I LOVE this job!

I seriously can't think of a better job than this! Trust me, I sure have my days. But when I'm intentionally walking in joy & contentment, I just can't thank Jesus enough for my husband and sweet boys!

A friend sent me the book Created to be his Help Meet at a particularly discontented time (Thank you Daphne), and it handed me a direct challenge: PRACTICE contentment & joy. It really takes focus and intentionality to walk this road with thankfulness. It's amazing how hard it was at the beginning and how easy it's become! I have to PUT ON thankfulness. It doesn't just happen! And I can see the fruit of it in our marriage!

And boy does this play into EVERY area of my life! --finances, provision, parenting, housework, laundry, friendships, church, serving, hospitality...fill in the blank!

So...speaking of these little blessings. Here's you a sweet little update!

Mister Jude

In Concert

We've got ourselves a Music Man over here people! You'll almost always find this little guy with a guitar in his hands....or an imaginary one. Lindsee's dad gave him a ukulele (pictured below), but in his little world anything from a spankin' spoon to a hand-held mirror is a guitar! I sure wish I could post you some videos! But it's not working! ..maybe later!
When Jude doesn't have a guitar in his hand, he's driving cars. What could be more typical than a little boy loving cars?? But I'm not complaining! It's just oh-so-cute! He loves making "hills" in the rugs and driving over them again and again! It occupies him for hours!

Imagination is his THING. In January we went to see Dr. Rusty, and who did Jude soon become?
None other than, "Docker RussY". In case your imagination isn't as sharp as his-- the pink thing on his head is a stethoscope. :0) He examined his Aunt Mary's heart, ears & throat and (thank the Lord) she came away with a clean bill of health. Unfortunately, his daddy was given a shot-- but don't be mistaken, it was covered with a band-aid. :0)

The kiddo still LOVES to read and is memorizing books easily these days!! I was amazed and inspired when Rachel posted this video of Josiah helping her read a book. I thought Josiah was a prodigy, but apparently 2+ year olds have a knack for this sort of thing. When reading one of our "regulars", we like to play a little game where we don't read the last few words of the sentences and let Jude fill in the blanks. And MY! He articulates so well! Next step: Capitalizing on that ability to memorize- for learning scripture!

So everyone thinks their kid is special right? Well, I don't know if "special" is the right description here...maybe unique or bizarre, but this Jude-bug LOVES him some hummus- which he so admiringly began calling "Tummus" after re-uniting with Josiah whose dad's name is "Thomas". Don't you love it?

Enjoying some "Tummus"

And what does Jude love EVEN more???
Two things-- cuddles & Brennan!! And boy does Brennan love him too!
No one can evoke giggles from Brennan like Jude can!

On a more serious note, our little guy is learning about Jesus! He's learning what it means to be kind and obedient. He's aware of when he is and isn't being a blessing to those around him. He's building some great skills in apologizing and forgiving. AND He's got his please, thank you's, and "mother-may-I"'s down pat (well almost!) It just blesses my heart!

Now...

Brennan Boy
Is an all-smiles giggle monster!

Crawling has just opened up a whole new world for us! You know with some babies you think, "When this kid crawls, it will be the END of my freedom". But with Brennan it's been just the opposite! He and Jude get to interact more and Mom has more time for Jude-- which just thrills both of us to pieces!

This little sweetie has recently started with "Ma-Ma" and the other morning greeted his daddy with a giddy "Da!"

Curiously Handsome

This kid is FLEXIBLE. We often find him sleeping and playing in contortionistic ways! His Grammie is sure he'll be a gymnast!

Ha! I don't know WHERE this expression came from!!

In other news, Jon returned from Louisville at the end of January, and we were MORE THAN THRILLED to have him back! What would we do without him?

In February, we traveled to College Station, San Antonio, & Friendswood, enjoying some great time with friends and family...just not quite enough! My sister, Mary, blogged about our time in San Antonio here. My camera was dead so she got all the cute pictures!!

And FUN NEWS! We've signed a lease and plan to move to Louisville, KY at the beginning of April!! This has been a long time coming, and we're thrilled that the Lord is leading us there now.

Blessings to all of you, and sorry for so much silence!!
Sally