Hannah's First 2 Months

I apologize for not blogging lately. Having an almost 9-year-old, a 6-year-old, and 2 3-year-olds is enough to drive anyone crazy, not to mention a mom who was really crazy just a few weeks ago. But God is gracious to us and we are all doing better. Lauren and Andrew have adjusted to their new school. Gabe and Hannah have just started 2 mornings a week at the preschool that Lauren and Andrew attended when they were little. Mommy is going to a Ladies' Bible Study again and loving it. Daddy has started running again. Hannah is gaining English pretty rapidly, her tantrums are much less, and she is starting to settle into family life. Gabe is prone to repeat our new mantra, "We're a family and we love each other," although with him it sounds more like "we wub each udder." Well, we are learning how to wub each udder, but it is stretching us in ways we couldn't have comprehended before. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." We have begun to figure out that we are so incapable of this love apart from the indwelling love of Christ. We fail to love this way so often. Our whole family is learning how much we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to love through us. It is a hard lesson, but a good one to learn. I'm sure we'll be learning it for a long time.

I know everyone wants to see pictures. I hope these photos will encourage you how much just a little love (even our imperfect love) can do for a child. Hannah is so different from that screeching, scared, tantruming little one we were handed just a couple months ago. We know that only the perfect love and grace of Christ can cast out her fears, jealousy and insecurities that remain. We are confident He will do it in His time.

Our First Family Photo, Potty Time with 2 3-year-olds, and Hannah's First Airshow