Fall Photo Session

The boys (Emmitt and Bruce, that is) and I were out walking the neighborhood recently when we met another fellow new mommy who lives close by.  We have become friends with Otilia and Dominik and, over the past several weeks, we’ve enjoyed meeting for mid-day walks and photo sessions of our babes and the fall foliage. We used Otilia's camera to take pictures (ours is broken) and it has made me so excited to have a new one of our own soon!

Otilia and sweet Dominik

Daddy came home just in time to catch the end of the photo session :)

Chautauqua Lake with the Obakers

A couple months ago we had the opportunity to go on a weekend getaway at Chautauqua Lake with Meredith and Jordan.  Our friends' parents live on this lake up in New York and we enjoyed a relaxing and beautiful weekend on the water. I learned a lot from Meredith's mother regarding hospitality during our short stay. We were greeted by peanut M&M's and Dove chocolate in our bedroom when we arrived! We did not pack warm enough clothes for Bruce, so he had the pleasure of wearing an adult size hat and 2T sweatshirt when we went out on their boat (see photos below).

Fouts Farewell Cookout

At the start of August we traveled down to Bridgeport to visit family and attend a Bon Voyage cookout for Ben and Michaela. The Fouts' got married this May and enjoyed a couple of months in West Virginia before heading out West for Ben's new job. They are currently en route to Bakersfield, California. They left last Wednesday and are traveling cross-country for ten days or so, working toward their new home on the West Coast. Ben planned some great pit-stops along the way - a baseball game, the Grand Canyon, and visiting extended family was part of the agenda. What fun!

We love these two and are so excited for the adventure ahead of them. They share a love for serving Christ and loving others. We'll miss them, but we know God will use them in great ways in California.

Four Months!

Bruce is now four months old (can you believe it?!). We are cherishing every moment,  enjoying each small victory in development, and laughing a LOT!

Milestones:

1. I love to stand
2. I've taught myself to roll over from my front to my back. I don't do it anymore. I know that I can and I've decided it's overrated.
3. I've found my voice and I squeal in high pitches any chance I get
4. I'm fascinated by my big brother Emmitt
5. I've found my right ear and I like to flick it often with my right hand
6. I sit up on my own with my hands in front of me in a tri-pod position
7.  I LOVE to look at faces in the mirror
8. I reach and grab for things. I especially love my toy keys
9. I smile constantly
10. I'm in 6 months clothes these days

Happy Thursday :)

Family Beach Trip

We're back! I know its been almost 2 months since the last installment. No excuses, but as Zach would say, "It's about time!".  Here is the first of a few posts I will be publishing about our summer happenings. In the beginning of June we went to the Outer Banks with my family. The week was filled with a lot of relaxing that involved eating,  lounging by the beach or pool, cooking fun meals, and playing bananagrams!! One of the things I wanted to do that week was take some nice beach pictures - the typical family ones where each member wears white and khaki. That was our planned attire initially, however we Hillegi (pl. form, pronounced hill- uh- gai) are blue people and so we decided, Bruce and I that is, to wear blue and white instead. My mom played along happily and headed-up the photo shoot, while my dad and Jane assisted, keeping Emmitt distracted and making Bruce smile.

Our Photographer

Zach, "What kind of ice cream are you eating tonight at DQ?"

Me, "I dunno, maybe an Oreo blizzard." Brucie, "I'm either going to have milk or milk."

Bruce, "Do I look sophisticated with my fist resting on my chin like this?"

I love love LOVE this picture.

All joking aside, this night was absolutely stunning. My mama captured some beautiful family pictures; I'm thankful to have them and have already used them here at home in decorating. God's goodness was literally radiating over the deep through the brilliant pink, purple, and orange hues. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the sun set. 

Aging Biblically

Hey family and friends!

It has been quite a while since we blogged. I think that it is a combination of going on vacation and Kait going back to work. We hope to get back in the swing of things soon. I saw this video yesterday on what it means to age Biblically and wanted to pass it on. Let's not waste our lives.

Every good and every perfect gift

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

I've been studying the book of James with a sweet friend in my neighborhood. We've been challenged and encouraged by this small book, dripping with promises and exhortations in regards to living daily life in the Lord. One promise I want to keep in the forefront of my mind is the one written above. Oh, how my mindset would change if I truly believed that every good thing is from God and that he grants me small blessings all day every day. Small or great, He blesses us with His perfect gifts, whether through difficult seasons or situations or a joyful time. Our Father of lights knows us intricately, knows what brings us joy, and knows exactly what we need. "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 Here are some gifts the Lord has given to us recently...

Getting to introduce Bruce to his great-grandmother!

Look, no hands! Bruce loves to stand and we have fun teaching him how to balance :)

Receiving a precious note of encouragement in the mail from a long-distance friend.

Gathering together with sisters in Christ to encourage and pray for my Sister-in-Law, Michaela, the morning of her wedding.

An unplanned, weekday visit from Bruce's Grammy!

Finding my two favorites snoozing on the couch together.

Appreciating that our 85 lb. dog still loves to snuggle :)

We got a surprise package of onesies in the mail with Bruce's name embroidered on them in different colors!

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make  joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" Psalm 95:2