Joshy and Gracie!

Here's the three munchkins...Maddie, Gracie, and Joshua. Madison loves playing with the Smith kids...and I love talking with Janet. So, it works out well for everyone :)

The kids had so much fun running around on the tracks at Griffith Park.

We had a private ride on the train.

The conductor asked us where we wanted to go, and Josh said, "To the rain forest!"

It began to rain pretty good, so we came back to our house for a picnic lunch. Joshua shared his cotton candy with Madison. Janet and I enjoyed talking over a huge cup of hot chocolate!

For better pictures look at Janet's here!

Santa Barbara Vacation!!!

We just had the most wonderful time away as a family! This summer was so busy, that we never had a little get away just the three of us, so we thought we'd take our last chance at it before we become a family of four :)

Day 1...

We drove up to Santa Barbara Sunday afternoon. On our way, we stopped for dinner. As you can see, we had leftovers for lunch the next day!

This restaurant is so fun because you eat outside and there's a huge sandbox for kids to play in.

Day 2...

Here's Maddie jumping off the steps of the house we rented. It was so amazing to stay in a HOUSE! I loved having a washer and dryer along with a yard!!

We took right off for the beach Monday morning...it was a hot day (in the 100's).

As we played in the sand, a bunch of dolphins swam by.

That night we went to Palazzio's for dinner...one of my favorite places to eat in Santa Barbara. Jesse wrote down all of the baby names we have thought of on the table cloth...we still can't pick one!

Day 3...

In the morning we went to a playground on a beach where Maddie played. Then we walked through the State Street Farmers Market and ate some yummy peaches.

That evening we walked all up and down State Street and watched the train zoom by..Maddie and Daddy have a love for trains!

Beautiful sunset.

Day 4...

The next day we drove to Solvang for the morning.

Here's Madison sporting the new backpack she picked out.

After some shopping, we had lunch in the park.

That evening we grilled steak for dinner. We enjoyed just hanging out together in the backyard and hunting spiders down.

Before the night was over, we took a walk to the best ice cream place in Santa Barbara...McConnells.

Day 5...

We woke up and walked down to the Daily Grind for some delicious muffins and a blueberry breakfast shake.

Then we headed to the beach one last time to play in the waves.

Our little girl loves exploring!

Watching the waves with Daddy. She really is a Daddy's girl. The whole time we were away she wanted Daddy to read her stories before bedtime.

We drove through Ojai on the way home and stopped at Boccali's. This is one of our favorite pizza places.

I'm so thankful to the Lord for giving us this sweet time away as a family. We loved every minute of it!

The Faithful Parent

I am loving this book! It focuses on the truth that as a Christian parent we are to be "faithful to God's Word by His grace and for His glory". We are called to be faithful in our parenting whether our children are faithful or not. So often we confuse this idea with the one that our children need to behave perfectly- not the goal. The book simplifies the parents' role as having two parts: teaching and disciplining. The kids responsibilities are boiled down to honoring and obeying their parents. After giving basic definitions of our responsibility and the child's, Peace and Scott address specific seasons of the child's life (newborn, toddler....). I've found lots of practical and Biblical advise in these sections. After that, it talks about the ways in which parents provoke their kids- some being: the "guess what rules are for today parent", or the "fear of what my child and others might think parent". I highly recommend this book to parents of all stages- its been helpful to me!

Wednesdays and Thursdays

Now that Fall is officially here, our days have begun to fill up a bit. Here's Maddie and me about to leave for Every Woman's Grace on last Wednesday morning. I've been loving our study of Paul and the book of Galatians so far (you can download the homework and messages from each week on-line in case you can't be there). Evy Anderson spoke last week about Paul's character- what a deep study about a man who was radically called to be an "instrument of God". We can learn so much on how to be fearless, content, and submissive to Christ from reading his epistles. I'm definitely enjoying learning more through each day's personal study- it's so helpful to have questions that I have to research the Scriptures in order to answer. While I'm in EWG, Madison goes to the nursery and learns a toddler version of what I"m being taught!

