A Little Note

This is just a little note to update you on our family. We are in the middle of a season of transitions.

Evan is in th proess of enlisting in the Coast Guard Reserves. He has to re-weigh in at MEPS this coming Tuesday. His pre-enlistment package has been submitted and signed. Now we are waiting on his background checks to be cleared. Then we will sign his actual enlistment package together and he will be sworn in. This could take a few weeks or a few months depending on how efficient his recruiter is.

As for the girls, Clara is almost 5 months old. She is close to 16 lbs in weight and 2 feet in length. She has learned to make raspberries, support herself on her arms while laying on her tummy. Another thing she is doing is propping herself up on her arms while in the sitting position. This gives the appearance that she is indeed sitting. Clara grabs her feet and anything you put near her. Her favorite time is in front of the mirror or curled up in my arms. She is a happy little girl now that we have her reflux under control. It won't be long before she has her first teeth. I can see the buds under her gums so it's just a matter of time. It's remarkable how fast she is growing physically and otherwise. We still have not had her dedicated (doh!) but we plan to very soon!

Hailey will be 3 next month (May 21) and she is my testy child. Much of that comes with her age. She is so full of life and passion. She does everything with 200% of her soul. So much like her daddy. She is a towhead and I hope she stays that way. I love her beautiful hair. Hailey has grown into her big sister role quite well. We are working on the potty training. She is quite capable of doing it, she just doesn't have much "want to." At her last Dr appointment she was 23 lbs and 33 inches-- STILL the tiny peanut. Amazing how two girls from the same parents can be so different growth wise. But I am enjoying the differences too. Hailey is full of amazing little verbages. From the time she wakes up until she has fallen to sleep, her mouth goes. But oh the funny and surprising things she says. She is the sensitive one, intuitive and caring. Often during hard days she will come bouncing up to me and say "mommy are you happy" or "mommy jesus loves you!" I'm so blessed.

Well, that leaves me. I'll be 26 this Friday (the 18th) and my life is mostly about taking care of my husband, my girls, and my house. Apart from God, they are the joys of my life. I've recently started going back to Women's Bible Study and have felt a sincere connection with some of the women at my church. It's good to feel loves and great to love others. Maybe God will use me in this capacity some day.

My personal goal this year has been to get healthy again. Since giving birth to Clara I have lost almost 50 lbs. I have another 30 to go to get back to a healthy weight. But more than what I weigh, I am eating better and exercising daily. The beautiful weather here helps too. And of course, chasing after Hailey and providing Clara's needs as well.

So that's us. Transition. Sums us up in a word. But no matter how all this pans out, God is still in control. He knows the plans He has for us. They will bring good and prosperity, not harm. They will give us hope and a future, not despair. Thank You Lord for the sweet little miracles of life. From our children to the rainbow I saw yesterday-- they're all amazing!

In His Love,
Sarah Marie