Pictoral Update!

I haven't posted any pictures of Charissa in a long time and people are starting to wonder about her. Don't worry - she's still as cute as ever. And in to everything! So here are a some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Feel free to "ohhh" and "ahhh" your way through them.

Because Charissa is "petite" this is what
happens when you put pants on her.

Two peas in a pod!

Her first drumming experience.
I'm hoping she becomes a drummer.

Desperately trying to get to the other
side where she knows her daddy is.

Pumpkin is good!
(Check out those eyelashes! I don't
know where they came from!)

She loves to be under things. I don't know why.
Maybe she'll grow up to be a coal miner.

Britt and two of his favorite things:
Charissa and basketball.
Finally, united.

She's so happy to be able to stand!
In fact, we can't keep her sitting.

This is one happy girl at her mama's birthday party.

The Best Printer Ever!

If you're in the market for a printer, and even if you're not, you need to look into the HP Photosmart C5280 All-In-One. It's amazing! I mean, you know it's amazing if I'm taking the time to blog about it. I got one for my birthday and we installed it last night. We printed a picture of Charissa and WOW - it looks amazing! I can't believe it came out of a printer! And Britt had it on the lowest quality setting. Of course, I don't actually know how to use it by myself, but when Britt comes home I'm going to print lots of pictures of my baby girl. :)

Letter to a New Father

I'm really not a very experienced father. But when my friend sent me an email asking for early fatherhood suggestions, particularly how to encourage his wife, I jumped at the chance to love and encourage him and his family. I reproduce it here (minus some details) for your encouragement as well:

Brother,

Good questions to ask. The other guys probably have more insight than me, through age, experience, and godliness; but mainly I would just try to let my wife rest as much as possible, do the night shift unless it impairs your work ability (in which case you have to figure something out), make sure I'm getting off early if at all possible, and generally just looking out and looking ahead for her. Offer to make dinner, rub her feet (or whatever hurts), rent a movie, go on a date whenever she's ready to leave the little one (she'll take longer to come to that point than you).

But most of all, she just needs encouragement that God has already given her the skills and is currently giving her the strength and the grace she needs to be a good mother. That's what my wife needed to know most. So encourage her with the gospel, and when she feels like she's messed up something, give her more gospel. She doesn't have to know everything - God will take care of every little thing and cover up our many mistakes as parents. Truly He is good to those who call on Him, to those who call on Him in truth.

And go ahead and start family worship if you haven't already, even with the little one - it will encourage her that you care about your son's body and his soul, and will help her press on in her own (probably somewhat strained) devotional time. Encourage her to take time to be with Jesus on her own as well.

We love you three and are available to baby-care whenever you need us, or just for dinner, or just to get out, or just for encouragement!

Britt

Two Dozen and Counting!

On the 11th of October, I turned 24. It's a good solid number. I've acquired enough years that most people take me seriously (although I still have to be careful when I go out with Charissa and not Britt that they don't think I'm a single mother) but I'm young enough that my joints don't hurt. I had a really good birthday this year. Britt and I got to celebrate together on Thursday by going to P.F. Chang's and then on Saturday I had a BIG birthday party. Many of our friends were able to come as well as lots of our family. I think one of the highlights of the party was when one of our friend's two-year-old son sang me "Happy Birthday." True, it was a little mumbled, but it was sweet. It made me think about how Charissa will be doing that before I know it.

Speaking of the little ball 'o' fun - that girl is learning all sorts of new tricks. In the last two weeks she's learned to pull herself up, she's acquired 6 teeth turning her into a mini-Jaws, wave, point her finger at someone while "talking" to them, and recite the Westminster Catechism. Ok, that last one isn't true, but I'm still pretty impressed with her. She's so much fun! Really, if you've been holding off on having kids you should go for it. They are great!

