Sister Saturday

These aren't the photos of Erica meeting her baby sister for the first time, but this was the day that Erica gave new shoes to Mary Lane. Erica wanted to give her sister a kiss on her head, but couldn't quite reach. I wish I had a picture of Erica grabbing Mary Lane's head and trying to bring her closer! These are going to be fun days ahead with a toddler and a newborn! Stay tuned for more pics!

Hymns

I went for a walk at Radnor Lake this morning and decided to take the Lake Trail, since it would be the shadiest route. I love walking through the woods and love the quietness of the trails at Radnor. But one thing that makes me a little nervous is that I might take a wrong turn and end up on the most strenuous trail Ganier Ridge, like I've accidentally done before. It's not the end of the world if I get up there and it's a really good work-out, but most of the time, it's not my first choice of trails.

For some reason, when I get in the woods and come to the forks in the trails that lead out to the road, I get turned around. Thankfully, today I remembered from past experience to just keep turning right and that worked. But as I was walking and thinking, the old hymn, "He Leadeth Me," came to mind and I began to sing the chorus (or refrain I guess it's called) in my head.

I actually couldn't remember all of the words past the first two lines, and then started humming another part of the hymn. As I was on the way home, I realized that I was actually putting two hymns together and so I got out a hymnal to try to get it all straight. The other hymn I was remembering is "My Lord is Near Me All the Time" and I think they go together very well:

I've seen it in the lightning,

Heard it in the thunder,

And felt it in the rain;

My Lord is near me all the time,

My Lord is near me all the time.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,

By His own hand He leadeth me:

His faithful foll'wer I would be,

For by His hand He leadeth me.

I'm not a songwriter or composer, but maybe I should pass along this idea of a medley to one of my friends who does that kind of thing. Regardless of whether anyone else ever puts this together, I am thankful that My Lord is near me and leads me all the time!

"Twins" born (almost) two years apart

I think we can tell they're sisters! Both pictures were taken on their first day of life, almost two years apart.

I'm C-R-A-Z-Y about these two girls!

Introducing: Miss Mary Lane Massey

My newest little niece joined us on
Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at 8:27 a.m.

7 lbs., 11 ozs./18 inches long.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." James 1:17-18

Sister Saturdays

I've decided to start a new feature on my blog called, "Sister Saturdays." I had the idea a couple of months ago and didn't get around to following through on it yet. But since a new generation of sisters will be born when Erica's little sister arrives this coming Thursday (Lord willing), I thought it would be a good time to start. Sometimes I'll share sister stories and other times I'll just post pictures. Hopefully it will be fun for everyone and a good way to chronicle one of my favorite relationships in my life.

Last Saturday, Jeanette and I continued our sister tradition of getting pedicures together in the days prior to her giving birth. When we did it in 2008, I think I treated her, but this time she had some "mad money" she wanted to use. Both times we had fun getting pampered while spending time together chatting. And there was laughter involved, which is a pretty normal occurance for us!



These sweet little shoes are going to belong to the new sisters later this week. I had heard of some pricey shoes for girls called "Twinkletoes" and went in search of some knock-offs at Target. Everyone's favorite big-box store came through and even had some similar shoes for newborns. And yes, the little ones came without laces, but I will be adding some ribbons so they don't fall off little sister's feet when she is going home from the hospital! I'm planning to give Erica her shoes on the day she goes to the hospital to meet her little sister and am going to let her bring the little shoes to her sister as a present. Stay tuned for more pics!

I must have blinked

I really am not sure how it is possible that Daniel is already fifteen years old, but I must have blinked at some point along the way and missed him growing up!

No, not really. The fact is that I've had the best seat in the house (front row center) to watch my baby boy growing into a man. He's not quite "there" yet, but I can see it, and I have to look up when I do.

Since this is the first time I've been away from him on his birthday (he decided to spend his birthday with about 30 or so of his friends in Washington, DC, on the youth mission trip), I thought that gives me license to be a tad bit sentimental. So, let the music to "Through the Years" play in your head and take a look at how fast this has gone by!

July 2, 1996

1st birthday (kind of blurry, but you get the idea)

July 2, 2000

Turning FIVE! (Party at the bowling alley)

July 2, 2005

TENTH birthday (at LaserQuest w/ a Star Wars cake)


This was on Mother's Day this year, and you can see that he's taller than I am,

even with me in my high heels!

Happy Birthday, Daniel!

We will keep celebrating your milestones with joy!

Love, Mom

Happy Father's Day!

to the best Daddy and Grandpa ever!

from the one who first called you Daddy

and the others who came along

First day as a Grandpa, July 2, 1995

and holding his first granddaughter, August 22, 2008

You are loved!