April, May and June

Yes, we're still here in sunny Florida!

I've really enjoyed time away from home at work but I've definitely noticed a change in time management. For example, I certainly don't have as much time to blog, bake, or get creative. But it's really important to me to document this special time in our lives. I can't wait to catch up!

I'm thankful for these busy days filled with spilled milk (spilled everything..) tantrums, giggles, trips to the park, trips to the potty, trips to time-out, date nights, babysitters, palm trees, scraped knees, sticky faces, missing shoes, and mini-vans. Times have changed. We are so fortunate to spend our days with these two wild children (and Lolly). They love to snuggle, read, fight, bite, watch Chuggington and Little Einsteins, dolls, trucks, reading books, baking, painting, Play-Doh, riding bikes, hiding remotes, playing hide-and-go-seek, and sleeping. I don't know what we'd do without good sleepers. If I have one tip for young parents, it's SLEEP TRAINING. We all need sleep and adult time. It's difficult but it is worth it.

We've had all sorts of adventures, surprises, friends come visit, and a lot of change! Back in April-Jude we had no idea what blessings God had in store for Desire Church. The school we were previously meeting in (along with every other school in the county that has a church meeting in it) raised our rent so much that we couldn't afford it. Then, the school told us they'd prefer that we don't meet there any longer. So... we looked for a new location. We looked, and looked, and looked. We live in a pretty hostile city where NO ONE wants a church on their property. After networking with other church plants to see what response they've had to realtors and property owners, we heard the same story over and over.

Honestly, I was quite hopeless. You could compare me to those Israelites who were complaining after God split the ocean in two for them... I thought it was the end of our story here. Anxiety, anger, confusion, you name it. Then.... the very last month we had to look for a location, God opened the doors and hearts of Covenant Presbyterian Church! We met in their building for just a brief few months while God was watering the soil of another big project; we soon would merge with The Anchor Church and become Hope Fellowship Church. It was so nice to have air conditioned bathrooms, actual children's rooms, pews/seats that we didn't have to set up, and they had a kitchen they let us use! :) He's always working for our good and His glory! Looking back on those months of uncertainty, I hope I can always recall His faithfulness and His character when I can't see what's next. I sure do struggle with the "what's next," Help me to rest in you, Lord!

God gave us this little playground in our neighborhood, it's been amazing!

Jude loves his buddy, Zal!

Jude had a blast celebrating Grace's birthday. They kids all played doctor and received a personalized doctor kit, too. Jude has loved playing doctor with us at home. He has a special way of making us all feel better :) I'm so thankful for his little buddies.

My handsome Blake!

Laurie has such a strong love for animals!

We are so bad about going to the beach. We only live about 40 minutes from these beautiful shores and we hardly ever go. We made a goal to go once a month... haha!

We love to dress up on Sundays!

Jude loves going to school in the mornings. He is definitely a morning person but DO NOT forget his cereal or it's all over!

playing with the neighbors

Meet Tiffany, Hodge, Zeke and Zoe. These are our special friends from college who came for a visit to their parent's house that's only two hours north of us. They currently live back in Portugal where they share Christ. Please join us in praying for them and their ministry. So good to see you guys over the past few months!

I really miss baking. Every once in a while when a special occasion comes around, we BAKE. The kids love helping in the kitchen and they love driving me crazy too. I just have some control issues, haha! I believe we made these for our last service at Covenant Presbyterian's building as Desire Church. Since then, we have merged with another church and are now called Hope Fellowship Church.

Can you tell which kid is ours? Haha! I love the diversity in Miami! Jude enjoyed going to the pool with his classmates for two weeks of free swim lessons. He has definitely developed a love for swimming! It's amazing to watch him navigate himself through the water. He's such a big boy already!

My sweet girl's hair is finally long enough to put regular bows in!

date night :)

she's all about doing everything herself!

Mother's Day was extra special this year :)

Snuggles before work

The beautiful blooms on one of my anniversary presents. My favorite smell!

We took a little (nine hour) trip to Georgia to see my beautiful family to celebrate my cousin's graduation. She's so beautiful and smart, we're so proud of you Lainey!

The kids had a pretty difficult time in the car but once we arrived, we had a very special time celebrating and spending time with Nana, Papa, Liz, Allen, Anna, Lainey, Aunt Bitsy, Amy, Kevin, and cousin Elise and Jack! Whew!

Just some REAL LIFE right here :)

their favorite thing to do!

chillin' while sister naps

hanging out with dad

more REAL LIFE haha

They grow so fast!

Helping dad clean out the baptism trough

Jude's end-of-the-year program. He stole the show! They sang an alphabet song and a bunch of other tunes and he kept trying to steal the microphone from other kids. Ha! He did so well! Getting off the stage was a problem...