Here are a few pics from August. Apparently our month was pretty uneventful bc there aren't many pics at all, or maybe I was just lazy and didn't take many. These first few pics are of Braelyn and Mattie at the Zoo in Knoxville. We were excited to get to spend the day with Katy and Mattie. The girls really enjoyed it and it was a beautiful day too.
Braelyn did have fun, despite the unhappy face below. It was quite challenging to get a picture of the two of them looking the same direction.
I happened to find some "jewelry" for Braelyn at a yard sale a few weeks ago and she LOVES it! It's the first play jewelry she has had and it has entertained her a lot lately.
Earlier in August we went to a splashpad with some of the cousins and had a great time. It was scorching hot that day, so we were thankful for some water to cool off in. Pictured below are Braelyn, Mattie and Hayden.
And finally, we just had to get a shot of the deer that were visiting our back yard for a few days. It was unusual to see deer in our backyard, but fun too.
We just got back from spending the weekend with my family in the Smoky Mts camping for Labor Day. The weather was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! It was actually nice to be outside all day long, and even COLD at night!! So refreshing after so much heat this summer. We only stayed Sat night but spent all day sat and sun there. It was nice to spend time with family and be outside in the mountains. I am really glad it is September. Fall is my favorite time of the year. Lots of exciting things this month....Braelyn's second bday, lots of other family bdays, caregroup starts back at church, CMDA cookout, I started a new Precepts bible study, and COOLER weather!!
I started another Precepts bible study this morning. It's a Kay Arthur study and we are doing the book of Leviticus!! Yes, that's right. I am actually pretty excited about it bc I just read Lev. within the past few months since I'm trying to read through my bible, so it is kind of fresh on my mind. AND I know, without a doubt, that I will learn so many great things through this study. Kay Arthur is a great teacher and so is my bible study teacher at church who facilitates us. I'm also excited bc Braelyn is not the only child in the nursery this time. All last year she was the only kid there. But today there were 5 kids! And she knows all of them. This is such a blessing to have a bible study that provides childcare. I am very thankful that our church does that.
So, hopefully I can post some blogs about what I'm learning in Lev. I read the first chapter today....burnt offerings to sum it up. The theme of the study is that we will learn how to approach a HOLY God. Something that has already been pointed out is that our God is a God of great details. Also, it is important that we understand this book of Lev. bc if it wasn't important for us to study then God wouldn't have included it in the bible! So, like I said, I'm hoping to share some new things that God teaches me through this study.
On another note, I am now 21 and half weeks along. Feeling good, but still a picky eater. She is starting to kick and move around a bit more. Braelyn is starting to understand a little more. She will say "Baby sister". And if you ask her where Baby sister is, she answers "Mommy's belly". Braelyn is talking SO MUCH...not always coherent, but pretty much just always jabbering :) It is so much fun watching her learn and grow. What a blessing and gift it is to be a Mother and have the privilege of teaching and loving your child. I praise God for Braelyn and for this baby on the way. He is so good to us. Oh, speaking of His goodness. My mom found a twin bed for Braelyn (head/footboard and rails)!! Hooray!! Now we just have to get it to Bristol, put a new coat of paint on it and buy a mattress :) I am so thankful He provided that for us, at a great deal too!
Ok, I should probably go now. Oh, be praying for Aaron. He is studying for his boards exam that he will take next Monday. And we have a very busy weekend, so just pray that he will be prepared and ready. Thanks and have a good week!
So here is the beginning of Braelyn's bday celebration last Saturday. We kicked it off by going to Toys R Us for the morning. Braelyn LOVED getting a balloon and a special crown to wear. When she got the balloon and crown she just started jumping and dancing in circles!! It was so CUTE!
And here starts the birthday party at the park. It was actually a double party, we celebrated with my nephew Colton, who turned 6 just the day before. It was a beautiful warm day and we were so thankful for everyone who was able to come and celebrate with us.
I was really pleased with the cake. I ordered it from Sam's and it was delicious!! I just didn't have the time or patience to try and make her bday cake this year. Maybe next year....
All the kids chowing down on some pizza....minus Mattie. I think she was still on the playground.
My big TWO year old going down the BIG slide all by herself!! She was not afraid at all, and insisted on doing it "again, again"!!
Braelyn got so many nice presents! Thanks everybody for thinking of her. She has had a great time playing with all of them this week.
We got her a baby doll that laughs and cries with some a little bottle and bed. She has been LOVING playing "mommy" to this baby, which encourages me a lot that she is going to be a GREAT big sister!!
Here is a picture of ALL of Braelyn's presents she got at the party! What a blessed little girl! Thanks again everyone for helping us make her day so special!
And finally, we don't want to forget baby sister, which is what she is going by these days. I have had many requests for a 'belly pic' so here it is. This was taken about a week and a half ago though....I was 22 and 1/2 weeks in the pic and I will be 24 weeks tomorrow. She is starting to move around a lot more. I am really wanting to find a name soon, bc I keep wanting to call her something other than baby sister. I think I might have a middle name, just still searching for the first. We are planning on transitioning Braelyn from the baby bed to the twin bed this weekend! So please say a prayer she likes it and transitions well.
