"Why would you want to move to Malawi?"

Mmm...hard to say...

Shirley at Seven Months

So I think this may be a record for me.  This might be the fastest I've ever gotten Shirley's monthly pictures up.  But we're leaving for Malawi in less than two weeks, so a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.  

This girl is just so much fun!  I always hoped that my kids would have personality, but I always feared that they wouldn't in the end.  Well, Shirley did not disappoint.  

Shirl girl had some pretty big milestones this month.  She went from army crawling to full on crawling and she is starting to pull herself up on furniture, mostly on her knees but sometimes on her tiptoes as well.  She is quite the explorer and she is getting into everything!  But I think I said that last time.  

She also loves to talk.  Her favorite thing to say is "da da."  Every time I tell her to say "mama" she says, "da da da."  Whatever, Kwacha, she doesn't know that it means Daddy yet!

She also loves to squeal and laugh.  She loves when her daddy comes home and they get to play on the couch.  She loves walks with friends.  She still doesn't cry much unless she's really hungry or tired.

Of course we still have moments like in the picture below.  ;)  She's not a perfect angel, but we just adore her.

Seriously, could I love this kid any more than I do?

A lot of people seem surprised that she's crawling already.  I don't know what it is.  I think she has her daddy's natural strength and we do give her a lot of floor time.  Mostly because she likes it and I never wanted her to be a kid that cries as soon as you set her down.  I just never want to sound like I'm bragging.  Our kids all reach milestones at different times but in two years, they're all going to pretty much be at the same spot.  

The Bible says that "children are a blessing from the Lord."  That's all kids.  I don't find the Bible making any exceptions or caveats in that regard.  Whether your kid is happy or cranky, cries a lot or smiles a lot, he or she is a blessing.  Isn't God just so good?!

Three Months

Life is busy with a sweet little three month old.  Her updates are almost the only things I get up here on this ol' blog.

I just never knew I could love a little baby this much! I may have said so before but I always thought having a little newborn might be a little boring.  But I could stare at this little one all day!

She found her hands this month and loves sticking them in her mouth.  She is just starting to figure out she can use them to reach the things she wants.

I don't really understand why people assume she's a boy.  She looks pretty girly to me, but because it happens I have been putting a lot more headbands on her lately.  This one is a little big, but I love it.  ;)

During tummy time Shirley is just starting to lean to one side.  She may be rolling not to far off from now!

She is just such a sweet baby!  She doesn't cry much unless she is tired or hungry and she is smiling all over the place now.  Although it's still hard to catch on camera.  This week she produced her first real belly laugh!  I was holding her on my lap and she was standing and kind of bouncing.  Once she bounced really hard and kind of fell and I started laughing pretty hard and then she started laughing really hard!  I thought I would die!

She kinda looks like she's conducting or something here.  She loves to kick and move her arms.  She's also "talking" a lot more.  I love how her little personality is shining through.

Oh little Shirley Lindi, we love you!

The "Forgotten" Pictures: Getting Ready

Okay, these are officially the last pictures that I am posting from my wedding.  Again, these were taken by Jessica Waymeyer.  Who is still in high school!  I'm telling you, so talented already!

Another talented friend, Brooke Johnson, did my makeup and a few other girls.  She's very talented too!

My mom and technology.  ;)

My beautiful sister.

Don't know what they're talking about here, but it looks serious.

I had always wanted one of these hangers one day, and a sweet girl in my small group, Lindsey Nardone, got one for me!

Yet another talented friend, Josh Rivas, fixing my hair.

The faithful sister with her bright nails came with.

Our last single sister walk.

And then I fixed her hair at home.

The only picture of my shoes that day!  :(

Sweet friends!

On our way out!