Kathryn- 15 month update

Kathryn had her 15 month check up this morning, and she's looking great. Weight: 22 lbs. (25-50%), Height: 31 3/4 inches (75%). These days she's very active...walking like a pro, trying to run but still a little bit like a "drunken sailor" at times. She also loves climbing on to anything she can, which (thankfully) only includes a few of our sofa chairs and coffee table. She's really getting into books, which is a lot of fun. She likes sitting on our sofa chair and "reading" with her stuffed animals...it's so cute! She also loves "feeding" her bunny and monkey and will make little noises for them like they're eating. I love watching her play like that. Scribbling with colored pencils is the new favorite activity.

Life with a toddler has been different than life with a baby. Better, I think, but I'm having to be a little more strategic about planning out my days to make sure everything gets done. Just like when Kathryn was first born, I'm learning to be more efficient with chores (and I'm sure I'll have to grow in this area more when more children come along). I'm thankful that Kathryn remains a good sleeper, which means long afternoon naps. We really couldn't ask for an easier baby/toddler so far. It is a gift that I don't take for granted.

Just within the last few weeks, we've started having "pack-n-play time," with Kathryn playing in her pack n play in her room alone, which we've tried before resulting in a screaming baby and stressed Mom as a result, but something must have clicked suddenly that now she seems to really enjoy that play time by herself. It's been a wonderful addition to our morning schedule, which allows me to get ready for the day in a peaceful manner.

I think I say this at every stage, but this is my favorite age so far. I have really enjoyed watching Kathryn learn and develop. I love seeing that she's understanding more and more of what I'm saying to her, and having her start to communicate more with the few signs that she knows.

Here are some videos from this morning while we were eating breakfast.

Finding Christ in Leviticus

I am reading through the 2-Year Bible, which includes a section of the Old and New Testaments, Psalms, and Proverbs for each day. Currently the Old Testament is in Leviticus, a book I have always struggled through in the past. I have had a hard time connecting with all of these old-covenant laws for the Israelites, wondering how those passages were relevant to me. During this read, though, I have been struck with some very striking application from several different passages, so I thought I'd share about it here.

"Those who suffer from any contagious skin disease must tear their clothing and allow their hair to hang loose. Then, as they go from place to place, they must cover their mouth and call out, 'Unclean, Unclean!' As long as the skin disease lasts, they will beceremoniously unclean and must live in isolation outside the camp." Lev. 13:45-46

I am struck in reading this, that apart from Christ's work on my behalf, this is a description of me. I would be this unclean person, with no hope of salvation.

"If the priest finds that someone has been healed of the skin disease, he will perform a purification ceremony, using two wild birds of a kind permitted for food...The priest will order one of the birds to be slaughtered over a clay pot that is filled with fresh spring water...The priest will also sprinkle the dead bird's blood seven times over the person being purified, and the priest will pronounce that person to be ceremoniously clean."

Lev. 14:3-7

A fresh reminder that the only way to be declared clean and be justified before a Holy God is by blood sacrifice...and here is where I was struck by the reality of what Christ has done on my behalf. I thought about a song that has the line, "We've been washed in the blood of the Lamb of God, we've been washed in the blood, of the precious Lamb of God."

"When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tabernacle, and the alter, he must bring the living goat forward. He is to lay both of his hands on the goat's head and confess over it all the sins and rebellion of the Israelites. In this way, he will lay the people's sins on the head of the goat; then he will send it out into the wilderness...the goat will carry all the people's sins upon itself into a desolate land."

Lev. 16:21-22

Thank you, Jesus, for being the ultimate Scapegoat, taking my sin upon yourself at the Cross! What joy this brings to my soul, that I am pronounced clean! Thank you for a new-found joy in this amazing Good News. Thank you for your Word, your Holy Word that is sweeter than honey to my lips.

"Expelled: No Intellegence Allowed"

Nick and I had the opportunity to watch Ben Stein's new documentary, "Expelled: No Intellegence Allowed." I haven't seen a lot of documentaries, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It ended up being marvelous food for thought. If you haven't seen this movie, I would encourage you to do so (in theaters now). It is very interesting. You can see the trailer here.

Okay, some pics...

Not the greatest quality of photos, but you get the general idea of the haircut. :)

A New Leaf?

Today I tried something that I have never done before....I cut my own hair. After weeks of saying, "I really need to get a haircut," and procrastinating on getting an appointment and babysitter, and debating whether it was worth just spending the $50 to get a nice haircut (my last $12 was awful), I decided I would give it a try myself. Worst case scenario, I could still go and get it fixed at a salon if I totally botched it. I figured since I always go into a salon with an exact picture of what I'm thinking I want and rarely walk out with my hair the way I thought it should be, I might be able to do it myself the way I wanted it. And I've watched closely enough when other people have cut my hair I basically knew (sort of) what to do. So....the end result.....I actually like it! Granted, I am a little paranoid that I am walking around with big zigzags across the back that everyone but me will notice, but from what I can tell using two mirrors, it looks pretty even. So perhaps this is turning over a new leaf (unless I keep getting comments about how bad my haircut is...I'm not too dense to get a clue...hopefully, anyway). One word of advice for those who might be inspired to try this at home: if you are tempted to give yourself a haircut while your toddler is awake, I have a suggestion: don't. I learned this the hard way :)

Visit with Gram

Last week Kathryn and I spent a wonderful few days with Gram (my Mom's Mom) while Nick was in Maryland. What an enjoyable time we had! I always love time together with Gram...not only does she make her guests feel welcome and special, but she is so much fun to spend time with! We made jewelry in her workshop (3 new pair of earrings!), went out to lunch at a very cute cafe, enjoyed wonderful cooking (Gram's salads are my favorite!), watched two movies, took Kathryn to the park, went shopping (Gram entertained Kathryn with the three-way mirror while I tried things on), and even fit in a trip to the tailor to alter a dress that Gram bought me for my birthday. All in 2 1/2 days! Thank you, Gram, for the wonderful visit!

On the dock where there were tons of cool-looking boats anchored