Pre-earrings...VERY happy girl!

Right after getting them...very blotchy from crying (she gets that from me)!

Getting used to them :)

Last Friday after I got home from work my mom and I pierced Kailee's ears! I have been wanting to do it for a while, but kept forgetting about it. After one too many "oh, what a cute little boy" comments about her I quickly remembered! Poor Kailee one day she will grow some hair!

Grandma Char gave her a cookie as a distraction and we put her in the bumbo chair on the counter. I would definitely not say she was a fan of getting them done :( It was really hard to watch her go through it because she kept looking at us like 'why would you do this to me'. After they were both done she kept a very close eye on us just to make sure we were not up to anything else.

Thankfully she will never remember it and they are darn adorable :)

Mason coloring while waiting for his dental appointment :)

Ready and excited to start!

Holding "really-really-really still".

LOVING Mr. Thirsty

All clean...look at those pearly whites!

Mason had his first dental appointment on Monday (1/25/10). He did great! He was so excited as we waited in the back lounge for Mrs. Darlene to come and get him. Every time he would hear someone walking in the hallway he would ask "OH! Is that Mrs. Darlene?" When it was time he proudly walked down the hallway and climbed into the chair. After guessing that he had 3 teeth, they counted them and then shined them up with cookie dough toothpaste. He picked out strawberry for the fluoride and loved it! He did so well he got to pick out prizes and then was spoiled by getting a beanie baby from Mrs. Darlene!! Hope he doesn't expect all of this special treatment every time ;)

Children are a gift from God. Psalm 127:3 proclaims that "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." As believers we are called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God. God in his goodness gives children as gifts to parents. They not only have the awesome responsibility of caring for this gift, but also the wonderful privilege of enjoying the gift. Because children belong to God and are given by grace as gifts to parents, it is only proper and appropriate that children be dedicated back to God.

Today was such an exciting day...it was Kailee's dedication!! We went to church last night so that Kailee would be nice and rested, feed and happy for her special day today. We got there just in time however pastor Bob must have been a bit long-winded this morning because the main service got out really late which meant that the dedications started really late! Thankfully Kailee was such a good girl she just looked around, played peek-a-boo and was plenty entertained by trying to rip my necklace off! She did great during the actual service as well :)

We are so blessed to have Kailee in our family and today we made our official promise to God to bring her up in a loving, Christ-centered home. We are so thankful to be surrounded by great family and friends who love and support us. Please pray that we would have wisdom and grace as we raise her.

Lullibies

Who needs toys when you can just play Rock Band and Guitar Hero with Dad?!
What a nice soothing activity right before bed :) Yes, I was even talked into playing it for the first time but was only trusted to play Bass guitar. I hate to admit it, but it was kind of fun.

Seven Months

I know, I know it's freezing outside, but I had to snap Kailee's 7 month picture in her onsie to share with you her cute chubby thighs (please also note the sock indentations on her legs)! I LOVE them!!

Mason went on his very first candy cane hunt last Saturday morning! It was FREEZING outside and for some reason I thought it would be inside since they had switched it from park to the elementary school. At least Mason had his hat and gloves! Thankfully it only lasted 15 minutes!! I'm not sure what he liked better...the hot chocolate or running around looking for candy canes!

Since the candy cane hunt only lasted 15 minutes, we decided to head over to Three Cedars to check out their winter wonderland. I thought everything was absolutely beautiful and could have stayed way longer, but Mason was kind of nervous of all of the motion activated deer, snowmen, etc. If it moved, he was afraid of it :(
He did enjoy looking at the Nativity!
On our way home we stopped at the bike shop in South Lyon where we saw Santa and a real reindeer! (sorry all of the pictures are on the good camera that wont upload to my laptop)
What an exciting weekend!

Kailee had her very first teething biscuit today and definitely had a good grip on it! There was no confusion on what to do with it!! However, we did have many tears when I took it away. Praise the Lord that she and Mason are opposite when it comes to eating :)

BLESSED

Tonight Andy and I headed downtown to volunteer with some members of our small group (thanks Caleb, Theresa, Becky & Matt) at the Detroit Rescue Mission. We got there at 4:30pm and helped do a little bit of dinner-prep work. Our duties were then to serve the meal, fill water cups, pass out pie, bread, plastic wear and napkins. Most importantly I think just being there to smile at them and let them know that they are worth our time was the most rewarding job! It was so heart-breaking to see how many residents are there due to their lives falling apart and loosing everything they have whether it be due to the economy or poor decision making; either way still so sad. I came home feeling very blessed! I can't even imagine losing everything. We are SO thankful to have jobs, a home, basic necessities, family and friends who are there to love and support us, and especially thankful for the money we paid the babysitter for the evening!!
I hope we can continue to pour into the lives of people who need it! With Thanksgiving coming this week it has been great to reflect on what I truly am thankful for!