So much has happened the last while that it is hard to know were to start. Where shall I begin…….?

Philip has had a major exam, we went on a family trip, Anthony is continuing to grow and learn new things, we found a house in Chattanooga, Philip has started rotations, I’m busy packing, and the list seems to go on. Well, I will try my best to catch you up on some of this!

First of all thanks to all of you who were praying for Philip as he took his Step 1 exam. We got the results the other day and he PASSED with a good score!!! We are very happy especially Philip! Another exam is done and behind him for good!

After the busy and intense time of studying we thought it would be a good thing to take a few days as a family and try to relax and catch up. We took a few days and went to Mobile, AL. We had a wonderful time and got to see some of the beauty God has created! Maybe these pictures will help you get a glimpse of what we did even though they don’t do justice to being there.  

Dauphin Island…

  

Bellingrath Gardens…

 

USS Alabama…

The Baby…

 

                                                                                                            

After we left Alabama we went to Chattanooga and looked at a house that Papa had found. The Lord definitely had his hand over the whole thing! We have an allsome God! The place was up for sale but Papa thought he would just call the number and see if they would be willing to rent it. They said they would have to talk to their Mom ( it was her house but she is 90 and had just recently moved to assisted living) and get back with him. Their Mom agreed to rent it but the amount they wanted was to high for us. They wanted to know then what would be a workable amount for us. After we told them they said they would talk to their Mom and see what she said. She agreed to the amount! Some of you will have to come see us once we move and are closer! We are moving the end of this month Lord willing!

Philip has been very busy studying the past three weeks. He takes his exam on Wednesday. It is an all day exam. Please remember him in you prayers as he takes his exam. Thanks to all of you who have been praying and thinking of us! Your prayers mean a lot!

Due to all the studying Philip has had (which is mostly on the computer) I have not been able to update.

We are all doing well and ready to have a little break after Wednesday! The past month and a half has been very busy with getting ready for all the exams Philip has had. Philip begins rotations the end of this month. We are so glad the book work part of school is basically done.

Our sunshine boy!

Anthony is continuing to grow and is learning new things all the time! A few weeks ago he started sitting by himself. He is lots happier being able to sit up and play with his toys instead of always laying down! He is becoming more interactive too! When we hold our hands out and ask him if he wants to come he will reach up with his little hands. He is such a joy and blessing! He loves his Daddy and gets so excited when he can play with him!

I had him outside one day and while he was playing he fell asleep. I just got the umbrella and put it over him so he wouldn’t sun burn. When he woke up he was so happy to still be outside!

He has started eating some baby cereal and applesauce. As you can see he really enjoys it!

I think he is a handsome little boy!

This is a rug I crocheted out of old t-shirts.

  

This was our lunch one day…Santa Fe Chicken, Squash Casserole, and pickles.

  

Yesterday Gary Starbuck was preaching out of Romans chapter 3 and in his sermon he quoted the following poem by John Bunyan (yes, John Bunyan did write both poetry and prose):

Run, John, run. The law commands

But gives neither feet nor hands.

Better news the gospel brings;

It bids us fly and gives us wings.

 

The other morning in my quiet time the Lord allowed me to listen in on a conversation that He had with His people over 2000 years ago (Malachi chapter 1). I would like to paraphrase some of it here… (Please note – words in blue are the Lord speaking, words in green are the people speaking.)

 “I have loved you”

“In what way have you loved us?”

“Didn’t I choose Jacob for intimate fellowship and reject Esau? Don’t I still want to have an intimate relationship with you? Am I not still making sure that Esau’s descendants don’t prosper?”

“A son honors his father and a servant respects his master. If I am your father then where is my honor? If I am your master, where is my respect? Why do you despise my name?”

“How have we despised your name?”

“By offering me defiled gifts.”

“How have we defiled you?”

“By not delighting in my table; By offering the blind, the lame, the sick. Why don’t you go to your governor and offer him the food that you don’t want, the blind, lame, sick animals that you are going to cull from your herd anyway. Do you think he will be favorably impressed with you and accept your gift?”

“Is there anyone of you who would dare to be bold enough to just go and shut the temple doors so that you will quit offering me vain sacrifices in which I have no pleasure or delight?”

“My name will be great among the Gentiles, in every place, from where the sun rises to where it sets incense will be offered to me, and pure offerings, for My name will be great among all nations!”

“But you profane my name, you are weary of my table, of offering sacrifices; you are dishonest planning to offer one thing but then bringing blemished gifts.”

“I AM a Great King!”

