Alissa Madison

Today I became an Auntie again! My younger brother Mark and his wife Mirsada are the proud new parents of a precious baby girl. Alissa Madison arrived this afternoon via c-section. She is adorable...and I'm not even biased. :-) The girls and I went to the hospital after school to greet the newest member of our family. There was quite a crew gathered at the hospital...guess we're all pretty excited! Big sister Ajla was so sweet and tender with her new little sister. I loved seeing Alissa in Mark's arms...he's such a proud Daddy - I think he's already smitten. We praise God for the gift of Alissa Madison!

Great is His Faithfulness

Last night, we witnessed this splendid sunset as we drove home. Then, on the way to church this morning, Ava said, "Look, a rainbow." We didn't see it at first and wondered what she was talking about. Suddenly we spotted a gorgeous rainbow in the western sky. I wanted to quick snap a picture (I can carry my new, small camera in my purse for moments like this - very handy), but my very wise 7 year old daughter said I should focus on driving instead. :-) So...I wasn't able to capture it, but we arrived at church safely.

It's amazing how much a beautiful sunset or rainbow can lift your spirits. I was thinking about that as we sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" at church. As we sang the words, I was thinking about the many ways he has blessed me, not only with beautiful glimpses of His creation, but also with a wonderful family and amazing friends. As we sang the last verse, Hannah reached over and wrapped her arm around me. Throughout the verse and refrain, she hugged me tight and I fought back tears. Yes, Lord, Great is Your faithfulness!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Jesus Loves Me

Music to My Ears

This is the conversation that I overheard on our way home from school today. It was music to my ears!

Ava: Hinnah, play dress up [when we] get home?

Hannah: Yeah, and how about school too?

Ava: Sure!

Hannah: I'll be the teacher and you can be the student.

Ava: Me teacher too, Hinnah?

Hannah: Okay, I'll be the teacher first and you can be the teacher next.

Ava: Sure!

Ahhh...it's pure bliss when my two cherubs make plans together, accommodate one another, and when they actually follow through with their plans. Today was one of those days.

New Camera Cuties

Today I got to try out my new camera by taking photos of these cuties. I couldn't think of any better subjects. Well, maybe Hannah too, but she was in school. I'll catch her next time.

Ava and her cousin Ajla are great buddies. They're both 3 and full of life and laughter!

Out With the Old, and In With the New

My battered, semi-broken and much used Fuji camera has been laid to rest. So long, old friend.

Meet the newest member of our family. My sleek, new little guy is a welcome addition. He even fits in my purse. Hopefully, we'll capture many wonderful memories together.

Gadgets and Gizmos a Plenty

Can you name what song that's from? C'mon, Sue, Kris and Stacy...I know you'll know it! You'll probably even burst into song when you read the title. :-) Well, the title means something different these days in our house. I am amazed at how technological our little cherubs are becoming.

When I was a kid, we had a black and white TV with no remote until I was in middle school, and we didn't get a VCR until I was in high school. I didn't own a camera until I was 10 and it was a hand me down that had a flash you had to attach. Our avocado green telephone had a cord hooked to the wall that we would stretch as far as it could go so we could talk privately in a closet. We played video games on our Atari until my dad step on it, and I don't think we had a computer until I was in college or graduated. We were a little behind the times on some things, since our techno savy neighbors had a color TV and VCR long before we did (thanks, Mom, for not making those things a priority in our lives back then).

Times have changed. Our girls are fully immersed in the techno age. They use our computer, know how to work our TV and DVD player, they talk on cordless phones and cell phones (I'm sure they'd probably love our corded avocado phone too, though), Hannah has a MP3 player, they each own a digital camera (they're not that great, but a camera none the less), and they both love using my iPod Touch whenever they can (I think there are more apps for them than for me). As much as I love all of the technology that makes our lives "easier," I want our girls to be little girls and not grow up too fast. Doug and I will do what we can, but looking at these pictures, we may already be too late. :-)

Doesn't Ava look so old (and lovely sitting on our new couch)? :-)