Saturday, March 23, 2013

A Glimpse Into the Happiest Day of the Year!

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Or make that week.
And my mind is completely not prepared yet to write all about her birthday week just yet.
Maybe that post will come when I get the Shuffield's photos of Grey's party!

I will say that this week was more than I ever dreamed.  In every way. (Okay, minus the birthday princess having croup...)

A little peek into our week through photos:

On the First Day of Spring we decided to set out some spring stuff at big brother's site.  Grey was a trooper since she did not feel well at all.

52 Weeks
I can't believe this was my last of the "yearly weekly photos".  Oh sweet girl.
Since I didn't do a "52 weeks" post, I must say my favorite thing she learned this week was making loud kissing noises while doing fishy lips. ;)

And the day I have dreamed about for years and years and years arrived.
God's faithfulness is all over this.

Early morning snuggles on her BIRTHDAY!  
She slept in Daddy's arms next to the humidifier, because we caught the croup this week, so I scooped her up for some birthday kisses first thing.
We started out the day with one of her favorite foods.  

Mmmm Momma! 

We had a lame attempt at our monthly photos.  I had too many mixed emotions to worry about them being "perfect" this time.  She is the happiest person I have ever met, and that was what I wanted her birthday to be about.  Who cares if we can't read the words, right? :)
Basically she is PERFECT at 12 months.


Oh...remember this person at one week?!..
Am I the only one who LOVES the "newborn old person" look?  Take in those itty bitty legs in that NEWBORN onesie!

1...

2...
Seriously.  These are almost too much for me to see.

3...

4...

5... 
(Definitely her biggest monthly change was between 4 and 5, plus we lost our dark hair!)

6...

7...
Oh no...my 7 month post was deleted somehow? :'( How did that happen?  I can't find it anywhere.  

8...
Our 8 Month photos were super tight to squeeze in, so we couldn't even change into a onesie!

9...

10...

11...

12...

Wow.  I can't get over those photos.  I really thought my [mostly] organized/OCD personality would regret the fact that I didn't take them all in the same onesie, in the exact same location, but as I look through these photos I am only seeing the sweet changes.  Thank you Jesus for this gift.

The Shuffields posted her birthday invitation photos!

Her friends got her a cool lollacup to celebrate World Water Day!

Eek!  A little sneak peek from today's PARTY!

Our kid doesn't mess around with cake folks.  
She comes by it honestly. ;)

Grey's birthday party was filled with our dearest friends and family celebrating our little princess.  
The kids painted canvases to send to an orphanage in Rakai, Uganda.  
Gifts were above and beyond.  
The gift of clean water was given.  
The cupcakes and "smash cake" were the most darling things I could have imagined them being.  
The decor was fun.  
Grey ate more sugar than she's had in her life combined.  
And then some.  
It was sweet.
Thank you ALL for making our little princess feel so loved and special.  You have been such a precious part of her life this past year (and 8 months while she was in my womb).

How our children have changed us.  I cannot wait to see what this next year brings. 
Thank You, Jesus.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Birthday Week - Prayers for Grey


Prayers for my beautiful daughter 
Grey Danelle Erwin
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Deuteronomy 6:6-7

 I pray that you will come to know Christ and follow Him:
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”  Romans 10:9-11

I pray that you recognize evil and hate it:
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards, the lives of his faithful one and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.  Psalm 97:10

I pray that your sins will be brought to light:
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalm 119:71

I pray for your protection against evil:
 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  John 17:15

I pray that you will be kind and forgiving towards others:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

I pray that you’ll have the courage to stand up for what is right:
“Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Joshua 1:7

I pray that you will have respect for authority:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Romans 13:1

I pray that you will choose wise friends:
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.  Proverbs 13:20

I pray that you will marry the Godly man the Lord has chosen for your life.  Second to salvation, this is the greatest decision you will make:
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?  What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?  Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said: “I will live with them
  and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
  and they will be my people.” Therefore “Come out from them and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,  and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

