the aquarium in atlanta

Reaching in touching starfish and other sea life...

Lila was mesmorized by the fish...

The huge Beluga Whale

an american girl

During spring break, we decided to get out of town for a few days and head to Atlanta. Since our summer is going to be crazy with moving and getting a church off the ground, we knew we would not have a chance for a vacation for awhile.

One of the things we wanted to to with the girls was to take them to the American Girl shop to pick out a doll. This is going to be their birthday present for this year. Their birthdays are not until April and July, but like I said this was the only opportunity we would have to do this.

Ava checking out the merchandise.

Lila hanging out.

Just one of the cut setups and scenes with the dolls.

Emma trying to make her choice for her doll. She was so overwhelmed!

After the girls made their choices, we ate at the American Girl Bistro. Ava is feeding her doll Kit.

Emma's doll Felicity

Ava's doll Kit

Ava has some of the goofiest put-on smiles!

Because this was part of their birthday, the waitresses sang "Happy Birthday" to them. They are now so confused on when their birthdays are.

lila kate at 2 months

Time has flown by since little Lila was born. She is getting so big! We are already fitting into 3-6 months clothes. I love her little chubby legs! It looks like she is going to be a blue-eyed girl like Emma and me. She has begun to smile and coo at us. But, nobody can get her to talk and laugh like her two big sisters!

I think the picture in the rocking chair is going to be a tradition for us at every milestone age.

I love this cool over the shoulder pose. It reminds me of someone posing for cheesy senior portraits.

a new beginning

When we left Dallas to come to Tupelo, we never in our wildest dream thought that we would now be leaving Tupelo to plant a church in Memphis. In fact, I remember so clearly both of our prayers as we made the journey to Tupelo. God, just let this be a place where we can really put down some roots. Let this be a place we can be at for the long haul.

I can also remember leaving Memphis for Dallas with the question, "What if?" on my mind. What if there was a really gospel-centered church that was contemporary in worship, believed strongly in discipleship and was highly missional in the Memphis area? Memphis has been on our heart since the day we left Memphis. There's something about growing up in the city and watching the apathy towards the gospel and people who are tired of being disappointed in churches that makes your heart ache and grieve to see restoration in the city.

When we came to Tupelo we never thought that God had given our pastor, Sam Shaw, the same desire. We thought he was done with Memphis, been there and done that. But, God had continually placed Memphis on his heart since he left.

I truly believe that God has allowed us to have unrest and to move around many times in order to prepare us for this moment. Our journey has led us to this point with Pastor Sam in order that we can plant this church in Memphis. Also, we have been out of our comfort zone. We have not been allowed to get too "comfortable" in any place. I think that is because with church planting you have to be flexible and roll with the punches so to speak. So now after having asked God so many times ,"Why are we moving again?", He has given me the answer. It is for such a time as this. I now see the hand of God so clearly writing out this story.

So now we step out into faith and truly believe that God is holding us in his hand, guiding our every move.

"When I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul." Psalm 138:3.

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one that goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

A passage that helped me get confirmation...

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;" Acts 17:24-27

Leaving is hard. Leaving is hurtful. I pray that our relationships we have made in Tupelo are not contingent upon us serving there at the church. I am praying diligently for Hope Church, and I hope they will do the same for us.

As for now, it is time for a new beginning...

backyard fun

Sunday, after church, the girls ripped off their smocked dresses and exchanged them for some play clothes. It was such a gorgeous day! We needed some relaxing sunshine after a stress-filled Sunday morning.

But, really, aren't all Sunday mornings stressful?

I know they are for me as the single parent trying to get out the door and make it for church. In order to make it to service, it takes us a good 3 hours to get out the door. If I can't make it to a 10:30 service on time with 3 kids, you can forget about bible study prior to service. People ask me all the time why I am not more involved in a bible study on Sunday mornings. My response? I would be happy to as long as you're coming over to help us get out the door:)

This past Sunday morning was no exception to insanity. We were actually doing pretty good, and we are time. That is, until the welcome time of the service. A sweet lady notified me that I still had the sticker left on my newly purchased jeans. You know, the sticker that says your size OVER and OVER again as it runs down your pants leg.

Way to go, Kelly. Major self-esteem booster for the new mom of 3.

Then, as soon as it is time for the teaching, my sweet Lila decides that her constipation issues are over. She begins to let out horrific gas complete with sound. But no, that's not enough. She grunts and grunts until her issues are... well should we say, resolved.

And then the crying begins. Loud wails ensue. I can't get out of my seat fast enough.

So... needless to say, between the embarrassment of the proclamation of my size and the bowel movement of my child, it just makes you wonder, why did I even come?

But, anyways, on to the pictures.

Here's Lila looking a bit sleepy since she decided to forego her nap during church.

We recently gave our dog away to a sweet family at our church. This was the pen we had for him outside. Ava was acting like she was stuck in there. If only I could stick my children outside in it for awhile during the day...

I'm not sure about this little pose of Emma's. Reminds me of a pin-up girl's pose.
Picking "flowers", otherwise known as weeds.

My marathon runner.

A good old-fashioned race. It was really just a ploy on my part to make sure that they were good and tired for a nap.

this one is for the hubby

After I posted the last round of pictures, the hubby told me that I didn't even post his 2 favorites.

Because I am a mind reader?

Just kidding.

So, this post is for you, honey...

I do love this picture, though. Anyone that knows Emma, knows how quickly she gets frustrated. She wants to know how to do everything and how to do it right. No patience at all. I just can't think who that reminds me of:) Her face says it all in this picture.

Ava having a sweet, innocent moment...

some film from a month ago

Jason got back some film recently and this is what we found:)

The girls love to play dress-up. I have conceded to the fact that if we are going to be at home, Emma and Ava will not be wearing anything that I have put them in. Apparently, they have way better fashion sense than me.

Emma as a bride. We need to save this picture for when she gets married one day.

Ava as Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

I think Lila was only a couple of weeks old in the following pictures.

Look at those tiny feet! And those chicken legs! No tiny legs anymore. We've got some nice baby rolls going on now.

Emma at her "laptop". Maybe she's seen us doing this a little too much.

All snuggly in her chair...

presley's 2nd birthday

I was so excited that we all got to attend my best friend Candice's little girl's 2nd birthday.

Candice is such a creative person ,so I knew that Presley's party would be adorable. Candice did not disappoint. Presley's party had a garden/bug theme, and it was precious!

The cake... the centerpiece. Seriously, how cute is that?

Candice made the tissue paper flowers that hung from the ceiling. There was ladybug and bumblebee balloons and even the food was themed with items like "ants on a log", celery with peanut butter and raisins.

Lila hanging out before she went to sleep.

The birthday girl holding her first purse that she got as a gift from her grandmother.

Precious P... poor thing ended up sick later that night.

Presley and her Daddy

Emma and Ava watched so patiently as the gifts were open.

Nothing like some yummy cake to top the party off!