Eli at Warp Speed

This post will be shamelessly devoted to Eli's development because I know that, all too soon, I will forget it all.

How you doin?

Eli is apparently growing and learning at warp speed.  I'm not kidding.  It's kind of scary.  Quick little update on what our almost-18-month old is up to...He began walking at 16 months and now that he has that mastered, he's moved on to his verbal development.  In the last three weeks he has gone from saying about three words to:

- Knowing animal sounds (dog, duck, cow, rooster, lion and pig)
- Saying car, more, shoe, hot, hat, and choo choo
- Being able to identify (point to) a dump truck, tractor, cement truck, car trailer, firetruck, garbage truck, crane, monster truck, airplane, train, and bus
- Knowing his eyes, ears, mouth, nose, fingers, hand, toes, foot, and hair
- Being able to identify extended family members...and Santa Clause
- Knowing how to stomp, spin and do a somersault!

In conclusion, this stage is SO MUCH FUN!

All photos in this post are courtesy of the one-and-only Aunt Katelyn.  You're welcome :)

Built on the Rock

At this point, some of you may have received a Christmas card inviting you to visit the blog to see what we've been up to.  In that case, I better get to writing.

Though I will always profess I am an eternal optimist, Ryan and I are good and ready to say goodbye to 2013.  This year has certainly been a bittersweet year of hellos and goodbyes, illnesses and healing.  Our pastor pretty well wrapped up the year last Sunday with a verse I've heard a hundred times.

Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

I could even sing you a little Vacation Bible School rendition if you'd like.

However, this verse takes on a bit more meaning when it feels like the ones you love are in a constant storm.  Ryan and I were talking about this last weekend and came to the conclusion that we better make sure our 'house' is built on a good, solid rock.  Because, as we saw this year, you certainly can't wait until you're in the midst of the storm to start construction.  You've got to already be there.  Thankfully we have a God who answers prayers and shows mercy every day.

This year we are so thankful for -
- The birth of our nephew Joel and the doctors who are helping him grow big and strong!
- Prayer warriors and modern medicine which are helping Grayson and Berkley kick cancer's butt!
- God's promise of eternal life as He welcomed my Uncle Brent home

We are blessed to be able to live another day with the jobs, friends, family and life that we do.