So much fun with Granny

We LOVED having my mam here for the month of November. Since her two week visits always seemed to fly by, we decided to make this one 4 weeks long and we are sooo glad we did! The kids really enjoyed getting to know her. Even though we didn't do a whole lot of activities, we had fun just being together and the kids wore us out so much, all we wanted to do at night was chill with some apples and caramel dip :-)

Some things we did get to do were trick or treating at the zoo, carve pumpkins, go to the Passion Awards, go to the Women of Faith conference, see the opening of the Christmas trains at Union Station and lots of eating out :-) We also got to have some photos taken by Bethany Thompson so we have some really nice ones of Granny with the kids. So thankful for our time together :-)

Soooo far behind!

Okay so these last few months have been soo busy. Obviously blogging has not been a top priority, but I'd like to get everything caught up so looking back I can have something to look at to remember these fun times we've been having :-) I also have a few book reviews to add so be prepared for an onslaught of blog posts :-) Here we go!!!!

Women of Faith - Over the Top Conference

I was so excited to receive 2 tickets to the Women on Faith Conference at the Sprint Center here in Kansas City this year. Now, to be honest, I had not really heard of it before I got the e-mail from Thomas Nelson Publishers inviting me. I am always up for an encouraging night out, though, and I am so glad that I signed up!

Friday, we heard from speakers Patsy Clairmont and Andy Andrews. I had reviewed a children's book by Andrews in the past, so I was excited to hear his story in person. He was so funny and a bit all over the place. Though most of what he said wasn't really Bible, it was common sense and very applicable to the Christian Life.

I'd never heard of Patsy Clairmont before, but after hearing her speak I will NEVER forget her. She is a tiny lady with so much fire and humor, I was so refreshed laughing to her stories. She had some very serious things in her life to deal with, and it was so great to hear how God helped her overcome them.

Saturday Morning we listened to more fabulous testimonies from Lisa Whelchel on friendship, Brenda Warner on how God used heartbreak in her life for good, and Sandi Patti on seeing dreams from a different perspective. Sandi Patti also did a mini concert which was AMAZING!

I was so impressed by how they handled box lunches for 6000 women - so orderly!

After lunch we had more from Patsy Clairmont and a concert from Amy Grant with some final thoughts from the all the ladies. So great!

I have to say, it was not really what I was expecting which was more of a Bible conference. In fact, I didn't even need my Bible. But that is not to say it was not encouraging and challenging. The testimonies from these women were powerful and had us laughing and crying together. I enjoyed the fact that these ladies knew how to have fun and yet share how God worked in their deepest struggles. A great balance for a great weekend!

Here are a few pics from the weekend:

LOTS of women!

Patsy Clairmont

Mam at the Sprint Center

Lunch Break :-)

My Irish Molly

How much do I love having a little girl? A LOT :-)

At her 2 month check up, she was 35% for weight, 75% for length and head size (gotta keep up the big head tradition). She is a complete joy. Always has a smile pretty much every time I look at her and she has the cutest little gurgle and coo. She has been trying to laugh but it keeps coming out as a smiley cough - it's so funny. She does chuckle in her sleep though :-)

She loves to swat at things, and especially loves to hold on to things - she always has something in her hands - her clothes, a toy, my hair!!!

I am totally in love with this little bundle! Here are some recent pics:

She loves hanging out on the changing table.

On Eóin's bed with Stinky the dinosaur

Aidan thought the phone was for her (also that she needed a snuggle with tiger)

Fell asleep with Tiger - so peaceful

LOVE this girl!

More Eóin Funnies

At the dinner table the other day:
"Dear Jesus, thank you for the soup and the bread. Thank you that we have a baby sister. Thank you that Aidan sometimes eats while I am praying. Thank you that grandma is here. Amen" Way to rat out your brother :-)

We were talking to Eóin about what he learned in River City and how Jesus washed his friends feet. Jonathan told him that is called serving. Eóin said "I like to do that on a board in the water." Apparently, in his mind, Jesus was very good at surfing :-)