I look to you...

"God I look to you, I won't be overwhelmed. Give me vision to see things like you do. God, I look to you, I won't be overwhelmed. Give me wisdom, to know just what to do. I will love you Lord my strength. I will love you Lord my shield. I will love you Lord my God, FOREVER all my days, I will love you God. Hallelujah, Our God Reigns." 

For the past 15 months I have sung the same song to Raylee before she goes to sleep. I sing it for her... and I sing it for me. It is always a reminder to me that for FOREVER I will praise my King. It reminds me on days when I am so overwhelmed, and so tired, and at a loss as to how to do this parenting thing,  that I can look to HIM. 

My biggest prayer for our girl is that she would seek Jesus, every day. And desire to obey Him. But, some days it is all I can do to ask the Lord for wisdom on sleep, on healthy eating, and on discipline for our girl, and the vision to see things like HE does. 

As we prepare for life with another sweet Hunter baby, I am trying to soak up my days as a mommy of one. And, trying to wrap my mind around how my heart can love another sweet baby. I know HE will give me the vision see things like HE does, and the wisdom to know just what to do when I have no idea. Which, is most of the time :) 

Thank you for your prayers as we prepare for another baby Hunter (10 more weeks!! Yikes!) and as we continue to love our sweet girl! 

First Birthday Fun :)

We had a small birthday party for Raylee's 1st Birthday, it was a lot of fun... and well, a lot of work :) We were so incredibly blessed by our sweet family and were so happy that ALL of our cousins could be there too, but I think we will follow in the footsteps of some family's I greatly admire... birthday parties every OTHER year ;) We will see what next year brings, I might change my mind. ha. 

We really are so blessed by our wonderful families and are loving being closer to cousins! I love that Raylee delights in her cousins and always has so much fun watching them all play! 

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Girl! We love you to pieces!! 

they are moving here... in like a month!!! wohoo! 

cupcake!! 

the girlies :) can't wait to see them grow up together!

cousins are the best helpers :) 

Baby Teague missed the party by 2 days!! But we were so glad to meet him!! 

Raylee Joy is ONE :)

Our sweet girl will be one in just a few days! I cannot believe how fast this past year has gone. We are incredibly blessed with a happy, smiley, full of JOY baby girl! Thank you Jesus for your blessing! Raylee has been such a trouper over the last six months... a big move, living in multiple locations, not being settled, fun trips with ZOE, and much more! There has been lots of change, but she keeps a smile on our faces. We are so, so thankful!! We love you baby, happy first birthday!! 

At one year old, Sweet Raylee, you are loving Daddy! You cry every time he leaves and when he holds you, you cling to his shirt. It makes mommy smile! You are still loving mommy's milk and not too interested in food. However, we are slowly trying more and more, and I think we are making progress :) You still love music, and have recently fallen in love with a particular blanket. Mommy is so happy... she knows how special a blankie can be :) You love being with your cousins and visiting your grandparents. You are a joy to everyone you are around!!

Our sweet friend, Kateland, took these sweet pictures. These are some of my favorites! 

.... And, Miss Raylee Joy has an announcement to make .... 

we are all thrilled to announce that we will be a family of FOUR this April :) 

Thank you for praying for us as we prepare our hearts and home for another baby!

sweet summertime

We have had a busy summer! a major move from Arlington to St. Louis in May, house searching, ZOE Proximity Camp, volunteering at K-Kauai Family Kamp, a lake trip, Hot Summer Nights, and Andrea's wedding! Whew! It has been a whirlwind, but we are blessed :) Thankful for the Lord's faithfulness and provision for us. 

love my happy, smiley girl! Raylee Joy has been such a trooper  through all the change this summer 

visiting Uncle Dustin in Kentucky... he has chickens!! 

waterfalls in Kentucky

love my sweet family!

Stevie visited us! We love Stevie!! 

Raylee Joy LOVES my dad... she always reaches for him and loves his beard. :) ... and, I'm pretty sure he is smitten by her too!

Daddy and Raylee swinging at Aunt Andrea's wedding 

So, this is what naps look like with a baby! ha! The 3 of us have spent many nights in the same room this summer... grateful for a good sleeper, but daddy still needs his naps! 

getting so big!! 

lovin' the pool at K-Kauai!

serenade :) Raylee loves music, just like daddy! 

squinty eyes!! my silly girl :) 

not all nights are happy... Matt and I just laughed as Raylee begged to be in our bed too :) still a cutie, even with a frown!!

sweet snuggles 

Matt and I celebrated 5 years in May... M surprised me with a trip to Columbia, Missouri to relive our dating days :) It was so fun to be back!

swimming at Nana's and Grandpa's  

Father's Day 2013 

The Dukes came to visit us during HSN! We love them so much and were so sad to see them leave! So thankful the Lord put this sweet family in our lives. Can't wait to see them in October! 

what?!?! a wingstop in STL?? yay!

looking forward to our first fall in a while! love the St. Louis fall weather and the ways the trees change colors! Sorry Texas, but Missouri does fall better :)