God is so good

Okay, this title may seem interesting, but let me explain...briefly. Last week(yes, I tried to post this already but somehow lost it so this is attempt #2) I was sweeping in the kitchen right before bathtime and Montana proudly walked in and said "Look, Mommy." She had placed Ariel and Sebastian stickers right where she knew she should be covered and came to show me(see below). What to do? Laugh, tell her good job(for covering herself), take a picture...but, our camera wasn't working...I grabbed it anyway and said "Lord, let this work." And it did!! So, I snapped these priceless photos and began to sing "God is so good"...and Montana joined in and learned a new song! So fun!! Below I'm going to post one of my fav pics from last weekend. It's Blake playing ring around the rosy with cousin KK, Montana playing with her birthday balloons, and cousin Tristan taking it all in. You can also see Aunt Lyn in the background. Cute, huh?

Second Birthday...Already!

What a year! We rejoice like the psalmist writes knowing full well that children are a blessing and reward from our Heavenly Father!
Today is Montana's official 2nd birthday and I'm slightly upset because our camera is telling me there is a memory stick error?! That means I can't take pics or download pics from the birthday weekend:(. I tried all I know(which isn't much) and Blake is working tonight so I'm posting my dad's pictures he took and emailed to us...thanks Dad! Today hasn't been such a great day to have a birthday because it's raining and we had our first visit to the AL pediatrician this morning(which included a finger stick and shots). She did do great though so I told her we could have some monkey cake when we got home! The monkey cake was her birthday cake made to look like a monkey face because of her love for monkeys! You'll see it in the pics below...she was quite proud of it and wanted to eat it more than she wanted to open her presents(Blake said she gets that from me...I'm not ashamed).

After a trip down "the big slide"

Giving the monkey a kiss(and taste)

Puffing to blow out the candles...cousin KK gladly beat her to the punch(which happens often)

Unwrapping gifts with Daddy
Family picture

Our families came to visit this weekend and we enjoyed spending some time with all of them. So, thank you Grandma and Pappy, NeeNee and PawPaw, Aunt Lyn, KK, and Tristan for making the trip and celebrating with us!

Zoo Buddies

Our new buddies, Porter and Katie(Porter's mommy), joined us for some zoo fun this weekend and we both loved having them come along. They have been so gracious and have made us feel so welcome here.

After just a few zoo trips, Montana pretty much has the order of animals memorized! She has begun stating what is coming next as we tell each animal bye-bye...so fun. In the pic below, she is showing some attitude because she did not want to get on the frog and smile for the camera...stinker!

Silliness and Satisfaction

We were invited to a playdate over 2 weeks ago with some sweet moms and kids we've met at church. Sadly, one of the little girls, Meg-Parker, had a bobo on her chin with a big bandaid. Ever since, Montana has been putting all sorts of things on her chin and telling me she has a bobo...as seen in this picture.

I don't think anything has brought me more joy and satisfaction as a mom than overhearing Montana's prayer yesterday. I snapped a picture shortly after to capture the moment, but I had to just sit in amazement after I realized what she was doing. She had her eyes closed and her hands clasped talking to Jesus(with Tonto, of course) and mentioned Uncle Stephen and the boys(who we've been praying for while in Kenya on a mission trip). Thanks Stephen for ministering to us through your call to serve God.

Playing House

Do you remember how fun it once was to

'play house' in a cardboard box? I cut some

holes for doors and windows and a new toy

was created! She wanted everyone to join her,

including Blake, Tonto, and me...quite a sight.

SIX YEARS OF MARRIAGE

We celebrated 6 years of marriage this weekend...wow. It seems to have flown by, but at the same time we can hardly remember life without each other. And now, it's getting hard to remember what life was like without a child...scarey. We did have an incredible dinner and date which Blake claims "puts Birmingham on the map." Thanks Brad and Stacey for watching Montana while we celebrated!!

She knew something was going on when she was in her pjs and mommy and daddy were all dressed up. Therefore, she was being super-cuddly, which I loved! She's noticing my belly a lot now(since it is quite large) and likes to use baby sister as a pillow.