Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

I love the verse: "Blessed be the name of the Lord. He gives and takes away. " Job 1:21 Rachel Drollinger is has been such a dear friend for the last 10 years! We met at the Master's College, have taken road trips to Yosemite and San Diego, lived together, been in each other's weddings, and even had our daughters born on the same day- what sweet memories! The Drollingers are moving to Washington, so today we took the girls out to lunch, and ran a few errands. It was cute how many times we were stopped by people who would ask how old the girls were, and their responses when they heard that they are exactly the same age! The Lord has been so good to give me a friend like Rachel, and I know she's only going away distance-wise, but we will remain close at heart.  

We will miss you, sweet Sierra!

Parent Dedication

At Grace Community Church we do parent dedication. This is where, we  as parents, promise to raise our children in the teaching and training of God's Word. The parent's and child's names are read off (there were about 30 other couples along with us that night), we walk up to the front of the church, promise to honor the Lord with how we bring up our children, Pastor MacArthur prays for them, and then we parade down the long center isle out of the church. 

Papa and Mimi took us out to dinner after - it was so much fun. 

We call this Maddie's piggy picture!

California Girl

Madison is officially a California babe now that she's gotten her feet wet in the Pacific Ocean!

She's got the right idea- a nap on the beach!

CSUN Retreat

Maddie giggled for the first time this weekend. Daddy is so good with her!

Paul led music the whole weekend.

We went away to Camarillo this weekend for our college Bible Study retreat. We had a blast hanging out, but realized we were the oldest ones there- married and with a child. Kinda strange!  

We had a great time studying what the Bible has to say about wisdom.

Robin and Jessica shared their testimonies. So did John and Lisa Martin. It was a sweet time to hear how God saved them and is growing them. 

Maddie's first hotel stay. She was amazing the whole weekend. Everyone wanted to hold her and take her picture- it was really cute. 

Paul and Robin baby sitting on the beach.

We spent all day Saturday at the beach- it was a beautiful day. 

Yum!

Maddie's First Wedding

Maddie's first wedding was Joe and Karen Jarrett's on August 23. (This is going back in time, I just received this photo.)

Two Month Pictures

Madison is two months! She now smiles often, kicks her legs and swings her arms, sleeps about 6-7 hours a night, loves her swing, makes little "talking" sounds, and has started to drool. Her stats are: 10 pounds, 4 ounces and 22 1/2 inches long. What a joy she is! We thank God for this precious gift. 

Sleeping Beauty

Happy Girl

Maddie wakes up with a smile on her face. It's such a delight to get out of bed even in the early hours of the morning to get her!

She just loves kicking and swinging her arms around.

More Weddings

Jesse married another couple this weekend!

Massimo and Jesse: the proud Dads.

Kellie's Birthday Party

Ice Cream Sundaes

With all the toppings

Michelle's creation

And tea, of course!

Lisa, Beth, and the birthday girl

Maddie wanted to be a big girl that night, but just couldn't stay awake with all that partying.

Madison was all dressed up for the occasion- a cupcake on her onesie and a big flower in her hair :)

We had such a great time celebrating our great friend, Kellie!