A Weekend to REMEMBER

This weekend we got the chance to go to Family Life's Weekend to Remember wedding conference in Chicago. It was our first time leaving Miss Selah at home, but she did great! And of course I think her sitters had a good time as well :)

But, as far as the conference went....amazing, life changing! We had a chance to recommitt our marriage to Christ and learned so much. We had several different projects, but I really enjoyed getting to right "love letters" to each other...remembering the day we first met and when we were engaged and how much God has molded us together over the years. It was great and no matter what stage you are in engaged, newly married, or married for 25 years we would recommend it to all! Ryan and Liz went with us and we truly enjoyed spending time with friends as well. Two things that really stuck with me were the facts that...

Our oneness (as a couple) reflects the character and unity of God. Our oneness is a LIVING PICTURE of this intimate relationship between Jesus Christ and His followers. I love this picture...we are to mirror God's image and that is what Tadd and I strive to do, that others can look at us and feel the love that God had for His church.

In marriage, we must CHOOSE to RECEIVE (not just accept) our spouse as God's PERFECT provision for us. Adam enthusiastically received Eve because he knew and trusted God! I have NO doubt that God designed Tadd specifically for me and each day I want to receive him as God's perfect provision for me!

For more info check out family life's website at...
www.familylife.com

Here we are at the conference...do we look in love :)


Other than that life is great. Selah continues to amaze us each day. She is getting such a personality. Her newest thing is grasping faces. If you are holding her she loves reaching out to touch your face with both her hands, it feels great! She is full of giggles. Just today we were outside and the wind was blowing in her face and she LOVED it. She just laughed and laughed. It makes me stop and appreciate the wind God made and her pure joy of it. God truly has blessed us. The more she grows I thank God for our gift and her birthmother's sacrifice. Tiffany - she has your personality. She is so carefree and full of laughter. I will send more pictures soon, but just know that she is getting loved on every day. Her cheeks are so smoochable it is hard not to kiss them all day long. She can almost sit up on her own now and has moved on to her new carseat and when we go out to eat she can sit in the highchair now and just thinks she is all that! Only 8 more days till we take Selah to Florida!!

This is the life!

Life around our house lately has been pretty nice. Selah and I got the pleasure of going over to Matthew's house for a brunch last Friday. We also got to be with Berkeley too! It was SO much fun being with these two kiddos (and their mommies too). It brings tears to my eyes looking at this picture because I know that Laynie would have loved to be here playing with her buddies, but I praise God that both of them are doing so well and cherish the friendship of both Amy and Melissa. Can't wait to get together again soon!

Trust me - there were many pics, but here they were all smiling :)


They all played so nice with each other and had such a ball!



We continue to count down the days until Florida, but today was so gorgeous out! Emily and Selah's pal Haley came over and went on a walk with us. It was lots of fun and we couldn't believe how warm it got outside. Here we are ready to head out.



Here is some more pictures of our growing girl. She LOVES her sunglasses. She doesn't try to pull them off or anything!

Then later this afternoon our new all-terrain stroller arrived in the mail so of course we had to go try it out again. Thanks to all of you who helped us purchase our stroller - it is here at last :) Selah really enjoys it so far. She looks like such a little peanut in this stroller, which is good because then it will last for many years to come!

Jodi's wedding

I finally got the pictures! Can you tell I am a little proud and how cute our little girl looked that day. Here are a few pictures from my best friend Jodi's wedding to Drew. Love you both!

We found the dress for Selah at Bergners. It had ruffles just like the bridesmaids dresses and then mom and I made the bow to match - isn't she cute :)


My wondeful hubby whom I love too :)


Jod and I


The bridal party


Mr. and Mrs. F!

Family time!

I know it has been a while since I have checked in, but really nothing much new around here. We are counting down the days until Florida - one month to go! And, Selah turned 5 months old today. I know I keep saying it, but seriously time is flying by! We got to see my brother and his family this weekend, they came to IL for a funeral. So, I got to babysit the girls on Saturday and what fun we had! Selah LOVED it to say the least. You can tell she is an only child...she didn't quite know what to do with everyone moving about around her. She would just smile and laugh. Either way - I know she will love siblings in the near future..hint, hint Tadd :) It was great being with them all and on Sunday we got to have dinner at Tadd's parent's house and be with the fam. It just really struck me how blessed we are to have our family so close and be able to get together and just enjoy being with each other. God has truly blessed us! So, here are a few pics from the weekend.


The girls..Abby, Kara, and Selah - and yes, we don't normally coordinate so well, but Grandma L gave them their outfits for Christmas so here they are!



Kara is 2 months older than Selah, but you would never know :) They are only a pound difference or so, but Kara is quite longer so she feels so much lighter!


Kara goes in to snuggle?? You would think Selah would mind, but nope...she just laughs!!



So intrigued with her little cousin, they would just coo back and forth at each other probably thinking FINALLY someone who understands my language :)


Tadd and Quinton taking a break from playing.