6 people 12 times-...April...

This picture was taken in our backyard after church on Easter Sunday...another tripod/self timer shot...

Looks Can...

be deceiving! As I was looking through the pictures that I took this afternoon, I fell in love with Will's expression in the one below...then I noticed something black in Will's mouth...so I zoomed in and realized not only did he have mulch in his mouth but he had nasty, gross snot coming out of his nose....

he's still absolutely adorable...and the whole family agrees.

Micaiah said to him recently, "You're just too cute, I can't keep my hands off of you!"

Multitude Monday #681 - #735...

"Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead."
Kristian Stanfill

I praise Him by counting the gifts He daily bestows upon me...

681...Isaiah 45:3
682...hearing my watch chime the hours
683...hearing him say " I may stay for dinner because I just like being around you guys."
684...hearing stories of donations given to NURU
685...a friend calling to check in
686...realizing Families Where Grace Is In Place is challenging my thoughts on parenting and my relationships in general
687...pink clouds during sunset
688...exploring the mysterious wonders of a cave with Micaiah's class
689...time with Micaiah and his buddies from school
690...hearing him belly laugh
691...baseball with the boys after the rain
692...time to play with the camera
693...mud dripping from rain boots694...leaves on our Japanese Maple tree in the backyard

695...watching an old video and realizing they grow up so fast
696...Eli calling me to see "slimys" at the back door
697...his uniform all laid out for his first game...10 hours later
698...his first hit
699...his first pitch
700...receiving an insurance check for speech and OT services...we were told would never be reimbursed
701...silence
702...time for reflection
703...actively wiping my written sin away as a reminder of what Jesus has done for me through the cross
704...time for communion
705...lighting a candle to remember Christ's sacrifice on my behalf
706...releasing my burdens to the one that is my "Burden- Bearer" Matt 11:28
707...a time for remembrance
708...God answering a prayer for an appointment to be rescheduled
709...watching Will laugh at Dad juggling
710...a run with my Dad
711...dying Easter eggs with the boys

712...an afternoon nap
713...boys playing nicely together for a period of time
714...praying with a friend
715...bike ride with Will
716...purple in the sky at sunset
717...filling Easter eggs
718...designing a maze of strings for the boys to follow to their baskets on Easter morning
719...seeing them walk into church
720...corporate celebration of Jesus' resurrection
721...counting eggs


722...glorious weather on Easter Sunday that only encouraged the celebratory nature of the day
723...a family afternoon hike
724...a first aid kit in the car that came in handy
725...a big purple ball found in the woods at just the right time
726...seeing brothers caring for one another
727...amazement over God's handiwork

728...brothers exploring the woods

729...that my family can climb mountains
730...finding a geocache
731...refreshing cold water on a warm spring day
732...watching them run together to retrieve the car for the rest of us
733...a Dairy Queen treat after an afternoon hike in the woods
734...dinner delivered by a neighbor
735...that Jesus paid it all!

Belly Laughing...

Will laughing at Poppy juggling...he had to have pulled a muscle laughing this hard...keep in mind this video is just a glimpse of the 5 minutes or so he spent laughing...

video: if you received this post via email...please visit www.wjmace.blogspot.com to view the video

After the Rain...

I finally had a chance to take some pictures this past weekend. I don't really feel comfortable leaving Will alone for too long these days so the amount of pictures I'm taking has significantly decreased...so it was fun to capture the boys while they played outside after the rain.

Will and Daddy watched from the window...

Beginning Steps...

video: if you received this post via email...please go to www.wjmace.blogspot.com to view the video

Multitude Monday #644-680 ...

"Let my mouth be full of your praise and your glory all the day long."
Psalm 71:8

I continue on my journey of living a life of thanks to the Lord...