I pray that you will have Godly love in your marriage:
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would utterly be scorned.  Song of Solomon 8:7


I pray that you will love the Word of God and hide it in your heart:
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

I pray that you will guard your heart against evil and choose right.  It will be your continual source of joy and life:
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  Proverbs 4:23

I pray that your words and thoughts will be on the Lord:
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Proverbs 19:14

I pray that you will seek God’s guidance daily:
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.  Psalm 143:8
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

I pray that you will submit to God and resist the devil:
Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  James 4:7


I pray for a hedge of protection around you:
Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes;

    I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way.  Hosea 2:6

I pray that you will always have the joy and peace of the Lord:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Romans 15:13

Friday, March 15, 2013

51 Weeks

Yesterday was very emotional for me.  I know my weekly updates for Grey's first year are coming to an end... not to mention she is about to be 1!  I know there are SO many wonderful things to look forward to with each stage and age; I would like time to slow down a little though.  Sigh.

I don't mean to be biased (although I know I am), but Grey is the happiest baby I have ever known.  She is pure energy and JOY all the time.

The springtime weather was LOVELY yesterday, so we enjoyed discovering things in our yard and a cupcake (for me) and park day with friends:

We get a glimpse of big brother in his little sister's love for dirt, sticks and mud. ;)

Park days are the BEST!  She fearlessly climbs the structures and goes down the big slides!

I snapped a few photos this morning too, so why not share? :)  
In 30 seconds, she gives a lot of expressions.  :)


"Where's your tummy Grey?"

I can't get enough of these rolls.

We have really noticed Grey's increased maturity in so many ways lately.  She is communicating more, instead of getting frustrated easily.  She is always trying to make us laugh and figure out what is going on.  It is never a dull moment around here.

I cannot believe that at this time last year we were praying each moment for our daughter's health, while on hospitalized bedrest.  It's almost surreal to imagine what God has done for our family in the past 3 years.  

Grey, at almost one year old, you are AMAZING:
  • You know where many body parts are, including your tummy, ears, nose (okay so you think your mouth is your nose, but that is close) and feet.
  • You dance on beat.
  • You try to babble/mimic almost anything, though they don't actually turn into real [English] words.
  • You love being outside.  Sticks, leaves, grass, flowers, dirt, mud, all of it.  
  • You are the most inquisitive person I have ever known.
  • You light up our days.  I love you infinitely my little Boppy.
I prayed this Scripture over you the day I found out we were pregnant, and every day since then.  God has blessed you my daughter:
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:9-11

Thursday, March 7, 2013

50

photo I snapped yesterday while we were eating lunch together. :)

my happy girl this morning at 50 weeks old

Grey, at 50 weeks old:
  • You love to be chased all around the house!  You've enjoyed this game for a few weeks now, but you are really loving it lately.  You will run from us and hide and want us to chase you.  So fun!
  • You have a great sense of humor.  You are always trying to make us laugh.  Especially when we reprimand you or try to get you to sleep. :)
  • You are going through a major eating stage, so I'm expecting a growth spurt ahead.  Last night at dinner I gave you 1/2 an avocado, 1/2 a Greek yogurt, a pile of chicken, a pile of green beans, a pile of strawberries, a handful of cherry tomatoes, a handful of cheerios, crackers and a string cheese...and you were screaming for more!  
  • You are accepting shoes, and will even walk in them now.  
  • You are absolutely obsessed with all electronics: remotes, phones, the credit card scanner at stores, etc.  For about three months now, we haven't been able to trick you with "fake" ones or by removing the batteries.  You know if the remote is changing the tv or not. ;)  As we were shopping in Lubbock yesterday, you wanted to touch every card scanner and electronic in sight.
I love you more than anything sweet girl.  xo  I LOVE that you have spent the last 50 weeks making me smile.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Psalm 139:23-24