Happy First Birthday Kemi!

I can't believe that time has gone by so quickly. How has it been a year since my beautiful little girl came into this world? Kemi has changed so much in the past 12 months, from a cute as can be tiny bundle of joy, to a beautiful, determined little lady! She is always smiling, gives great hugs and loves to dance and play!My little girl has got us wrapped around her little finger and she knows it! Don't try to do something without her...she'll yell for her sisters or brother to make sure she's not left out!
So far in her short life Kemi has astounded us by sitting, crawling, walking and climbing so much faster than her brother or sisters ever did. She sees the older ones running around and I can almost see her thoughts..."I can do that" and she tries and usually, succeeds. I don't think anything will be impossible for my fearless little girl! Only God knows the plans he has for my little Kemi and who she will turn into - I am just thankful he entrusted her to me!

Just a few hours old...

Back home in the bassinet.

At three weeks old.

Lifting her head and trying to see around her at 6 weeks old.

Sleeping in Papa's arms....

Three months - working on those muscles.

She loved spoons when she was 5 months old!

Crawling is just around the corner!

Yay! I did it!

Crawling is easy - now onto climbing into stuff and getting stuck!

Her contagious grin has always been there!

Her personality showing it's face!

Exploring the world around her.

Walking is easy! What's next??

Swimming I guess!

She's all about the purses now...she carries this one everywhere!

First braids!

Waiting for birthday cake....

Diving in!!

Birthday's are fun!

Mommy loves you Kemi Kem!

Summer Kick Off party!

We had a great time last week at our Summer Kick Off party! Pictures tell a thousand words, so.....

The guys...being cool!

Taking up residence beneath the trees!

Volleyball...

The kids hangin'....

Lola - my fish!

Kemi determined to make it up the hill! (she did of course!)

Niyi enjoying the water!

Tayo 'swimming'!

Kemi joined her brother at the water's edge!

Still climbing!

Getting wet!

Hangin' with the fam!

Too much excitement!

I think we took up half the beach!

Lots of folks enjoying the first day of summer break!

Poser!

My new Nephew...

Well I can't see him in person just yet as an ocean separates, us so I'll just have to brag about him instead. This little one is Ashton, born on Saturday morning to my best and oldest friend Sally. Can't wait to hold him! Sal - he looks too much like his Daddy!

Inhale.

Inhale,
Breathe deeply.
Fill yourself with me.

Exhale,
Let it go.
You are free.

Watch,
Look all around.
I'm ever present.

Stop,
There is no need.
I ask very little.

Inhale,
Breathe deeply.
Fill yourself with me.

The Value of Motherhood

"She senses the worth of her work"

(Proverbs 31:18 - Message)

Being a mother is a hard job! On a daily basis we perform countless tasks, many of which are things we do not enjoy doing, and most of which go unseen. When we become mothers our whole life changes, we can never return to who we once were because never again will we be able to imagine life without this precious one who has filled our hearts. However, in the daily grind of cooking, cleaning, changing dirty diapers and separating whining children it is all too easy to forget what it is being a mother is all about.

So what is it all about? For me, it is to raise my children to know the one true God, for them to have a deep and fulfilling relationship with Him and for them to know just how much He loves them. That is the goal I am working towards. That is why God has entrusted these four lives into my hands. It is not about the meals I cook for them, the clothes I wash for them, the house I clean for them...it's about the character that I build in them, the love I show them and the Christian life I model for them that matters. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14)

I believe that God is calling me, and all Christian Mothers, to a higher standard as Christ's ambassadors to our children. "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (2 Cor 5:20) Through us our children will learn what it is to be a Christian, they will learn of His immeasurable love for us and they will learn how to live a life of faith. Of course as Christ's ambassadors we are called to a higher standard of living. A standard that demands we live a purposeful and intentional life before our children. Letting go of these high standards set before us has consequences for generations to come. These standards include demonstrating the fruits of the spirit to our children, showing Christ-like behavior even in circumstances that make it difficult to do so, and modeling a relationship with Christ to our children.

So with that huge task God has set before me I am able to truly sense the worth of this work. It is the most important job on earth. It is the most challenging and the most fulfilling job I am ever likely to have. It is also an impossible job without prayer, without God's word and without His grace, but we hold firm to His promise to us... "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt 19:26)

Consider...

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place..." Psalm 8:3

"In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him" Psalm95:4

"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters....He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me" Psalm 18:16&19

"The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth, you founded the world and all that is in it" Psalm 89:11

"You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn" Psalm 18:36

"Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he has pronounced....He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth..... He remembers His covenant forever..." Psalm 105:5-8 Psalm 105:5&8"

"He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills" Psalm 147:8

"My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth" Psalm 121:2

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon" Psalm 92:12

Out in nature...

Might not have a great camera (yet...) but wanted to take some experimental shots today...I quite like some of these!