BSF

Last September I started something called BSF. Bible Study Fellowship. It's a international, non-denominational bible study that meets every wednesday morning. When i first started, there wasn't any room in the children's program for Ainsley, and she was placed on the waiting list. My mom agreed to watch her for me those mornings, until she could get in.  The first day that I went, the leader I had been assigned met me in the sanctuary at the church it is held at. She introduced me to lots of different women and marched me right up to the front row to sit down. She was the sweetest, most southern woman I had ever met. After prayer, welcome and hymnals, we walked to our assigned room for group time. 8 months ago, I had no idea that those women I met that day would impact me in such a profound way. 
Each week I began to desire my lessons more. I began to make time each day for my lesson, not just cram the whole weeks study into one or two nights. I began to really read my bible, for the first time in my life. The bible because more than just 'advice' and 'stories' to me. I was developing a relationship with someone who lives 2000 years ago. I was getting to know this man who lived a life of love and sacrifice. Things began to 'click' for me. 
Ainsley eventually got into the children's program. and I am so thankful for that. they don't 'babysit' her. they teach her. they love her. they read the bible. they sing bible songs. the children's ministry pray for these kids and invest in them. i volunteered one week and was amazed at how receptive the children are to their 'lessons'. these little people, being quiet and sitting still (shocking in itself), listening to the Word of God. 
Each week, my group of girls began to open up more and more. Some of them talking about things that they had never talked about before. to anyone. we prayed for pregnancies to happen. and they did, 3 times this semester. We prayed for our children. we prayed for each other. for each other's husbands and families. We became transparent in ways that takes years to do with people. but it was so easy for us. God moved in such amazing ways in our group this year. I could go on and on about it. I know this is my first year, and I have nothing else to compare it to. But everyone in my group tells me the dynamics and openness that occurred for us, doesn't happen often. I am so grateful for that. 
So today, the last day of BSF until next fall, was an unexpected emotional day for me. To hear the stories of so many women (all groups met together today) and what they have gone through this year. And how the women in their group helped through it. and how God used the study of matthew to help them. it was so humbling and awing. 
I wanted to articulate to the girls, and to my leader, how much they have meant to me this year. and how incredibly much they have helped me. how listening to them talk about their struggles and fears - helped me deal with my own struggles and fears. when one rejoiced, we all rejoiced. God took women who all came from such different backgrounds, such different lives, and wove us all together to form this bond that strengthened over months. even as i type this I realize i am not accurately conveying what I want to say… 
so I will sum it up with this. going to bsf that morning, not knowing anyone there, was one of the best decisions I have made in a long long time. I am deeply saddened that it is over for the year. But am already looking forward to next year. and I know the women I have friended this year are now a part of my life. 

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20 

15 months!

15 months! I wasn't sure I would keep up with her monthly updates, but Philip and I both like that this blog is more or less her baby book. when people ask us when she started doing this, or when she reached such and such milestone, we are both like 'we will have to check the blog'. one day I will print all of this into a book for her. 

why is she so BIG?! 

weight/height:  weight: 22.6 oz 49% height: 30 3/4 in 61% OFC: 46 1/2 68% 

she got shots at the Dr today so she got a treat at Meijer when we went after her appointment 

she ate the whole cookie

size: she is in some 12 month clothes that aren't length restricting. she seems to be in between 12 month and 18 month right now because a lot of 18 month clothes are still too big on her.  still in size 3 pampers cruisers during day, side 4 night time diapers at night.  and she wears size FIVE shoes!  physical: we now have ELEVEN teeth! of course she has an odd number because she always seems to. her four molars are mostly all in (the right top and bottom still making their way in).  her hair is getting lighter and curly  still blue eyes, with long eyelashes  her bangs are always in her eyes, and she loves to pull her hair barrette out (she thinks its soo funny), so I have to put a little side pony tail in her hair

eating: her appetite varies from day to day. she will pretty much always eat fruit. or ice cream. and water. she loves drinking her water. her favorite snack this month are those little cheesy poof things.  she still takes 3 bottles of milk/day. lets see what the dr has to say about that tomorrow… eek! 

messy eater 

sleeping: she goes to bed around 730 and sleeps until 7-715 in the morning. she takes anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hour nap in the afternoon. she only takes her paci now for nap time and bedtime. 

new things: she has learned to use sign language for the word 'more' and does it well. we are working on please.  she dances around in a circle when you say TWIRL!  when asked, she can point to her toes, nose, hair and fingers. she can find mine and philip's belly button when we ask her to.  she isn't very vocal yet with her words. she says dada and happy-happy-happy (thanks nana). when you ask her what a cow says she says moooo. it's crazy to me that she understands almost everything we say, but isn't saying much herself.  she waves hi and bye when people come and go she is like a little sponge and just soaking in so much right now  when you ask her if she wants to go take a bath she runs to the stairs to go upstairs. still loves bath time.  she can play apps on my iPhone and her Nabi by scrolling with her little finger  when you say "how big is Ainsley?" she puts her hands up above her head  she loves playing peek a boo and hiding from you  she likes to hide things. stuff it in the crack of couch, under a pillow/blanket, etc.  she doesn't like to hold your hand and jerks it away when you try. very independent little thing.  she is the best hugger. ever.  she has become a fan of jewelry (thanks to her necklaces from Aunt Annie) and loves wearing her beads and bracelets 

