Two More!

I've been awful at blogging, but I guess moving can do that to you. I hope to be better soon, but for now, just an update that our little man got 2 more teeth this week. His top right one came in on 7-27 and his top left one on 7-30. His bottom teeth came in within a few days of each other too. It's funny to me that he's gone months before getting new teeth and then gets them in pairs.

On the day his first top tooth came in, we were walking through Target and I heard an awful sound coming from his mouth. I reached into his mouth trying to figure out what he had put in there, only to realize that my sweet son had already figured out how to grind his teeth. I absolutely hate that sound, but thankfully, he hasn't done it since that one time.

Blessed

So the last few weeks have been a complete whirlwind, but I suppose I should start from the beginning.

In March, Ryan received an email from Garrett, the pastor of Graham Bible Church in Graham, Texas asking if Ryan would be interested in serving as the senior pastor of the church when Garrett left. Garrett and his family are going to DC to serve at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, where Ryan did his internship last year. Garrett got Ryan's information through some contacts at CHBC.

Anyway, over the last few months, Ryan filled out a doctrinal questionnaire, did a couple phone interviews, and took 2 trips to Texas for Ryan to preach at the church and for us to get to know the congregation a little bit.

We are so excited that the Lord chose to bring us to Graham Bible Church where Ryan is now serving.

There were only a few weeks from the time we found out God had called us to Graham to the time we moved, so it was a busy time. I finished up work, we packed like crazy and attempted to get our house ready to sell.

It was amazing to see how well cared for we were during those weeks.

We had several friends come over and help us pack--some of those friends even came over multiple times. We had people bring us dinner. We had friends help with yard work. We had a friend who took Caleb to the zoo on the day we moved so we could have one fewer distraction. We had sweet friends who came over and cleaned our house for us (to get it ready to sell) after we left. I am amazed at just how well our Louisville family loved us.

We had some difficulties with loading our truck and then when we were loaded up and about to head out of Louisville, the Check Engine light had come on in the truck. So, we headed back to the Penske location to get it checked. There was indeed a problem, so they ended up getting us a different truck and got movers to transfer all of our stuff to the new truck. This whole ordeal took 2-3 hours, and another sweet friend very thoughtfully brought us dinner since we had no way to leave.

Our goal had been to leave town around 1pm, but we didn't get out until 8:30. Thankfully, we only planned on driving to Nashville that night, so we could stay with Ryan's brother and his family. They cared for us so well while we were there, and my sister-in-law even bathed Caleb for me so I could finish getting things together.

The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful, and we arrived safely in Graham a couple days later. We were warmly greeted by a bunch of church members who quickly unloaded our stuff and put everything into a storage shed.

I type all of this out, not to complain or to say look what we had to go through, but to show that in every situation, God provided for all of our needs, and he continues to do so through the loving people at Graham Bible Church. We are so very thankful to be here and are excited about what God has in store for us. Thank you, Lord, for your loving care and provision for us!

10 Months!

Sweet Caleb, what a joy you are! Your daddy and I still look at you in awe of the precious gift that you are. We can't believe that God has chosen us to be your parents!

During this month, you went on your second trip to Texas. You played during the first flight and then slept on the way back. You did such a good job adjusting to all your new environments and the changes in your schedule--we were so proud of you!

You also made your first trip to the zoo this month. We had such a good time with our friends, Mariah, Madeline and Rivers! Though you're certainly not old enough to fully appreciate the zoo, you did seem to like watching the monkeys and gorillas swing around.

We went to a friend's birthday party this month, and you got to sit in a private plane, which was pretty neat.

You're still really cuddly when you're tired. However, you're such an active little boy that you typically want to be playing if we're sitting on the ground.

Though you had waved some before now, you're now waving much more consistently.

When we lay you down to go to sleep, you rub your face back and forth on the bed a couple times as you get settled and then usually tuck your hands under your tummy. When I walk out of your bedroom, you'll often pick your head up slightly to watch me wave goodnight to you and then you'll often wave back.

You also learned to clap this month, and you love doing it. You get a big smile on your face any time you do it, and you look up at us, almost as if you're waiting for us to say, "Yea!!" and clap with you.

You have learned how to crawl onto and sit on the dishwasher door when it's open, and one day, in the midst of our packing, I looked over and found you standing on top of one of the smaller packed boxes. What a monkey you are!!

Speaking of packing, you like to pull things out of any boxes that we've packed but haven't yet taped. Needless to say, our most productive pack times are while you're sleeping. :)

A few times I've seen you let go of whatever you're holding onto while you're standing, but it doesn't take long before you either grab back on or sit down. You walk around fairly well with us holding your hands. It seems like walking is in your near future, but I sure wouldn't mind if you held off on it a bit longer. :)

Your tongue is often sticking out of your mouth, though it seems like you may be doing that less and less.

Thankfully, you seem to be learning what "No" means. So far you seem to be obeying well with a simple "No," but I know that won't always be the case.

You haven't been saying deh deh or mah mah for a little while, but you're always talking. I love your little voice, and I wish I knew what you were thinking and trying to say.

Some of your favorite toys are the rings that are used to hang toys from your tummy time mat. You love crawling around the house with these in your mouth. You're funny in that you often are more entertained by things that aren't toys, such as remote controls and water bottles, than by your actual toys.





I love how when you get excited you will either flap your arms or slap your hands on the table.

You've always seemed to enjoy a good beat, but you seem to be dancing more and more. (You're dancing consists of a huge smile and bouncing up and down.) What a cutie you are!

We have completely eliminated your third nap. For the last few months, you had only been taking that nap a few times a week, depending on our schedule that day, but it's gone now.

You love food and seem to enjoy tasting different things. So far, we haven't found anything you won't eat, which I hope continues to be the case.

Little Caleb, we love you, and we're so proud of you! It's so fun watching you grow, and we pray that as you grow that you would grow in knowledge and love for Jesus as well.