Karis' Shower

And this was the coolest party favor's ever!! 3 Musketeers (my 3 children) wrapped with a verse that we have claimed over Karis's life! so cool!! Rachel Keith- Another creative idea for you! Jackie, this was so great!!

There are lots of babies coming soon around Austin...this is Adrianne and Amber and I. Adrianne is due soon after Amber and I!

Sally with Micah's mommy....her future mother-in-law! I'll have to save this for the wedding for sure!!

So this is Sally with Micah Engstrom....Her future husband....

My friend, Amber, and I are due the same day! She is having a boy and I a girl...so we just think they are destined to be married! =) Sally and Elijah are around the same age as well!

Each woman made a bib for Karis...some where quite hilarious and others we hope quite prophetic!

So continuing...last Thursday evening, some ladies put a shower together for Karis and I. It couldn't have been sweeter. Fabs and Jackie, organized the whole thing and spoke in everything they did- love for me and Karis. I was given a journal with notes from so many women, even friends from college in regards to "grace" which Karis' name means. It will be something I treasure forever. We had so much fun and yet all left sensing our Lord. Thank you ladies! Words cannot express how I feel!

Karis' shower - part one

So tonight was a shower for Karis and it was an amazing blessing!! More pics and stories to come soon! But had to post sally.....she was the entertainment....it was like she knew there were lots of girls and fun going on! It was so fun to have her there! Notice the progression of her outfit....hilarious! By the end she was dancing in red high hills in her diaper! love that girl! Karis, you just wait! you will have so much fun with your sister sally!

Karis Elizabeth Stewart

So, the countdown is here...we are waiting and preparing for sweet Karis to arrive! Some sweet ladies are putting together a small celebration shower for her tomorrow night. The invitation touched my heart so much, as i read the meaning of Karis' name:

Kha-res : Greek- "Grace; of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, afferction, and kindles them to exercise of the Christian virtues"

We are so overwhelmed as we think of our children and the gift they have been so far...WesleyGrant is our little leader....Sally our prayer warrior and servant....and by God's grace...Karis will be our little evangelist.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement as we wait for her arrival...we will let you know when she arrives!

Extended Mother's day gift!

So after the birthday party, Michael surprised me with a night away for just the two of us! wow! It was something he was planning for mother's day, but the dates hadn't worked out to do it on mother's day. Some amazing ladies took our kids for the day and night and next morning and stew and I headed just outside of Austin where I seriously kept thinking we were back in Spain. We stayed at Vintage Villas and had an amazing date and dinner! It was the most refreshing thing for both of us!

Thank you, my dearest husband!! I love you so much!! You continue to amaze me with your creative and expressive gifts. You have taught me so much in the last 5 years and I could never ever find any friend as great as you!

Another Birthday Party!

Grantland Rice turned 3 this last week and we got to celebrate with water fun and back to his house for cupcakes and animal pics. It was a great morning with friends!

Wesley Grant helps Sally this morning

So saturday mornings are always lazy mornings for us and the kids usually come wake us up. This morning Wesleygrant came in and I told him to go and change his pull up to underwear and play in his room until sally woke up. Then, I hear both of them coming in our room....and hear Wesleygrant saying, "Sally come show them your underwear...i am so proud of you for wearing underwear...." Sally saying, "Yah...."
I look down and wesleygrant tells me he got sally dressed and changed her diaper...and informed me that it is her turn to wear big girl underwear.....guess i'd better start training her too. =)

Wesleygrant has blown us away this past week as he has really engaged in helping sally. Sally was crying in the hall and he came and asked us to come and pray for her. We told him to pray for her and so he did...we heard him say the sweetest prayer...."Father, help sally to obey and comfort her and help Jesus not to sin. Thank you amen." not entirely correct, but the first part blew us away! i will never forget that!

So, here is sally sporting her undies.....Wesleygrant's that is!

Family Time

Of course, their favorite part was with Uncle Kevin!!

At my mother's parents....kiddos with great grandparents...Mom and Dad

Kids with Memaw (great grandmother) HAPPY BIRTHDAY memaw!!
Sally and Pepaw (great grandfather) pulling weeds out of garden


We got to go and visit grandparents and great grandparents this past week and the kids loved being outside. The trip anticipated some sorrow as my mother died 2 yrs ago on the day we were there, but actually, as we went through her things and spent time with family out around the things my mother loved most, we celebrated her life...and we accepted this new season we have been living out since she died. The legacy she has given to me from those before her is being passed on to my children and so many more....it was so good to be with family....we love you all! Thank you pa and all for how you loved on us! we love you!