Well May just came and went now, didn't it? It was a jam-packed month with spring finally among us, our newborn, home schooling, a FANTASTIC visit from my mom, a staff retreat in Indiana and some projects around the house. My heart is full and thankful, and I have many a funny story or special moment that took place, but just a handful of photos will have to suffice on this here bliggity-blog. Reminds me of when it says "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).
Spring means bugs, mud and toads!!
Getting stronger during "tummy time."
Micah's last gym class for the school year.
A special treat after gym class.
Noah's first bottle feed.
A new split rail fence - looks good, guys!!
My mom in town = fabulous!!
Getting bigger everyday.
Playdate with our twin cousins.
Siblings' "tummy time."
Joy's dolls' "tummy time."
Staff retreat in Indiana - great time!
Still getting used to the fact that we're a family of 6 now, ha!
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Addendum - wanted to put up Joy's first "bottle feed" (in April) since I got both the brothers' on the blog. I'm not a scrapbooker so this is my documentation for such things. ;-)
There is a woman at our church who teaches 2nd grade at a local Christian school. Another couple from our church helps her class with "Bottle Rockets" every year, and they invited Micah to join in this week. What fun! And what a special, memorable experience for him. :-)
We are SO thankful for the family God has given us - here's another narrative in pictures of the past couple weeks or so, starting with another quick video of Amber's cuteness. ;-)
First restaurant trip - Pizza Hut, yum!
First family walk
First family walk
Snoozin' with daddy
First "tummy time"
First bottle feed from big bro
Enjoying the warmer weather!
Former baby of the family observing the new one :-)
Snugglin' with big bro
4 siblings, take 1...
4 siblings, take 2
Snug as a bug
Storytime with big sis
She loves sleeping with both arms up!
Big bro leading on bike, middle two following, babe in the back of this caravan :-)
God just gave us the cutest, sweetest little lady last week!! Amber is the newest member of our family. We are all in.love. with her! Her name is derived from Ezekiel's vision of Jesus on the throne from Ezekiel 1:26-28:
"26 Above
this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis
lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance
resembled a man. 27 From
what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber,
flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a
burning flame, shining with splendor. 28 All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me."
Here's a narrative with pictures of her first week of life...
A few hours before labor started, ha!
Amber, a few hours old.
Baby makes 6 :-)
Snug as a bug.
Well loved little sister.
Sisters!
G'pa and G'ma Ruth in town for Easter.
Chillaxin' with biggest bro and sis.
Ruth family get-together for Easter weekend!
This video clip is for my mom, so she won't miss out on the newborn cry. :-)
Michigan is thawing out (but I know that doesn't rule out snow completely - we've still got a month before we can rule that out all together). :-) The kids and I enjoyed a lap around the block and it was lovely!! The boys of course found "treasures" (sticks and pieces of garbage), and Joy found a clean scoop of snow to munch on.
