We're making a move.

In January, our family will be moving to Gwinnett County as Aaron starts a new position at 12 Stone Church as a part of the Spiritual Formation Team.  There's a lot of excitement and anticipation about this next season and new position.  We will be moving from a church we love dearly, and people that we have built lasting relationships with, in a step of obedience to where He is calling us as a family.  

After the New Year, we will be packing up the house, selling a lot of furnishings and decor as we consolidate and simplify for the move.  Just wanted to share what's coming up and ask you to be in prayer with us as we make this transition in the coming weeks.

Happy New Year!

Michele  

Marlee at 2.5 months

Marlee had her first doctor appointment yesterday (since she was 1 week) and she came out with a good report!  She weighs 13lbs and is 24.5 inches "tall".  She's in the 90th percent for height so far - but those silly percentages always change.  She has a little thrush which we finally have medicine for but other than that, they said she's doing great.  

She has had a few nights where she sleeps from 8pm-8am.  Most nights she goes to bed at 8pm, nurses at 3am then wakes for the day at 8am.  I figure anything is better than being up ALL night!  So far she's been a great baby, smiling, cooing and really coming to life a lot more lately.

Sleeping - like a baby

At the doctors office 

Dressed up like a little doll - I just couldn't resist!  These are the little pants I made for her.  Hopefully she will get to wear them on Christmas too. 

Walker in his "UP" glasses.  

He's been a handful lately, I think the "new sibling syndrome" is finally kicking in along with being 2-years old.  Lots of fits, being ugly and just acting out and talking out in general.  I am hoping and praying that it won't last much longer - I might lose my mind if so!  I'm trying to be more intentional with my time with him, and not worry so much about things like our ENTIRE mattress being covered in laundry!  speaking of...

A Visit from the Dedge Family!

This weekend we were lucky enough to have some of our very best friends from Birmingham pay us a visit!  Thankfully, they brought Marlee's future husband, Foster Dedge.  We went shopping, had lunch at a great little local restaurant, shared baby tips and ideas and did lots of catching-up!

  I'll be saving the following photos for there rehearsal dinner one day.

 Look at those lips!  How precious!

 Foster and Marlee enjoyed some tummy-time together

 Pretty little girl just looking around

 Hey Walker, what do you think about Foster?

He thinks he's AWESOME! 

Ok, you can kiss my shoulder - but that's it! 

He'll make a great brother-in-law, dontcha think? 

Hopefully Becky won't kill me for posting this photo - maybe she doesn't read the blog!  I'm pretty sure we are both still in our pajamas, and apparently I have a bouffant! 

Getting to spend time with these guys was a breath of fresh air!  So thankful for The sweet Dedge Family!

Where mundane touches sacred

Thought this was a great encouragement for Moms from a blog I enjoy reading!

http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/2011/11/where-mundane-is-made-sacred.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lifeingrace+%28lifeingrace%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Hope it encouraged you too!
Michele

The Rock Ranch 2011

Yesterday we spent the day at The Rock Ranch with friends and family.  We have never been to The Rock Ranch before so it was all new to us!  There's SO much for the kids to do here, and it's fun for the "grown-ups" too.  It's owned by Truett Cathy, which says it all!  

The Rock Ranch Mission:

The mission of The Rock Ranch is to use all the resources entrusted to us by God to cultivate positive life memories in a safe agricultural environment that fosters fun, education and growth.

Here are some pics from our day!

Walker flying high with Aaron - there's Addison on the ground waiting for her turn!

Here's my mom and Dana's mom on the zip line - they are wild women!

We took the double stroller - that thing is a lifesaver with all these little people running around

Goo-Goo and Andoo - or Rachel and Andrew - what a cute couple!

Me, Walker and Marlee the Owl.  Her hat came from this etsy shop.  It fits just perfect and was a great deal  Check out her shop when you get a chance.

