Look at me now!!

Cole turned 8 months old today and I found myself looking back on the last 8 months with mixed emotions.  First, I cant believe how fast these months have gone.  Second, I am continually amazed at Gods goodness to us.  And finally, third, I cant believe how BIG my littlest chicken is...

As I thought back on these past eight months some pictures came to mind that I thought I needed to share, so here you go...

First time seeing little number 6.  What felt like an eternity, in reality, a few LONG hours.

Cole at his lowest weight.  2 pounds 4 ounces.  This one is still hard to look at.

Snuggling for the first time.  1 Week old

Daddy holding Cole for the first time, they could not take their eyes off each other.

Taking him home!!!  Such a little peanut, he's almost out grown this preemie car seat.

My first picture of ALL my chickens in one place!!!

Cole, the day after his due date.  7 pounds 7 ounces.  Little did I know that in a few short months I would have this...

Yup, 10 whole pounds heavier than he was on his due date.  And, slightly more alert.

Where has the time gone...

A little photo shoot

When we were in Colorado visiting Bethany's family we had some great pictures taken.  Here are a few, be warned, there is NO way to get a good picture when you are involving this many kids....

5 is the new 7

As I lay in bed this morning listening to my tiniest chicken cooing in his crib, I remember thinking to myself, "why am I so tired?" then I looked at my clock, there in blaring red letters was the reason...4:58.                      

Shortly after that Chicken number 5 is heard running around the house "Bitney, Dustin, Miktell, Becky, morning.  Get up."

Now I am not one to normally jump to conclusions, alright who am I kidding, I was the QUEEN of jumping to conclusions for the better half of my life.  Any way, back on track, this is the third day in a row of said chickens getting up at an ungodly hour.  now we have early bedtimes in our house but last night one chicken did not give up till 10 pm!!  That means that he only got 7 hours of sleep last night.  HE is very happy today.....his MOTHER is not.

Here is a sideways picture of the chicken in question and his amazing smile this morning.  Yes I know the picture is sideways.  YES my OCD needs to change this, but my "woke at 5am brain" just does not care. 

little musings

Today I have been compelled to write a little about James.  James is one of the books in the bible I think is most overlooked.  I know I did until four years ago, I really could not tell you the last time I read in the book of James.  (probably in bible school....YEARS ago.)  In the last few years James and I have been tight.  There is SO much crammed into those five short chapters, life lessons, words of wisdom and a totally honest look at the heart.

My wonderful husband just started a series on James on Sunday mornings and I find myself being pulled back into the words that I fell in love with years ago.  Words of hope, of conviction, of peace, of fresh life, words that hit me right between the eyes.

As I read the words this morning I found myself stuck on one verse.  I kept trying to read farther and could not.  This happens more times than I can count when I read James words.  I start out thinking I am going to accomplish one big fat chapter and cannot get past one or two verses when, SMACK!  I'm hit right between the eyes.

So very often I fall short.  I fall into the trap of the "old Bethany" and forget who God is molding me to be.  I find myself asking questions like, when will I be able to read and not feel like I am failing?  When will I be able to read more than two verses without conviction creeping in?  But then, a still small voice reminds me that I really don't want that to happen.  I don't want to get back to the place where the Spirit is not free to move, to convict, and to restore.

So, I'm left with the book of James as a reminder of not only where I've been but where I'm going.  Thank you Lord for your restoration.  Thank you Lord for not turning a blind eye on me when I gave you every reason to do so.  Thank you Lord, for grace.

Kayles Comments

Well, we are home.  Home.  And after 3 weeks with my parents and family it seems Kayle is having a little bit of a struggle figuring out the whole "two states away" thing.  Here are some of the things I have heard from Kayle in the last 48 hours...

When walking around the house..."Aunt Carla.  Aunt Carla.  Where r you Aunt Carla?"
When getting out of bed...."Wheres Memaw? Oh, shes at work."
Looking at a picture on our fridge..."MOMMY!!!  Theres Aunt Carla!!"
Trying to find Coby..."Oh Daddy's working with Papa."
"Where'd Lucy go?"
Said really fast..."MemawandPapaatwork.behomesoon."
When watching Yo Gabba Gabba...."YOOOOOOOOOOOOO Tidie!!"
Talking to Cole...."Baby Jane, Baby Calvin, nooooooooo Baby COLE!"

The list could go on and on, but I will stop there.  Oh the mind of a two year old....