Pictures for your Tuesday

Jeremiah is 5 months old!

Wow. 5 months, that seems so bizarre. In the last several years there were times when I couldn't imagine having a baby, but today I have a happy healthy 5 month old boy! Now I can't imagine life without him. Today was one of those days where I laughed at him nearly constantly. He has such a happy, silly personality. I can only imagine what he'll be like when he starts saying the things he's thinking. Even when he's fussing, he'll pause to smile at you just to make sure you know he loves you. At least, that is what this momma likes to think.

My mother in law, Debbie was in a car accident today. Thankfully she's ok, just very sore all over. Please pray for a quick recovery. Jeremiah made his Papa's day by "talking" to him on the phone. He rarely does that. Normally when he's gabbering, I'll put the phone up to his face and he stops to stare at the phone. Not today though, today he knew Papa could use a pick-me-up so he provided. I have witnessed God use him in that way so many times. One instance I think I will remember forever happened right before Christmas. Our youth group was combining forces with a couple of other ministries and throwing a Christmas party for some of the homeless in Nashville. The church that hosted the event offers a church service, shower and warm bed a couple times a week so many were regulars. That night I met a woman named Vicki. She looked to be in her early thirties, she was there with her husband. We started talking and Jeremiah was smiling at her like he does and she asked if she could hold him. I took him out of his pack and handed him over. I wondered how he would respond to her and as an innocent baby he gave me an, in your face lesson on how Jesus loves people. Here is a woman who has no home, isn't exceptionally clean, most of her teeth are rotten or have fallen out, but Jeremiah leaned into her as she told me about her two sons who have been put into someone else's care due to her circumstances. Jeremiah cuddled her like I've never seen him do to anyone. She kissed his cheek and he kissed her back... over and over. Not once did he think, this lady doesn't brush her teeth! He loved her like Jesus would and gave her exactly what she needed on that cold night before Christmas when she wanted to kiss her boys goodnight. I love to see children's innocent love. When Papa needed to hear his happy voice he obliged, when I find myself looking away from a needy woman, he's ready with a smile. I know this has nothing to do with any plans Jeremiah has made to impress, but it has everything to do with the joy that even now the Lord can use to brighten someone's day, I'm just glad I'm there to witness it and learn from it. Not that me chattering gibberish would have brightened my father in laws day, but you get the picture.

Making his Great Grandma's day

We are so excited about all that the Lord is doing in our lives in this season. We are entering a time of fasting with our church family and we are expecting break through and revelation from the Lord.

Ok, here is your 5 month update!

At 5 months Jeremiah...
has made his first long car ride like the trucker's son he is!
sleeps through the night anywhere from 8 to 1o hours (ahhh... that is nice!)
eats rice cereal in his big boy chair
blows raspberries with his tongue
drools nearly constantly
loves to watch his Praise Baby videos
sits up unsupported for a couple minutes at a time
still loves his monkey seat jumper
loves to play peek a boo
is as ticklish and startles as easily as his momma, but both always get a laugh from him
drinks water out of a sippy cup
thinks that mirrors are amazing
stands up on his own if you lean him on something sturdy
makes us laugh every day!

Christmas 2009!

Christmas was amazing and white! We enjoyed a beautiful snow while we were in Tulsa. It was such a great trip. Our drive to Tulsa took about 13 hours each way and each way we experienced a Christmas miracle... Jeremiah didn't cry! He was the happiest little traveler. He cried for a few minutes on our way there, but it was in the midst of a major rain storm and I wanted to cry too so I excused him. :) We know God's hand was on us, I never imagined he would do so well in the car seat for that long. Thank you for praying for us!

This was easily the best Christmas ever. It felt like each moment was a testimony of God's goodness to us. Sharing Jeremiah with our family for a few short days was well worth the drive.

Here are a few pictures from our adventure. I will get a 5 month picture up very soon, but right now I am being beckoned by your favorite little guy.

Pioneer Woman comes to Nashville!

For the past couple of years Jeannie and I have followed a blog called, Pioneer Woman. The blogger, Ree is a regular woman whose blog has exploded to thousands of readers. She is the wife of an Oklahoma rancher, homeschooling mom, great cook and incredible photographer and now she is on the NY Times best sellers list. She is a total crack up and we've always enjoyed her blog. We've read it so long, it started to feel like we knew her personally. Well, as of Tuesday night, we can say we do! Okay, okay. We met her. I guess we still don't know her, but we are one step closer! She just released a new cookbook and she did a signing at Davis Kidd Booksellers in Nashville. Jeremiah, Jeannie and I all went. It was a fun night of chatting with other readers, fans and "friends" of Ree, the Pioneer Woman. She was very sweet and chatted with each person as they got their books signed and pictures taken. She got a smile out of Jeremiah even though it was WELL past his bedtime. He was a trooper and was great the entire time. I promised him that when he's a teenager and really wants to go to some movie opening at midnight, or meet a band, I would take him. We arrived at the mall about 5pm and connected with our friends who got us line tickets and then shopped at bit. About 6 we strolled into the book store to begin our wait. Ree arrived about 7pm and the signing began. Our ticketed number group got in line about, oh... who knows when. All I know is we strolled up to the table and met the real Pioneer Woman about 10:20. We were headed home by 10:45. :) My little sweet pea was in bed very late, but treated us both by sleeping in very late the next morning. It was a fun night, one we won't soon forget. Not just because we met Ree, but because we had so much fun waiting.

Jeremiah is 4 months old!

I can't believe that I haven't posted since Jeremiah turned 3 months! Let's just say, its been busy around here!

At 4 months Jeremiah:
rolls over from back to belly and belly to back
tries to sit up when you lay him on his back
sits up when supported
LOVES to jump in his monkey seat
reaches for toys and things he wants
drools constantly
sleeps through the night (most nights!)
loves to go out and about
is getting better about riding in the car at night (yeay!)
loves to play with other babies, but especially enjoys watching Aubrey play
goes to the nursery on Sundays
stands when supported and loves to jump
makes his mommy and daddy laugh all the time
brings joy to everyone he smiles at (which is about anyone who will look at him)

3 months

Jeremiah is 3 months old and more fun each day!

At 3 months Jeremiah:
laughs out loud all the time
smiles at everyone in sight
loves to be sitting up looking around
hates the car seat at night (still!)
thinks dancing with Momma is so funny, but listening to Daddy sing is even funnier
has rolled over from his belly to his back
talks all the time by fluctuating his voice up and down making a funny groaning noise
is the joy of our household. I don't know what we looked at before he came along!
loves going to UTurn and seeing all the kids, but the Word Group girls are his favorite

Pumpkin Fest

First of all... Thank you, Melinda for the lesson on posting pictures!

Every year Franklin has Pumpkin Fest in downtown Franklin. It is so much fun to see all the kids in their costumes and this year we got to take our little guy! We saw lots of friends out enjoying the beautiful Fall weather.

Jeremiah dressed as his daddy, Al the Averitt Associate!




Aubrey was a beautiful princess and loved posing for the pictures with her buddy, Little Al the driver


Taking a break from the stroller!