3 Year Old Unsupervised With Camera

This is why I shouldn't leave my camera where DJ can reach it:

And just when I think my children couldn't possibly challenge me in any way they haven't already, they surprise me and act like perfect little angels. The moment is rare, savor it (I know I did):

Who Dunnit?

If you're looking for a great way to spend an evening and get some good healthy laughs, I highly recommend planning your own Murder Mystery party. I think it would have been so fun to be a fly on the wall to watch and hear all of us acting our little hearts out. I had the hardest time staying in character because it was so funny. Others, wouldn't break character for anything. The thing that impressed me most, besides the very well-thought out costumes, was the people who came prepared. One character for example, was a female escort (if you knew my friend Kathy, this would be HILARIOUS to you) and she came with a sequenced fanny pack "to hold her lipstick, cigarettes and her business cards". She passed out these business cards which read, "If you've got the money honey, I've got the time", to everyone at the party. I think she gave us all a healthy dose of laugh endorfins. I'm sure we all added a year to our lives with all the laughing that we did last night and will continue to do as we remember the great time we had. I know Caleb and I will never forget what a fabulous time we had at "Oakley's Mansion".

For a more well-rounded view of the evening please check out our friends' blogs:
Ted's video
Annie's Summary
The Diva's Account

This is my friend Tina who won best costume. You wouldn't know it but she is the mother of 3- one of which is a teenager:

For those of you who know the real Kathy (the one who has a basket on the front of her bicycle to take food to neighbors), this is hysterical:

Oakley and his faithful butler with the British accent who is from New Jersey???:

Me with some of my girls:

I love this group of people:

Funny girls!:

This is my friend Angela who won Best Actress. She stayed in character (to the point that it was a little frightening) as the Diva name Dalila. "Crack is wack!":

Breaking character for a quick kiss:

The Missippi female escort trying to get future business:

We had a blast last night at a Murder Mystery party with our small group. It was called Night at the Waskers, hosted by our friends The Magners. Everyone got so into their character and the costumes were incredible. It was more fun than I had even hoped for. What a fun group of people!

Gaining Weight, Thriving and Keeping Mommy Busy!

Just wanted to give an update on our little Elle-girl. About 3 months ago we had a rough doctor's appointment that left us concerned about Elle. She was under weight and her iron levels were low. Since then we've tried to bulk her up a bit and give her iron suppliments to help her get up to speed.
We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and found out she is doing well. She has gained 3 pounds since our last visit and her iron is at a very good level. I don't have to continue to give her iron drops in her oatmeal anymore.(Yay!) They will check her iron at her 18 month visit in May to be sure that her healthy levels are here to stay. Her height was in the 50% range and her weight in the 15%. The doctor said she's not concerned at all and that she'll probably just be tall and thin. Nothing to worry about.
She also says a ton of words like "Teeyoo" (Thank you), "Ommy" (Mommy), "Daddy" (of course she says that one perfect), "BAYbee" (Baby) and "Boo" (for peek-a-boo). She blows kisses and waves bye-bye. She also climbs on top of the table, which I'm not that happy about. Lastly, she has just learned to turn door knobs, making my job that much harder because it's not as easy to keep her out of clean rooms.
So thanks to everyone who has been praying for her. We appreciate it more than you know!

Standing Up for Bryant

Bryant asked in December if he could get baptized. We were a little surprised because this was not something that either Caleb or I had ever approached him about. We really wanted that to be his own decision and not something that we suggested or encouraged. We felt, especially at such a young age, it needed to be his very own desire and decision. He recently came to that decision and we were so thrilled that he did. One of the children in our small group was recently baptized and when Bry heard about it, he wanted to take that next step in his faith too.

The pastor asked all friends and family to stand in support of Bryant. I stood with others who love our boy and watched him from the congregation. I couldn't hold back the tears. He looked so small and young up there. Eight people were baptized in all on Sunday. At Riverbluff, the one getting baptized dips their finger into salt and then tastes it. Then the pastor says something like "just like that salt created a change in your mouth that you can't ignore, so will you make a change in the world." He also said, "Do you like salt on your french fries?"....."Well just like salt makes french fries taste better, you're going to make the world a better place." Then he lit a candle and sent Bryant out with the candle and told him he was the light of the world and told him to not let anyone put his light under a basket.

I know as Bryant grows, he will understand this decision more and more over the years. I truly believe though, that Bryant understands his commitment to follow Christ and live his life in a way that honors God, as much as a 7 year old boy can. It is something he genuinely desires and that to me is very humbling as a parent.

Thanks to all of you who stood up for Bryant on Sunday. Thanks also, to the many people who weren't there on Sunday because you live all over the U.S. but have stood up for him countless times in prayer. Please continue to lift Bryant up in prayer as he continues on his young walk of faith. Our hope for him (and his sisters) is that he will love the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and strength and that he would love his neighbor as himself. We pray that God would unfold great plans for his life and use him in a mighty way.

Feel free to leave a comment for Bryant and we will be sure he sees them.