For Anna...

So, according to my sister, it's been far too long since I've blogged. Judging by the last picture of Henry on here, she is correct. Time has flown by too quickly, but we have been having so much fun! Thanksgiving and Christmas were filled with lots of family time. Henry started crawling before Thanksgiving and now he is walking!

He changes everyday, and it has been so fascinating to watch his little mind work. When the house alarm on the door beeps, he knows someone has come to see us and will start walking or crawling to the front rooms of the house. He'll sneak up and grab a spoon from the dishwasher if it is open and try to "run" away with it before I can get to him. He loves the toilet paper roll and will unravel it is seconds! Needless to say, we are having a blast!

I am still working full time and praying for a door to open to allow me to be home more. I am blessed with so much that lately it has been difficult to feel sorry for myself. Henry is able to walk; we are healthy; we have house filled with joy and peace, and Matt and I have grown closer to God and to each other through this entire experience. God has a purpose and a plan for everything, and I am certain things are going according to His plan and not my own.

FALL!

Fall is finally here! This is absolutely my favorite time of year. This year, especially, since we have Henry and get to share all of our favorite things with him! Yesterday, we walked to the Farmer's Market and picked out some pumpkins for our porch. Henry loved the pumpkins and even received his very own miniature pumpkin from the nice lady.

Next, we went to Shiloh National Military Park to enjoy the beautiful day. We walked around for a while and were kind of lazy...Last night was my ten year high school reunion, so Pop (Matt's dad) came and put Henry to bed for us. He was a complete angel and went to sleep like a big boy. It was such a great day, and I am sure just the first of many. I am certain that Henry will enjoy this time of year just as much as Matt and I do.

Henry is learning new things everyday. He loves to sit up and reach for different textures. He's still a little wobbly, but he's getting stronger and stronger. We discovered he likes to ride on our shoulders outside. He laughs the whole time, especially if you jump with him (he's going to love amusement park rides, unfortunately).

We are so grateful, for Henry and this beautiful time of year. Each season always amazes me when it rolls around. God must have had an incredibly fun time creating everything. Nature definitely cries out that we have an awesome Creator.

Happenings

Well, we've been through a few firsts this last week. Henry's first cold, his first fever, and today he has begun rolling over from back to tummy and back again. He rolled over a month ago from his tummy to his back, but now he can make a complete circle with his body. He is currently laying in the floor doing it over and over. It's going by so fast! I told Matt that he will be gone before we know it. We are having lots of fun...minus the sickness.

Hurricane Kevin and the Breeze have been playing their Recession Tour (where they play for food and no money), which has been lots of fun. Henry loves music, so he sits there enthralled by it all. Matt seems quite proud to have him out there as well. They are playing again on the 21st at Sweet Peppers at 6:30 p.m. Come out if you can.

Life is too short...

I ate lunch with a colleague today who was speaking about his approach to his work and how he liked to help out his other colleagues. He kept saying that "life is too short" not to help each other out and make things simpler. Why do we hold on so tightly to the concept that WE deserve this or WE are entitled to an easier life? Here is the US we definitely live in a me, me, me culture.

I was speaking with my sister tonight about her recent trip to India and how the children there are actually better off than ours because we spoil ours so, teaching them that they are entitled to all that the world has to offer instead of teaching them that because we HAVE, we should GIVE. I look at little Henry, sleeping so peacefully, not yet aware of all the toys he could have or of the lifestyle he will live compared to the impoverished children of the world. Is there a way to provide a comfortable life for him while at the same time teaching him that those who have less usually end up with more...more hope, more faith, more compassion.

I am convicted, because one of my main concerns about considering a part time job is that Henry won't have as much as the other children he knows; we won't be able to take Henry on as many vacations; etc. Will he feel different? None of that really matters though, does it? If we raise him to feel that he needs things to fit in, then we haven't done our job as Christian parents, have we? I know many families who do not want for anything and have raised the most loving, caring children that I will ever meet. I pray that God will give me the wisdom to teach Henry that our worth lies not in what we possess but in what we give away.

"Life is too short."

Family Time

It has been so beautiful outside that I do not believe it is truly July! Henry loves to be outdoors but is very hot natured, so we have been careful not to overheat him.

We took advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend and visited Shiloh National Military Park. We had a great time, and it was so relaxed.
I feel like all we do is rush, rush, rush...

Mom came and stayed for a few weeks but has now gone back to Florida. It is so hard to see her leave. We always have such a good time, and it is so much fun now to share Henry with her. Hopefully, we can plan a trip this Fall to go and see her. I would love to see what Henry does with the sand!

For Anna

I am updating my blog for my sister Anna, who keeps me on my toes. I created this thing to keep people up to date with what is going on in the Mitchell household, but I need updating myself sometimes! Time is flying by, and I cannot believe that Henry will be four months old next week! He is wonderful and so much fun.

He has most recently progressed from sleeping at night in his car seat to sleeping in his crib. He's been sleeping through the night for at least a month now, but he would only sleep the entire night in his car seat. He is eating baby food (cereal, peas, sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, bananas, applesauce, and peaches). Needless to say, he likes his food. He is looking more and more like Matt everyday. There are moments when he looks like me and my baby pictures, but those are only the sweet, innocent faces...

It has been very difficult for me to return to work and leave him with someone else all week. After almost two months, I am still not adjusting well. We are praying that God will direct us on what steps to take if He wants me to stay at home. Please pray for us. I really want to remain in God's will, so I am closely examining my wants and desires to make certain they are originating with Him.

Stay tuned; maybe I'll get better at updating this!

Summer Fun

It has been so much fun to experience everything with Henry in our lives. Everything seems exciting and new! He is such a joy and is such a happy baby. He is smiling and talking most of the time he is awake. Matt keeps saying, "He's just so cute."

We went swimming at my sister's house this weekend, and Henry loves the water! Whether it be bathtime or pool time, he is content in the water. He really enjoys being outside as well. It has been quite nice this week, so we have taken advantage of it. He jogs with me in his jogging stroller and talks the whole way.

Mom is home for a few weeks, and it is so nice to have her. I miss her more now that I have Henry. I call her lots to tell her what he is doing.

God has been so good to us, and we are so thankful everyday for His blessings.