Easter Sunday 2013

THREE

Our sweet Camille Grace is three years old! 

My heart if overwhelmed with feelings of love and nostalgia as I look back at the last three years of this little girl's life.  She brings laughter, silliness, and tenderness to our family in such special ways.  When the environment is tense or stressful, her countenance almost immediately reflects that with tears and a desire to be held and hugged.  When the atmosphere is happy and peaceful, she cheers, jumps up and down and just revels in that.  It's awesome.  :)

Camille is an encourager.  When Dan is building something, when Hannah Reece is making an art project, when Graham is tying his shoes, when I'm in the kitchen preparing a meal, she's right there cheering "Go ______ Go! Go _______ Go!"  She has this sensitivity to know what we struggle most with and is so eager to come alongside and hug, kiss and encourage us.  

Camille, you are such a blessing to our family.  In you, I see the tender heart of God towards his children.  Your smile lights up a room.  (Those dimples!!)  It's easy to see when your "love tank" is empty and I'm grateful for that.  You remind me to be present, to enjoy the moment, to take time to express my love for you.  Your cheerful heart and good nature is such a "lift" and a joy to all of us!  We love you, precious girl!!

At age three Camille:

-can reach the light + fan switches

-can climb up on the potty by herself with a little white step-stool

-wears a size 3T in bottoms, 4T in tops and an 8 1/2 in shoes

-is excited to be a big sister to "Livia Kate" and regularly sweet talks and sings to her (Hush Little Baby)

-enjoys black beans + rice, ice cream, gummy fruit snacks, corn chips, oatmeal, yogurt, carrot souffle, smoothies and does not like meat, eggs or veggies.  Girl's got a sweet tooth!

-loves to color and paint

-enjoys dressing up and being a princess

-sleeps in her own bed sometimes, but still prefers momma and daddy's bed (working on that!)

-has demonstrated a few temper tantrum (meltdown's)  ususally when she's tired or over-stimulated

-loves hanging out with her big brother and sister

Birthday interview questions:

How old are you?  Holds three fingers up (three)

Who is your best friend?  Taylor (Bunt)

What's your favorite thing to do?  I love when daddy throws me up in the air and gives me sugars (big smile)

What's your favorite food? "umm, let's see...." yogurt and strawberries and hot chocolate"

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A few more pics from Millie's birthday:

Camille LOVES to jump.  She jumps when she's happy, she jumps when she's sad and she really goes to town on the trampoline in our backyard.  :)  So when we were trying to thing of something fun to do as a family for her birthday, we were excited to surprise her and take her to Pump it Up.  It has several rooms FULL of bounce houses, mazes and slides.  

We got there, bought the kids wristbands and were ready for two hours of jump-a-palooza.  And this is how the birthday girl felt about Pump It Up:

 I think maybe it was too dark, too many kids, too much noise? Whatever it was, it was a no go.  So Daddy took her to the party store to pick out paper goods for her family party later that night, and I stayed and watched Graham and Hannah Reece jump, climb and slide to their heart's content for the next to hours!

 Nana has a tradition with the kids that she takes them clothes shopping for their birthdays.  The girls especially get into this, and it was fun to see what Camille picked.  She picked some really cute outfits with Nana, mostly pinks, purples, tulle, sparkles and frills.  Here's her very favorite outfit from Gymboree, complete with pink princess sparkle shoes a matching headband and bracelet.  I'm pretty sure she took it off about two days later when I insisted that it was time for she and her outfit to have a bath!  :)

 Graham: age 9, Hannah Reece: age 6 1/2 and Camille: age 3

Same day, new outfit, plus her princess birthday crown that she and Daddy picked out at the party store.

 Daddy has decided that three is the inaugural age for "real" Lego sets.  :)  Camille was so excited to play with her Friends Lego pool! Hannah Reece decided she would put it together for Mill and she did! :)

 Millie + Emma

Some of Millie's birthday gifts:

a new hat, mini magnadoodle, sticker sets, Cinderella duplo carriage, hairbands, clothes, some seed-starter kits (which are growing on the lanai!) and crafty supplies

Upward's Award Ceremony

Last Sunday was a busy one for us!  Dan preached all three services, followed by lunch at G-ma and G-pa's--Aunt Sue and Uncle Terry were here visiting last weekend.  And THEN, the grand finale to our day, Graham's basketball award ceremony.  This has been an awesome "first" organized team sport experience for Graham and our whole family.  I think we will all be a little sad when Saturday morning rolls around without a game!  Then again, some extra sleep and snuggle time will be nice, too.  :)  

Daddy "coached" Graham informally this season at home and on the sidelines.  :) Maybe next season, he'll be the official coach for Graham's team!  

Graham and a few of his new buddies through basketball:  Logan and Marcus

Big Birthdays

All glory to God, today marks thirty years since Jesus drew me to himself, and I was:

"buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4

He paid the highest price to cleanse my sin-filthy heart and redeem my life from sin and it's consequence...eternal death.   He made me his own!  It boggles my mind to know that the greatest joys in this earthly life pale in comparison to even ONE day with God in eternity.

