Nolan at 13 months

Our sweet little boy is growing up so fast! Our good friend Rachael Rolling is getting into photography and took some adorable pics of our little man earlier this month at the Botanical Gardens. I had so many favorites, but here are just a few I wanted to share...

New edition to our family!!!

Meet Daisy...our newest edition to the family. We adopted her today at the Shelby County Humane Society. She is 2 years old and such an adorable white, black and spotted Terrier mix! She has such a sweet face and her precious eyes just won us over:) She's a little on the shy side, but with lots of love we will help her to quickly warm up! We couldn't bring her home today because they're going to fix her on Monday. She'll be ready for us to take home on Tuesday afternoon and we couldn't be more excited!! We are really looking forward to having a dog around the house again!

Just showed up

Lately, I have felt God moving in powerful waves through me, in me, and all around. I think I've really felt "free" and have allowed God to work in a powerful way to not only heal me medically, but to also dig a little deeper. It's just the simple everyday things. Being a true servant. Doing the right thing when it's easier to do the other. Being an encourager. Sharing my faith. Letting His Word become ALIVE in me. It's being content no matter what the circumstances are, or just allowing myself to be open with my hands ready to receive. I feel SO BLESSED and SO LOVED by God and I am so THANKFUL to Him DAILY for all the good, all the positiveness I have, and for letting me be a light among this world we live in...that's falling apart by the second.

I came across this song today I frequently used to listen to. It's very inspiring and makes me smile every time I hear it :) It's about someone "Just showing up for their Own Life"...meaning letting God live it for you. Knowing He's in Control...Always...and that His ways are always higher than our own. Are you fully letting God live your life for you or are you preoccupied with living it how you want...only letting God in when things don't go so well?

Just Showed Up For My Own Life
By: Sara Groves

Spending my time sleep walking
Moving my mouth but not saying a thing
Hoping the changes would take by working their way from the outside in
I was in love with an idea
Preoccupied with how a life should appear
Spending my time at the surface repairing the holes in the shiny veneer

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

I'm going to live my life inspired
Look for the holy in the common place
Open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed
I'm going to feel all my emotions
I'm going to look you in the eyes
I'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives

Nolan finally walks by himself at 13 months

After much walking around the house pushing his little car, Nolan discovered this week that he could stand up from sitting down and dance! It's been so funny watching him shake his body and move his head to the sound of music!! Anyhow, Saturday afternoon after doing this several times in a row, he walked all by himself a few times. I guess he figured out the whole balancing thing! My parents were here this weekend so they just happened to luck out and see his first steps. I was able to take a quick video while my mom had music playing and was dancing with him so he would walk again. Check this out:

Nolan's 1st day of school

Today was Nolan's 1st day of school at the Early Learning Center at the Church of Brook Hills. He is in the Toddler A class with 7 other students on Wednesday and Friday from 9am-2:30pm. They have a long day filled with structured play, Spanish, art, music, prayer, playground time, lunch and afternoon nap. Nolan had a great report for his 1st day and his teachers said he was very happy and curious all day...playing well with the other kids and climbing on everything!! As soon as I dropped him off this morning he went straight for the tumble mat area in the room. Our child literally has no fear as he crawls to the top, stands up...and falls backwards! Whew..trying to give mama heart failure on day one! Overall, Eric and I are so proud of him and are so excited for all he is going to learn in the upcoming months.