I would write more, but I just finished reading the book Shopping for Time by the Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters and they recommend rising early in the morning, so tomorrow is going to be an early day for me. I completely recommend this book - I read it in less than 24 hours. It's simple, practical, easy to read, and talks about a lot of ways to better use our time. If you want to borrow it, let me know!

Tuesday Tip - What's for Dinner?

If you're like me, when 600 rolls around you walk into your kitchen, open the refrigerator and wait for some inspiration to hit you and let you know what you're going to make for dinner. Usually my inspiration takes about 15-20 minutes of opening the refrigerator, closing it, walking to the pantry and opening it but then realizing there's nothing in there that shouts "eat me!" in there so I close that door, and then walk back to the refrigerator and hope that round 2 (or 3 ... or 4 ... ) gives me better insight. Isn't that a colossal waste of time? And then when I finally figure out what I want to make I'll have all but one ingredient that just can't be substituted by something else.

Solution? Meal planning! Or eating out a lot. But then you have to decide what restaurant you want to go to and then figure out what you want to eat there ... and you have to have a large "grocery budget" and not mind eating 2-3 times the amount of calories you should be eating. ANYWAY - you should meal plan. I've been back and forth on this idea for a while because I don't like to be boxed in to eating a certain meal on a certain day. I can't tell you what I want to eat on Friday on Monday. I don't know yet. (For this same reason, I also tend to pack a lot more clothes than I need when we go out of town.) So instead of saying what meal I'm going to make each day, I decided to make a list of five meals that I can make that week. I know that there are seven days in a week, but for some reason I don't end up cooking on all seven nights, so why over plan?

Of course, having the plan doesn't help me come up with ideas of what to eat. I was still racking my brain. And then I had an epiphany - why don't I look through all those recipes I pull of magazines saying I'll making them "one day"? Well, "one day" has arrived my friends! Yesterday I went through all my recipes (a number of which were delicious looking desserts) from magazines and I picked ten to make in the next two weeks. Then from those ten recipes I made a complete grocery list and headed off to the farmer's market and the grocery store. It was great! I always have a list when I go to the store, but this time it felt more purposeful. This time, I knew where those ingredients were going. On a side note - I really recommend shopping at a farmer's market. It's cheaper, there is more variety and it's a lot of fun. Plus the people there know a lot about produce and can help you pick out a good vegetable from a bad one and give you tips on how to store and use them. And babies love all the bright colors. :) By the way - I picked recipes that compliment each other in ingredients so that I didn't spend a huge amount of money at the store. In fact - and this may shock some of you - for two weeks worth of groceries I spent $50. No lie.

So now I have ten magazine pages hanging from a clip on my refrigerator that I can make in the next two weeks. It's kind of exciting. Once I've cooked the meal and I like it, I take it off the refrigerator, cut it the recipe and the picture, mount it on a note card and put it in my recipe box so I will have it when I finish going through all my other magazine cut outs. Which will probably take another two years.

So here's my tips for you about meal planning:

1. Make a plan. And make one that works for you.
2. Look through your recipe box, cookbooks, and magazine cutouts that all women accumulate and find meals you want to make. And everyone should get the Kraft Foods Magazine because they have such simple but delicious recipes that are really cheap. And the magazine is free! Go to the website and sign up for it. Side note: as you're going through your magazine clippings and you see recipes you know you're never going to make - throw it out!
   
3. Make a complete grocery list so you only have to go once a week or once every two weeks.
4. Make a list of recipes you like so that you have an easy way of brainstorming your meal plan.
   

I'm so excited about having a plan! I know it's something silly to be excited about ... but I am and I don't care if you think it's silly. It will help me spend less time in the kitchen wandering aimlessly and more time with my family. So it's totally worth it.

Blake and Olivia Got Married!!!