On Thursday mornings Madison and I go play together at BabyGym at church! Maddie asks for "Gym" all through the week- she LOVES this special time. The gym is set up with play mats, slides, balls, basketball hoops, and more for the kids to run around and play in.

Oops...sometimes she gets a little crazy and eats it!

Here she is crawling through a huge caterpillar!

One of Madison's favorite parts about Gym is Abby (this is the first little friend she asks to play with :). They are adorable together! Here they are sitting in circle time. At one circle time, we were sitting across from Abby, and Maddie yelled across the circle, "Abby!"- we had to go sit next to her and her Mommy! During circle time we learn fun songs, pray, and talk about Jesus.

The girls play really well together! Abby is such a kind friend :)

Last week Teacher Shelby broke out the parachute! The kids were able to sit on top of it and we spun them, then they were able to run under and play as we lifted it up and down. What fun!

Here's our big class! After the kids play a little more, we end with another circle time, snack, and stickers. I'm so thankful for this fun time with my little monkey jumper!

(that's what she calls herself there :)

Lately...

Here's Maddie getting ready to go on our hot date with Papa- she cracks me up!

Last weekend Jesse went out of town to preach at the Ekklesia Conference in Florida. That same weekend Mimi went to speak a a women's conference in Sacramento. So, Papa took out his girls. We went on a date to Macaroni Grill. We had such a fun time chatting over dinner. What a sweet Dad and Papa he is!

When Mimi got back she made sure to come over and visit that day! Maddie loves when Papa and Mimi read her stories "on the big couch".

When Daddy returned, he brought Madison a few gifts! Here she is with her new cute Flamingo and wearing her "Pretty in Pink" jammies. He also brought me back a really pretty bracelet and some yummy fudge...what a good Daddy and husband he is!

We were both happy to have Daddy home!

Bye Aunt Dottie!

We've had a wonderful 2 1/2 month visit with Aunt Dottie! I think Madison thought she moved here, but this week Aunt Dottie flew home. We had such a memorable time with her!

Four generations of older sisters!

Mads loves playing with her babies, and keeps talking about "Mommy's baby" in her tummy. It seems like she will be a big help when her little sister arrives.

Another favorite thing to play with these days is play dough! She can sit for a little over an hour and just create (with some help from Mommy).

Madison was so sweet with Aunt Dottie- she would help her stand up or rub her arm and say "nice". Here she asked for a picture with AD and the bear!

My sweet Maddie!

We miss you Aunt Dottie!!

xoxox

Ladies Events

Last Friday night we had our 4th annual CSUN ladies nails night. We had a wonderful time talking, snacking, and doing nails. I'm so thankful for this teachable, joyful, and loving group of ladies. Madison was able to be apart of the night until 8pm, and then went to bed. As I was putting her down, she asked, "Mommy, more girls please?" I love that Maddie gets to have so many "older sisters" in her life!

The next morning was the Women Walking Wisely Tea put on by Faith Builder's (my parent's fellowship group). It was a lovely time of worshipping Christ in singing, teaching, and eating :) "B" Mayhue spoke on having a "Pure Devotion to Christ".

2 Corinthians 11:3

"But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ."

One of "B's" main points was that if we think differently than God's Word, than we will live opposed to His will. So, we must put in Scripture to our minds in order to act obediently. The seduction of the mind results in the corruption of the soul. My prayer is that I will guard my mind from sinful thinking and fill it with the Word so that I am not led away from devotion to Christ.

Hair Craziness

A little bath time fun!

Rach giving Maddie her first braids. Mads stood so still the whole time!

Nice job, Rach!

Two cuties!

Dates with Daddy

About every other week Jesse takes Maddie on a morning date. It usually includes breakfast at Denny's and the playground (with a few errands thrown in the mix). Today was one of those special days. Maddie got ready with her dress, bracelets, and sunglasses; and bounced out the door with Daddy for their hot date at Denny's :) When the waitress walked over to the table, without being prompted, Maddie piped up and said, "I want water, sausage, and yogurt". Jesse hadn't even asked her what she wanted to eat!!! The waitress then brought over another waitress to prove that a 2-year old ordered her own breakfast!

Now we are just working on asking politely :) These days with a little one are such sweet blessings!