"SO BIG"

crawling into everything 

this is what happens when her and daddy are playing 

and my favorite pic 

she is so proud and happy Jax is wearing her beads. Jax is not as thrilled about it…. 

and how funny is this picture? that is me as a baby on the left. ainsley on the right. all on her own…

Hubs turns 31

I never want Philip's birthday to get 'glossed over' by our anniversary. I would be so sad if that happened to me so I try to make them two separate celebrations every year.  This year, we happened to have an out of town wedding the saturday before his birthday so I thought it would be fun to take an extra night and celebrate his birthday, out of town too!  {of course if we go anywhere near Cincinnati we have to stop and eat at Skyline. }

The wedding destination was a 6 hour drive, but we had a nice drive and good driving weather.   

gotta love a photo booth 

 The next day we got up early so we could get his birthday day started:) Our first stop was Summit Racing Store. Philip was pretty much like a kid in a candy store. 

From there we went to a race car place called "Full Throttle". They are sort of like Go-Carts on speed. They go up to 40mph. You have to wear helmets and neck braces. They have 'pass by' flags they point at you when someone needs to pass you, so you know to get outta the way. They track your lap times and give you a print out of them at the end. Exactly what Philip would love to do on his birthday :) 

my super fast hubs 

I had a small accident (philip calls it a crash) and got a little bit of whiplash. I also led the attendants to flash their 'drive safely' sign at me. I seriously thought my helmet might fly off my head I hit the wall so hard. These cars are the real deal! you could get hurt I think! but of course Philip loved it and didn't want to leave:) I however was ok just doing two sessions and being done:) 
Next stop was our hotel close to Newport on the Levee. This was our awesome view 

After we got home that night 

We took a trolley to the Levee and headed to the Hafbraus House (one of our favorite places to eat).

After we seriously committed gluttony, we walked around for a bit until we were at least comfortable again. We ate enough potato pancakes to feed a small family. 
From there we went to GameWorks, an adult arcade center (another one of our favorite places). We were there for hours playing games together. We played ski ball, pop a shot, football, race games, shooting games, you name it, we played it:) Philip got hooked on Deal or No Deal and won all kinds of tickets. Which of course we used to buy Ainsley stuffed animals :) 

we had to cart this big ol giraffe home with us:) 

We had such a good time. Don't get me wrong, we missed Ainsley. a lot. when she left that morning it physically hurt to say goodbye. But it was so good for Philip and I to get a few days to reconnect and just be husband &wife. We love being parents but everyone needs a little break every now and then. 
Ainsley had a great time at Nana and Pops though. We are so thankful that we never once worried about her and knew she was in perfect care 

in aunt ellen's rocking chair 

 That night of his actual birthday we grilled out and Ryan and Kim came over for dinner. Jack brought Philip a little gift with him 

Happy 31st birthday husband:) Ainsley and I are thankful you were born and couldn't imagine our lives with you. 

Four Years

Can you believe it has been four years since we got married? In some ways I feel like we just started dating. and in other ways I feel like he just has always been my best friend. time is such a crazy thing. 

ahhh the honeymoon 

So yea, that was FOUR YEARS AGO. 
I try to follow the traditional wedding gift ideas. I think it's fun to find something that fits both philip and that year's tradition. Four years is fruit and flowers. I decided I wanted us to try to grow some fruit at our new house. I did a lot of research and talking to various 'farming' friends and discovered the best fruit would be blueberry bushes. My good friends Jenny and Kevan Evan's seriously hooked me up and got me some awesome blueberry bushes. I had to give them to Philip a few days early because they were too heavy for me to get out of my car. But today he planted them and Kevan said within weeks we will have blueberries! as big as a quarters! I am so excited. All three of us love blueberries and Ainsley will love it. maybe I will learn to make blueberry pie… 

while he planted the bushes he planted some trees too 

And to stick with the theme I also got his favorite candy (but FRUIT flavored)*thanks aunt ellen for helping me find them 

Now, this is the perfect illustration of the fundamental difference between Philip and I. I tried to stick to the traditional ideas. He, on the other hand, thinks on an entirely different track. which is fine. not just fine, it's perfect. because this is why we are good for each other. His mind works so differently from mine and while that sometimes leads to disagreements, it is so good for both of us in so many ways.  ok, so here is what his gift to me was :

That's right. A Mrs PacMan arcade game. but it doesn't only play PacMan, it has over 60 arcade games on it. I'm not going to lie, I love it. I have played frogger like I used to in elementary school. and discovered this hamburger game I am obsessed with. whitney was just as pumped as me and can't wait to play it. we both thought of the FRIENDS clip where phoebe gets chandler & monica the pacman game as a wedding gift. if you haven't see the episode, watch the clip HERE . :) 

someone else loves it too 

Philip's brother tried to justify it by saying that Mrs PacMan eats fruit. :) nice try Brian.  He did follow tradition (both in our marriage and in anniversary gifts) and got me flowers.  beautiful spring flowers. 

We both had to work on our anniversary but are going out of town to a wedding this weekend so spending some time together then is part of our celebration. 
without getting too mushy, I want to say that this year of our marriage has been my favorite so far.  Looking forward to many many more and hoping each year is my next favorite:)