We haven't posted anything in a long time, but there is a really good reason for that - Blake and Olivia got married! YAY! We're so excited for them! I don't think I've ever been to a wedding where I've seen a happier bride and groom. It was a long weekend full of cooking, ironing, decorating, organizing, celebrating, eating, greeting, cleaning and so many more fun things. I've been in several weddings, attending dozens more, but I have to say that I had invested myself in this one the most, my own wedding excluded. I desired to see them married after all their hardships getting to that day. I had a pretty tender moment with Olivia shortly before she walked down the aisle. I told her that I loved her and some other things and we both started crying ... of course then I felt bad because I didn't want her to be all red-eyed or smear her make-up so I had to hurriedly stop her tears and make sure she didn't look like she'd been crying. Watching her walk down the aisle with such exuberance was thrilling, but even better was the expression on Blake's face. He was so happy.

I love weddings. I love listening to the vows and watching two people make the ultimate commitment to each other. Rather - a covenant. One that is binding. I love listening to the pastor preach about marriage and how it's such a picture of Christ's love for the church. I love watching the couple as they are so happy to finally have arrived on their wedding day. I love when the pastor says "you may now kiss the bride" and there's that awkward kiss in front of everyone (or in the case of Adam and Stephanie - a make-out session - ow ow!!). And of course there is that great moment at the end of the ceremony when the bride and groom face the audience and they are pronounced "Mr. & Mrs. _____." Their eyes are bright, they are smiling so big their faces are going to hurt for a week, and they are just giddy. It's so fun to watch.

Every time I go to a wedding I'm reminded of how the church is the bride of Christ. What an awesome wedding feast that is going to be! I can't even imagine how wonderful. All that we have seen and marveled at aren't even a taste of what is to come. How I long to be at the marriage supper of the Lamb! I love my husband very much and I am constantly reminded of how wonderful he is to me ... and then I think about how Jesus is going to be an even better husband and I can't picture it. It'll be too amazing for words we know of now.

Until that day, I am grateful God gives us weddings to remind ourselves of what is to come and to build the anticipation.

Learning More About Grace

For the past two weeks or so grace has really been on my mind. I'm not sure exactly why, but I've been thinking about times when I've really needed grace from God and others. Actually, I've been thinking a lot about how people have reacted to my sin. It's a natural tendency for humans to judge one another and compare themselves. I can remember times when I'd feel so convicted to share sin with others and I'd finally work up the nerve to tell them about it and I was met with judgment and condemnation. And often I'd have to "work my way back" into their favor. I can even remember one time when I was told that my friend "didn't care if this was legalistic or not" when she told me of my "punishment" she was bestowing on me.

That isn't grace. I don't think I understood what true grace was until about a year or two ago. It was a time when I was confessing my shortcomings and my friends looked at me with tears in their eyes and said, "I'm hurting with you. I want to help you through this. How can I help you come back to Jesus?" Just the memory of it brings tears to my eyes. My heart was so warmed to them. I loved them with increasing measure. And it made me want to confess my other sins so that I could be lovingly brought back to the cross. I didn't fear their condemnation. I could finally understand Romans 8:1-2 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." I don't have to fear man because Christ has already set me free.

I also now understand why confession is good. The verse James 5:16 was such a puzzle to me, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." For years this verse terrorized me because I just couldn't imagine confessing sin to other people, or how in the world it would lead to any good. Now I know. Over the last two years I've confessed so much sin, and God has been so faithful to use His church to work that sin out of me. Sure, there's a group of about twelve girls who know all my "dirty little secrets," but I also know that they are the ones who are going to weather my storms with me. I could call any one of them at any time of the day or night and know that they would be there for me. I should also say at this point, that my husband has shown me the most grace I've ever experienced outside of God's saving grace. Nothing can come close to his daily patience and forgiveness of my sins.

So how has all this made me love God more? Because I have experience grace from sinful, finite humans and it has radically changed my life and I know that God's grace is a gazillion times better than theirs. I can't even comprehend that. God sent His Son to die so that He could show me grace that I didn't deserve. I am so thankful that God gave us His church so that we can understand, even if at a fraction of the depth, His grace, mercy and love.

