Turning 32!

Daniel turned 32 on May 11. We celebrated on his big day at our house with cinnamon rolls for breakfast, a visit to his school to bring him lunch, and dinner at a sushi restaurant. THAT was a labor of love on my part. Not a fan of sushi, but, I did try some. It wasn't terrible, but, I won't say I'd ever really choose it myself.

sushi dinner

birthday kisses for Daddy

We celebrated his birthday AGAIN with a steak dinner at our house this past weekend. Daniel grilled steaks and I baked potatoes, made salad, baked a German chocolate cake, and served rocky road and vanilla ice cream. It was such a nice evening with our small group. (Michelle, we missed you and hope you are feeling better now! And, Brendon, bummer that you couldn't fly in from Uganda for the party, but we understand. ;-) We're looking forward to seeing you in just a few weeks!!)

the guys

the gals

new milestone: SITTING UP

Josiah began practicing sitting up around 5 months, but toppled over quite a bit. We discovered that if we sat him in front of his basket of toys, he could reach for things inside and was able to sit for longer and longer. Over the past few weeks his back muscles have gotten stronger and stronger, and instead of sitting for seconds, he sits for minutes! He still topples over at times, but he's getting better day by day.

Josiah and his basket of toys

Introduction to sitting in the grass...wasn't too sure about it at first

Playing with Curious George on a pallet in the front yard

"....the better to eat you with!..."

Josiah got his first two teeth at 5 months and 8 days and 5 months and 12 days...these are the little bitty buds. They are about half way in as of today.

Easter in Ruston

So, it's time to play blog catch up....

We spent Easter weekend in Ruston. The weekend equaled an Easter picnic at Mamaw & Papaw's, fishing, celebrating Papaw's 81st birthday, church on Sunday morning, and lunch with the fam at Granny's.

Papaw's pond

4 generations

Meredith catching her first fish with her Papa

Josiah getting his first close look at a fish

The men & boys

The ladies & girls

Bubbles, bubbles, and more bubbles

Cousins

Granny

Bedtime Stories

Yes, our son is just that good....he can hold a book twice his size by himself AND read himself his bedtime story from his Bible. ;-)

Thanks, Amy Greek, for the great book!

easter photo shoot...

contemplative Josiah: "what's up with this weather? one day i get to go outside in the warm air, the next day it's cold again and i'm cooped up inside! i like days like today when i can go outside!"

rock star Josiah: playing his air guitar and singing his own rendition of "He's alive!"

and, 'Elmer Fudd' Josiah: "shhhh....be vewy, vewy qwi-yet. I'm hunting wabbits."

laughing with Daddy

I took this after Daniel came home from work yesterday...

feet.

I guess all babies do it. But when it happens to your baby, it's just that much cuter!

Josiah has foundhis feet! And, it's terribly cute.

It makes diaper changing a bit more challenging now that he's so interested in putting his feet to his mouth, but again, it's terribly cute. But, I could be biased! :-)

You know, this blog has become mostly about Josiah now, but I guess that's okay, right? I mean, his arrival has totally changed our lives!! And, who wouldn't be okay with a face like this changing your life?!!!

reflections on this past decade.

I did it. I turned 30 at the beginning of this month. Today I am 30 years and 10 days old.

As I reflected on the past decade, I was really amazed to remember all that God has blessed me with in the past 10 years. Here is a brief overview:

I started the decade as a junior in college.

I went on mission trips to Turkey and to Kenya.

(on the way to Turkey)

(in Kenya)

I graduated from college.

I moved to Egypt and lived there for 2 years. While there, I visited Lebanon, Syria, Morocco, Spain, Gibralter, and France.

Upon my return to the States, I moved to Fort Worth, TX to begin seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

I began teaching ESL to refugees with Catholic Charities.

I fell in love with a co-worker.

And..3 1/2 months later, he proposed!

We got married and Kim Hood became Kim Audi.

One year and a half years later we were pregant!

We bought a new car.

We traveled to Nepal.

We had a son.

We are buying our first house...(picture to be posted after we move in)!

What a decade! The Lord has blessed me beyond measure. I am trult grateful. Can this next decade get any better?

with a little help from his daddy...

Josiah made me this birthday card: