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Two reasons to smile today...

Monthly Milestones

Henry Samuel, you are 7 months old!

Could you smile any bigger?  I don't think so!

Henry, lately you are loving...

TOYS - pretty much anything that shakes, rattles and rolls

BABY FOOD - we have yet to find something you don't like 

CLAIRE - you are all about your sister, especially when she dangles that long beautiful hair for you to grab ahold of. 

Henry, lately you are learning...

BABY TALK - you've mastered "da da da", but we're still working on "ma ma ma"

TO WAVE GOOD-BYE - actually, you've learned this quite well already.  You wave good-bye out the window whenever anyone leaves

TO SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT - you do so more often than not, but still, there's room for improvement

TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT - you still have what the physical therapist calls a slight neurological immaturity on the right side of your body - you tend to favor your left hand/side.  It's not serious, just something to work on   

TO SIT UP - and I have to say, your posture is impeccable

We love you "Heavy"....

I recently mentioned in a posting that Claire has always called Henry "Heavy", and since then, a couple people have pointed out that there's actually a song, sung originally by the Hollies, called "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother".  The lyrics seem quite fitting for these two! 

Oh Deer!

Last night, Claire and I went to see some reindeer.  After standing at a distance for a few minutes, Claire worked up the courage to approach them.  In fact, she walked right up to one, looked him in the eye, and said "Moo Moo".  That's my girl.

Afterwards we went inside the library to warm up and

play for a bit - and, of course, feed her baby. 

Joe's Tribute

Today is the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. This solemn remembrance strikes me a bit differently this year, as for the last several months, I have been entrusted with the care of a young boy whose family is from Japan.

Today, I have thought about the history shared between our two countries. I have thought about the significance of this day and what my responsibility is to those who have served and sacrificed. I have thought about what it means to be an American, and how to reconcile our national patriotism with the broader scope of the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is difficult. After all, 70 years is a long time. Our countries are no longer enemies. We have long since become allies and friends. And yet, people remember.

We ought to remember. It hurts to remember. Still, perhaps we need to remember. We dishonor the memory of our predecessors if we fail to remember.

I have been blessed to know this Japanese family. I have been moved by their kindness to me and impressed by the compassion they have for their son.

 

So I too will remember this day, only I will seek to do so through the lens of some powerful Scriptures. These Scriptures speak of a Day that's coming; one that I think we all long for.

"And he will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war." Isaiah 2:4

"Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;" Revelation 22:1-3



Amen. May it be so.

A Picture Puzzle

In this picture of Aunt Linda and the kids,

can you find the two missing articles of clothing?
Hint:  Aunt Linda is the one person pictured who is fully dressed.

If you found that Henry is missing one sock and Claire is

missing her pants, then You Are Right.  Well Done!



More Pauly Pictures

Visiting with Paul and his parents.

Henry with Mr. and Mrs. Wagner.

"The Good Time Gang"

Saying goodbye at the airport.

Henry, at the airport, looking dapper as usual.

It was great to have you home again, Paul, though your visits always go by much too quickly .  Yesterday at dinner, Joe asked Claire who she wanted to pray for, and she said "Pauly".  So remember, if you ever get the urge to join us for dinner, you're just a short three hour flight away!   

A Smooch for Heavy

I have to share this cute Claire moment.  Just as I finished the previous post, I watched her approach Henry as he played in his bouncy seat.  She said, "I wanna give Heavy a smooch" (Heavy is her name for Henry for reasons unknown to us).  So she pulled the pacifier out of his mouth and leaned in for a kiss, but he started to fuss, so she put the pacifier back in his mouth and said, "Oh, I'm sorry Heavy.     Here ya go.  You ok?"  She patted his head and walked away.  I love my kids.

Here's a couple pictures from earlier this month of Claire holding "Heavy".

Is it just me or does Henry look worried? 

Claire on the other hand, doesn't have a care in the world. 

They are quite the duo.