What a Difference A Year Can Make...

I can hardly believe it, but Addie Kate turned one yesterday! It is amazing how much more quickly her first year went than Emma's. We watched the video of the day she was born this week, and I can still remember it so well. She has been such a good baby (aside from the refusal to nurse, but we got over that one long ago!). It has been one of life's greatest joys to watch her grow, just as it is with her sister. It is so amazing to think that a year ago Addie could do nothing for herself, and now she is almost walking, and definitely prefers to do things (like eating) all by herself. Emma has enjoyed helping her learn to walk. She is such a good big sister. We're working on her understanding that she is not the mommy and that being gentle is very important, but she loves her baby sister. We talk all the time about what good friends they are & how they will always be close.

So, the Lord was gracious in giving us a sunny morning for our pool party yesterday! We had a wonderful time celebrating with many good friends and family. It was fun to host many of them in our new home for the first time. We are so blessed to have so many people we love and who love us and the Lord. We have an amazing support group for which we are so thankful. In every way God has been good to us. We give Him all the glory, honor & praise!

A quick Emma story - we talk about heaven and spiritual things a lot. Her innocence and trust in God is refreshing - she asks regularly, "Mom, are we going to heaven today?" I always tell her that only God knows when it will be time for us to go home with Him. (I don't let on that the thought of her going today terrifies me - looks like I need to work on trusting God!) The other day Emma was asking me how Jesus was going to take us to heaven. I told her I don't know exactly, but that the Bible says that Jesus will come back & the trumpets will sound, and that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow & every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. She thought a minute, then said, "Mom, when the trumpets sound, I'm going to curtsy." I can picture it now...

What a wonderful life.