Little things

We may not have a lot in terms of money, achievement, and objects, but we have so much when it comes to the quality of our relationships, our faith, and our joy even through the toughest of times. Sometimes it is really easy to look at what other people have, and wish we could afford more. This has really been a struggle for me, especially, with the arrival of Ezzie and the realization of the dream I had not even identified in having our own home at this point and a bedroom specifically set apart for our little one. At this point in time we are renting a little home, and Ezzie's room is shared with our office. But... I have been picking out the little things over the past month and mentally making a note to write about the things that have blessed us so much, even though they aren't what everyone else might see as meaningful. First off, we are renting a house.. a house that has become our home. We have a backyard, and a dog who has made me feel safe when Jon has been traveling, and who does keep us on our toes. Ezzie's room may be a baby room/office, but it feels warm. I love the starry fabric hanging across the ceiling above his bed, and the suggestion of my friend Esther to put twinkle lights between the ceiling and the fabric to make it even more starry :)

I love how God has blessed us with the means to get things just at the right time. For example, I was in Target and browsing through the baby clearance isle. I found a bed skirt for his crib for a couple of bucks that matched the quilt I was making him. A couple of months later, there was a crib set for more then 75% off.. and a steal.. that was really cute, and surprisingly matched the bed skirt.

I have been able to find the time to complete the quilt I began making for Ezzie before he is born, and he fills my heart with joy everytime he begins staring and smiling at it. The colors really capture his attention - something I hoped to do with the quilt :)

I love that we had a free turkey for Easter that we could share with our friends. I love having people over and making them feel welcomed. We just added a recliner to our living room, compliments of our friends, and this has helped to add more seating and make the living room look more "homey."

We recently were able to get a trailer for our bikes that Ezzie can ride in... this has helped us to find another way we can enjoy the outdoors (even with the humidity and mosquitos) with Ezzie.

Our little boy is healthy - and I love getting to know him... what he likes, dislikes, what makes him smile, laugh, and what draws his eye.

The herbs I planted are actually growing, and we may get some fresh greens here to spruce up our meals.

There are so many little things I am sure I miss in the day, and I am so grateful for God's provision for what we need, and His help in being content with all He has given us and allowed us to give to others.

4 Months!!!!

So, our little guy turned 4 months! He is growing so fast, and learning quickly too! We have had some fun "firsts" this month. Ezzie laughed for the first time, began eating solid foods, went on his first bike ride, is holding things on purpose!, and is pulling himself up into a sitting position little by little! It is all very exciting :) Right now he is 13 pounds, 6.5 ounces. He is nearing double his birth weight (which will be 14lb, 2oz). We love getting to know our son. Right now he seems to prefer "seeing" us to "hearing" us. If he can't see us, even if he hears us, he usually will begin fussing until he can see our faces. He also loves bright colors, and stares at our airplane pillow cases, and the quilt mommy made for him. He fills our hearts with joy with his smiles, squeaks, and facial expressions :) Plus, he also just made it 10 hours without a feeding last night!

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful day celebrating the Lord's resurrection today. We spent time with other believers at church eating and then celebrating life and hope. Jon and I then had friends over for a feast later in the day. Jon and I made a turkey for the first time! It was edible and actually ok :) We had such a great time just talking and laughing with our friends. They say laughter is good for the soul - it was good for mine today :)

I was reminded of the healing God has done in my life, His power, and the hope I continue to hold onto... as time and time again I see His faithfulness. While I seek God each day, it is refreshing and encouraging to remember Christ's sacrifice that has brought life and hope into this world. We are so blessed to be surrounded by a community of friends, and even moreso to be able to see the work of Christ in their lives and our own. Sometimes it is easy for me to struggle with my faith - especially since God is not a tangeable human person who I can sit and talk with. However, I am reminded again that He has walked on this earth, and even though He may not be able to come and talk with me and give me a hug, I see His hand continually in the world around me. The beauty of truth to me is that there is nothing that can make it become un-truth. Even when my questioning becomes the strongest, God answers my need of assurance through revealing Himself through people, nature, or even an inner peace and insight into my own life and who He is.

