New Adventures Lie Ahead

Proverbs 23:18 says, "For surely you have a future ahead of you. Your hope will not be dissapointed". This is the verse that I am clinging to right now. Recently, we have made our shift from Gulf Shores, Al to Hammond, La. Louisiana is definatly our "home sweet home", however everything seems so new, strange, and unfamilar. It's like we are starting over again! But I choose to look at it as entering a new season, freshness and change!
I can look back and see that God had a devine purpose for us in Alabama. The Lord is bringing us into new and different plans here in Louisiana. We certainly don't have all the answers or understanding, just faith. But that is why I love this scripture verse. It's like a promise from God that let's me know my future, (whatever it may be), will not be dissapointing for me! God cares about my hopes and dreams! How awesome! I just had to share this.

As for our little family of three, we are finally getting settled. Amelia has had a rough time adjusting to all the change, but today has been a good day for her and I think she is starting to adjust! She is almost walking and getting more grown up by the day! I will be posting some updated pictures as soon as I can find my camera! (It's packed away somewhere!?) =)
To all my awesome friends from Gulfway, (You know who you are) WE MISS YOU!!! We will cherish our friendship with you for a lifetime!

The 1st of Many Birthday Blessings

Who knew that one of life's biggest blessings came in the form of tiny fingers and toes. A cute button nose and a smile that is unforgettable! Over the past year, I have realized that the gift of a child is one of life's greatest joys! Yesterday was Amelia's first birthday and it seems like only yesterday I was meeting her face to face for the very first time! I will always cherish that moment. I can't even imagine what life would be like without her in it. This precious baby girl has enriched our lives more than we could have imagined. I never knew my heart had the capacity to love SO much until the day I held her in my arms!

As a little girl my biggest dream was to grow up, get married, and have babies! I wanted to be just like my mom. Giving never-ending love and showing my children how to live a life that pleased God! My mom was the perfect example and for that I am thankful. She instilled in me all the tools that I need to be great mom! (Although, I still have a long way to go). So let this be a birthday promise to you, Amelia.

I, your mommy, promise to love you and smother you with hugs and kisses everyday.

I promise to sing to you and pray over you every night before you go to sleep.

As you get older, I promise, to fix your hair just like mine and let you borrow my lipstick and shoes from time to time.

I promise to paint your nails and paint your toes

I promise to always be a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a hand to hold!

I love you Amelia! Happy 1st Birthday!

Amelia Then...

Amelia Now!

( I started taking pictures as soon as she woke up)

Big girl birthday smile!

Just Wanted to Share...

I caught Amelia playing with her new nursery rhyme bear that she got as a birthday present from Grandpa Bob, Crystal, and Meghan! Thanks again! She loves it! Amelia's birthday is tomorrow and I can't believe how much she has grown up in just one year!! We will be celebrating this momentous occasion on Saturday and I think I'm more excited about it than her!! Hope you enjoy the video!

What's new with Amelia at 11 months...

I am so sorry to keep many of you waiting on the newest blog post! Things have been crazy busy on our end. We are gearing up to move back to Louisiana at the end of this month and if you've ever had to pack up and go with a child, you know how stressful life can be! Despite some of our recent anxieties, we have managed to break away and have some fun while we are still here!

Amelia is 11 months and 2 weeks old now! Crazy, I know! Her birthday is quickly approaching and my mind is constantly juggling around different ideas to make her day extra special! All the baby books and magazines say to keep your child's first birthday small and simple! HA...well...I'm pretty sure half of our church congregation will be in attendance to this grand affair! Amelia is a church baby and everybody LOVES Amelia! It's a good thing I rented out the kids park!

Amelia is getting so big and it amazes me how smart she is! She is pulling up on furniture and cruising around. She loves to watch Dora, The wonder pets, Baby Einstein, and Sesame Street....and she actually laughs when they do something funny! It's so cute! She scoots all over the place and her newest accomplishment is pulling herself up to a sitting position from lying on her stomach!!! Now, we are just waiting for her first steps!

She is doing well with feeding herself and loves to eat french fries, strawberries, any kind of bread, and CHEETOS!! I know....what a healthy appetite! She takes after her daddy in that category!

She has also mastered the task of waving "bye-bye" and blowing kisses!

A couple weekends ago we took Amelia to the pool for the first time and she loved it!! Just take a look for yourself!

The water was freezing that day! But she didn't seem to mind a bit! Ah, you gotta love her!

Our "eggstra" special Easter day

Easter is a day that we come together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! He is alive and well and I know because He lives in me! God loved us so much that He gave His only son to die for all our sins! We didn't deserve that kind of love but He gave it anyway! It's so easy to get caught up in all the easter novelties. The easter basket, candy, new sunday outfits, and of course the perfect easter meal time with friends and family after church!....Guilty as charged! This was Amelia's first easter and you can imagine how ridiculous Matt and I felt picking out our own easter candy at Wal-mart and using Amelia as an excuse to buy it. But since she can't eat it.... bon apetite for us!!!

After a great church service, we headed off to our annual easter eating spot! The perdido beach resort has a fabulous easter buffet and we go every year! I guess we'll have to make a special trip back to Gulf Shores next year = ( When we got there we headed straight for the food! First thing first...get Amelia a plate of mashed potatoes to keep her happy!! She loves potatos! I also managed to mash up some glazed carrots and macaroni and cheese! She LOVED IT!! She is getting so good at feeding herself! She is growing up too fast! However, I'm not too sure how well she did today..... this is pitiful really!

No folks, this is not the latest hair trend.... this is Amelia's mashed potato hair creations!! HAHA!

I was able to clean her up a bit to get a few more pictures in her sweet little dress!

We hope everyone had a blessed and happy Resurrection day!! May the power that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you every day!

I don't know everything but....

I know that God is in control of all the chaos that surrounds.
I know that our life is far too valuable to God for Him not to provide and meet all our needs!
I know that the plans and promises that God has for us are far greater than we can hope for or imagine.

Seasons come and go but God remains the same. Faithful and true! His promises are never-failing!

For those of you reading who don't know, our family is in ministry transition right now. We are moving away from all that we know and have grown accustom to. All that is comfortable. All our dear friends whom we love so dearly! God is moving us in a different direction and we are seeking Him daily to find His perfect will for our lives. Please keep us in prayer!
We are planning on moving back to Louisiana and believing God to open doors for us there!

Times of transition are certainly not easy but we have felt the hand of God and those around us help carry us through each step of the way! Thank you! I will keep you posted on God's progress in our lives! I can't wait to give God the glory for all His faithfulness!

Little Miss Chatterbox

I caught Amelia in action this morning talking up a storm. She loves to play with her little hairbrush and I guess she thought it was necessary to strike up a conversation. I Love listening to her cute little voice! Enjoy the show!

P.S. The musical accompaniment you here in the background is her baby Einstein video that plays continuously in this house! She loves it!