so... i haven't taken many pictures lately.....

...And i just don't make as many blogs when i don't have a beautiful picture to go with it!! but i will try! here are the last two pics i took... one of Sam hiding behind his new toys from Nana and Grandpa and one of Opa cuddling with dear sweet mercy! :)

Life has been very FULL --in a pleasant and busy kind of way-- since the birth of Mercy Johanna. She is a darling little baby. Smiling seems to be mercy's favorite hobby, and talking is a close second. i just adore how the older two love her, it is a precious thing to see.

Sam is a walking machine now, i spent a couple hours at a play place in the mall with some friends, and all he did was walk in circles around the place for the entire time!! he continues to be the family clown, so julia now attempts to copy him for laughs. poor girl, she usually gets told "hunny, it's funny when a baby does that, but you are too old to do it okay? you do different 4 year old funnies." yeah, i sometimes (read: always) get frustrated by her imitating her younger brother....it is supposed to work the other way around - younger imitates older!!!!

Julia is enjoying her Junior Kindergarden class. A LOT. her 'report card' said she was a great helper; willing to help the other kids with jackets etc. when asked. So it is nice to hear that she is sometimes being a blessing to her class as i often pray she will be.

At home she (and the rest of us) LOVE having Dave around. Reality is sure going to hit when he goes back to work. :( if any of you don't know, i am totally a quality time person, and sooooon i will have very little time with my very favorite person (dave). soooo sad. but oh we have had a grand time. :)

i am currently in an information overload: reading "the hurried child" by elkind, "lies women believe" by nancy l. demoss, studying "when i don't desire God" by Piper, "in their own way" by so and so, and "sticky church" by l. osborne...........ahhhhhhhhhhh. I LOVE IT!! My favorites ( meaning the ones that make me think and change and grow) would have to be the Piper and Elkind books, so far they are awesome!

well time to go read.
su