Obey Your Thirst

I'm so proud of Jonathan for doing such a great job preaching in the Worship Service last weekend. He did an amazing job! Check it out on our church's website - Second Baptist Church. Click on "Media" on the left, and you can click on his message - "Obey Your Thirst."

Like Father, Like Son

I always have people telling both Jonathan and myself how much Brayden looks like us. It is such a compliment, and it's one of my favorite things to hear! I saw this picture today of Jonathan when he was little, and I couldn't believe how much it resembles Brayden! What can I say, I've got two cute guys in my life!!!

All I Want is My Two Front Teeth

The long-awaited top tooth has finally broken through! That may sound trivial, but the doc told us 6 MONTHS AGO that his top teeth should all four be coming thru "any time." Ha! I think it's a total guessing game for the doctors, because we went in a couple months ago for what I thought was an ear infection. The doctor said, "Nope, just teething." Well, no teeth came in; Brayden has had two bottom teeth since he was 6 months old...and nothing else. So, just this past week, one of his top teeth broke through - after a rough and evident bout of teething the previous two days. We now see two more top ones coming in close behind this one. So, finally, at a year old, our little guy will soon have his two front teeth!

Ringling Brothers Circus

Last night, we went and saw "The Greatest Show on Earth." We got to experience the Ringling Brothers Circus with all of the elephants, tigers, and acrobats. Brayden sat there intrigued by all that was going on and would break out in laughter while clapping at moments throughout the circus. It was quite a show - full of tumbling and daredevil stunts - and proved to be quite entertaining.

The intro performance...

Elephants, clowns, & acrobats

Family picture at the circus

Brayden intently watching the circus

The elephants performing

1 Year Stats

Brayden had his 1-year check-up at the pediatrician this week. He is a growing healthy boy!

Here are his 'stats' -

Height - 31 3/4 inches - +95%

Weight - 24 lbs. 4 oz. - 75%

Deal of the Week

This week, I headed to the amazing store of IKEA. I love that store! I am always inspired when I leave and always leave with a few goodies to spiff up my house. My favorite thing that I found was the Poang Children's Chair. It is just like the bigger versions, only made for little kids. I found it in the "As-Is" section, which means it was just a floor model with a couple scuffs that can be cleaned up, and it's as good as new...and it was a lot cheaper! I just couldn't pass it up, and I am excited to have this cute chair for Brayden to lounge in.

When I got home, Jonathan reminded me of how often I actually see kids *sitting* in chairs for longer than a few seconds. I laughed and decided to try it out...Brayden sat for a few milliseconds and then began to wriggle out... Oh well, maybe he'll enjoy it in the future! It was a great deal...and super cute!

Wiggling out of his new stylin' chair

Cake Time!

Here's the video of Brayden diving into his birthday cake...

Party Favors

For Brayden's birthday, I made party favors for the kids. I got the idea from my friend Becca's blog - Becca's PaperCutz. The favors were made from recycled baby food jars. I sprayed the lids with blue spray paint and used spray adhesive to adhere the paper circles to the tops of the lids. I used twine to tie on the tags with a personal message from Brayden that I printed on the paper. The jars are filled with fruit gummies for a small little treat for the kids.

1st Birthday Party

It's so hard to believe that Brayden is already one year old! This past year has flown by! Being a parent is one of the most wonderful things. It is full of ups and downs, but it is full of so much joy from this little gift that God has blessed us with. Sometimes I just look at Brayden and sit with wonder that he is MY child. God has given Jonathan and I this opportunity to love, guide, teach, and shepherd him throughout his life; I pray that we follow His leading in how we do just that. I want to point Brayden toward Christ. I pray toward that day when Brayden will choose to follow Christ with his life and live passionately for His Name.

Brayden's name means "effective," and we pray just that. I pray that he will be effective for the Name & cause of Christ. I pray that he will live his life in such a way that people see Jesus and want to experience what it is to know the Savior.

This weekend, someone said that we had 17 more of these ahead of us, and it struck me at how quickly it will fly by. If this one year has flown by as it has, I cannot imagine what the next 17 will be like. It will be an adventure, no doubt. And I am so excited to see Brayden grow "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man" - just like Jesus (Luke 2:52).

The birthday boy!

Digging in...full face!

He had to pick it up

so he could get a bigger bite!

Friends - Kelsey, Brayden, & Beige

Me, Brayden, Kelsey, & Julie

Gina, Me, & Brayden

Wiped out after the party

Guys Night Out

Jonathan took Brayden to the Astros Game this last week for Guys Night Out. He had fun and even spiked Brayden's hair.

1st Birthday Photo Shoot

The beginning of

the birthday cake experience...

...the middle...

...the end!

Birthday boy!

So sweet!

One year old...hard to believe!

Wanting to be grown-up like Daddy...

...but not yet!

Playing with seashells

4th of July

This Fourth of July, we went out with some friends to watch the fireworks in Kingwood. We got a great spot (on the driving range of the golf course!) and had a lot of fun!

Family pic

Brayden is ready for the fireworks!

Watching the fireworks with Daddy

Brayden LOVED the fireworks!

Mommy & Brayden

SLIDING...with Julie

at our church's 4th of July celebration

Hanging out w/ Kelsey

Matt, Julie, & Kelsey Kruger

Erin & Meredith (and baby Thurman)

Brigette & Brandon

Julie & Frazier

Me with Brayden & Kelsey

Allison, Chris, & Lauren