Tacoma is for Lovers

Oh, Tacoma, we do love you. And your wonderful people.

We had a stellar 3 day visit this weekend and accomplished way more than anyone should be able to in 3 days:

1. The fabulous Geoff Parker and uber-fabulous Sara Ripoli were wed in the quaintest little setting in urban Seattle you ever did see.

 

 2. The Hadliest Hadley niece in the world has lived one year. She was the most celebrated one year old I've seen in a long time! What a wonderful job her mommy did in throwing her the perfect little party. 

hello, sweets!

she made these cake pops too!

cousins getting to know each other

I can't WAIT to turn 1!

3. We celebrated mom's day amongst 4 family moms! Record! Tim's mom, Hadley and Isabella's mom, Avery's mom (that's ME!), and little Peach Fulmore's mom (congrats, Joanie!) all enjoyed a semi-sunny afternoon at Point Defiance zoo. Avery's first trip! She liked the peacock best we think. We love these moms.

Birthday girl ready to go!

Mike and Thrill themselves, aka super parents

   
4. A final mom's day hurrah with our good friends the Helleksons, moving to London this summer for a couple of years. We were spoiled to have them all to ourselves for an evening, and to be able to enjoy Steph's yummy cooking. Thanks guys!!! We can't wait to stay in touch to hear about your adventures!

Avery and her bud, Juliette

All in all just a great last trip for awhile. See you at Christmas, T-town! Thanks for sharing your greatness!

Work

I found this illustration in GOOD Magazine, and I love it. Since Avery's been born, I've been thinking about what "work" means to me. It is finding joy in working hard for whatever is set before me, whether official employment that yields a paycheck, or a flesh and bone baby that yields serious delight. The top colorful depiction of "work" is how I hope to view and celebrate achievement, rather than the bottom stoic, empty depiction. How do you feel about the work set before you? How can you make it more like the top?

"Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." -Colossians 4:17.

In a study I've been doing on Worship from the Tabernacle, we looked at the priestly appointment of the Levites as God's designed ministers. His selection and their duty to Him were very specific; their ministry received, not achieved. Sometimes I wonder if we're trying to achieve work we have in mind for ourselves, before the Lord, instead of receiving what He designed for us.

Paul wrote, "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus." - Acts 20:24

Makes us think about who, and what, we are working for.

6 Month Stats

Our munchy monster is thriving! She's down a bit in weight to 18 lb 5.5 oz, or 86%, but her head has grown to 91%! Length is relatively steady at 63%, or 26.25 in. Poor baby got her mama's big noggin. She'll be a smart one:)

I don't know if it was her shots, or Tim and me talking about it with the Dr., but she slept 11 hours uninterrupted, no feeding last night! Through the night! 6pm to 5am, but still. We were just planning on eliminating the night feeding starting this weekend, if we can. She obviously doesn't need it! 

She's developing well, sits by herself, rolls back and forth, is eating solids 2x/day and has 2 bottom teeth! All in like a week! Talk about progress. Soon she'll be spouting her ABCs, just wait.

Love you Aves!

Easter Joys

We had an awesome first Easter with Avery. We were blessed by the reminder of our Second Life in Christ through his death and resurrection and by celebrating with the Broweleits. I found this old postcard at a flea market last month:

 

Our cutie on Easter in a super-ancient hand-stitched dress:

And some other sitting-up action:

 He is Risen!

Beach Bums

We were blessed to be able to make a short visit to the grandparents' in Naples last week. We wish it could have been longer!

On the first day, Avery was a bit overwhelmed by her new surroundings. She didn't like the kiddie pool or the beach or the sand or anything really.

Oh, except her avocado!

...and Mr. Pillar.

But after a good night's sleep, the rest of the trip she warmed up to the idea of liking the water. Especially when mom went in with her.

She was rockin' it with her new shades. 

 

We can't wait until next time! Thanks Yoyo and Papa!

"Stabat Mater"

Leading up to Good Friday, I thought this 13th century Latin hymn (English here) was appropriate describing Mary's sorrow leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. Having a child of my own, I can't imagine what she must have felt. My heart feels heavy and amazed trying to fathom something I will never quite understand, but that I accept with my life.

At the cross her station keeping
Stood the mournful Mother weeping
Close to Jesus to the last;

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing
All His bitter anguish bearing
Now at length the sword has passed;

O, how sad and sore depressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
Of the sole begotten One;

Christ above in torment hangs
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son;

Is there one who would not weep,
Overwhelmed in miseries so deep
Christ’s dear Mother to behold.

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain
In that Mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled
She beheld her tender Child
All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation
Save Him hang in desolation
Till His spirit forth he sent.

O sweet Mother! Fount of Love,
Touch my spirit from above
Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as You have felt
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.

Spring

 Spring is springing! We even are getting a few raindrops this week. We need it!

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (Prov 4:23)

Munch's Half Birthday

Avery is 6 months old today. She let mommy celebrate by giving her a fabulous day!

She got to wear her new dress from Roxie, she went to the nursery for the first time and slept the whole time, she devoured her Avocado and tried sweet potato (not a huge fan yet, at least compared to avocado), she took a really nice long afternoon nap with no crying despite teething issues lately, she posed for a photo shoot, and she fell asleep on time, again with no crying! She just definitely is the most perfect baby in the world:)

Avery likes to flap her arms around when she's excited. She can mostly sit up by herself now, and everything goes into her mouth (pretty sure part of teething, with variable fussiness). She sleeps around 11-12 hours a night with one feeding before mom goes to bed, and she luuuuves when dad gets home from work! She's slowly trying new solid foods, always has to hold the spoon, and really likes her sippy cup of water. She also loves touching all the pages when we read books.

Can't wait to get to know her better!