Elise is 5 months. She enjoys sitting and playing with toys and her neighbor friend, Kaylie. Michelle made cute little pants for Kaylie, and yesterday the girls were both wearing them so we had to get a picture. The other big news is that Elise now has her first cousin, Ethan Micah Muhr. He was born to Steve & Sara (John's sister) on Nov. 10, 2007. He's about 4 weeks early, because Sara was having high blood pressure and so they started her labor on Friday, 11/9. He was 6 lbs 10 oz and is in the NICU on the vent because he was having some trouble breathing. Sara is doing well, however, her blood pressure is still a little high, so we're waiting to hear when they may be discharged.
This past week has been one where John and I have been overwhelmed by God's goodness and provision for us. Last weekend I had been reading Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." I'm a planner and like to see how everything will work out, especially when it comes to finances and so when I can't see how that turns out, I like to try to do things in my own strength. This verse challenged me - just wait on the Lord. I felt like God was asking me to take one day at a time...and to rest in the fact that I had what I needed for today - He would take care of tomorrow. In short, I took that promise from God that He cares for me and knows my needs, and I watched in amazement as God met every need! There were 3 days in a row where I was overwhelmed by His provision. One example: I was looking in Elise's closet, and cleaning out the things that didn't fit her anymore, and that left only a few outfits. With the weather getting cooler, I was needing more warm clothes in 6-9 mos. Wednesday night, my sister Debi called and said that one of her friends at work (she's at Macy's corporate) is in the infant department, and had a bunch of brand new baby clothes samples 6-9 mos that she gave to Debi, and she would send them. I cried on the phone, because again, God proved Himself faithful to provide for our needs, and Debi became part of that answer to prayer! I still like to plan things out, but God is teaching me to trust Him for each day, and this is much more exciting to live in His strength than trying to do it all on my own. We serve an Almighty God who sees our lives and loves us so much that He wants to provide, and He has proven to be faithful.
We just had the nicest visit with Jessica & Hadley Marston. They drove to Charlotte from D.C. on Tuesday and spent a couple days with us. Jessica and I grew up together in Mt. Lake and last fall when I called her to tell her we were expecting, she told me that she was also due with their first baby. Elise and Hadley are 15 days apart, and so it was so much fun to watch them interact and play together. We visited one of my favorite stores, the Sewing Arts Studio, and later that evening we strolled down to the shops at Blakeney and had pizza on the patio at Brixx. Jessica is one of my timeless friends - we can just pick up where we left off. It was a great couple of days. The trees have really turned colors here in Charlotte, and we feel like Fall is upon us. John, Elise and I will spend Thanksgiving here, and we're looking forward to a nice long weekend together. Have a great Thursday!
