seeing family!

Thank you, mom, for loving on us. I wish you were closer but am so thankful that you come to visit us! We appreciate you sacrificing your time!!!!!! Love you!!!!!

Trains!

(the top train is mommy's creation and the bottom is daddy's)

G has had an affinity for trains ever since we brought them back from our cousins' home in Texas. One year later, he is still being creative with these fascinating locomotives. He has no trouble in getting either me (Jill) or Chris to help him "repair" the tracks and create new circuits. In fact, we often get trapped trying to figure out how to make the best new track. As of late, we've figured out several new ways and I must say that Chris gets the "most creative" award by using other toys to hold up his bridge and by using double connecting pieces in areas that I, Jill, would never entertain...I'm the logical one...that double piece can ONLY fit if it has another piece with which to connect....am I right?! Check out our tracks and G's message to family!

BTW, Nana, he really enjoys his "C'ductor hat" you bought him this summer at the real train station. We can't wait for you to visit Jackson again so we can take you with us to visit Jackson's Train Depot! It has a huge model train set...and the sweet man working there even let G get in the driver seat. I didn't have my camera that day...just my phone that I lost 2 wks ago! :(

More babies!!!

I'm not joking when I tell you that our friends are all having lots and lots of babies right now and we are so excited! There were 10 new babies born this summer and these 6 recent babies! Eme has lots of girls to meet!

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPHEN & KRISTIN KIRKLAND who welcomed baby girl Katelyn Sept. 23, 2009 weighing 6 lbs. 15 0z. and measuring 20 inches.


CONGRATULATIONS TO MATT & JEN GURNEY & big brothers Noah & Tucker who welcomed baby girl, Taylor Giles Hardin Sept. 17, 2009 weighing 9 lbs. 4 oz & was 20 inches (they call her their petite Gurney baby b/c she is the smallest newborn of their three.)

CONGRATULATIONS TO JONATHAN & SHANNON STEWART & big sister Carlee Hayse ON THE BIRTH OF THEIR TWIN GIRLS, Stella Kate 6 lbs. 5 oz., 18 1/2 inches and Adelaide (Addie) Mae 6 lbs. 11 oz., 19/2 inches.


CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE MATUSZAK & MARDY BAKER on the birth of baby girl, Eva Marie Matuszak, 6 lbs 4 oz., 17 inches




CONGRATULATIONS TO DAN & WHITNEY SIKES & big brother, Cooper who welcomed baby girl, Reese Dianne "Reese Ann" 7 lbs. 8 0z. 18.5 inches

CONGRATULATIONS TO BEN & KATHY DAVIS & big sister Macey Kate & big brother Stone on the arrival of baby girl Rayne Elli who was born August 21st. She weighed 6lbs and was 19 1/4 inches long.

ABC's

Note:

The real version says, "T V U" for all of you that have been singing it the wrong way.

Big Brother to the Rescue

Eme has her first runny nose and isn't feeling the best. She wasn't exactly thrilled about me getting her dressed this morning and was ready for her morning nap when she started crying. Big G came to the rescue with his ever faithful prescence and singing! "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is his favorite song" to sing to her and I must say that most of the time she loves it too! She just can't get enough of her big brother.

Here's a demo for you to enjoy....although the volume in his voice is a little louder than usual:

Sweet Cousins

Thanks to Nana, we now have our camera back! We had such a wonderful time visiting the Clark side while in town at the end of July. Here is a collage of our precious neices and nephews. There is one more on the way due in Dec. Eme and Garrett will have 7 cousins on the Clark side and 4 cousins on the Garrett side. Wow!!!

*updates later on our visit to Indiana!

Eme is 4 months!

I can't believe it...Eme is already 4 months! Wow! Time definitely seems to pass more quickly with our second child. We are so blessed to parent these two beautiful children. As I type, I hear Eme waking on the monitor, "talking" - more like squealing! I just love each step along the way. Her development never ceases to amaze me, as does Garrett's.

When this picture was taken a couple of weeks ago while in Tupelo, Eme (3 1/2 months then) had just learned the week before how to roll from her stomach to back...or rather WE had just witnessed her rolling. We don't put her down enough to notice advancements. We believe in holding babies as often as we can...nurture, nurture, nurture. One added benefit for her being held so often since birth is that she has been given the oppurtunity earlier than most American babies to develop trunk control. Most of you noticed how well she held herself up and controlled her head the first few months of life and now here she is taking off again. Let's just hope she doesn't crawl soon. Since that time in Tupelo, we have also watched her roll from back to front and scoot herself all over the bed and play mat. It is really fun to witness her developmental milestones.