Grace Grace

God's Grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace Grace

God's Grace

Grace that is greater than all our sin

Tuesday Tip!

I've been reading a few books this week about hints to keep your house clean and neat. I found two that I really liked and that I will be using A LOT! I love anything that will help clean a microwave covered in baby puree and rice cereal and salsa and tomato sauce and cleaning clothes covered in ... well, the same thing. I hope these are helpful to someone else out there!

1. Steam Cleaning Your Microwave
Fill a microwave-safe dish halfway with water and put it in the microwave. Heat for a few minutes until the water boils. When you open the door the baked-on crusties will be much softer and easier to clean off.

2. Ivory Soap vs. Laundry Stains
Plain Ivory Soap is a great stain remover because it's mild (it has an almost neutral pH) and it doesn't contain moisturizers, deodorants, and other unnecessary additives. Other mild white bar soaps will work too, but make sure they don't have moisturizers, dyes, or perfumes. Here are 6 steps for easy stain removal:

1. Wet the stained garment with cold water.
2. Rub a bar of Ivory soap directly into the stain, then rinse.
3. If that doesn't remove the stain, rub Ivory soap on the stain again, and then soak the fabric for 30 minutes or so in cold water with a bit of powdered detergent dissolved in it. Ir you forget and leave stuff soaking longer, it doesn't really matter - you won't hurt the fabric. Rinse!
4. If that still doesn't work, rub more bar soap into the stain, scrub it with a scrub brush taking care not to damage the fabric. Rinse!
5. If a second scrubbing attempt doesn't remove the stain, blot it gently with some color-safe bleach diluted with water, then rinse with clean water to remove all of the bleach.
6. If all else fails, accept the stain as a trial through which you need to persevere!
   

My Little Devotion Partner

Charissa and I have started doing devotions together this week. We read together in the afternoon and sometimes if the text allows, we act it out as well. It's pretty fun. It's really helped me though because it makes me read out loud and slowly which makes me process it better. And then acting it out makes it even more clear. After we read we pray together (although usually Charissa is trying to eat my face off).

I definitely recommend having devotions with your babies. It's a fun bonding time as well as helping to raise them in the Lord.

Mama's Little Helper!

Charissa is really becoming a little helper to me. She's growing everyday and she's able to do more and more things all the time. It's so interesting to see little buds of her independence coming out. For instance, now when she's eating her solids she likes to try to feed herself. As I'm bringing the spoon to her mouth she'll grab it and put it in her mouth herself. Of course, being that she's only 6.5 months old, sometimes she can't quite get it into her mouth. But she's still trying! Here are some pictures of her attempts ...






I've chosen not to worry about her making a mess because she's learning hand-eye coordination and I want to encourage her efforts instead of make her completely dependent on me to do things for her. But sometimes it's hard when I have to hose her off after every feeding! (And the fact that I'm somewhat of a neat-freak.) But I have figured out a way to feed her without her making a mess. You know the verse that says "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"? Well, for Charissa it's more like "do not let your left hand know that you are eating." I don't know if she's going to be left-handed or not, but she always uses her left hand to feed herself. But that may be because I'm using my right hand so her left hand is closer to the spoon. As long as I keep her occupied looking at something, or singing, or doing something entertaining she is content to let me feed her unassisted.

To sum it up: Charissa is so much fun! And I'm so glad that God is allowing me to relax on some of my "neatness needs" to enjoy meal times with my daughter.

**Oh, one more thing - for all of you about ready to enter solid food time with your babies, buy some plastic bibs that you can just wipe off in the sink. Those cloth ones will just get stained and they let moisture (and the color) seep through to your child's clothing. **

Great-Gramma's 80th Birthday!