Today was a special gift.

Auntie Julie and Uncle Russell Visit!

We had a great visit with Jon's sister and brother-in-law. We spent most of our time around Longview, but did take a small trip to a little tourist town called Jefferson. On our way we stopped at a historical marker in Harleton. Why is this important? Well, only 2 days after they left we had a tornado watch because a tornado had touched down - guess where? In Harleton.. and itty bitty little thing that only has a plaque to its name.

Ezzie loved meeting his auntie and uncle. His favorite thing to do was listen to his Auntie Julie talk to him about Oxford, college, and read Shakespeare, to name a few topics and things. He also had to have her finger in his mouth! Our little guy is teething, and loved her finger specifically :)

One thing that Jon loved doing while they were here was watch "Warbirds." This is a movie that I just shook my head about when we'd go to the movie rental store. Long story short - it is a movie about a group of female pilots in WWII who crash on an island infested with Japanese troops and dinosaurs. They kill the dinosaurs. Julie and Russell, more specifically Russell, took the time to watch this with Jon :)

Learning to sit up and use those legs!

"Boppin" in his Boppy - gotta love the spitup in the last pic :)

So, we have begun to encourage Ezzie in building his muscles to sit on his own! Boppies are one of the best inventions and really helpful when trying to let a little guy learn to sit without him plowing his head into the floor :) Though Ezzie is not quite able to sit on his own yet, he is getting better, and is discovering a whole new take on the world!


I discovered the jumperoo online a week ago, read all the reviews, and had to get one for Ezzie! (I think I may be more excited about his new toy than he is!) We tried it out last night for the first time and once he understood that he could bounce by using his legs he loved it!

I'm 3 months!

So, our little guy is 3 months old, and 12.5 pounds! The time has flown. We were told it would fly, and to really appreciate these days when he is so little - we are definitely taking this advice :) Ezzie has been smiling more than ever (but is SO hard to catch on camera!) , and has had a lot of firsts. He got his first cold about a week ago, went on his first plane ride with Mommy, put his hand in his mouth consistently for the first time without hitting his nose and eyes ;), discovered himself in the mirror - just to name a few! We also think he may be teething!!! He also has gotten to meet a lot of his family, :) and is excited for his Auntie Julie [Being weighed at Kroger]
and Uncle Russell's visit this weekend!

Mommy and Ezzie, Big Boy!, Daddy and Ezzie, First Flight!

On Mondays and Friday's Ezzie gets to play with his friend Sam. I, Tam, watch the boys on Monday, and my friend Deb watches them on Friday while I go to work. I am working at Heartlight Ministries teaching/mentoring students who are their for counseling and guidance in dealing with hard issues. This is a place I have wanted to work at since I learned about it 2 years ago. I am really excited about how God has opened the door for me to serve at this place.

Ezzie and Auntie Sarah!, Cuddles with Ari!, Good Friends :), Uncle Matt with his perfect "Ezzie hold"

Jon and I are doing well here in Texas, and we are looking forward to another year here. Jon wants to continue working at LeTourneau, and I want to continue working at Heartlight. We also love our community of friends, and are excited to be able to have another year growing in friendship. One thing that is neat is that a lot of our friends have kids around Ezzie's age, so he has a lot of friends to play with. We are blessed to be here. Someday, however, we still want to get back to the West Coast to be near family, and to have more of a rugged outdoors environment, but we are happy to be here right now where we feel led.

Great-Grandma Harmon, Great-Nano, Nana and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa

This is kind of an overview, but there will be more to come that are not so "broad" in detail :)

Playtime w/ Jackson, Eating w/ Uncle Sean, Finding Joy in Little Things :), Sam giving Ezzie kisses

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