A Day in the Life...

In case you have wondered what we do every day...here is a little look at a typical "Day in the Life" of our family:

Our Day:

Today Amy and the kids rocked out to Putumayo Kid's Animal Playground music, changed 18 diapers (so far), played countless games of "I Spy" and "Does it Rhyme?", and did one emergency laundry load...oh, and Maegli nursed 7 times (and don't forget the dogs and dirty dishes!)...

We started the day with breakfast and a trip to town for Davis' speech therapy. Then home for a viewing of Curious George, lunch and a devotional reading (about Gorillas!), and a quick toy clean-up. Next was a walk around the neighborhood (encountering 15 dogs and trailed by 4 for 2-miles) and home for coloring on the floor (on paper). After story-time, it was nap-time for the boys and project-time for Amy (knit bears and origami cranes). Two hours later, it was time for snacks, group play with Wedgits, and dinner prep (with audience). Our day ended with the much celebrated arrival of Daddy!!! Yay!!!

No fair weather fans here...

Burke fell asleep with his team (The Cincinnati Reds) leading 9-1 in the 7th inning. Go Reds!

Princess

"I call her princess" (Hendrick speaking of Maegli)

On the Road Again...

This past weekend we took another trip to Cincinnati...to visit Mike's side of the family (many had not yet met our two newest additions). It was so special for us to spend time with Grandpa, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Matt, Aunt Ann, Uncle Greg, Cousin Will, and Grandma Burke.

We are so blessed that our children are such great travelers...14 hours of driving is a lot for one weekend!

Prom - 1997

Trip down memory lane...

Amy (sophomore) and Mike (junior) before our first High School Prom - 11 years ago!!!

Mike took his Cincinnati Reds hat off for this picture - so cute!

We actually had our first date 12 years ago today...

3-months

Our little girl is 3-months-old! It is amazing how fast these past three months have flown by...Maegli has grown to almost 12-1/2 pounds and 23 inches, she is cooing all the time, sleeping 9 hours each night, does an impressive "superman" on her belly, and has so many dramatic facial expressions. We are so proud of our Magpie!

Captured

Davis' sweet personality was truly captured at his "2-year-old" portrait session.

Tumbleweed

Davis has a new nickname...

He is out-growing his "bity boy" name, so Hendrick came up with a new one:

...And his name shall be: Tumbleweed

Mission to Missionaries

Our family spent the weekend camping in Crossville, TN at the future site of the Mission to Missionaries retreat center. MTM is developing a retreat center designed specifically to meet the needs of missionaries from around the world. The site is a gorgeous 130-acre wooded-property complete with natural springs, picturesque streams, rolling hills and impressive bluffs...and will eventually include several cabins for missionary families.

*We highly encourage you to check out MTM - it is a great ministry...we are very excited about the work they are doing.

MTM held a work weekend on site - people were very busy clearing land for a future picnic area by the stream and parking lot. This is a wonderful ministry with wonderful people...we appreciated them welcoming our family to "hang-out". We enjoyed a hiked tour of the property, cheered on the work crew from our wonderful play area by the stream, and shared fantastic meals with everyone. Thank you Oliver and Mission to Missionaries!

The kids were amazing all day Saturday...and that evening we "enjoyed" our first experience tent camping with four children...in 34 degree weather...we survived! We look forward to trying it again in warmer weather...

Too Many Lions...

"Too many lions are called a Parade" (Hendrick)

April Showers

We are LOVING the rain! Our lake and flowers are growing.
Although, there are some things Amy could do without...ewww!
*The Boys were thrilled!

Gone Fishing

We had a wonderful weekend with Mike's dad. It was so nice to have him in town for Davis' Birthday and Burke and Maegli's dedications. We kept busy with a trip to the Children's Museum of Memphis...and of course Abyssinia Ethiopian Resturant! Also, Hendrick had fun fishing from the boat on our lake with Grandpa.

Dedication

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord."
1 Samuel 1:27-28

Today, through a Church Dedication, we made a formal and public commitment to raise Burke and Maegli in the ways of the Lord. Today we affirmed that these children are gifts from God and made a promise to do everything within our power to raise them in a godly way (with the support of our church family), prayerfully until they can make a decision of their own to follow Christ.
Pastor Eugene Brandt of Fellowship Bible Church performed the Dedication.

We thoughtfully chose a Bible passage for Burke and Maegli...these are verses of scripture we hope they will incorporate into how they live their own lives.

For Burke, we chose Ephesians 3:16-18:
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
We pray that Burke will always find his strength and roots in God's amazing love.

For Maegli, we chose Philippians 1:9-10 and Proverbs 31:10:
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live a pure and blameless life until the day of Christ’s return.
A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
We pray that Maegli will understand the importance of cultivating inner beauty that begins in the heart and is of great worth.

All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13

Birthday Boy

Our bity boy is not so bity anymore...he's 2!
It's hard to believe our Davis is a walking, talking toddler.

.

Two years ago...our precious Davis made his entrance - 9 weeks early. Davis has always amazed us all with his strength - God has big plans for this little boy. He has a loving heart, a gentle spirit, and the will of a fighter.

.

We enjoyed a lemon sailboat cake for Davis' Birthday... We were so pleased to have Grandpa (Mike's Dad) with us to celebrate.

Two Years ago...

Today...

Smiles

Smiles from little Maegli!