Morning Devotions with Daddy

We are so proud of you!!!

Last week, we were able to attend Barb's retirement celebration at her school. What a special time to enjoy with her friends and colleagues as she leaves teaching behind. I have so enjoyed the "teaching" bond that I have with Barb...there is always someone who understands my "language" while everyone else is talking real estate! I know that she will miss being with her school kids....but we are excited to have her all our ourselves! We love you Nana and are so PROUD of you!!!

Doesn't Nana look pretty??? Elsie sure thinks so!

Here is Barb showing off her first bulletin board from 30+ years ago!

Big Dawg, Little Dawg

Scott brought Elsie to school today to be the "Mystery Reader" to the class! As my going away gift the class made this rocking chair for me. The seat and arms have each of their finger prints on it and they wrote a story about the imaginative trips that Elsie takes in the chair. It takes her to space, to the time of the Pilgrims and Indians, to the North Pole and she even meets Darth Vader in her chair!! How thoughtful this gift is!!!

Here she is "reading" to the class!

My students this year

There was even a special visitor...UGA football player Clint Boling!!! His mom teaches at my school and he made a visit down to my classroom to meet us and have his picture made with a "Future Dawg"!!

So cute!!

Nontraditional.....of course!!!

In line with our nontraditional church, came a nontraditional baby dedication for our sweet Elsie. On Saturday, with our family, my two best friends, our mentor couple and family, and a portion of our small group we promised to lead Elsie in the direction of her Savior! This is a small, intimate time with those we want holding us accountable (and helping us too!) to instill the values and habits that will lead her to her own relationship with Christ! We were limited to a small number of attenders and know that there will be others helping, praying and supporting us as we walk the road of parenthood. We know that a strong marriage is the single most important thing in creating a loving, stable environment for our baby girl. Everything else comes out of the bond we have as husband and wife. We hope to instill honesty, diligence, a servant's heart, courage, faithfulness and generosity into Elsie and to create habits in our home that include eating together, praying together and serving together! Here are a few pictures from our special day!

Small Group Gang (we are missing several)

Tarrer Family (mentor family)

My best gals

Family

Aunt Cadie

These cupcakes were on each table as a treat for the guests!

Elsie is wearing my christening gown (32 years old). I LOVE the tradition!!

Look at that smile!!!

Sweet baby girl!

Copyright: At First Sight Photography

Our "pilgrim" child

My grandmother sent a box with some goodies in it for Elsie....included in this box was a baby bonnet. I guess she thought this was my bonnet as a baby--but I remember it as my baby doll's bonnet. Well, we decided to let Elise give it a try.....this was hilarious!!!!

Can't believe she is 5 months old

Our baby girl is growing up fast. Here is some what she is doing these days.....

Sleeping 12-13 hours a night
Eating homemade baby mush (pureed all together).....bananas, avacados, prunes, applesauce and peas. We will be adding chicken very soon!
Loving her exersaucer...standing up in there like a champ and reaching for all the toys
Putting everything in her mouth and drooling all day!
Adoring her pup....she is noticing Charlie and interacting with him all the time
Squealing, screeching, smiling, and giggling on cue!
Will play in her crib even if she is not asleep!
Strolling in the Bob for a 5K with mommy and daddy
Opens her mouth for kisses every time she sees me
Found her feet.....and loves them!
Almost sitting up all the way (she does the hula, and then topples over)
Sitting up while leaning on hands (been doing that for a while)
She is not liking her sippy cup which we introduced this week....she grunts and screams because she cannot figure it out!! In due time......

Cutie pants...