At Whit's End

Playing at Focus on the Family!

Feats of Strength with Uncle Matt

It started with some cousins and some emptied-out plastic toy bins.

Then Uncle Matt came in.

And before you know it, this was the scene!

I think Uncle Matt could have handled three kids in the tub, but the tub said "no way!"

There was also a lot of wrestling going on.

And Anna rounded out all the rowdiness by just being cute!

Making Memories in Colorado

We came to Colorado this month to make memories, especially to give our family a few last precious memories with Grandma Boaz.  

Though many of her memories have now been lost to Alzheimer's, she remembers her love for her family... even when she can't remember our names.  And she remembers her love for Jesus.

Whenever she could, Grandma scooped up Abby and sang "Jesus Love Me" to her.  It reminds us that there is Someone even Alzheimer's can't take away. 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be ale to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.    Romans 8:38-39

Day at the Zoo

Everyone is getting a little spring fever, so it was a good Friday to go to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco.

Upward Basketball

Johnathan and Coach Kevin had fun with the Rhinos basketball team this winter.  Johnathan learned a lot, since he's never played before (other than pickup games with Dad, of course!).  And  Dad loved introducing his son to his favorite game!

Abby at 21 months

Abby is rounding the corner to her second birthday, and it occured to me I haven't posted any updates lately as she rapidly grows.

She's a busy girl these days... There are so many tables to climb on top of, cupboards to investigate, phones to grab and practice making calls on, and big kids' toys to snatch.  Abby loves noodles, blueberries, and red meat (she is a native Texan, after all!).  Her favorite activities are being read to (especially books with babies or animals), slinging baby dolls around very lovingly, talking on the phone to anyone who is willing to chat, running outside, and climbing.

Her vocabulary is exploding these days.  She can call everyone in our family, name her favorite foods and activities, request her shoes and socks, point to numerous body parts, and knows helpful phone conversation phrases such as "HI," "bye-bye," and "mm-hmm," along with a conversational babble.  She is also prepared to converse with a wide range of farm animals!

She makes you feel great when you walk in the door or pick her up from the nursery.  She grins, runs, and holds up her arms while hollering your name.  And when she gets tired, she snuggles right into your shoulder.  Pure sweetness!

Conversations with a Three-Year-Old

In the kitchen, before bed

Ezra:  Momma, can I do something interesting?

Momma:  What do you want to do?

Ezra:   I will take two pieces of oil, and a knife, two cups, and I'm making some kind of recipe.  [Brandishing a knife]  Now I need the yemen (lemon) and one piece of orange.  I need one piece of peach.  I think I need to cut, cut, cut.  I know, I'm making a recipe!  It's called yemen ice cream.  It's called "Ezra's Recipe that Momma and Daddy like."



In the gym, after Johnathan's basketball game

Ezra:  Do you know what's in my hand? [Fist tightly clenched]

Momma:  What?

Ezra:  Don't be afraid.

Momma:  Umm...

Ezra:  It's an M&M!  [Unclenches fist to reveal a smashed red M&M]

Momma:  Where did you find that M&M?

Ezra:  Over there!

Momma:  Don't eat tha-  Aaand, it's gone.