!?!Vacation?!?

So as my title suggests, we just got home from what we are affectionately referring to as our vacation, given the many people we were able to visit. The only inner conflict we have is that when we got home, we felt desperate for a vacation following our vacation. All those with family out of state will understand. We had a lovely trip, grace with safety and kind company. We filled up on North Carolina scenery and culture. It was nice to feel the security of seeing familiar faces and driving familiar roads. Enjoy!

We arrived on Chelsea's (Tiffany's sister) birthday~ Happy Day Chelsea! Uncle Matt taking Andrew for a ride on the lawnmower. (Don't worry, the blade is off)

We visited Biltmore Estate in Asheville. What a beautiful place... just sorry it is only used for tourists:)
Amy and Tiff on our tour.

There were so many beautiful flowers in Biltmore gardens. I may attempt to do some paintings of these...

Micah's grandmother

Here we are... on the road, going here and there and everywhere!

Elijah enjoyed his fair share of Chick-fil-a fries. He tried desperately to eat the all at once!

Lunch on Lake Norman with family.

We missed taking and posting pictures of everyone we were able to see. Lack of picture does not mean lack of affection!

Happy Birthday Elijah!

Our baby boy is now 1 year old! Elijah at this point in his life loves to drive cars around the house, throw balls, and climb on, in, and out of everything. He is apparently going to be an escape artist. There are few restraints that keep him in anything, which keep mom and dad on their toes. We are all, including Andrew, enjoying getting to know him as his personality develops. His facial expressions are priceless. You always know what he is thinking about any given situation. We were thankful to have his Abba and Nana visit for his birthday as well as Aunt Amy. Of course Uncle Dustin and Aunt Mary helped us celebrate as well as some friends of ours. Part of the celebration was on the slip-and-slide and wading pool.

Time in Texas

We recently went to east Texas to celebrate the life of Micah's grandmother, Mary Rebecca Childs~ or Granny as everyone so lovingly referred to her, as she left this earth and went to be with Jesus. She was a kind and gentle woman; precious to all who knew her. I have such sweet memories of visiting this home, first on my 15th birthday when Micah and I were just getting to know each other.

We are thankful for Granny and that she is no longer confined to a body that had worn out as she had served her family and church over the years, but is now strong and whole. At the same time, we are sad she is no longer with us. How kind and good is our Father for giving her such a full life and us the opportunity to be blessed by that life.

Andrew enjoyed all the open space to run and play in Texas.

Fishing and Haircuts

We recently went to beautiful farm country close to our church to do some fishing. It had been a while since we had fished, but it was like riding a bike for Micah thankfully. Andrew talks about "fishing holes" now, sometimes confusing them with swimming pools... Elijah and I watched from the bank until a big brown spider decided to join us on my lap. I spent the remainder of the time walking around or sitting in the car. Yes, I am a city girl who loves the country, except for the bugs.

This is Elijah's first real haircut!
No more hair in his little eyes!

The before shot...
After: Andrew with a buzz!

Andrew to the Rescue

This past Tuesday, we were all trying to get ready to leave- which is a huge event. Packing the diaper bag, dressing and sometimes redressing everyone, making sure we have juice cups, books for the car ride, etc... Sometimes it can take 20 minutes to get out the door. Anyway, I (Tiffany) had been running up and down the stairs, hopping gracefully over our permanently affixed gate at the top (thanks to Mimi after Andrew fell on the stairs and broke his arm). The boys were upstairs playing. Micah and I were downstairs doing our pre-travel interviews of each other ("Did you get Elijah's food? Yes. Did you get cell phones? Yes." ~and so on and so on...) when we both heard Andrew yelling for us. You may be immediately alarmed, but we who are used to being called for frequently for issues such as toys stuck under the bed, the need for snacks, a hurt finger- all with the same urgency- were not as quick to act as we should have been. We did then hear Elijah fussing, obviously frustrated with his brother, so Micah hurried to offer assistance. We he found the boys, Elijah was hanging head first down the stairs. Andrew, the hero, was at the top holding his brother's legs yelling "Baby Ijah's falling down the stairs!" Sometime during the course of all of this hustling about, I had opened the gate.

You may be asking yourself, why in the world would I share this story- Especially when it broadcasts my negligence and lack of care for my children on this day. Well, I first want to honor my son for being such a sweet big-brother to Elijah. I have been thankful that they are becoming such good friends and that Andrew cares so much for him. Secondly, I make mistakes... usually multiple mistakes every day- some more obvious than others. My testimony is sure, though, that I am certainly responsible for the way I raise my children, but when my downfalls are exposed by the perfection of Christ, I am forgiven and found in Him to be a perfect mother. This is of course much easier for me to say because everything turned out OK, even though it is always true. I am convinced that when we do not share our testimonies of our sin, we miss the more compelling testimony of how God overcomes it time and time again.

Micah and I live by the truth that "None of us can be such good parents that God becomes obligated to save our children's souls. On the more encouraging end, none of us can mess up so badly that our children somehow extend beyond the reach of God's mercy." -Gary Thomas. This incident did not have eternal significance, but still proved that even though I messed up, God protected Elijah through Andrew's hands, firmly grasping his tiny legs. This was indeed mercy.

Natural Bridge, KY

We recently visited Natural Bridge State Park with our friends, Jason, Cara, Gracie, and Allie Meyer. We had a great day hiking and spending time together.

The kids were troopers, as we hiked around 1.5 miles, up and down mountains and hills.

Andrew, rounding the bend enthusiastically.

This is the entrance to a cave we all ventured in to with one flashlight.

And this is all of us emerging victorious at the exit of the cave.

The beautiful Natural Bridge.

Happy Birthday Micah!

Yes, it is that time again... where we celebrate the arrival into the world of Micah Martin Childs. His official birthday was yesterday, but we have been celebrating for a week! "You are the best Micah/Daddy we've ever seen!" (so Andrew says... and I, Tiffany, agree). What a handsome man. It's hard to believe that this time next year, he will be the big 3-0!

Childs at the Zoo

Micah had a whole day off this past Monday and we all went to the Louisville Zoo. Andrew was fascinated...

Elijah was just glad to be outside.

Andrew posing with the rhinoceros.

Our new gorilla friend... Apparently, evolutionists haven't compared the primate to my very handsome boys. This picture disproved their whole theory! We told Andrew to talk to him, and he immediately told him a, "Why'd the chicken cross the road?!?" joke.

The new baby elephant~

Andrew really thought the flamingos were funny.

This bird was in love with Micah. Much to our amusement, he wouldn't leave his head.