This Saturday we celebrated my Gramma's 80th birthday with my family in Clayton. It was the first time my aunt, uncle and cousin had met Charissa, and it had been a long time since I'd seen my cousin's daughter so it was an exciting event. Here are some pictures from the day:

Gramma and my cousin's daughter Aareia who's 3.

My sister-in-laws Kat and Melissa

Charissa and her Nana.
Apparently Charissa likes the hat.
Aareia picked out the hats and she said she wanted Gramma
to have the same ones that she had at her birthday party - Tinkerbell.
Aareia and Charissa discovering how much fun cousins can be.

My brothers Bob and Rusty.
They're enjoying their Tinkerbell hats.

Grumpa and Nana like the hats too.

Gramma had a very bright cake!
They didn't have any birthday candles so they used ones off their mantle.

Apparently Charissa has a taste for Nana's shirt.

It's delicious!!

It was a really fun weekend. We were glad we got to hang out with our family, especially since we just found out that my brother Bob and his wife Melissa are moving to Seattle at the end of October. So we have to get all of our time with them in soon!

Questions I Ask Myself ...

Every time I go to the gym, I try to park as close as I can to the front. Why? I'm going to the gym to work out, but I don't want to walk an extra 10 yards to the door.

Ridiculous.

This Week in Treecingham

It has been quite a week for the Treeces! Here's what we've been up to:

• We're dog-sitting for my parents while they are in Alaska, so their 90 pound dog has become Charissa's new best friend. Shepard and Charissa play on the floor together and try to share toys, but they are thwarted by parents who think doggy slobber isn't good for little girls. Fortunately, Shepard is a very gentle and mild mannered dog, so he doesn't mind if Charissa tries to steal his toys, pulls his fur, rolls into him, or squeals loudly and often. By the way, for all you dog owners - I have two products to recommend for you: the Dyson vacuum cleaner, and the FURminator. One gets the dog hair up off your floors amazingly, and the other takes more hair off your dog than you thought was possible. If you have a dog with hair, the FURminator is a must.
• Charissa had her 6 month check up on Tuesday! YAY! She received a clean bill of health and they told us that she is cognitively and emotionally developing right on track. Her height is doing well - staying in that 37th percentile! - but her weight has dropped from the 60th percentile to the 30th. The doctor isn't concerned about her, but he said we should probably up her solid feedings to two a day. Which brings me to ...
• YUMMY SOLID FOODS! Charissa has decided that she likes solid food! Peaches were a huge hit with her, and we finally figured out how to get her to eat her rice cereal - add some banana. :) So she is now a happy little eater.
  
• On Tuesday, Charissa and I had our first mother-daughter incident where I was truly frightened for her. After I feed Charissa for the last time that night I was holding her in my lap and playing with her, when she vomited all over me. I had barely recognized what she had done, before she did it again. So there I was home alone, with vomit all over Charissa, myself, the couch, and the floor and I didn't know what to think or do. So I did what every woman does - I called my mom. Of course, it helps that my mom was a pediatric nurse for 11 years. But it didn't help that she's in Alaska and it took me about 10 minutes to connect with her. I've never been concerned for Charissa before like this, so I was almost hysterical. And Charissa was perfectly calm. I finally calmed down after it became apparent that she was just reacting to the two shots she had received early that day. So we both had a bath, got cleaned up, and then we cuddled because I didn't want to let her go.
• A friend of ours is going to stay with us for a little while before she gets married in September. In preparation for her arrival, Britt and I tried to rearrange a few things and make some room for her. While doing that, I got really frustrated and said, "We have too much stuff! I just want to get rid of it all!" This comment sparked a contest between me and Britt to see who could get rid of the most stuff. So both of us went through all of our drawers, our closets, the kitchen, and any place containing stuff and threw out a ton of stuff. And since both of us are highly competitive, we were constantly comparing piles, and saying to each other, "I claim it!" when we saw something to get rid of it. It was a really fun way to clean out our house. I highly recommend it.

I think that's all going on with us this week. Tune in again next week to hear more updates from Treecingham!

