june was busy!

Natalie is having fun in her new jumpster!

I got to meet Nancy's beautiful new daughter Sharon Elisabeth (Elis)!

Gam and Pappy came to play lots!

I love reading with my great grandpa!

Whitney's sweet baby Addison turned one and we got to go to celebrate with her!

Natalie had fun times with the Sprinkles!

love those legs!

worn out after her photo shoot with Whitney!

Natalie loves "Brown Bear, Brown Bear"

fun with food!

playing in her new baby pool

dave celebrated his first father's day!


We are having so much fun...and we can't wait for July!

6 months old

I can hardly believe that six months has gone by, sweet Natalie, since you entered this world. Loving you has been an unbelievable blessing. I can't believe how much you have changed our lives in such an amazing way. You are so joyful, sweet, and full of hope. You are the best thing that has ever happened to us. You really are becoming quite the "little girl." You are sitting up, rolling over, trying to eat (most of the food ends up all over us or being licked off your hands by Sadie), laughing, becoming bashful, smiling, moving all around your crib, your personality is really showing. You are getting so big, and I can't believe how fast time is going by. I continue to pray that you will love Jesus, and know all of the fullness, grace and hope that He gives to us in our lives. I pray for wisdom as a parent, that God will help me to know how to best love you. My heart overflows with love for you, sweet Natalie, and I look forward to the many months and years ahead. I also fear, at times, what you will face in your future. I must learn to turn those fears over to God, and trust that He has a perfect plan for our lives, little Natalie. Happy 6 month birthday! Daddy and I love you so very much...

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him...there is no fear in love...we love because He first loved us." 1 John 4: 16...

swim...bike...run...

my most precious fan

the tri sisters

our other cute fans...lonnie and dave!

blast from the past...before the race at St. Anthony's in 2007, katy and daddy looking on!

Sarah and I...so glad St. Anthony's is over!!

Last year, my precious friends Sarah, Kimberly and Kacey talked me into doing an Olympic distance triathlon. Through this experience with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's team in training program, I met lots of incredible people and raised money for a great cause. It was quite a challenge. We participated in the Saint Anthony's triathlon race in St. Petersburg, Florida in April 2007. About a week before the triathlon, I discovered a very exciting surprise...that I was pregnant!!! Oh my goodness, Dave and I were so surprised and excited about our news. With the doctor's well wishes, Natalie raced in her first triathlon at the gestational age of about eight weeks!

My sister came down to watch us race in 2007 and this year decided she wanted to do a triathlon too. She talked me into doing the Callaway Gardens sprint tri this weekend, and we had a wonderful time. I couldn't have made it through without you, Katy! I am so proud of you. We decided we would make it an annual event to do the Callaway Gardens Sprint tri. Our fam came down to cheer us on, and of course Natalie was my number one fan even though she fell asleep before we finished!

a few more...

natalie with her great-great grandmother...the amazing bigma at 99 years old!

punkin!

this baby carriage was my grandmother's doll carriage. It is over 70 years old!

five generations of muse

thank you again whitney for these beautiful memories!

whitney's pictures

(natalie and addison above!)

precious whit took some incredible pictures of our family on sunday. here's a sneak peek. thank you whitney!!! you are truly an artist.

i can't wait

natalie in the dress that i wore as a little girl

tummy time...not my fav, but i'll oblige

love playing "tick tock" with daddy

push ups

starting solid foods!!!

I Can't Wait (by Sara Groves)

When you reach the proper age
I will teach you to read and you can turn the pages
How to dress and tie your shoes
Your one plus ones, and your two times two's
And you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important things
And all that i have lost along the way
And I can't wait

As you grow, I'll show you things
How to ride your bike and kick your legs out on the swings
To fold your hands and bow your head
How to say your prayers before you go to bed
And you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important things
And all that I have lost along the way
And I can't wait

How do you sleep so peacefully?
How do you trust unflinchingly?
How do you love so faithfully?
How do you dance so joyfully?
Oh you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important (essential) things
And all that i have lost along the way
And I can't
No I can't
Come teach me
Of love and dreams
And all the most essential thing
And all that I have lost along the way
Cause I can't wait

sometimes

natalie loves to stand!...

and put everything in her mouth

and to smile

she had fun during her first outing at the lake...

and she loves her uncle steve...

and she had lots of fun with birthday boy andy...

and her laugh is so amazing!

sometimes i can't believe that God placed this sweet baby girl in my arms. she is perfect to me, and there is nothing in my life that i have ever enjoyed more than being her mom...i love her so much. i love watching her sleep, play, smile, laugh...i love everything about her.

thanks for keeping up with our lives, loving us and praying for us!

recent happenings...

our girl turned 4 months old this week! i can't believe that 1/3 of a year has already gone by...she is continually changing, growing and amazing me...thanks to kristen for letting us borrow the exersaucer!!!

stats: 15 pounds and 13 ounces (90th %tile)
25 and 1/2/ inches (95th %tile)

natalie loves watching her puppy sadie and laughs hysterically at her...they are going to make a great pair!

nat got to have lunch with her aunt katy this week!

so i tried, i tried to be a good housewife and cook dinner. last week i planned all the meals for the week. friday night, i cooked an "italian roast" in the crockpot. needless to say, on friday night we ended up at the mexican restaurant after tasting my delicacy! i am not a cook.

my girls...nat and sadie!