The babysitter's club!

This weekend could be classified as a babysitter's club. We had Tayler's best friend along with his two sisters spend the weekend with us....and yes, of course, I loved having girl time! (I actually got teary when I dropped them off at home-okay, I know I am a dork!) One of the girls, a third grader, in an ever authoratative manner, said "It is so unfair you have to go shopping and to the hair salon alone. You need a daughter!" Do you hear that Brian? :)I have a new advocate!

We also had neighbor kids over all weekend. Along with that, Tayler had his long awaited first babysitting job! He has been counting down for the last two years- to turn 12 so that he can participate in Safe Sitter and begin his entrepreneurship of babysitting:)

He did an excellent job with her. She is two years old and an easy toddler, so it was a great first job. Of course, I was training him and he had to split his earnings with good ol' mom (Starbucks is calling my name!) He even changed her diapers perfectly. Way to go, Tayler!! It was awesome having so many kids over and reminded us of our days as foster parents when our house was never quiet and a home to so many.

Welcome to the world, Julia!

Baby Julia (my niece) was born on the 16th at 8:59 a.m. She is absolutely adorable and I could've held her forever! To our surprise, she has a head full of brown hair and looks nothing like Jackson so far. (Rachel was also born with brown hair which later fell out and turned very blonde.) My sister, Melody, and I were both able to be there along with Chris's mom, Sandy. My mom and cousin came up for a few hours one day as well. We were all blessed to be able to be a part of Julia's entrance into the world. Sorry, Jen and Angie for the delay in pics! (And yes, that is a monogrammed burp cloth:)

Spring is coming!

Since Friday, we have had gorgeous, warm temperatures! Sorry, Melody:) I took these pics of Tayler and his friends enjoying the rays playing basketball after church today. Tayler and Brian put his goal together yesterday (mainly Brian). I am so happy to see Tayler get the opportunity to play with his friends from the neighborhood. It has been several years since he has been able to do that (due to living in a townhouse with a parking lot for a yard:)I am so glad winter is fleeting and we can now become mobile human beings once again!!:)

ps Gotta love the pic of Tayler's fro hair!

Believe '07

These are pics of our annual Believe conference for middle schoolers. This is our fouth year to go. This was definitely the best year ever! This was Tayler's first year and it was so awesome to see him singing, jumping, praising God, and praying with his friends. Nothing can make a mother's heart more fulfilled. While there, Brian got each of the performers/speakers to hold a sign our youth made that said, "I heart E-Life Student Ministries" and we took pics of them with the sign.........cool idea. Most of them, in return, asked us to then take pics with them and they are posting them on their websites!

The theme for the weekend was Jesus is calling. It was so refreshing to hear our youth talk about what they feel Christ is calling them to. That is definitely the best part of Student Ministry........the youth sharing their hearts, struggles, dreams, etc. We have a strong youth group and we couldn't be more blessed to be with them on this journey.

ps Sorry the pics are so late Emilie:)