A few updates . . .

While I'm in the habit of blogging again- let me fill you in on some family updates:

JOSHUA: Well, as you can imaging, our little man is walking. He has been taking steps for about a month or so, but a few weeks ago he took off- literally. We think he has forgotten how to crawl. It has been fun to watch him "refine" his walking abilities. Of course, this means Jeremy and I have to chase after him more! Joshua also has 7 teeth- and loves mac and cheese, cottage cheese, wheat bread, and just about anything he tries.

JEREMY: The school year has started at App State and Jeremy is in the full swing of things with the InterVarsity students. He has lead 2 retreats already and the chapter will have its first Large Group Meeting tonight. Joshua and I got to join the leaders and freshman at the New Student Dessert Social that IV hosted 2 nights ago. Jeremy is adjusting to the college life schedule again. He had a meeting last night from 9-11pm! That won't be a regular meeting time- whew! Jeremy has also been spending time with the pastor at our new church and the church has given Jeremy an office! This has been a huge blessing for us and the IV ministry. I got to pick out the color and we have painted it and moved in all the office items from our house!

TRACY: I have been flooded with memories of college as I have walked the campus and the downtown area the past two months. I LOVE BOONE! I have reconnected with old friends, and met lots of new ones too. I go walking with another mom (she has a 4 month old) at the Greenway and it gets me out of the house and Joshua gets fresh air. I start a MOP's group next week and this will be a great place for me to meet more mom's and get time to be refreshed by Godly women. I have also enjoyed our new church and Joshua has lots of ready and willing baby-sitters. I start a women's discipleship group next week with some of the women there and I look forward to knowing them better. I'm still taking naps during the day while Joshua continues teething. Yay for naps.

Happy Birthday Joshua

My little man turned 1 today. Jeremy and I can hardly believe we are the parents of a 1 year old. It has gone so fast, and so much has happened. We are so thankful to God for the work he has done in our family. We are having a party this weekend to celebrate- so look forward to some fun pictures!

Until then- for the 12 months we have had our little man, here are 12 things I love about him (in no particular order)

1) I love that he gives me tight hugs around my neck now- oh yeah- and he gives them to other people too!

2) I love that his eyes seem to be getting deeper and deeper blue- they are gorgeous!

3) I love how he waves 'bye-bye' to Jeremy when he leaves for his office in the morning. He sometimes walks to the glass door and waves and waves until Jeremy is out of sight.

4) I love that I still get to steal a nap with him every now and then on the couch.

5) I love how he has started throwing toys up in the air while screaming (not so sure the neighbors love that!)

6) I love taking him to the library on Tuesdays for story time and watching him interact with the other little ones.

7) I love that he has started trying to climb into everything: boxes, bags, even my purse!

8) I love how he figured out how to drop cheerios through a hole in his booster chair. I thought he was really hungry one day- ends up the carpet was hungry and Joshua was entertained!

9) I love giving him lots of kisses because soon he will be too embarrassed for it!

10) I love that he picks up his toy cell phone and puts it to his neck and says "hi"

11) I love that he babbles and babbles all day long, sometimes forming words, but mostly babble- and he looks like he knows what he is talking about!

12) I love when I come home from running errands, or a meeting, he smiles and lights up when I walk in the room and says "ma ma".