Lately

I can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks since I last wrote on my blog! I keep thinking about it, but haven't found the time to just sit down and do it. Any other bloggers out there have that problem? You constantly think, "oh, this would be great to put on the blog!", and after a while it seems like you have SO much to talk about... but then if you sit in front of the computer, you draw a complete blank. As I mentioned before, Chase is constantly changing and there is always something new to take a picture of! Lately he's been clapping a lot, which is really exciting to me because I've been clapping by myself for months! It's neat to see him use it as form of communication. These last few days it's really hit me that he's his own person... someone who is eventually going to be totally independent from me. He already expresses his feelings about what he likes and doesn't like, and it doesn't always match with what I want for him. I especially enjoy watching him decide what he wants to eat. If I fill his tray with green beans, cheese and cut up grapes, he ALWAYS picks out the grapes first! I'm not sure why, but this is so fascinating to me! I guess because it shows that he remembers that the little purple things taste good. And he has preferences! Wasn't it just a few months ago that he didn't even have a choice in the matter... it was milk and that's it!

Here are some recent pics, including a few I took while Chase's G-ma and Hansi were here for a visit:

At the power plant watching the manatees! I know, this is really strange... but at the power plant here on the bay, manatees and other wildlife gather in the warm water produced by the plant during the winter! It was actually really neat. So if any of you come to visit, don't be surprised if we drive you over to the power plant to see the manatees! ;)

Chase loves to swing at the park near our house!

Saying goodbye to daddy as he gets ready to leave for work! For a few days he actually waved "bye bye," but now he just claps!

Helping mommy with the laundry... he's obsessed with the washing machine and dishwasher!

At the local seafood festival with daddy. Can you tell they're related?!


I should also say that I haven't felt like myself lately. I feel heartbroken for my friend and I'm not sure how to stop thinking about what she's going through. Em and I have been friends since elementary school and we've been through everything together, but nothing compares to this. I feel like it's just not right that I live so far from her. I wish I could just go over to her house and give her a hug, or talk, or not talk. I want everyone to know her story because I'm sure that anyone who does will see God through her and her husband Chris. Just a few days ago I was telling someone about Emily's baby and they responded, "I could not be in her shoes; I don't have the strength." But none of us does! Emily would tell you herself- there's nothing magical about her. But she relies on God for everything and she has always been a beautiful example to me and many, many others... probably more people than she realizes.