To Jesus, with care.

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord; for his whole life he will be given to the Lord." 1 Samuel 1:27-28.

We dedicated Austin at church this morning. I am so blessed and thankful for the opportunity to give the Lord what is His. We were surrounded by a small group of friends and family that gathered to support us and Austin. It was such a special moment - one of the first of truly relinquishing ownership of my child and recognizing that he is the Lord's. We are blessed with the ridiculous pressure to raise him and Bella in a way that encourages them and prepares them to be servant leaders.

We were challenged the other week at church to find life verses for each of our kids... pressure! I don't have one yet, I want to pick something that I think will challenge each and play to the strengths in their personalities that are already coming through. Austin's would use his tender heart and joy he brings everyone around him. Bella's would be about her ability to reach people and bring them together with her humor and personality. and something in leadership, her fierce independent personality will certainly aid to that.

meu irmão

Over the last few years I have become especially grateful for my brother-in-law Alex. When this 6'7" Brazilian gentle giant married my sister Andrea three years ago she and I had a... difficult relationship. Things have since smoothed over between us, in part I believe, to Alex. Not once did I feel judgement or disapproval as as we mended bridges. He and Justin kept an appropriate distance and didn't hold it against us for hurting each other in the past. Alex and I have developed a friendship and he's more like family to me than some of, well, my family. When he answers my calls he greets me not by name, but as "sister" and I can't remember the last time I answered his call by anything by "brother".

Recently I received some sad news from Andrea - Alex's mom passed away at the beginning of the week and they were on their way to Brazil for the funeral. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet her, she was unable to attend their wedding, but I sort of feel like I knew her if for no other reason than knowing her son.

I know she must have been kind because Alex is quite literally one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure to know. He seems to have this outlook on life that I'm envious of. I know he's been stressed and I've seen him angry, but I've never seen him mean - he keeps it all in perspective. He's extremely generous and gracious and good.

I know she must have been loving because Alex loves fiercely, especially when it comes to his family. I so admire how protective he is of my sister and has an obvious desire to protect her and provide for her. In the little bit that I get to spend time with their whole family, I've seen how proud he is of his children in the way he interacts with them... his smile beaming and infectious.

I know she must have known Jesus because Alex has faith and wants to be a Spiritual Leader to Andrea, Lili and Isaiah. He's heard and heeds the call to be Christ-like. He believes in people and emulates instruction to love others as Christ loves us.

So, while I may not have met his mom, I'm extremely grateful for her and for the son she raised and the husband he is for my sister and the father he is to my niece and nephew and the brother he's become to me and Justin. I love you Alex, and am keeping your family in my prayers.

ready or not...

This is how I found Bella this morning during hide-and-seek...

she really committed to her hiding place!

Seriously, I love this girl so much. She's hilarious and a little bit crazy!

Singing Bee

I know I need a post that consists of more than a picture or video - but for now I leave you with Bella singing "bringing home a baby bumblebee". she's obsessed with this song, she sings it over and over and over again! Justin and I aren't even almost sick of hearing it either, she's just so cute and precious and reminds us how blessed we are to get to spend every day with her!


we took this on my phone so unfortunately the quality isn't great.

My Little Patriot

Happy 4th of July!