Alexa's Room

Alexa has been in her new room for over a week now, and it's turning out to be really cute. We are still waiting for Kerry to finish the painting, so we can't put up the curtains yet...but it shouldn't be too long. I have been promising pictures, and I finally got some good ones yesterday. I love everything about her room. There are a few things left to do, but for the most part it's complete. I also have a new post below with some other cute pictures and updates!

It's been a while...

I can't believe how long it's been since I last blogged! I certainly know why though! Let me catch you up. We have all had a super busy week...VBS finished up last night at FBCL. I signed up to help before I moved my membership to NewSpring, so I still got to participate. I was in the 4 year old class, and they were really good all week. We made lots of different crafts, and learned lots about Jesus and missionaries! Although it was a long week, it is really fulfilling to spend time in fellowship with other believers and teaching children about our wonderful God!

Last weekend we had the new pastor and his family over for swimming and super. It was really nice to visit with them and hang out by the pool. Alexa and Brody both just love each other. Tonight during family night they kept giving each other kisses...so cute. Alexa has made so many friends at church, I love that she is such a friendly child. I also hope we get to see Walk Walk this weekend!

Also this week I accepted the offer from NewSpring to be one of the chaperones for the middle school week of The Gauntlet! I am super excited about this!! We will be spending a week in Panama City, and I can't wait. I can't believe 2 weeks from Sunday we will be leaving...is July really almost here?? I am excited to see what God has in store for all of us on this trip. I know it's going to be an amazing experience and that God is going to move in a big way.

I am so glad it's Friday, and although I should probably be in bed...I really wanted to get this posted, and have some time just by myself. We have another busy weekend ahead...tomorrow is the Live Free Live Loud concert that NewSpring is hosting...it's a benefit concert they put on to raise money for 3 charities in Anderson. Alexa and I are going!! Then we have church on Sunday, and after church I have my leader training for The Gauntlet. I was hoping to go shopping tomorrow for some clothes to take on my trip, but I don't think that is going to happen. Then on Monday as I start a new week we are having a Greenville student volunteer get together with the Greenville student pastor Davey. I can't believe that in 2 weeks the Greenville campus of NewSpring will finally be launching...how exciting is that??!!

Well, time to post a few pictures, and then I'm off to bed...I am hoping that both babies sleep all night long!

When I saw Pop and Alexa sleeping after church last Sunday I couldn't resist taking a picture...you can see from the picture above that this isn't the first time they have napped together. Tell me that isn't just the sweetest thing!

Alexa playing in the sand table that Mimi got from her cousin Pam for her birthday...her part of the present is that she gets to watch the babies play with it!

Update

Well, we had a good weekend as always...not going to spend a lot of time talking about it though. We had everyone over for a nice cookout Saturday night for Father's Day...and got some cute pictures of the babies playing together. Then last night we got in the pool for the first time this year, and I have two precious videos of Alexa! I'll try to update later this week. Alexa spent her first night in her room Thursday of last week, and has been there every night since. It's been an adjustment, and we aren't through yet, but I think she likes it. I still don't have any pictures b/c I havent finished hanging everything yet. I'll try to work on that this week too!

Notice Alexa has one croc on...that does not belong to her! :)

Hey Walk Walk

Alexa sleeping in her new room, we are officially one week PACI FREE!!!!

Kickin her piggies!

Alexa and Mommy

Look at that sweet smile!

My Silly Monkey

We are having a pretty low key week so far. Jimbo is trying to keep from burning up in this scorching heat, and we are trying to keep Mimi from working too much. Other than that we are just spending time together and having fun. I am still working on Alexa's room...I am missing one of the wheels from her crib, and that is proving to be challenging. Hopefully I will be able to find it before too long.

Tonight after we went to the polls to cast our vote, we picked up chinese food on the way home. We all enjoyed it, some more than others as you will see in the pictures! Alexa is now in the bath because as usual she was rather dirty! We are working on our bedtime routine with Alexa, and so far it is coming along nicely. First we take a bath, then we get ready for bed, next we read one book and then her Bible stories, and finally we kiss everyone goodnight and go to her "room" and say a prayer and then it's off to bed. I am also trying to break Alexa of her paci...tonight is her first night going down without it, and so far so good...I won't count my eggs too early though, she has awakened in the middle of the night for the last several nights for no apparent reason.

Tomorrow night is my second night volunteering at NewSpring, and I am so excited about it. If you have a chance pray for the kids who will hear the message tomorrow night. I will be observing a small group, and it is going to be intense. I can really see God working through this church and I can't wait to see what He is going to do next.

Here are the cute pictures from tonight...super cute! I hope everyone is having a good week!





These pictures are from last Wednesday when the preschool department went to the Brock Farm. As you can see Alexa had a blast!

Before...

Here are the before pictures of Alexa's new room. I am posting them, and then I'm headed to decorate my baby's room. I am so excited about it. She is going to love having her own space...and I am going to love regaining part of my space that her stuff has occupied! We are all excited about it, and I just want to thank Pop for all the hard work and love he put into her new room. I can't wait to share the finished pictures later today or maybe tomorrow!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Today we celebrate a day that is very special to all of us, Mimi's birthday! She is absolutely amazing, and we all love her so much!! She is talented, loving, beautiful, and most importantly a good Christian role model for us all. I don't know what we would do without her, and I pray we don't have to think about that for a long time. So, Mimi, I hope you have the best birthday ever! We are so proud to have you as our mother, and grandmother! Thank you for everything you do for us!!