644...bubbles on a warm sunny day
645...Pivotal Circumstances of Andy Stanley's Message on "Five Faith Catalysts"...wow...tears
646...birds singing early in the morning
647...a babies imitation
648...watching him strengthen his muscles in the moon shoes
649...his intensity
650...1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18...give thanks in ALL circumstances
651...a warm spring rain shower
652...Will learning to "throw" a ball
653...God's constant reminder to LOVE
654...my husbands wisdom/encouragement
655...ditching his bike in the woods and running to catch a view of the CSX train going under the bridge
656...early morning baseball with Josh and Eli
657...driving time with Micaiah
658...seeing how he loves his littlest brother
659...a pedicure for tired, hurting feet
660...an afternoon babysitter
661...grass in the yard...even if we had to buy it and even if it lasts only a little while!
662...reminder to stay near to him
663...dinner with my husband
664...the brightness of the colors after a warm spring rain
665...rainy walk with the boys
666...boys in rainboots
667...puddles splashing
668...water flying
669...flashlights
670...batteries (I appreciate these during a power outage)
671...reading books with a flashlight
672...a gas hot water heater
673...his excitement over the Easter story
674...our baptism service at church
675...rejoicing over lives changed and redeemed
676...an afternoon walk
677...time with my best friend to talk and pray
678...a full moon lighting up the clouds in the sky
679...rejoicing over the work of Nuru in Kuria, Kenya
680...a new week to press into Him

Streaming Sunlight...

Joshua enjoying our favorite tree at the neighborhood park...

Multitude Monday #586 - #643...

"Teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12

One way to number them is to give thanks for days gone by...so I continue my journey toward 1000 gifts...

586...bowling shoes and duckpins
587...sunshine
588...housechurch girls and the way they care for me
589...Joshua welcoming new friends
590...more customers for his daycare
591...him listening to Daddy sing during rest time
592...the joy of hearing him sing along
593...one little monkey jumping on the bed
594...the little man dancing in the car
595...chat time with a neighbor
596...him putting words/sounds together
597...night of prayer for a close friend
598...Eli pretending to be a monkey all day
599...the school system offering some compensatory services
600...encouraging words from his teacher
601...a yard full of neighborhood kids playing
602...reading about those who have gone before
603...pondering the risk vs. the reward
604...connection time with my husband
605...a friends encouragement
606...sleep
607...hearing Eli call out "I see forsythia!"
608...Josh's anticipation/excitement about his book talk
609...alone time with Micaiah
610...warm chowder on a cold rainy day
611...boys dressed as spies...sunglasses, pens and all
612...little boys using the hand held vacuum
613...seeing his little hands wave
614...him cooking in his chef hat and apron
615...catching him look at himself in the mirror
616...seeing him take a step on his own
617...Dance party rejuvenation
618...evening read aloud
619...hearing "Will you snuggle with me?"
620...excitement over elevator buttons
621...wanting more of God
622...chocolate ice cream all over his chin
623...little walking shoes for him
624...lunch out with Eli and Will
625...a neighbors help
626...his persistence in learning the frog stand
627...family movie night at church
628...seeing 100's of families snuggled together
629...popcorn and candy treats
630...heart to heart talk with one I love
631...an early morning run
632...a favorite pair of jeans
633...surprise on my pillow
634...little boy in a baseball hat
635...seeing them play basketball together
636...neighborhood girls night!
637...brothers singing him Happy Birthday
638...Will turning one
639...a fun day at the zoo
640...seeing him in catchers equipment
641...this message especially 14:19 on
642...the example of Paul's heart for the people in Acts 17
643...truths in this book

Happy 1st Birthday Will...

a little year in review...

Will 2 weeks old...

2 months old...

4 months old...

6 months old...

9 months old...

Will today...

Will...we love...

"That you are so fun to play with and you are so cute." - Micaiah

"That when I come down the stairs to see you, you go 'Ah, ah, ah' - Joshua

"I like Will." -Eli

"I love watching and hearing your excitement for life." -Mommy

"I love when I come home from work and you go crazy." - Daddy

Happy 1st Birthday Buddy...we love you!