Laundry Time

Eight Months Old...and some change

Story Time

Charlotte started standing up on her own shortly before her eight month mark. This is how I first discovered her new skill.

This is what happens each time I put fresh laundry on the couch. 

I've learned to fold the clothes rather quickly.

Caught in the act. Charlotte was supposed to be napping and she knows that she shouldn't be standing up during nap time. We sneaked in and caught her standing up. She quickly corrected herself.

Peek-A-Boo Fun

Revisionist Family History Photo #11

Mango IN (circa ???) - Great Aunt Elsie was always so sweet. Leave it to the Zion Literature at the Administration Building to tell you the truth in people's hearts.

Fun in Myrtle Beach

This past week we enjoyed a fantastic week with Pete's family at Myrtle Beach (brother Andy, his wife, Jessica, their three kiddos - Christine (4), Josh (almost 5), and Ryan (6), brother Steve, and his mom and dad joined us for a couple days at the beginning of the trip).  This was the first time Andy and his family had met Charlotte in person and the second time his parents and Steve had seen her - the first time was a couple weeks after she was born. Here are just a few highlight photos.

We had a layover in Charlotte, NC, so we thought it only appropriate to take a picture of Charlotte in Charlotte.

Philosopher of sand. Turns out Charlotte really likes the beach and took to the sand really well. It surprised me because first off, she HATES grass, and as a child I couldn't stand the sand. I'm happy she enjoyed it so much.

Charlotte gets a little afternoon snack.

The boys and Christine had a blast in the outdoor sprinklers at Boardwalk on the Beach in Myrtle Beach one night. Just....being boys.

When I think of Charlotte, this is how I think of her. This is the classic Charlotte face. LOVE it!

Turtles and the Mexican Drug Cartel

So, I know you're wondering what these two things have in common. Well, I'll get to that. First let me preface that I really dislike the Today Show. I'll let weather man Al's silly comments and misplaced references slide and I'll even dismiss Matt Lauer's vain attempts at matching the appropriate emotional response to the appropriate news topic, but what really kills me about that show is their "Top News Story" items. Today a whole fifteen minutes was devoted to how a turtle was kicked off a Trans Air flight. How they made this family discard the turtle (didn't get all the details - was in too much shock that this was considered a top news story item) and how some Trans Air employee got it back and flew it across the country back to the family. They even brought in the family for the news story and questioned them about the whole ordeal. Let me take a minute to lift my jaw back up off the floor and wipe the look of disgust off my face. I am all for people against turtle cruelty, but come on, a top news story?!!? Has America gone insane!?!? It blows my mind that out of all the news stories around the entire world, this is the one that they believe America needs to see most. Not like I need to ask this out loud, but what have we become?

I was flipping channels the other day, and with our converter box assisted antenna, we now enjoy a whopping 25 channels on our TV - visibility is questionable - about ten of which are Spanish channels. I landed on one of the said Spanish channels and a news story was airing. I really couldn't believe my eyes, but before me on non-cable television, the news mind you, I was looking at bodies with decapitated heads, people laying on the streets half charred, faces practically torn off the heads, mutilations, and other absolutely shocking sights I'd never seen even on the worst horror movie. This was on their NEWS, and probably not even the top news story of the day. I'm assuming it was some Mexican drug cartel story but don't know for sure as I don't speak Spanish, but I can't imagine what else would cause such a massacre.

Both stories left me with my jaw wide open. One in absolute shock, horror, and sadness at what was happening to these people over there, and the other in disgust that while heads are being decapitated in Mexico, over here in the land of lollipops we find a discarded turtle to be the most upsetting news of the country, worthy of Top News Story status. Both of them made me long even more for our Lord to return and set thing right in this world. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit he left us, to guide our hearts and give us peace in times of turmoil (John 14:25-27; 16:33), the promise of his return that brings me joy in the midst of such difficult times (John 14:1-4), and the hope of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).

Our Little Strawberry

Sittin' pretty.

Practicing a little air guitar. Her Daddy would be happy for her channeling The Edge.

I think this is the look she practices in her crib when she's up at four in the morning.

Wanna Play?