"A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. "  Psalm 84:10

God alone loves us completely, the way we were created, by HIM,  to be loved!  And today I'm especially grateful for two precious people who demonstrate God's love to me and so many.  I love you, Dan!  I love you, Aunt Sue!  Happy Birthday!  xoxo

A few more from Dan's birthday:

The kids wrapped Dan's gift all by themselves and couldn't WAIT to have him open it!  

The anticipation!  :)  

I'm pretty sure Daddy let Graham put together most of his birthday girft.  :)  It was a Lego Star Wars Desert Skiff.  Also, Graham remembered that Dan had seen a giant Snickers ice cream bar at Target, and that was Dan's birthday cake. The kids were pretty much in charge of Daddy's birthday this year and they loved every minute of it. We love you so much, Dan!

Graham is nine!

Our big boy is "halfway to grown-up"---I can hardly believe it!  How did nine years pass SO quickly. Here are a few highlights from Graham's birthday, nine-year-old style.

We woke Graham up with a lively rendition of the Happy Birthday Song, piled up in his bed and served up a "Graham Special":  hot chocolate with loads of whipped cream and mini-marshmellows.  :)

It's tradition that the birthday person gets to choose our meals for the whole day (or at least breakfast and dinner! )  Graham's choice for breakfast was an Egg McMuffin, hashbrown, and I made strawberry-banana-pineapple smoothies for everyone.   

And for dinner:  Papa John's pepperoni pizza.  It HAD to be Papa John's, because they go light on the sauce, just the way D.G. likes it.  I am still amazed that he chose pizza for dinner because until this year, he's NEVER liked pizza. Of course he had his favorite most favorite drink with his pizza, Fanta Orange.  

Special birthday signage, made "better" by Millie.  

This was the best shot I got of Graham blowing out his birthday candles.  Proof that I am moving slowly these days.  :)   Also proof that Graham was so surrounded by his adoring family that even the mama-razzi couldn't break through the crowd of cousins gathered closely 'round.   

Time to open gifts.  Lots of Lego sets, clothes, glow-in-the-dark nerf football and even a homemade marshmellow shooter (thanks Uncle Matt and Aunt Choley for that little gem!)  ;)

Colton makes the coolest Lego cards.  The Lego creation is hinged and opens up to reveal a paper card inside with a sweet message from the Bunt family.  Graham loved it. 

This boy who made me a mother nine years ago.  And we are so grateful for our sweet son! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRAHAM!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hello 2013

It's a new year! 

I love fresh starts.  I don't love resolutions.  Maybe because I have terrible follow through?  I am thankful that every day is great for a fresh start! God's word says "His mercies are new every morning." (Lamentations 3:23) Praying that my (spiritual) eyes would be open to SEE God's mercies anew each day and receive them with a thankful heart.   

My "one little word" for this year is ENJOY.  Last year was work, hard work.  My (unannounced) word for 2012 was INTENTIONAL.  Bringing the kids home to school last January was an intentional choice, led by the Lord's prompting.  I am thankful that with intention (and obedience) came great provision, protection and relational and spiritual growth.  

My aim this year is to intentionally ENJOY the presence and relationships that the Lord has provided.  Enjoy our family.  Enjoy our friends.  ENJOY walking with with GOD.  

Having been a follower of Jesus Christ for almost 31 years, many of those years were spent striving, performing and working to deepen and cultivate my faith.  Often times in my own strength.  

In the last ten years, God has done a mighty work in my heart.  He has slowly, gently led me to a place of peace.  This has been a gradual process.  Like any relationship, it's stronger when time is spent together, I am learning so much by spending time in God's word and being quiet before Him. The real change has been in realizing that God pursues ME.  God loves me!  I can rest in Him.  His strength, His peace, His love.   

Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

For years I glossed over this passage and continued reading, looking for the "to do's" and clear application points.  How could I be a better Christian?  What do I do? Well, yes, but what about "working out" my faith, Jesus?  What about my quiet times with you?  That isn't just going to happen you know!   What about sharing my faith with others?  What about being "salt and light"? Where should I go, how do I do it?   Striving, striving, striving.  Until I could strive no more.  

You know what?  Jesus met me there.  In that place of weariness and futile striving.  Not with condemnation, but with gentleness and patience.  With rest for my weary soul.  Oh how I love Him!  Truly, his burden is light.  The heaviness that I've felt for all of these years is the fruit of fear and self-reliance.  Fear of man.  Fear of failure.  Fear of not measuring up or not being/doing enough to meet God's expectations.  Fear of letting people down. The freedom from all of that is exhilarating!   At times I am still tempted to fear and give in to anxiety, but when I choose to trust GOD to do his work in and through me, leading me every step of the way---there is true freedom.  Surrender.  Peace. The only voice I need to respond to is the Lord's.

Until marrying Dan and experiencing the Presbyterian tradition first-hand, I never new what confessions or catechisms or any of those words meant.  I thought confessions and catechisms were for Catholics only. Now I know that a confession (of faith) is merely a unified statement of belief, based on scripture.   I LOVE the first line of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (inspiration for my word this year):

Question:  What is the chief end of man?  
Answer:  Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.  

ENJOY.