Ma-ma

Matt and I have had this ridiculous competition to see whose name Jade would say first, Mama or Dada. I think it pretty much started the day we brought her home from the hospital. Unfortunately, my daughter did not say Mama first.. she said Dada. Suprise, suprise.

But on July 12th, I heard the sweetest thing ever. I set Jade down on the floor, walked off to go do something, and heard the cutest little voice say, "Mama!" Well.. it was more like a whiney voice. Still, it was so incredibly sweet and melted my heart. Woohoo! She can finally say my name! =)

Hallelujah!

God is so sovereign! I'm so glad that He is God and I am not! Can I get an Amen, yall?

Here's my thinkin'... either God was getting tired of my pleas for patience.. or He might have known that my heart is just to stubborn sometimes. Either way.. our prayers have been answered (mostly) and the waiting is over! THANK YOU GOD!!! 

My wonderful husband has been promoted at work and has been offered a nice salary. We are so completely humbled that God has graciously answered our prayers.

Now, the reason I say "mostly" is because I still have one small hurdle at my job. I'll still need to work part time from home to make sure the "ends are met", so to speak. So, please pray with us that my current employer (the awesome people that they are) will readily accept the proposal I've come up with!

And just to clarify.. even if God did not grant me the desires of my own selfish heart.. He is still sovereign and THE Almighty!

Daniel 6:18 "Even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

O Graciously Father.. I thank you for hearing my cries of desperation to be with my daughter.. raising here in our quaint home you have blessed us with. Father, grant me the patience, love, and kindness to show her how to Glorify you.. may we always point her to Jesus.. who gave us the perfect example of how to live a life that pleases and honors you. You are SO GOOD.. even though I do not deserve it. I thank you! Amen

Happy 4th!

Family, bar-b-que, cream cheese shrimp jalapeno things, cocktail shrimp, and spending all day with our Princess... what could be better?

We had a great 4th of July.. but were tuckered out by the time all the pretty fireworks started. So, we headed home from KK & Pop's house a little early. But all in all.. we had a wonderful day!

She walks

I can't believe it. She walks... she really walks!!

Jade has been toying with us for a few weeks, teasing us, and only taking a step or two. This afternoon, she walked across the living room at Aunt "Tista's" (or sometimes just Tuh) house. She decided that was enough for a while... or she decided to wait and really put on the real show for Momma and "Dah-dah". 

The girl is a walkin' fool now! She hasn't stopped since we got home! Well, we did encourage her a bit at first. But after that, she's pretty much been walking 50% of the time she needs to get somewhere!

Happy (Belated) Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I'm a little late.. surprise, surprise!

I miss you more than I thought I would, it still hurts so bad to think you aren't with us anymore.. and I wish you could have met your most beautiful granddaughter yet! But I know you are living the most extravagant, most awesome.. beyond my comprehension.. life ever! And I know you are having a blast doing it! I can't wait to sing side by side with you the loudest praise to the King Most High!

I love you Dad!

(Claude E. Graham 06/26/1944-11/21/2006)

What I meant to say was,

6.

Jade now has 6 teeth!! The "fangs" finally broke through sometime during the night. At least... I think they broke through sometime during the night.

Anywho.. she has 6 teeth!

Duh-duh-DUUUUHHHH! Jade is 10 months!

Hi Pun-kin Doodle!

I say this all the time.. but you are really growing up wayyyyy too fast! It seems like each day you are getting bigger and bigger. You are really looking like a mini-toddler now.. and losing your "baby" look little by litte! How has it been 10 months since the doctor put this squiglly looking, screaming thing on my belly... that of course just happened to be the most beautiful thing I had ever seen!?! These past 10 months have just been so wonderful, and we thank God every day for the blessing of you being in our lives!

This past month you have really been testing your own limits. You are getting so brave when you pull up now. You scoot around the furniture like a pro and will let go to stand on your own. You think its so funny to bounce a little.. and put your hands in the air. Like you're saying "whoa.. look what I can do!" You also fake laugh and smile.. a LOT. When we do something to make you smile or laugh and you don't really think its funny, you'll give us a fake smile with squinty eyes just to be polite. Sometimes we fake laugh just to hear your fake laugh! Its so cute!

Here are some of your favorite things right now:

• Strawberries, grapes, bananas, cantelope.. well almost any fruit actually (you're not such a big fan of vegetables though)
• Dog Food or anything on the floor (we always try to stop you, or try to get it out of your mouth though... which you really hate)
• Sharing.. you are always so polite to offer Daddy, Mommy and even Sampson your food and sometimes your toys
• Saying anything but Momma =)
• Cell Phones
• Pictures and picture frames
• Wires (we always are having to either grab them out of your hands.. or stop you from getting to them)
• Animals (real ones.. and no matter what it is.. its always "pup". The cat at KK & Pops house is "pup", the deer on vacation were "pup" and of course dogs are always "pup". )
• Saying "bye bye" when we hang up the phone (even if you weren't the one talking to the other person on the phone)
• Anything that isn't supposed to be a toy
• Crawling to the door as fast as you can when you hear it open, and I say, "Where's Daddy?"
• when Mommy and Daddy share whatever food or drink we have
• Music.. you love it! You dance all the time or clap along.

Of course.. that list could go on and on.

I love you so much sweet, baby girl! You bring me more joy than you can imagine!

Love,

Mommy (and Daddy too, of course!)