Growing up...

Oh my son! You are growing so wonderfully, and I praise God!

 

He has such a sweet and charming smile!

Happy boy!

This picture looks like one of my cousins!

Ethan's first tatoo from the IA State Fair; it's a dinosaur.

He was excited about it!

Standing and growing!

 

Ethan has very much enjoyed playing in this box since I brought it home from Aldis! HA

And now...

Ethan's wrestling match with his beloved dog Clifford:

 

No mercy for Clifford.

Ethan wins!!!!!

 

Oh naked babies are soooo cute!

Their skin is precious!

Oh my son, you are indeed growing up!

As I think about growing up, and God's perfect will that we grow up, how can I not think about growing up spiritually:

Ephesians 4:15-16

^"15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body...makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

 

We have begun our fall Community Groups (formerly called bible studies), and we are so blessed to be able to host another year in the home the Lord has provided.

It is so wonderful how God created the body of Christ, universal yes, but also local, to have fellowship and to grow, becoming more like Jesus.

We look forward to another season to grow as our family presses on to know Jesus with the believers around us!



 

Everything beautiful in its time!

The weather has cooled off a bit and I am very excited.

I enjoy living in Iowa so much; the seasons are just wonderful!

I am looking forward to the fall and winter for the following reasons:

Ethan being able to run around/play in the leaves and snow.

Making snow angels with Ethan and Steve.

Hot chocolate after a days fun of playing outside.

Fall candle smells!

Holidays.

Ethan wearing CUTE CUTE pajamas with footies!!!!!

Crochetting season!!!!

Snuggling with Steve in the cold weather!

Fall walks outside hearing the crunching of leaves beneath your feet (and wagon).

Lot's of baking!

Apple orchards and pumpkin patches.

Oh man, there are sooo many fun things about fall and winter!

Here is the preview of the season with Ethan sporting his fall jacket!

We were visiting my parents and it was a bit cooler there than in Des Moines.

The sweet boy is growing and getting very tall!

Determined!

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 11 ESV

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart..."

Amen

Standing and First Steps!

It's been awhile since our last blog post; sorry about that!

Ethan is growing and brings a whole lot of joy to our family!

He has been standing for a few weeks now, but TODAY he took his first steps!

He took two steps, fell down, and then took four more right toward the couch.

It is sooo much fun to watch him grow and learn new things!

Ethan is so proud of himself when he does something new and exciting, he smiles so big and claps really hard; sometimes screaming for joy!

Ethan hanging out in the kitchen playing.

 He too is amazed at how fast his tummy is growing too!

 Silly boy; Ethan is too tall to fit under the counter anymore.

He kept trying to stand up under the counter despite hitting his head multiple times.

I know this is weird, but it was kind of cute/funny.

It's as though he was determined to fit!

Playing with Dad!

Cute cute boy!

Reading with Dad!

So handsome in a hat!

Steve and I watched our friends' son the other day, and Ethan was sooo thrilled to have a playmate!

He is so excited and happy here!

Ethan was so sweet; he stood next to the swing and pushed the baby.

He was very gentle and smiled the whole time!

We are so thankful for Ethan. He is gentle and kind. He always hugs his stuffed animals and lays on them too. He gets so excited about things and gets crazy whenever we play hard with him. He laughs and giggles so much. He is a very happy boy!

I am so excited for him to be able to run around; I think he will just love life even more!

I read this verse today and was encouraged in my mothering, remembering the goal!

2 Timothy 2:10 NLT

"So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen."