Walking to the Park

We walked to the park the other day and played on the swings. Rylie and Jordan both LOVE to swing. Every time I take Rylie out of a swing, she screams and cries and throws a big fit.

Jordan such a great big sister...she pushed Rylie for a while until she decided she wanted to get in, too.

All tuckered out.

Rylie's Birthday Party

Rylie had a birthday party on May 29th. Here are some pictures of her with her cake. She made a huge mess! It was pretty funny. The next day she had pink poop:) We grilled out enjoying family and friends' company while the kids played on the slip-n-slide and sprinkler ball outside. It was a fun day!

Lukewarm? I Hope Not

Here is an excerpt from Richard Wurmbrand's book Tortured for Christ. Wurmbrand was tortured in a communist prison for his faith for many years and was also the founder of Voice of the Martyrs. I actually haven't read the book, though I plan to someday. I got this quote from one of "The Voice of the Martyrs" magazines.

"It must be understood that there are no nominal, halfhearted, lukewarm Christians in Russia or China. The price Christians pay is far too great. The next point to remember is that persecution has always produced a better Christian--a witnessing Christian, a soul-winning Christian. Communist persecution has backfired and produced serious, dedicated Christians such as are rarely seen in free lands. These people cannot understand how anyone can be a Christian and not want to win every soul they meet."

I think back to this quote often, wondering if I really understand the depth of sacrifice and love of Christ. Am I just a lukewarm Christian? Do I want to win every soul I meet to Christ? I pray that I'm not...I pray that I do. I pray God increases my heart for others, so that this would be true of me.

Jason Gray - More like falling in love

More Like Falling in Love

I'm not a writer...I'm not very creative when it comes to posting. I pretty much just put pictures of my kids with a few words to describe the occasion. But today, I felt inclined to write a little about how God has been working in my heart recently. Have you ever read Captivating? I read it about 5 years ago and it was amazing. Since then, I've all but forgotten anything it said. Well, one of my friends and I have started going through it together and I'm reading it again with new eyes, a more mature heart, and a better understanding of who God is. One thing that has stood out to me (I've only finished reading through Ch.3 so far) is that men and women were designed to bear the image of God, yet in very different ways. Women want to be loved, pursued, and desired. The book describes the many romance novels and chick flicks that are completely based on this fact. But, until reading this book, I never saw it as a reflection of God longing to be loved, pursued, and desired. God wants us to want Him, just like I want my husband to want me. It makes perfect sense: Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. The greatest commandment! Pursue God! Know Him intimately. Give HIM your heart.

I have heard this song (Jason Gray--More Like Falling in Love) on the radio several times that seems to align with this revelation. The chorus goes like this: It's gotta be...more like falling in love, than something to believe in...more like losing my heart, than giving my allegiance...caught up, called out...come take a look at me now...it's like I'm falling, oh...it's like I'm falling in love.

Christianity is deeper than a religion. It's like "falling in love!" I love Jesus and want to desire and pursue Him all the days of my life! He WANTS me to desire and pursue Him. How could I not?

Birthday Party at McDonald's

More of the girls

Jordan finally let me take her picture and even said "cheese!"

A rare moment of Rylie sitting still (just for second!) tonight.
Jordan practicing sharing by helping Rylie get a drink of Jordan's water. Rylie is perfectly capable of doing it herself, but I think Jordan just didn't want to give up the sippy cup completely.

Play Time

Rylie is tackling Jordan which is something she loves to do. Jordan sometimes thinks it's fun, but Rylie ALWAYS thinks it's fun! We love to see them play and have fun together.

Rylie is 1!!!!

Well, she'll be 1 on Monday anyway! Rylie is such a joyful baby, completely living up to her nickname "Smiley Rylie"! She totally knows how to have fun and we love hanging out with her. She's a busy, busy baby and does not know how to sit still or cuddle. She loves to wrestle, though, so that's how I can get my cuddles!

At 1 year old, these are some facts about Rylie:

• Only weighs about 18 lbs (around the 20th percentile--I think?)
• Is still using her baby carrier car seat (we'll get a new one soon, I promise!)
• Loves to clap and dance
• Can wave and say "bye-bye"
• Other words she can say at the appropriate times: ball, mamma, dadda, uh-oh
• Can walk holding onto whatever she can make move (like the chair in the pic below)
• Gets SO excited and crawls as fast as she can to see who just came in the door
• Is more of a mommy's girl than a daddy's (I kind of like that fact!)
• Eats better than I knew a baby could eat (nothing like her big sister). She'll eat anything you put in front of her.
• LOVES bath time and cracks herself up as she splashes as much as she can.
• Still grabs and puts everything in her mouth

Happy Birthday Rylie! You are such a sweet girl!

Easter Egg Hunting

Jordan didn't get to hunt for Easter eggs on Easter, so we did it today. She's got some crazy hair going on, and a huge smile! You may wonder why I don't post more pictures of Jordan, but it's because she won't ever let me take her picture. This smiling pic is very rare!