The Little Lady

Bitty is getting so big and is changing what appears to be daily. She turned 15 months on Sunday, and her personality is blooming! She is into literally everything. It seems like all we do is chase after her and say, No! and Get out of that _________!
Her vocabulary is really growing. Not only is she repeating the things we coax her into saying, but she has also mastered some words are using them at the appropriate times. She calls the dogs (and all other dogs...) by their names, and she is starting to point to my body parts, but not her own yet. The other day she jabbed me in the eyeball. Thanks. Those tears were from the stinging, not the pride. She has even squeaked out an "Oooo Igh!" (Roll Tide!) and, more importantly, "A-mehn".
These pictures are from Sunday. Although it looks like it, she was NOT waving at me, but at the dogs, "Shay-dy and Dodah" ... She LOVES them! The bottom picture was taken first. Notice how much ankle you see. Now look at the top picture. So, even though she's getting big, she's still so Bitty! This is a 12 month outfit. Most 12 month pants won't stay up on her!

The Confession

It has been 25 days since my last post. Forgive me for I have not had much to post, yet have tons to post. Odd, I know. This month has been SO busy.

My AMAZING intern is officially done. I am SO sad. It's like losing a roommate that you really, really like (and who does all of your chores for you!). I have four more weeks of school, a (literal) tiny break, and then I will start tutoring this Summer for the AHSGE for Bryant kids. The principal drama at school is enough to make anyone's head spin, but it's entirely too much to put on here. Just know that it is major, and that Bryant High School's students, teachers, and administrators (both current and future) need your prayers.

Other than the whirlwind we call Bitty, home has been it's usual busy. Michael is finishing up his last semester at Shelton. He is in there typing up his last research paper as I type this. Last Sunday he participated in Honor's Day (I forgot the camera :( ) and received an award for his Phi Theta Kappa Honors Fraternity membership. He's pretty smart. He will graduate in two weeks, and I will NOT forget the camera. :)

The Good Eater

Despite last night's meal consisting mainly of fat free jello and mini marshmallows, Bitty normally does really well during meals. She is a good eater, and doesn't hesitate to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. I was really nervous when she was eating infant food when she would spit out any of the vegetable flavors, especially green beans. But now, green beans are one of her favorites. Same thing with chicken. At first she was not having the texture of chicken. But we didn't give up, and kept trying to give it to her. After about five times, she started to accept the texture in her mouth. However, I struggle in the message that I am trying to send to her. I want her to be healthy, play outside, and be an overall average kid. From both sides of her parents' genes, this poor child comes from at least three generations of overweight people, and I strive to be a healthy role model for her without pressure to be "skinny". That's not necessarily what we want for her at all. We want her to be healthy.
Playing with her jello cup. She picked through the corn and Boston Butt.Working on using a spoon. She can get it to her mouth, but most often turns her hand with the spoon in it an looses it all in her lap. I cleaned a fair amount of jello out of her seat. She kept trying to use the pointed end instead of the scoop. It didn't work for her. Photo-op with Mommy!!

The Risen Savior

When He was born, his mother knew that she would be giving Him up to a higher purpose. Really? Today my heart goes out to Mary, who knew that her son would be the sacrifice for the world. I teared up when Bitty screamed with her first shots. I couldn't imagine it being a spear in her side. However, I can't help but be so grateful for Mary and her gift to the world. Knowing that I get to spend an eternity in Heaven with my Savior all because Mary was headed to prepare the body in an already empty tomb. Hallelujah!

We had an amazing worship service. As always, the songs we sing are so timely, and we all meant for our risen Savior. My favorite is always In Christ Alone because of how it stirs the entire congregation to applause, tears, and shouts of "Hallelujah" as we sing this verse:

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain.

Then bursting forth in glorious Day,

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

After an amazing morning of worship, we gathered at the front of the church to have pictures made at the cross. It's an Easter tradition at Ridgecrest to prepare the wooden cross with flowers (we forgot ours), and after service, take family pictures in front of it. We couldn't get Bitty to look at the camera, much less smile, but we did the best we could!

The Break

Over the break, we didn't do much of anything because the weather was so yucky. It rained and was cold seven of the ten days we were out. On Thursday it finally warmed up enough that we could enjoy being outside for a little while. So, we donned our overall shorts and went to see the "puh-pees"!

Smiling for the camera

She LOVES Sadie and Jonah

On Friday we went to the Riverwalk Park in downtown Tuscaloosa. On the end that we were on there wasn't much of anything to do but walk, so after our Hardee's picnic, we just took some time to spend as a family and enjoy God's beautiful work!

My favorite picture of the WHOLE week.

The river was muddy, but she didn't seem to care

Walking back up the river, Bitty decided she needed a break

So Michael and I took her break time for a photo op.

After the river we rode over to Mom's house. We learned that Bitty loves being outside, but she does NOT love the grass. If she could have stayed on this concrete slab she would have.

Swinging with Gramma

The House, The Home

Two weeks ago in Sunday School we started a new study on The Home that God Blesses. We have an amazing Sunday School teacher who really knows and loves God's Word, and she is infectious with it. For our first weeks homework we were instructed to create a notebook for class that exemplified our house and home. This is what I chose for ours.

This is our house. We have lived here for almost five years - so hard to believe. We have made it very cozy, often messy, mostly loud, but full of love. I love our house, and I am so thankful for how God has blessed us while in this house. His love for us is amazing, and he shows us everyday.


This is how I know: The pictures that I chose for our home. The only thing not pictured here is our family picture from the beach that has gone missing from my computer, but that's just a tiny glitch in the grand scheme.
This post is pretty much the meaning behind our blog title. Through God, our home and love has multiplied, and it is such a beautiful feeling. My prayer through this Home study is that we learn how to better become a God-centered family and raise Olivia to love Jesus the way He (and we) love her.
My world...

The Baseball Game

Spring time is my favorite time of year. (Well, until Fall and football season!) I don't like to be extremely cold or hot, but I like to walk, run, and play outside. Spring's temperature fits that mold perfectly. I also like to spend time at ball games. I enjoy Bryant baseball and softball, and am even excited about going to some soccer games. Last night, Bitty and I were kind of bored, and Bryant's Varsity Baseball team was playing at home, so we decided to go. Bitty was much more interested in the puppies that were there rather than the game, but still we had fun and snapped some great pictures! PUH-PEE, PUH-PEE!! (All the way home...)

Checking for "bag fries" in the hood of her car.

"You talkin' to me?"