Lolli and Walker

The whole Zakeri clan - this is about as close as we can get to all looking at the camera

Mr. Blue eyes himself

Lolli and Dana's brother Seth in Tiny Town

Here's our bonfire site.  We brought food for lunch and then roasted hot dogs and s'mores for dinner.  It was SO nice having a fire to return to during the day.  I LOVE the smell of a fire especially on a nice crisp day!

Aaron guarding the sign...very serious he is

a little 6th Anniversary smooch...don't tell the kids

Terri, Dana, Me and my mom.  My mom and Terri have known each other since they were teenagers and Dana and I were womb buddies!  I would say we all qualify as lifelong friends!

Dana has 3 little girls and is expecting their first little boy in April!  Bless his heart!

Me and my precious Moma.  She's the best!

Walker and Dana's dad.  He and Walker instant instant buddies.

Dana's 3 girls.  4, 3 and almost 2

Marlee sticking her tongue out at the paparazzi!

Daddy and his little owl

Walker and one of his ladies, Taylor

Dana and Matthew our long-lost McDonough friends

The Rock Ranch at sunset

Our blazing bonfire - there's Matthew and the girls roasting marshmallows in the background

If you and your family ever get a chance to make it to The Rock Ranch, it's totally worth the trip.  I think it's an affordable place to spend the day and supports a wonderful family business.  There's a ton to do, it's super-clean and there's plenty of beautiful scenery.  We had a great time and would love to make it a Fall Family Tradition!

Walker Monroe - Full of Life!

Walker and I played outside earlier this week while Marlee napped.  The weather has been SO mild, so we are soaking up as much as we can.  It also helps him burn off some of that 2-year-old energy that he seems to have an abundance of!  

We played his version of baseball, ran in circles in the back yard, then took a break for a mini photo shoot.  He didn't last long, just long enough for these little shots.  None of these photos have been edited - that's why I love them so much!

 Reaching high

 Examining a leaf

 Just keeping it real.  

 Love my babies in white!

 Those eyes!  

 Such a handsome little man - full of life!

 Sweet smile rolling in the leaves

 Throwing the leaves up

 Letting them fall!

What a blessing you are to me, Walker Monroe!

It's hard to believe how fast he's growing and changing.  Talking so much, making me laugh constantly, proving to be a wonderful big brother, showing compassion to others, pushing my buttons, and stealing my heart all the while.

He's been taking himself to the potty lately - he will come running through the house announcing that he's made a "big doo-doo and a yittle one too"  His excitement isn't limited to the house - he also likes to announce his pottying in all public places as well, and ask others if they have "tee-tee in pants"  I'm so proud of him for doing so well potty training, and so thankful to not have 2 in diapers!!

6th Anniversary St. Simons Island

This year in celebration of our 6th Anniversary we headed to St. Simons, GA.  My dear college friend Rachael was getting married also so we were able to celebrate with friends! 

It was a little cooler than we anticipated, but we had a lot of fun visiting the sites on Saturday.

 Aaron was VERY excited to visit the Lighthouse - as you can see!

 World's largest magnifying glass apparently!

 Like my "big smile"

 Check-out that ear!!

 Brooke was testing out her new fancy camera - she'll be a professional in no-time!

 Here we are in front of the Lighthouse and Museum

 Marlee Grace while she wasn't crying!

 Nice light

 Nice Lighthouse!

 St. Simons Shore

 Old-Fashioned Bottle Warmer

 Aunt Brooke keeping Marlee warm

 Modern-Day Bottle cooler

 Raw Oysters, no thank you!  There's Brooke's husband, Cory (pr his right arm anyways) somehow I have no pictures of him - but we were thankful to spend time with him too!!

 Marlee stretching our for a bit at the wedding.  She was SO good for us!

 On our way home we stopped off in Savannah for some sites and food...of course, more food!

 Savannah candy kitchen

And here's 3/4 of our family,  Walker stayed with my mom and had a blast riding 4-wheelers, eating corn-dogs and doing all things boy!