11 Month Season

So, here we are at January 26th, over 2 weeks since Erin officially turned 11 months old. With all that has been going on in our family...still living on the generosity of our parents' as we are 'between homes' right now and Adam went to Uganda for 10 days and Erin is moving around so much these days so it's hard to get a good pic...I'm just hoping to get these pictures posted before she turns one. Which is right around the corner...so hard to believe. 

With all that in mind, I've decided that this will be her 11 month 'season.' Being a 'season', there's no reason that these pictures should have been posted on January 11th. Let's be honest, despite what that little index card says, none were taken on that day. That was the day I was trying to get Adam, Erin and myself packed for 10 days away.


My first idea was to grab pictures as we were helping Adam get ready for his big trip to Africa! I am so proud of my husband for going with such a willing and excited heart. I knew that he would be an incredible addition to the stellar team, and I was trying to do anything I could do help him get ready. He wanted In-n-out for his final American meal...hence the first attempt at 11 month pictures. 

Looking at these fun pictures, I probably could have just stopped there, and posted them on that day. And we'd be done. But I wanted to try more spots, and since I had Honey around to help, I took advantage. 
Round 2 - the front porch at my parents'. 

I mean, if you can't wear hot pink boots with the fur when you're 11 months old, when can you? And that grin!?! I love it!


Again, I could have stopped with these pictures. But while I was in Dallas, I kept looking at a sweet rocking chair that my parents have for Erin. It is ADORABLE, and I really wanted to use it for pictures. So I tried a few of those, too. I love this rocker so much, you may see it again sometime later. 

Her best trick in this funny little rocker was spinning all the way around. I have no idea how she learned this, but I think it's hilarious. It's not unlike the way she sits on hardwood or tile floors, spinning around on her little bootie, keeping her legs out straight the whole time.  

Erin Grainne,
Happy 11 month {season}! Your dad and I are absolutely crazy about you. Your smile and your laugh are infectious, and the Lord has used you in sweet ways this month to remind me of His presence and His comfort. It's been a big month for you. You've been working on new teeth, you are walking around with the help of furniture, a grown-up's hands, or a fun little walker. You are {finally} crawling on all 4s, with your belly off the ground. 

You got to experience your very first Christmas {a whole post about that is coming soon} - out here in the world, that is. We had such a fun time celebrating with you. You actually got to celebrate it twice - once with Daddy's side of the family, and once with my side. You are blessed to have so many people who love you so much, Erin. We pray that you will have lots of fun Christmas memories, but most of all, that you will love the One whom we celebrate - JESUS. We love getting to teach you about Jesus, and how He has changed our lives.

You've grown a little pickier with food this month...that's not the most fun for us, but maybe we need to get used to that. You did enjoy a visit to the greatest college town in the US this month...College Station, TX. {Full post later} I can hear the whoops now. You were such a champ in the car - I think you loved having your little buddy Serenity with you back there. 


You spent 10 days without Daddy. That was pretty rough on you, but you pulled through. Before he left, he made you a video of his goodnight routine, and when you would hear his voice, you'd settle right down. You slept better the night he came home than you had since we moved out of our apartment 2 months ago. 


You continue to adjust to life in OK pretty well...probably better than your momma is doing. I love getting to stay home with you - it is such a gift that Daddy works so hard so that I can do that. 


We love you more than we can say, Peanut Butter, and we can't believe that you are about to be one. One year! We continue to thank God for the gift you are each day, and we pray all the time that God will make your heart soft towards Him. I love how much you love people, Erin, and how God is already using you to put others at ease. I pray He strengthens this gift in you, and uses it for His glory in your life.


Love,
Daddy and Momma

A Father to the fatherless

The husband is in Africa this week. Uganda, to be exact. He and 27 other folks flew out of Dallas Thursday afternoon, and arrived at their final destination 30+ hours later (I think). He's able to send text messages from there, so I knew that they had arrived, and they were waiting for a large group of Ugandan orphans to show up for their first camp experience. The goal is to show these kids that they are loved...not just by this team but by the God of the universe. These kids have lost one or both parents, and many have been through horrific experiences of being forced into slavery or being a child soldier. (You can read more about their trip here.)


All the time that the team was traveling, I kept praying that they would be able to rest on the flights, for safety, for things to run smoothly...but I kind of expected that they would be exhausted when they got there. I thought it might be a battle for them to be energetic and fun and create this unique experience for these kids to just have relax, have fun and be kids, and build a bridge that they would hear and understand the gospel. 


But then I saw this picture that the team had sent, and was posted on the blog that I linked above. Look at those smiles! There isn't one person who isn't grinning. I mean, they don't even look tired. Awesome. And, look at that handsome, bearded guy in the back, 3rd from the left. Wow. There must be something going on there that is energizing these friends, and I can't help but think that it has something to do with loving those who are very close to the heart of God. 


I really cannot wait to hear about this trip when Adam returns. I sure don't like being away from him but I would never choose for him to miss this opportunity. Through Watermark, folks have an opportunity to sponsor an orphan in Uganda for $35/month. All of the kids at the camp this week are currently being sponsored, and they have recently added more children who need sponsors. We want to do this, and I was going through the list of children who are available. (Go here if you are interested.) I was thinking of Adam, the orphans he is investing in this week, and praying for all of them, and fairly randomly read Psalm 68, wanting to send him some Scripture to encourage him.


As I read, I was amazed to read what God was reminding me of. Psalm 68 says,

"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; 

   may they be happy and joyful.

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds;rejoice before him—his name is the LORD. 

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, 

   is God in his holy dwelling. 

God sets the lonely in families,

he leads out the prisoners with singing..."

What an incredible reminder that God cares so deeply for the orphan, for the lonely...and that I should, too. I don't know what God is going to do in and through Adam and his teammates this week, or in the lives of these children. But I know that He is already working in me. There's nothing like your husband going thousands of miles away to remind you that you aren't in control, and to bring you to your knees in prayer. And I am reminded that God is the father to the fatherless, that He sets the lonely in families.