I love moments like these... 

what static? 

Does anyone eat a double chocolate muffin more beautifully than this? 

Nana, Poppy, Uncle Brian and Uncle Robert joined us for our annual Christmas walk...and Santa showed up, too! 

This is one of their favorite games to play - Nathan jumps over her and when it finally impacts her, she goes flying in the air! 

Here is a picture of me at 17 weeks...now I'm 19 1/2 weeks...almost half way there! 

Madeline's Sweet Blessed Assurance

Madeline enjoys singing this hymn together, ever since she returned from having her Nana sing it to her every night. Yesterday we took turns singing different parts of the song. After I sang "Born of His goodness," she chimed in, "Washed in His BLUFF!"

Blown Away

Madeline woke up today and decided that she wanted to try potty training again. No, she did not walk up to me and use those exact words, but she very clearly asked if she could wear her "big girl underwear." With only one accident this morning, she has gone all by herself three times - wahoo!! I'll continue to let her take the lead on this, but I'm not quite sure how to handle going about our regular outings...we'll have to just see as each one comes. I remember wondering where all of this came from, and the Lord reminded me that I asked Him to help me in preparing to potty train her again before the baby comes...for me it was a just a passive prayer, but the Lord answered me literally. Two things I learned today: Madeline just proves over and again how much she blossoms when she does things in her own time, and no matter what becomes of all this, the Lord heard and answered even my small prayer.

Googly-eyed Grandparents

Madeline went to Nana and Poppy's house for the weekend, while Nathan and I traveled up north to Solvang for a sweet getaway. I'm so amazed at how much grandparents just ooh and aah over our little girl. When we first arrived to pick her up, the entire Kirk household told one Maddie story after another, just dying to see our response to all of her cute antics. And all afternoon, they continued to just feed off her energy and desire for more play time, even though they admitted feeling a bit tired out from the weekend. And as we prepared to return home, my dad smiled at me and said, "So is she coming back next weekend?" I think he was only half-kidding.

I Love My Life

Madeline and I had a fun morning together. She began the day coloring with markers while I made breakfast. Then we headed out for our daily walk together, where she pointed out "Mommy, look at trees! Another tree!" Then we visited Nathan at work and it was so cute because he just beamed when we walked through the door and she said, "Hi, Daddy!" He set up two desk chairs for her to stand on and draw on the chalk board. He proudly drew whatever she wanted and seemed to be lost in another world with her. She soon informed me that she was tired and wanted to "go bed." But we had one more stop - GiGi Nana's house! Madeline just entertained Gigi and Debbie with all her cute phrases and acrobat tricks. Then we came home to take a leisure nap. She rubbed MY back and sang blessed assurance, and then kissed me a hundred times before saying, "Good night, Mommy." And it's barely 1pm...I love days like today.

Blessed Assurance

After staying with my mom and dad for a week, Maddie became accustomed to having her Nana sing "Blessed Assurance" and "Amazing Grace" before bed every night. I've continued this new tradition and she asks me to sing them over and over again before falling asleep. The other night I was singing to her and rubbing her back. She told me she wanted to rub my back and then asked, "Maddie sing to you?" And with that she began singing, "Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine...Fore-taste Glory Deeviiiine," all the while stroking my back and the side of my face. I think I completely melted right then and there...

Zeke decides he wants to play a new game now... 

Hi Mommy! I'm taking good care of baby Zeke! 

Smile, Zeke...pretend like you're having fun... 

Maddie gives Zeke lovies...xxoo 

Parenting Book

For the next 30 days, I'm asking the Lord to be my "parenting book" to guide me in all my thoughts, words, actions and reactions with regard to Madeline. I have poured over so many parenting books with advice on how to parent this way or that, and I believe that I've picked up some helpful tips and techniques. But what would happen if I just opened myself to receive direct wisdom, understanding, answers and guidance each day without consulting any other resource? Of course this might seem obvious, especially to other Christian parents. But do we truly rely solely on the Lord for wisdom in raising our children? Being in the midst of everyday situations can easily distract me and drive me to look in all my books for answers. I can only take this new venture day by day, but I'm expecting amazing results.

what an adorable heffalump - she loved wearing this costume and walked with her back straight to make sure the heffalump's head didn't fall down. 

she delighted herself in a delicious, chocolate cupcake and couldn't stop smiling the rest of the day! 

here she sits proudly with her daddy and her pumpkins (she picked out the small one all by herself). 

Here we are at her luau birthday party - so hard to believe that she's already 2 and actually wants to act and think for herself!