Tuesday, October 20, 2009

crazy love

So, I am in a girls small group that meets on Tuesday nights. We have been meeting for the past 5 weeks. We were reading a book by an author from the Woman of Faith Conferences (who will remain nameless) and as it turns out, none of us where that excited about it once we got to reading it...and it only took us 4 weeks to speak up about it. I think the chapter about picnics and dogs sent us over the edge.

I know for me, being a part of a small group is an important part of my spiritual growth, as I tend to be a somewhat lazy person by nature. I need accountability and people to encourage me to grow. That is one of the reasons that I am so thankful for such a godly husband, who strives to be more like Christ each and every day. So our small group decided that we should switch books and go for something a little less "picnic and dogs" and a little more real. So we are starting Francis Chan's Crazy Love tonight. I just finished reading the intro/preface and I can't wait to get into the first chapter. In the preface this part really stood out to me,

"The core problem isn't the fact that we're lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way, and it is because we have an inaccurate view of God. We see Him as a benevolent Being who is satisfied when people manage to fit Him into thier lives in some small way. We forget that God never had an identity crisis. He knows that He's great and deserves to be the center of our lives. Jesus came humbly as a servant, but he never begs us to give Him some small part of ourselves. he commands everything from His followers."

I am praying that this book will challange me and shape me into the woman that God wants me to be: a fervent follower of Christ, a wife, passionate about wholeheartedly, serving the Lord
and a mother with an unquenchable hunger to seek after God.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Kids Gone Wild!

So, we have a new favorite place! There is a place called Kids Gone Wild right around the corner from our house. It is basically a big warehouse with 5-6 bounce houses and a climbing/play area for younger kids. Tim and I have baby proofed our house as much as we can, but there is only so much you can do. We wanted to find a place where she can explore and play with whatever without being told "no". Tim found this place online (which is funny since it is around the corner from our house...) and we have been 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Brooke LOVES it! She has so much fun and is so tired out when we leave she always takes a long nap. Yesterday we went with some friends and had so much fun!

She LOVES the slides!
So much fun!
so much energy
where's Brookie?

Brooke with her friends Drew and Makayla

going through the tunnel with Abi following right behind

The girls: Abi, Brooke. Drew, and Makayla

Brooke thinks she is a big girl!

She LOVES the big slide!

The crew: Abi, baby Micah, Brooke, Drew, Gabe, and Makayla

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Brooke's 1st B-Day Party!

We celebrated Brooke's birthday on October 3rd with some of her friends. We had a ladybug themed party, which seems fitting since we have always called Brooke our little "Brookie Bug." I channeled my creative side (which is extremely limited) and tried to "DIY" as much as I could. We went to Stonegate Park and had a fun lunch and play time. We had a great time! (Brooke always has a great time when there are food and boys around...I wonder where she got that from...) :) There are a ton of pictures, but I just love all the pictures from her party!

I made her invitations


ladybugs!

caterpillar sandwiches
Happy Birthday Brookie
cupcakes

ladybug army

my baby is 1!

Brooke walkin' with Grammy and Papa
Brookie and Auntie LeLe
us with Brooke's friend Kate and her mom Mary

Brooke and Mrs. Marie
Mitchell and Brooke (boy #1)

The Browns and the Galvins

us with Michele

John & Deej with Brooke

she can't walk on her own yet, but she thinks she can already run!

sweet face

my little ballerina on her toes

Brookie and Shane (boy #2)

Brooke and Uncle Mikey

Bren & Berto (boy #3)

mommy and the baby

Kate, Madie, and Brooke

flying with daddy

family picture

what a big girl!

Yay!