I was greatly affected by this conversation. God is still the Great King! He still expects us to bring sacrifices and offerings. No, he does not want goats, lambs, cows, or even fruits. But there are many sacrifices of worship that are mentioned in both the Old and New Testament. I wonder, is the table of the Lord ever wearisome to me/us? God forbid that we would be careless or disinterested when it comes to worshiping Him!

What do you think, what are some of the sacrifices that we are to bring? How do we avoid bringing lame, blind, sick, defiled offerings to the Lord? He is a Great King!

In some ways it is hard to believe that Anthony is already three months old. He is getting to be so much fun. He is starting to really laugh now and his belly laughs are so funny! I thought you might like to see how cute and big he is. He weighs 13 lb. and is 25 in. long. Now for the fun part, the pictures! On the front of his outfit it says Daddy’s All Star  and in a small circle at the end it says Property of Mommy.

 

 

   

I know this is a lot of pictures but I just love the different expressions on his face. 

He is teething some so his fist is in his mouth a lot these days.

I hope you all enjoy and have a good day!

 As the title says we (or Philip) got a break from school! It was a much needed break and we were looking forward to the time with family very much. We got to be in middle TN for a good two weeks. It ended up being a very full and busy time but yet very refreshing from being in Memphis. Philip worked numbers of shifts on the ambulance, did website work, and a few odd jobs that needed done.

Christmas eve we got to do some caroling for some of Papa and Mama’s neighbors. It was quite the time, we got rained out before we were done. We still had a good time and were able to bless numbers of people. The day before Mama and all of us girls made cookies, caramel popcorn, and checks mix to put in baskets to give to those we went to see. We had lots of fun working together! Papa invited the Millers and Beilers over for the evening. All of the family was here too. We had a wonderful evening visiting, playing together, and eating supper together. Here are a few pictures that I thought you might enjoy.

Making bean dip

This was our center piece for the table Christmas eve.

   

The spread! It made a very pretty table.

This is the families new dog. She is very pretty and an obedient dog. We tied this ribbon on her but when she went back outside she thought it was a new thing for her to play with.

Christmas day we were all together as a family. We had a wonderful time and lots of fun! It was nice having the guys around and no one needing to do anything in particular.

Anthony’s sleeper says My First Christmas on the front. Mama found it for him at a thrift store before he was born. It fit him perfectly.

We spent New Years Day with Philip’s family. We had a good time playing games and being together. Anthony didn’t enjoy the day very much because he was sick. He picked up a stomach bug that was going around. He was pretty miserable for several days because he also got a cold. There were several rough days and nights for a bit but thankfully he is getting better. 

Now we are back in Memphis and back to school. Only two more months of book work left! A month of study for Step1 board exam and then rotations begin. Philip is ready to be done with the daily classroom time and I don’t blame him.

Here is a bonus picture for you! He is sound asleep in his swing.

 

 

I don’t know about you, but I still am not tired of looking at my baby. In the spirit of thinking that you too may like looking at him (he is a handsome fella if you ask me) I thought a few pictures might be in order…

Here Anthony is with his parents… 1 month old!

He is now 8 lbs, 15 oz, and 21.5 inches long!

Already learning how to use a computer!

I am learning to coo…

Smiling a lot!

And interacting more and more with my parents!

I was tickled to finally get this picture! Anthony kept kicking his feet around but after a number of photos I got one. Anthony’s feet are just like his Daddy’s except for in size! It is so amazing to look at his little feet and see the resemblance to his Daddy’s feet. The way they hold their toes is the same! I hope he uses his feet to follow in his Daddy’s footprints to becoming a godly, gentle, kind, and loving young man! I’m thankful for the wonderful Daddy he has to follow after and learn from. As I look at his little feet I wonder where all they will take him and what he will do with them. I pray that he will use them to seek wisdom and use them for the honor and glory of God! Please pray for us as we raise him and strive to be the parents God wants us to be. We have a lot to learn in being parents. I love you Honey! Thanks for being such a wonderful husband and Daddy!

Taken just moments before this post… Anthony is looking sharp!

Just starting to smile a little, and winking at you!

All dressed up for the meeting! (17 days old)

Anthony really enjoys his baths! He will just lay there and look around and slowly kick his feet. He doesn’t make me wet yet but I’m sure that time is coming!

This boy has big feet like his Daddy! His feet are as long as my middle finger! I wonder how hard it will be to find shoes for him when he gets bigger?

I just love this picture of him! He looks so peaceful and sweet!

Well, I don’t have much time but I wanted to update you all on some photos of him. In some ways it is hard to believe that he will be three weeks old tomorrow. Hope you all have a good evening and God bless you all!