Saturday Adventures

I don't know about the rest of you moms out there, but I always want to have fun with Alexa on Saturday. Unfortunately, this would be one of my less creative areas. I don't always have great ideas for something to do on Saturday. So, I am asking the other mothers for some ideas. What do you do with your child(ren) on Saturday that you all really enjoy? Here are some ideas I have to share. Can't wait to see what you guys do!

1. spend the day at the zoo (clearly this one works better when it's not 98 degrees outside)
2. visit your local swimming pool...I am so glad we have ours to play in this summer!
3. take a trip to the park...again, not when it's this hot!

...and that's about all I can come up with right now. Mainly because I want to see what you guys say, and because Alexa is taking her blocks out of the box we just talked about her putting them in. I'm not so sure we understand the concept of cleaning up yet! LOL!! Hope you all are having a great Saturday...hopefully I'll have some pictures of Alexa's room later. We are moving her in today!! YEAH!!!

PREGNANT!!!!!!

...and NO not me!!!!!!!!! Go here to see baby #2's cute older brother!! Finally I can post the picture I've been waiting for. We are so excited to have another baby on the way! Congratulations, Jodi, Brad, and Walk Walk! Can't wait to meet Button!

This is carved into the concrete footings of the new house. I can't wait to have baby hand and foot prints in the sidewalk, but this is under the foundation! It's a symbol of how we want to give these children a foundation based on God. We love all three of our precious babies!

Changing My Name

**UPDATE**

If you are interested in the new URL for my blog please email me and I will send you the link when I change it. Originally I thought I could check for availability, but it doesn't appear that's the case! alchristopher(a)srhs(dot)com

Some months ago I put a site meter on my blog, just to see how many people visit my site. Then I realized that site meter has other features, like the "by referral" feature. This shows you how people found your site or blog. I found some interesting and potentially disturbing things when I started looking at my site meter.

Clearly I should've googled my child's name before I named her. As a result there are people viewing my blog and pictures of my daughter that might not be quite wholesome. So, after careful consideration I have decided to change the name of my blog, and the blog address. I do not know what I am changing it to yet, but I will post it when I know and then I will wait approximately a week or so before I make the change.

I don't want to delete my blog because I think it's a great way for people we don't get to see often to keep up with our lives, but I also don't want anyone looking at Alexa's pictures with anything other than pure thoughts and motives. So, please check back in a few days to see what name I have chosen.

Weekend Wrap Up!

Can I still call this the weekend wrap up on Tuesday?? Hmm...well, it's my blog so I guess that's a yes!

We had another great weekend...surprisingly restful for a change! Thursday night we ate dinner at Grandpa and Grace's house because our cousins were leaving Friday. Grace had a procedure on Tuesday, so they were in town for that. She seems to be doing well, and we couldn't be happier about that! We took pizza from SideStreet to their house and just talked for a while. We sat out on the back patio while we ate, the weather was great, and the babies loved running around in the backyard!

Friday was another day at work, and then we relaxed at home. Pop made omelets for everyone, and they were delicious as always! Saturday we slept in a little bit, and then Alexa and I headed to Spartanburg for a birthday party. My friend's Julie and Brian found out they were pregnant the day Alexa was born, and now their baby is a year old! I can't believe it's been a year since Ashlyn was born, and even more I can't believe Alexa is almost 2!! WOW, time flies! :) We went to Ashlyn's birthday party, and we had a great time. There is nothing like watching a baby with their first cake!!

After we came home we checked out the house site to see the progress, and as usual Alexa took a ride on the tractor. That little girl loves her machinery! Every time we pass a construction site now she points and says "bobcat" or "tractor". Pretty funny! :) When Mimi came home the three of us headed to the grocery store to pick up ingredients for a yummy homemade cheeseburger supper!! There isn't any better burger than one off a charcoal grill! YUMMY!!

Mimi and I have started back on low carb, trying to lose a few more pounds as we approach swim suit season...mainly I should start exercising and that would help! Like, right now...I should get off my rear and go do something! LOL! We will see about that.

Sunday Alexa and I were off to NewSpring...the more and more I go and listen, the more inspired I am. I go tomorrow for my observation day with the Student Ministry. I am so excited to get plugged in and start volunteering. God is certainly doing an amazing work through this church, and I am so blessed to get to be a part of it!

It was a great weekend...now it's back to work, and that's ok too. I am so thankful to have a job! :) Here are some cute pics taken recently...enjoy!

Look at the pretty birthday girl!

Lexa being silly as always!

Alexa giving Ashlyn a hug...she doesn't look too sure about it! :)

Yummy cake!

Alexa visiting our neighbor's horse

Giving Walk Walk a hug!

Silly girl with Pop's sunglasses on

Playing in the bobcat

She just loves it!

Playing in the dirt!

Clearly she isn't afraid to get her hands (or anything else) dirty!

Drinking some gatorade with Pop

Offering some to Pop