Her personality at this point seems to be pretty laid-back. She likes people and loves to suck her thumb and watch people, whether in the sling on mommy, in the bouncy seat, or in her car seat. People gravitate towards her. Yes, I realize most people adore babies, but Eme seems to have an internal sense that pulls people to her - maybe she has the gift of compassion like her father.

She absolutely ADORES her brother as he adores her back. What a joy and blessing that they love each other so much. We pray this bond continues to grow throughout their lifetimes.

Home!

For those of you who have been praying for baby Sean, thank you! He was able to come home Wednesday afternoon and is doing well. We are so thankful for God's healing on his little body and for all the staff at Vanderbilt who aided in Sean's surgery and recovery. Continue to pray for Jeremy & Angie as they take care of Sean and big brother Kaden.

"I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! " Deuteronomy 32:3

Kelso is One!

Happy Birthday, Kelso!!! We still can't believe that you are a one year old!!! ...already!

Congratulation to Yana for welcoming not one, not two, but THREE new grand children in less than 12 months! +

AK'S DESIGNS....SHE IS HIRED FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE TO PLAN PARTIES FOR US!!

AK made these for each child who attended the party.

Kelso's monkey cake...just Kelso's size, made by none other than AK.

Adorable photos of Kelso and family adorned the house from his first year.Kelso's special party hat AK made just for him!

We had such a great time in Tupelo this weekend seeing family, celebrating Kelso and our 4 years of marriage (thanks for watching the kids, Yana!!). As always, we delayed leaving Tupelo as long as possible bc mom (Yana) takes such good care of us providing a very peaceful place to stay, lots of yummy food, freedom from all daily chores, and the most tender love & care to us and to our children. We are so grateful to be loved by her.







It was also fun to see our cousins Melissa, Louie & their son, Felix as well as Trey, Katie & Beau, Uncle Butch, Joy & Meagan, Aunt Linda, Uncle Tom, Mimi and Granddaddy. What a joy to be able to see each other every now and then. Family is God's blessing.
Ak, Jay, Caitlyn & Kelso

Updates.

Garrett, Eme and I had the privilege of spending time with the Young clan again this past Friday. What a joy these precious children are to us and what a blessing their parents are too! As I heard Amy talk of her yearning to hold her little Kolpin close to her chest and to nurture him only the way a mother can, I begged of God to send him home!! Amy and Mike were gone to the hospital most of the morning. The kids and I had a good time playing outside, drawing, eating, and hanging out together. Around 1pm, as we were sitting around the living room playing with toys, in walked Mike, Amy.....AND Kolpin!! What a great surprise. I am so grateful to have experienced this joy with their family. Praise God that he is home and that he is healthy. The next few weeks will be crucial to Amy and Mike bonding with their new addition. Please pray that we will still be attentive to their needs with the children and with meals. Please rejoice with them! To God be the Glory!!!



On the other hand, baby Sean is still in the hospital at Vanderbilt. It has been one week since his surgery and he is doing better. However, Jeremy and Angie are growing weary as Sean is beginning to vocalize his struggle in this traumatic event and they were sure to go home tomorrow, but it looks as though they won't. Please pray with me tonight/today for our God of peace to surround this little one, his parents, and his brother, Kaden , with only the peace he can give. Sean is getting stronger, yet needs to heal more! Pray that Jeremy and Angie would receive God's wisdom and comfort in order to care for Sean as he processes his trauma.
Praise God for this beautiful life and for the healing that He continues to bring. To God be the Glory!

Baby Sean

As we shared congratulations with Angie and Jeremy Burke this week on their baby boy, Sean, we also have spent much time in prayer over them.

Baby Sean is recovering from open heart surgery. You can read their blog to find out how to pray specifically for them.

The Youngs are doing well too. Baby Kolpin is making progress and is expected to return home soon. Please pray that he will eat, eat, eat!!!!

Again, we are amazed by God's presence, His mercy, and His grace. If you don't know Christ, please open your hearts to see Him through all of our stories.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Welcome Mallorie Faye Garrett

My brother, Kenneth, and his lovely wife, Jennie, welcomed baby Mallorie Faye into their arms today! She weighed 6 lbs. 12.8 oz. and is 17.72 inches.

We can't wait to meet this precious child!!!

Congratulations, Kenneth & Jennie. We praise the Lord with you for the safe delivery of your baby girl. Be present in every moment as it will pass so quickly.
Give Jennie our love!!