Ridiculous ...

Mostly Cloudy 101°F Feels Like 109°F Updated Aug 8 03:45 p.m. ET Watch the Raleigh Forecast	UV Index: 4 Moderate Wind: From SW at 8 mph Humidity: 34% Pressure: 29.84 in. Dew Point: 68°F Visibility: 10.0 miles NEW! Track Weather on Larger Maps

It's too hot. I'm not leaving my house again until September. Maybe October.

Solid Fun!

Charissa started solid foods this week! It has been a very exciting transition. I'm even making my own baby food! A friend of mine encouraged me to try and told me it wasn't that hard - which is true! Not that I'm convinces I'll only feed her homemade food, but I am enjoying making it so far. We're not sure if she likes the food yet, but she really enjoys meal time. While she sits in the high chair we're trying to make her smile or laugh because when she does her mouth is wide open and it's real easy to shove some food in. But she's definitely the toughest audience I've ever performed for. All other times of the day she smiles and laughs quite easily, but during mealtime she is stoic. If she does smile, it's a closed-mouth smile. I think she's working us.

Here are some pictures of CJ enjoying her food ...

I know it looks like she's naked, but she does have clothing on.
Her bib is just that big. Or she's really small.

Although it may appear that she is enjoying the food,
she is actually kicking me away with her feet.

As you can see, eating is exhausting.

God-Centered Children's Books

"What are some good, God-centered books for children?" a sister in our church was asking a few of us yesterday, so I decided to do a little research. My wife and I read a few of these regularly, and I found the others from trusted ministries and websites.

Here's my first list:

The Big Picture Story Bible by Paul Helm: excellent coverage of salvation history, following the creation-fall-redemption-restoration line; Christ-focused, Scriptural, and heart-aimed.

Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan and Richie Hunt: combines catechism with stories; practical, realistic, and basic.

The Gospel for Children by John B. Leuzarder: a basic Gospel presentation for children; God-centered, thorough, and simple.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: classic stories of the magical land of Narnia that highlight various truths about Christ, imaginative, innovative, and unforgettable.

The Dangerous Book for Boys by Hal and Conn Iggulden: a book written to renew a love for masculine things in boys and men; thorough, fun, active, and challenging. Get it to remember that God made boys to be men and nothing less. (*This book is not written by believers, nor does it make any explicit references to God, but we found it to be God-aimed nonetheless because of its view on masculinity.*) A powerful, man-shaping tool in the hands of a believing parent.

"The Christian Logic Series" by Nathaniel Bluedorn: both The Fallacy Detective and The Thinking Toolbox are written to teach adolescents and adults how God gives us reason and logic to think about the world; thorough, practical, and illustrative.

God Knows My Name by Debby Anderson: reminds children (and moms) that God cares for His people, even in the details; illustrated, practical, and simple.

The Bible Explorer: God's Truth from Genesis to Revelation by Carine Mackenzie: "a Bible reference tool for children," going through the canon with summaries and key texts; useful, thorough, and thought-provoking.

Ten Boys Who . . and Ten Girls Who . . series by Irene Howat: "a series of four books designed to introduce children to post-biblical heroes of the faith;" faith-giving, awe-inspring, and history-teaching.

Find the Animal series by Penny Reeve: four volumes designed to produce amazement and wonder in young children at the creative hand of God by showing exciting features of specific animals; each book is devoted to one animal in a detective style. "Guess which one this is!" Great for teaching about God's creation.

My God is So Big by Catherine Mackenzie: aimed at young children and utilizes the popular song for which it is named; teaches the next generation about the gigantitude of God.

Resources for finding and/or reviewing children's books:

• DesiringGOD.org's recommendations page
• DiscerningReader.com children's books page
• half.com - search for specific books to buy at lower prices

I'm sure there are more, so keeping letting me know and I'll keep posting them. Hope this helps for now.

