This is my beautiful family. I am incredibly blessed to have a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally and is an amazing father to our sweet Laynie. Sometimes, though I lose sight of this simple fact and it becomes much easier to focus on the negatives. Stuart is struggling to find a job and I'm working hard to fill in the gaps. On the way home from a grueling twelve hour shift this morning at 7am I began to feel sorry for myself. Just then Casting Crown's version of this song came on the radio. God is good and He's going to get us through this.



’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

And to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”



Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust Him more!



O how sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to trust His cleansing blood;

And in simple faith to plunge me

’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!



Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just from sin and self to cease;

Just from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest, and joy and peace.



I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.



What a powerful song. Just thought I'd share... :D

Beach Trip 2010

Family Birthday party

These are a few pictures from Laynie's family birthday party at Nim's house. Everything turned out so cute! Sarah was home from Canada and got to celebrate with us which was very special! For dinner Nim cooked all of Laynie's favorites: chicken casserole, corn on the cob, peas, fruit salad, and rolls. Her favorite was the cupcake, though - she devoured it in 2.5 seconds! Special thanks to Gayle, my friend from work who helped me with the decorations! It was a wonderful way to celebrate such an amazing first year of our precious little Laynie. Pictures from her friends party are at: http://auburnheritagephoto.smugmug.com/event/Laynies-First-Birthday/kqbHSdJts7uJM The password is "Avery". My sweet friends Amy and Brandon Henderson took these for us. Thanks so much guys!!

Laynie's first Easter

Easter was a blast this year! Laynie started walking on her own on the Friday before Easter, so she could hunt eggs with the best of 'em! Saturday Gran and Gramps came down for the egg hunt at church. It was moved inside due to the threat of rain but we still had fun. These pictures are out of order but please forgive me because I'm tired of fooling with this blog! Read the captions under each picture and try to piece it together because I don't have time...

Egg hunting on Sunday at Nanny's house. Found one in a tree!
Still not confident enough to walk without a finger all the time.

Another one hidden in a tree. Can't you tell she's excited?

Hey Montanna! Hoppy Easter!

Nim snuggles her little bunny...

Pop and Laynie at Nanny's house on Sunday.

Laynie and Juliet at church on Sunday. Precious!!

Opening her Easter basket with Daddy.

The Easter Bunny came to see you, Laynie!!

Had enough of this photo shoot...see ya!

Found some candy in an egg. Now there's true excitement!

Outside the church on Saturday...destroying her basket.

What's in there??

Easter Laynie...

In the church with Gran and Gramps

Daddy, Mommy and Laynie.
This is how she looks now that she can walk - a blur!!
Got a balloon!
First time on a slide.
Come get this egg over here!

9 month photo shoot

First Trip to the Zoo

We took Laynie to the zoo for the first time today and she loved it! The weather was beautiful and most of Montgomery had the same idea as us, which was fine because she enjoyed the other children just as much as the animals. She pointed to all of the animals and waved to them. She was only frighted by the rooster, and understandibly so since he cock-a-doodled right in her face! The cheetah was the most impressive to her because he walked right up to the glass and made her laugh (video soon to come). Daddy carried her most of the time since she didn't have a great view from the stroller. I think he enjoyed it just as much if not more than her! When we did put her back in the stroller she passed out from exhaustion. It was a great day!