Baby Steps

Yesterday was a big day at our house. Abigail took her first steps!! The three of us were playing in her room with mom on one side and dad on the other. She was able to take several steps between multiple times. What a fun moment for us. It was perfect. We were just hanging out, and she did it. I immediately hugged her and began to cry. God obviously heard my prayer for peace. He delivered me from one of my fears. I didn't miss this big moment. Charlie didn't miss this big moment. The three of us got to experience it together. I have thank God a hundred times since then that I was there. Still today, it makes me tear up to think about it. God is good. Look out world, Abigail is on the move.

Praying for Peace

This week marks the end of the wonderful summer vacation we teachers get to enjoy. It has been fabulous. THe time with my little girl has been so blessed. My heart is already beginning to hurt as I think about having to leave her to go back to school. All my mommy fears are returning. Right now she is quite the mommy's girl. Will she forget me when she is away from me so much? Will I still be the one she looks to for comfort? Will we build a strong relationship when I am away from her more than I am with her? These questions might sound stupid to some, but to a working mom they are true fears from the heart. Last year I was still nursing all the time, so I had the connection and knew that I was the only who could provide that for her. That part of our lives will be ending soon.

I have been praying for peace for my heart. God is greater than our hearts and he knows everything. He knows each fear listed, plus those that I won't even admit out loud. He knows that my heart hurts, and he hurts with me. God also knows that my child is in wonderful caring hands. She won't lack for anything. She will be showered with love and attention. My heart knows that, but ....God will take care of me. He will give me strength and endurance. He is the God of peace and all comfort. My God is bigger than all my troubles.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 4

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious prescence without fault adn with great joy, to the only god our savior be flory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore. Amen"
Jude
That verse found me shorty after our miscarriage. I knew that God was the only one keeping me from falling. It remains true throughout life.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." PHillipians 4

I am so thankful for every minute that I have had with my sweet daughter this summer. It has been such a blessing that I know not all working mothers get. My favorite thougth here is the word guard. I picture God placing a little peace soldier at the door of my heart to knock out the fear and hurt that come my way. God is guarding my heart.

"I sought the Lord and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. Taste and see that Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. " Psalm 34

The Lord is good. My prayer is that he will be my refuge, He will be what I seek to be my strength. God is so good.

Oh Oh The Summer Nights

Summer nights are one of my favorite things. The peace and quiet of enjoying family and friends without pressure of rushing home to get ready for school and work. Even people who are not off for the summer like me seem to be more relaxed on those wonderful summer nights. The word linger comes to mind when thinking about these nights. They are a time to linger by the pool and just enjoy. Tonight was one of those perfect summer nights. We spent the afternoon at the pool. Watching my husband and daughter play in the pool makes my heart happy. I love watching them have fun together. My sweet Abigail enjoyed the water and giggled and laughed happily floating in her pool. The night was capped off with hamburgers on the grill and good conversations by the pool. No night at the pool is complete with out naked kids laughing and jumping into the water. School will be back soon, but until then, I hope to enjoy a couple more of these fabulous summer nights.

We Clean Up Real Good

For our anniversary my wonderful brother in law took some pictures for us all dressed up. We are both pretty casual people, so it was a good chance to get us both all dressed up. Here are a couple of the photos he took. For the rest go here http://dubois.smugmug.com/Portraits/Couples/Rachel-and-Charlie/12953678_yFSeC#936747271_GK4Aj

Beach Vacation... Well sort of

At the end of June we took our first vacation as a family of three. We headed out about 6 am in order to keep Miss Abigail asleep for as much of the trip as possible. This didn't work as we all as we had hoped, but we made it. Charlie and I are usually very quick with our stops. We get done what we have to and jump back in the car to reach our destination as quickly as possible. Obviously this was a little different this trip. Our usual 5 minute breakfast stop took a bit longer since we had to feed, change, and dress a baby. We also took another break at a rest stop to let her play around on the ground on a towel. It made our trip longer but helped to make a it much happier for our girl.

We took this vacation with our dear friends from Arkansas. We lived in their rental apartment our first year married. We hadn't seem then in awhile, so it was great to catch up and introduce them to Abigail.

We had a great first day of playing in the pool and eating dinner together. Sunday was our one really pretty day. We spent most of the time in the sunshine. Charlie even took kid duty and let me spend some time reading in the sun which is one of my favorite things to do.

The beach was different this time because of the oil spill. We were able to take walks but not get in the water. It makes me sad. I would have loved to be able to take my daughter into the water. It also scares me because it doesn't seem like this will be over or fixed for a long time. I wouldn't think that we even know the extent of the damage this oil spill will cause. We didn't get to enjoy the beach much of the ocean, but we still managed to have a great trip.

Abigail loved the pool and her new friends. The Anderson kids gave her more attention and playtime than she's ever had before. She loved all the attention. Overall we had a wonderful trip. We had good food, time with old friends, Daddy off work for a week, pool time. Vacation was good!!

A rare picture of Mom and Dad together

Abigail enjoyed splashing in these little fountains

Standing on the pier in the middle of the ocean

Walking in the sand with Daddy

Family photo op

Abigail and Sweet Caraline

She didn't seem to mind the sand between her toes.

A Fabulous Fifth

Friday Charlie and I celebrated our fifth anniversary. We really enjoyed our day together. We ditched the kid for the night and left her with my parents. She seemed to enjoy a little spoiling time with her grandparents, and we enjoyed a few hours of time for just us. We had dinner at fabulous restaurant in Downtown Nashville called Prime 108 which I would highly recommend. Everything we had was delicious. We splurged with appetizer and dessert since it was a special day. SInce we were all dress up for the special occasion we had my brother in law take some "engagement" type pictures of us together. I think we look even better five years later than we did on our wedding day. It was nice to have some time away for just the two of us, but I sure was glad to have Abigail back in my arms Saturday morning.

I am so blessed to have been married to Charlie for five years. God knew what he was doing when He gave him to me. The past five years have been great for us with just a few bumps in the road. God has given us a great gift in each other, and also in our little girl. I look forward to seeing where the next five years will take us.