Baby Present Ideas

It seems like every time I turn around another couple I know is having a baby! Which means that baby shower invitations are on the horizon. And this has me thinking, "What would a really great baby present be for new parents?" Having just had a baby myself and having a few months to reflect on what was helpful, what wasn't, and what I wished I had received I thought I might share for those of you who are also about to start hitting the local Babies 'r' Us.

Great Baby Presents:

• Books for the baby
• Gift cards to Blockbuster
  
• Diapers with scripture, songs, or anything written on them to make diaper changing more fun.
• Wipes!
  
• Stain remover
• Gift cards to get pictures developed (trust me - they can use this!)
  
• Toys for various stages of the first year
  
• Gift cards to the grocery store
• A meal given when the baby is two months old
• Offers to babysit
• Money for doctor's visits - there will be a lot of them! (Julie S. gave me this idea)
  

Also, after the baby is born, here are a few things that some moms might find helpful:

• Instead of asking if they need anything from the grocery store, just get a few staples and take them to their house (cereal, fresh fruit and vegetables, a frozen meal, etc.)
• When you stop by for a visit, ask if there is anything you can do and don't take "no" for an answer! Find something to wash, clean, or fold.
• If you take them a meal, dessert, or snack try to take it in a container you don't need returned or at least offer to pick it up instead of having them take it back to you

I may post more as I think of things - or as others tell me what was helpful for them!

The Girl of Many Faces

Time is ticking away! It's already the end of July and I feel like summer just began. Do you remember when you were a kid and you felt like the days were an eternity long and your parents told you that time speeds up as you get older? I guess I'm "older" now.

Charissa is almost six months old! And she is developing into quite a little lady. Occasionally people ask me if I'm bored staying at home with a baby all day, and I always emphatically answer "NO!" I wish they could spend the day with me and Charissa sometime - she is very entertaining! Just her facial expressions are entertaining ... and she's nonstop action (just like her Daddy). And here's the proof:

Charissa loves the swing! In fact, she's wondering when we're
going to stop taking pictures and push her again

This is Charissa's first time at the beach!
And she's kind of skeptical of sand - just like her Mama.

This soft, wet sand is weird!

She's not sure she likes the beach.

I know you can't see her face but this picture is so funny to me
because she literally fell asleep when I was changing her into her
bathing suit to go to the pool. Too tired to go swimming!

Isn't that funny? She looks both happy and angry.

While we were at the beach Charissa got to know her cousin
Dirk and decided that he makes her list of "Fun People to be Held By."

Charissa was supposed to be playing in the floor gym, but instead
she rolled away from it - and took the bunny with her!

She's watching television. Totally captivated.

This is her new favorite toy, and mine too
because she can't go anywhere!

Daddy + Swings = Big Fun!

So small and yet so much fun! I love my little girl!

July Weekends

This month sure has been fun, and hectic. We've been to three weddings, two road trips, one family vacation, and four different grocery stores. Highlights have included:

• better times with Jesus
  
• many good conversations with each other
  
• playing with our baby in several different pools
• getting rid of the many, many computers in our bedroom
• Big B getting a haircut
• playing settlers with the Haynes and Woods families
  
• eating the most gigantic vacation dinners we've had since . . . we can't remember when
• going on neighborhood walks
• sitting on the front porch and reading
  
• gettting an big family portrait while dressed as outlaws and barmaids
  
• giving our time and lives to those we love
• laughing a lot, especially with our friends
  
• reading our Bibles more
• seeing two wonderful, God-loving couples get married
  
• seeing some good movies (Bridge to Terabithia, Band of Brothers episode 1, and To End All Wars, among others)
  
• making up funny songs about rolling and diapers and all sorts of stuff
  
• watching our baby roll across the living room floor in less than two minutes
• getting lost on the way to Youngsville
• meeting new friends at the local park
  

Well, that's all for now. I just wanted to remember, and laugh some, too.