Josiah - Seven Months

Josiah turned seven months old on April 14. He is sitting up solidly and just after hitting the seven month mark, he started crawling. It's mostly an army crawl, with some hands and knees thrown in here and there. No doubt about it, though, he can get where he wants to go now!

We were very surprised when Josiah was born with hair. By the time he was a month old, it started falling out, and he eventually lost almost all of it. Except for a little patch right on the crown of his head. So now that part is significantly longer than the rest of his hair, and it is so cute! (And a little out of control.) 

Melts my heart!

So I took these shots on this background and in this pose, because I have this shot of Lorien at seven months and I wanted a mirror image one of Josiah to print and hang next to it. What do you think?

Maybe this one, which is more similar to the shot of big sister?

Or this one? (I think it's a cuter expression.)

Banished from the Bumbo

Josiah is no longer allowed to sit in his Bumbo seat. Because he can jump out of it. One evening (it's been a couple of weeks ago, even), I set him in the seat on the kitchen table, thinking, I'm right here, so I will watch him. But I was getting dinner and interacting with Lorien, so I wasn't really watching him.

Next thing I knew, I heard him fussing and turned around to find him lying on his belly near the edge of the kitchen table. I grabbed him before he could dive off, but the boy is officially done with his Bumbo days.

April 15th

It's a big day. 

First, it's Josh's sister Christy's birthday. We hope it has been a happy one!

Five years ago today, my dear coworker Sheryl DeWitt died. I can't believe it's been five years. I am a different person because I knew her.

One year ago today, Josh left his job at Focus on the Family to go full time with 550 Productions. What a year it has been! As startup years go, it has been a good one. We ended in the black. That's about all you can ask for in the first year of a new business, right? 

And we have definitely ridden the roller coaster of full-time contract work. January had 80-hour weeks and an all-nighter. In February, there was hardly any work at all. But in the end, everything shook out OK. 

Several things have been meaningful to me. First, it is SO good to see Josh working in the field he loves. Even though it hasn't all been easy, there is just something about doing what you love that makes it all worth it. Second, it's been amazing to watch God provide for our needs. Not far and away above what we needed, lest we become too confident in our own earning power. But exactly what we needed, often within a few dollars. 

And finally, the people. Two or three guys have become like big brothers in the business, providing mentoring and opportunities that are absolutely priceless. 550's first year wouldn't have been the same without them.

Oh, and regarding the obvious connotation of April 15: tax day. We took the advice of friends who are or have been small business owners and had our taxes prepared by an accountant. It's true. He saved us more than we paid him to do the work. And believe me, after 11 years of doing the returns myself, I was glad to wash my hands of it!

Family Easter Photo

Pure Silliness

It Changes Everything

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love. 

I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true; 

it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. 

I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,

to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love. 

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems 

than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams. 

I love to tell the story, it did so much for me; 

and that is just the reason I tell it now to thee. 

I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat 

what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet. 

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard 

the message of salvation from God's own holy Word. 

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best 

seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. 

And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, 

'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

We didn't sing this song this morning, but I have been thinking about it all day. I started out thinking how it must be hard for pastors to preach Easter and Christmas every year, because how do you come up with something new every year? But then one of our pastors opened with this greeting: "Easter is the best day of the year. Jesus is alive ... and that changes everything."

It changes everything. It really does.

"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" - I Cor. 15:17-20

So there is no need to come up with something new each year. Because the old, old story is enough. We have Jesus, and it's a good thing, because Oh! how we need him!

Happy Easter!

Easter Fun

It was a whole week full of Easter festivities!

 Lorien and Josiah's first Easter egg hunt...

The funny thing was that between the scattering/hiding of the eggs and the time that the kids came out to hunt them, the sprinklers came on! This hard core mom was taking one for the team, covering the sprinkler head with her hand. I'm glad I don't know her personally, because I'm sure she would hate this pic, but it was such a funny situation, I had to include it. 

Very serious

Easter morning 

She sure loves her "friends" (which means any stuffed animal)

Josiah has earned himself the nickname "roly poly"

Easter dress-up pics

I think this dress is just the sweetest thing ever  

At least Mimi and Papa are smiling and looking at the camera

Josiah had a bit of an Easter outfit fail, thanks to mom. I so wanted him to wear this sweet vest, but hadn't had it on him in several weeks and I discovered too late that he is too fat for it now. But considering the dismal state of my laundry operations right now, there were no other choices, so wear it he did.  

Future blackmail picture

mmmmmm....dirt

Daddy and his munchkins