Greer's Birthday Day

We started off lazy, letting everybody sleep in.

Greer woke happier than a lot of days...she must have known that it was her day!

Since we were too late to go out for a special breakfast, we met Daddy instead for lunch. As we were leaving the house, Greer turned to me and said, "Mom, I need purse." Apparently, 2 is when you are grown up. She carried it around with her so seriously while we ran errands.

After playing instead of sleeping during naptime, she got up in time to see Daddy for a little bit and welcome the Baileys who arrived for a weekend visit. Their Claire is just a month older than Greer. After getting everyone ready, we went to the Links for dinner with them and the Clantons, also in town for the weekend. (More about the weekend to come.) It was so fun to play with all the kids and have birthday cupcakes after to celebrate Greer's day!

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Hudson, Will, Claire, Cameron, Madi, Greer & Gehrig...a couch full!

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Dancing to the music card that the Links gave Greer for her birthday.

From there, we were off to Daddy's football game. It went much better than I expected for Greer due to the no-nap afternoon and late bedtime! In addition to the Bailey kids, the Gs had a great time with Eric & Jessica's nephew, Mac, and Aunt Gretchen. It is always quite busy, but mostly fun. There will come a day again that I get to watch the game...but then I'll miss my babies being babies!

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Claire & Greer coloring.

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Greer and Mac. :)

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Playing with Aunt Gretchen's glasses.

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Great visiting time with Katie!

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Gehrig & Cameron did some practicing for their upcoming 1k on the football field after the game!

And Greer got a sweet birthday hug from cute Mac.

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We all pretty much crashed immediately when we got home, with the boys camping out in Gehrig's room like big kids. It was a good, long day...with more celebrating to come for the birthday girl!

Time, Why Do You Fly?

We've called her "babygirl" since the day we met her. It doesn't feel like that was two years ago and yet, of course, we can't imagine our family without her. She makes me smile...when she is being good and when she is fighting us with all that she has. She is fiesty and funny and girly and tough...sweet and happy and moody and affectionate.

I love her voice and her language. She has always been a great sleeper, but can and will do without if she is anywhere but in a bed. She counts to 12 and knows her colors, lots of letters and numbers. She knows that our family rules are "no screaming and no whining," but rarely follows them. She doesn't like to wake up and lets you know it...and really doesn't love crowds at first. Her favorite sayings lately are "No, Mommy!" and "I don't want to!" in the most pitiful sounding voice.

She loves her brother and loves to aggravate him. She tries to copy everything he does, saying "Awna try!" She is a pro at having her picture taken. Everyone at school says that she is such a big helper and loves to take care of everyone...cleaning any available surface with wipes and making sure all children are buckled in their high chairs. Everytime we get into the car, she asks, "Pees, awna watch a movie" even though it is a rare treat. I love to watch her bow her head, tightly close her eyes and squeeze her hands together when we pray. And she loves to sing her favorite songs... "Oh Happy Day," "Jesus Loves Me," "Twinkle, Twinkle," and "Glory (gory) to God."

She is getting so big right before our eyes. Happy birthday, babygirl! If it's okay, we'll just keep calling you that.

Punkins

Programs! Get Your Programs!

I have a new appreciation for the work of a salesman. Our FCA group went to the UGA-LSU game yesterday to help sell programs in exchange for attending the game. A portion of the proceeds goes to support the Athens-area FCA, so it was a great way for us to serve and raise money for them as well. It was hard work! And fun. We walked ALL OVER that extremely hilly (and beautiful) campus, convincing anyone we could to buy a program and support FCA. I am ridiculously sore today! After a few hours of working, we went into the game...and what a game it was!

What a great group. We are so blessed to have co-huddle leaders, Eric & Jessica, and these students are the best!

During warmups.

During the game...enjoying time with sweet friends, Chad & Kelli, Eric & Jessica and Chad & Catherine!

Visiting with the Dormans! Chaney said, "Will you tell Gehrig that we saw y'all?" in her sweet south Georgia accent. :)

Celebrating UGA's go-ahead touchdown with a minute left to play.

Meanwhile, Gehrig & Greer spent the day with the Links. Can you say "AMAZING friends?" They had a great time there...I'm pretty sure they didn't even care that we were gone! THANK YOU, Matt & Jenn!! :)

Crazy

Hard to believe it's already October! Sept pics are up...

FEE

We LOVE good worship music. We love musicians with hearts for God who use their talent and stage to proclaim Jesus as Lord and glorify Him in song. We love that there are different styles of worship and music so that everyone can praise Him in the way that feels comfortable to them. We love how music itself can make us feel more connected to God and speak to our hearts in a way that moves us more than words alone ever could. And we love that music is an avenue to instill the truth and grace of God into our children's hearts that will play over and over in their minds as they go through life.

Gehrig started many months ago listening to Steve Fee's Burn For You album every night to go to sleep. He knows every word and has the songs memorized by track number. He doesn't even completely understand of all that he sings under his breath as he plays, but God hears his praise. It is beautiful to our ears! Naturally, when we heard that Fee was coming here, we were thrilled (to go ourselves and) to take G to his first concert.

My boys...
Gehrig's fave...they were awesome!

SO happy.

Greer stayed home this time. We missed her but enjoyed a special date with Gehrig.

Afterwards, Gehrig got to meet them! He was SO excited (as you can see)! They were really great and sweet to him. He keeps asking to look at this pic and will remember it always. As parents, we are grateful for anyone or anything that further instills a love for Christ and worshipping Him in our children. So, Fee, you ROCK! In more ways than one.

Home Time

Just about the time that we were growing a little road-weary from the summer travel, school started back and we settled back into our fall home routine...it has been nice! With the kiddos getting older, we are starting more family-time traditions and doing more at church. We're also having fun at Daddy's football games, helping with FCA, playing (and coaching!) tball and loving watching college football on Saturdays together. Busy, but not crazy hectic. We are trying so hard to keep from letting life turn into a rat race for our family!! Being home almost every weekend the last couple of months has helped us catch up some at home and feel more relaxed. I love that there are different "seasons" of going and being home. So nice to have both.

One of our favorite "home" activities is being with the Links. We missed them a lot this summer as both of our families traveled a good bit and we missed out on our daily playtime. It's been nice to get back into that! (One of the things Greer says the most these days is "I want Jenn's house!" :))

Greer & Madi trying on some new clothes.

Madi is so patient and easy-going with Greer climbing and hugging all over her. They have their own understanding about it and think it is really fun!

I love these girls!

The Gs love to play and ride bikes outside!

And Greer...well, she just always, ALWAYS, finds a way to get very dirty...and usually wet. Good thing she is a 2nd child. I am much more relaxed about seeing her like this than I would've been if she had been 1st!

Fun playtime with friends, Pierces & Links...beautiful Princesses Fin, Greer & Mads.

One of many (I'm sure) dates for Beckett and Greer. :)

The big kids...

Just hanging out, looking at a toy magazine. "I want..."

And we love outdoor family fun! For the past few years, we have gone to an annual local arts festival. This time, it was especially fun since Gehrig is old enough to really enjoy arts & crafts. He thought making this clay pot was super cool.

They had areas set-up representing different countries. In Peru, G got to hold a snake! :)

Greer didn't have quite the attention span to make it through all the crafts herself. So, she just took turns loving on Mommy & Daddy.

In the sidewalk chalk area...hot.

Finishing out our day going to "China" for lunch...

Blessed and grateful.