Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord....

Mark LOVES to sing. He finds a book that he'll deem his "music" and then he'll belt out his latest tune at the only volume he knows: Super Loud. The lyrics are made up on the spot-- his favorite these days is a combination of the phrase "The Lord God made you" (from the 1st question of the childrens' catechism Q: Who made you? A: God made me.") and Prov 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath." Although Mark's version is "A soft answer turns away RAP." :-) ...We love this kid! All I can say is parenting certainly is a privilege!

2 Victory Candles in One Night?!?

I didn't wake up this morning thinking we'd be potty training our 2 year old little boy. I definitely didn't wake up this morning thinking that I would only use 1 singular diaper for our little man all day. And I certainly didn't imagine we'd have multiple successful trips to the bathroom which (for the record) included both tinkle and poopy!! But we did and we've been celebrating all night!!! Congratulations, Mark, on successfully completing day one of potty training!! I know we will have many hurdles along the way but for now we rejoice in your many victories today!!

If that wasn't shocking enough.... our little baby girl decided to surprise us all with sitting up on her own!!! It was as sudden as the potty training. This morning she was tipping over just seconds after we placed her down. This afternoon she was sitting up for minutes AND was able to look all around!! Hip hip Hooray for Lillia Mae!!

Needless to say, we handed out 2 victory candles at dinner tonight. ---although, Mark got to blow out both of them :-)

The Babies

We have had the privilege of taking care of babies this summer--- Not the kind that giggle and cry, but the kind that you water and can eat :-) Baby Tomatoes! At least that's what we call them. When I first brought these dear plants home Mark helped put them in pots and water them. Every day since the two of us head out to the driveway to make sure they're OK. At the first appearance of buds I screeched with glee and Mark followed in suit (not really knowing what he was so excited about.) I explained that we had baby tomatoes. From then on our trips to the driveway have grown exponentially. Mark counts "the babies," waters "the babies," and encourages "the babies" in his sweet sing-song voice, "you growin' babies! you growin'! good job baby 'matoes!" I have a sneaking suspicion that the joy I get watching Mark lovingly "parent" his tomato plants is just a smidgen of the joy God gets watching us lovingly parent His precious children.

L.C. Graphic Designs---GIVEAWAY!!

Chris's Aunt Amy has a fantastic blog -- it's always been encouraging to read and fun to see pictures of their children and hear about their adoption process, but now it has a little more pizazz. They got a beautiful makeover by L.C. Graphic Designs. (Which you should totally check out at GrowingbytwoFeet). It's a brand new company created by a woman who Amy and Stephen met while on their adoption journey. Her work is gorgeous, but the BEST part of her company is that 70% of her profits go to widows and orphans!! She has a great giveaway going on to spread the word. You could win a free pre-made blog template for your own blog. Check it out here and SPREAD THE WORD!!!

Happy Father's Day, Chris!

Here's to a Dad who...

... makes changing diapers fun

...does silly dances to get some laughs

...wrestles, runs, and plays tirelessly

...makes up silly songs on the spot

...wakes his children at midnight to make shadow puppets on the wall

...knows all the tickle spots

...prays with his children and teaches them God's word

...encourages exploration

...comes up with fun nick names

...celebrates even the little milestones

...reads to his kids

...is always up for a trip to the park

... patiently teaches new skills

...plays Kan Jam with his 2 year old son

...makes warm milk in the morning

...uses his great imagination to tell stories and make up games

...is an amazing role model in his pursuit of Christ

Happy Father's Day, Chris!! I am so thankful that our children have you for a Dad!!

Uncle Ben's Graduation

In May we had the privileged of celebrating a very special brother and uncle: Ben. Ben is an avid reader, talented musician, intelligent, and purposeful young man. Our Mark loves having Uncle Ben rescue him from a nap or play guitar for him. And Lillia is blessed by all the snuggle time with Uncle Ben. He will be attending Grove City College in the fall--- needless to say, we have already bribed him for visits with food and laundry. Congratulations, Ben!! We look forward to seeing how the Lord uses you in this next phase of your life!

The verse he chose for his graduation cake:

"Look to the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5

Here's our graduate and his sweet girlfriend, Morgan. Such a cute couple!

Ben with his Mimi and Papa

We all enjoyed the festivities, the cake, and the excuse to be together...

Ben's 3 nephews dressed in matching outfits for the occasion :-) We HAD to capitalize on the opportunity!

Lillia and Gideon are only 2 months apart

notice the hand holding

last picture of our babies together before the Pfeils headed back to Japan--- it's a special treat to have babies so close in age!

Cute May Moments...

Mark and Daddy "Boiler Up"

Mark makes a MASSIVE line of animals

(his mom was so proud!) :-)

Getting Lillia after a nap is a highlight of Mark's day. As soon as he hears her he looks up at me and exclaims-- "Oh! Wilyah's awake!" Then he runs to her room to peek at her in her crib. This day our dear friends, Kennedy and Rylee, participated in the fun.

Here's Mark talking to his Daddy after a long day of play :-) I love the relaxed, crossed legs and the lean against the dishwasher!!

The elephants are back at the Cleveland Zoo!!! Mark's Great Mimi and Papa gave us a season pass for Christmas and we have LOVED it!!

Some how Mark rolled over a ball and got a rug burn on his nose that bled like crazy :-( I'm sad for the boo boo, but the band aid on the nose was adorable!

Mother's Day

Lillia turns 6 months!!

We can't get enough of this sweet little girl!!