"The Greatest of These Is LOVE"

1 Corinthians 13

[The Apostle, Paul's, letter addressed to the Church (a body, or group, of Followers of Christ) in the city of Corinth. Apparently, most of the Christians there were having difficulty separating themselves from their "old" self - the one once enslaved by sin. This letter was written to correct them.]


1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. it does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong-doing, but rejoices with the truth. love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends...

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Grand Velas '09

Anybody Want a Bib...Or Something Else From IKEA?

I'm having bib issues.

I had mentioned the Kiddopotamus Bib in an earlier post. I really loved this bib, but then Gwendolyn started eating more on her own and this bib is no longer a match for her! It's fine to get her naked and let her eat...but then I have to wipe off her whole body instead of just her hands and face. My "little controller" HATES being wiped off!

I thought this post from Passionate Homemaking, about IKEA’s Barnslig Rand Bibs sounded cool and I'm going to try the bibs. I had planned to be at IKEA within a week or two, anyway, so if anyone in Tucson wants me to pick something up for them, (provided it's not too large ;0) I'm game! Let me know!

I Want a Pure Heart

“Pure Christian humility is silent about the sins of others, or speaks of them with grief and pity. The spiritually proud person finds fault with other saints for their lack of progress in grace, while the humble Christian sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts.

One under the influence of spiritual pride is more apt to instruct others than to ask questions. Such a person naturally puts on the airs of a master. The eminently humble Christian thinks he needs help from everybody, whereas the spiritually proud person thinks everybody needs his help. Christian humility entreats and beseeches, spiritual pride commands and warns with authority.”

~Jonathon Edwards

- Awesome Encouragement from Lyndsay at Passionate Homemaking.

I Got the ERGO!

So, I've always been a big fan of the baby sling. It was invaluable to me when my crazy baby was little. I had hoped to use it longer, but my shoulder is KILLING me! My almost 21-pound (not crawling) 9 month old is a little too much for the one shoulder, I guess.

I have secretly been wanting the ERGo for a while now...and when my husband's family told me that he NEVER crawled and neither did his father and father's siblings (and they all took FOREVER to walk) I was able to him of my "need" for the new beautiful carrier!

I don't know if Gwen will ever crawl. She just rolls all over the room...



And then, of course, there is the "thrusting"...

Anyway, I really like my Ergo and I feel all "cool" wearing it. I still feel it in my shoulders, though. It might just be my back issues. The Ergo is known for it's excellent support.

But, the real reason for this blog post is to show you pictures. All the babies I have ever seen in the ERGO have been so lovely, docile, happy, calm, sleepy and comfy-looking. Here is MY baby....



But, it's been a few days now that we've used it and she really seems to love it. I changed all the light-bulbs in the ceiling fans (up on the ladder) today with her in the Ergo and she LOVES being a part of everything!

"...Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

I was feeling very sad this morning as I scooped out yet another pitcher of formula for my baby. For me, I don't like giving her formula. The whole feeding thing with her has been an emotional and challenging process that has been very HARD for me, but has also opened up so much more opportunity for me to trust in the Lord's care for Gwendolyn and in His plan to bring me into a deeper relationship with him, by bringing me further away from MYSELF.

But, my feelings this morning were the work of the Enemy. The Lord is pleased with me. I can bring my sadness to him and "cast my care" on His mighty, powerful shoulders...and be ENCOURAGED!

So, I AM encouraged! I am excited about taking her off the formula in just a couple of months and about enjoying more and more nourishing food with her. She's getting so big! I love it!

And, of course, the Gwendolyn is ever the helpful one. Here she is reading the instructions for her new (gigantic) car seat...

Good Nap!

My baby just fell asleep snuggled in my arms and then I put her in her crib and she didn't scream. It's such a good day! Weird...but Great!

It's 5:40 AM...Do You Know Where Your Baby Is?

Mine is on the couch watching Shirley Temple in Heidi.

So cute...So early.

Fun With Papa, Grandma and Great-Grandma Bickerton!

Gwendolyn has a great time with her Daddy's side of the family! She just loves all the attention!

Her strategy is making everyone in that house do things for her...Great-Grandma's job was to just give Gwendolyn all her toys and sippy-cups at random.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful Dinner!

My Big Cousin Jonny

Gwendolyn, like all the rest of her cousins, is completely obsessed with Jonathan.

He is awesome with all his little cousins, in spite of the fact that they constantly stare at him, follow him around, pull on his limbs and clothes, and take all his toys from him.

He's the best Big Cousin a kid can have!