Lilly Grace... Quarter of a Year

Lilly Grace...I cannot believe I got to hold you in my arms for the first time 3 months ago today (April 5, 2016)!  I cannot put into words all the ways you have positively changed my life.  I prayed for a little girl like you for many years! No one knows you better than me.  Besides that, you know what my heart sounds like from the inside!

Your daddy picked out your name.  We had discussed a few of our favorites, but decided to wait until we saw you to make our decision.  As soon as your daddy saw you in the operating room, he looked at me and said "she looks like a Lilly".  Once I got back to our room from recovery, your daddy told me where he picked out your name.  I was thinking it was because your great-grandmother's name on your daddy's side was Lily, but I was incorrect.  He got your name from the Bible where Jesus was giving the Sermon on the Mount and his parable on Anxiety.  We are to be like Lilies and have faith that God will take care of us.  Your middle name is because of God's great grace he has so willing given us, even though we are undeserving.

The Cure for Anxiety (AMP Version)

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? ²⁷ And who of you by worrying can add one ^[l]hour to [the length of] his life? ²⁸ And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], ²⁹ yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! ³¹ Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ ³² For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
³⁴ “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Lilly Grace - January 5, 2016

 













Your daddy and I both love you VERY much!  We decided that, in your life, we want to you experience many things.  Food, cultures, traveling, theatre, museums, languages, etc.  We are doing our best to provide this for you.  Please don't be upset that we do not want you to accumulate many material possessions.  We feel that you will benefit more from experiences than some toy or material possession that was purchased and then soon forgotten.



Our 1st professional family photo. 2 days old.

1st high school basketball game

One Month

            












Before you were 1 month old, we took you to southern Georgia and Florida to visit your daddy's family.  It was a REALLY long drive (2200 miles round trip) and you were excellent!  Your trip included traveling through most of West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee.  You did sleep through most of the driving, but we took pictures along the way.  We always take you to restaurants and hope that you will have a palate for all types of foods!

Getting Sugar from Daddy before
he flies out

Refusal to sleep while in PA

Right after you turned 1 month old, your daddy had to leave for a work project.  We were fortunate enough to be able to visit him for a few days.  Driving to see him added 2 more states for you...Maryland and Pennsylvania.  This brings your total to 9 states traveled through.  You had already been in Pennsylvania two previous times when we took daddy to the Pittsburgh International Airport and then to pick him up.  You did not really enjoy your time in Pennsylvania.  I am not sure if it was the location/environment or just being out of your routine.  You cried a lot and didn't want to sleep.


Before turning 3 months old, I decided that we should visit your daddy's family again, plus it was Easter.  Daddy couldn't get time off work to go with us, so I booked us a flight rather than attempting a 15 hour drive with you all by myself.  You did excellent on all the planes.  Flying and some turbulence didn't seem to phase you one bit!  Everyone complimented you on what a beautiful and good little girl you are.  I agreed with them completely!  On our first flight from Pittsburgh to Charlotte, you discovered your hands and you were intrigued with them most of the flight.  You love to see what all you can do with these new found hands!  You will take your paci/chupon in and out of your mouth, play with your rattles, etc.  You are starting to discover your feet as more than just those objects at the end of your legs, which you LOVE to kick!  

1st Plane Ride

                                Easter 2016 Family Picture

Back Row: Zachary, Jared, Austin, Uncle David
Front Row: Mommy, You, Kaylee, Nana, Aunt Christy

Your Aunt Christy's boss, Kenny, picked us up from the Jacksonville International Airport and drove us to Waycross.  Nana had to work 2nd shift, so we had a girls day with Aunt Christy, Kaylee, Jessica, and Jordan Rylee where we went to Kaylee's batting practice.

Friday, we drove to Fargo, GA to the Stephen C. Foster State Park, which is 17 miles into the Okefenokee Swamp.  We spent the weekend here.  Since it was your very first Easter, Aunt Christy said that this will now be our annual tradition.  Nana, Aunt Christy, Uncle David, Zachary, Austin, Jared, and Kaylee all loved on you.

Sunday, we met up with Papa and Lola Lisa.  We really wish we could have spent more time with them before having to fly back home EARLY Monday morning.  We went out to eat and then you spent the rest of the evening getting lots of snuggles.


3 months old



Arriving back to Pittsburgh

Aunt Kimmie taught you to "ride a bike".  During diaper changes, you especially love to kick your legs.  When asked if you are riding your bike to go see daddy, you kick them even faster and harder! 

Your daddy is still away for work and we miss him terribly.  It has been a month and a half since we have seen him.  Hopefully he gets home to us soon!!





Your Pappy is watching you while mommy is at work and he absolutely loves watching you every day.  NanNan is retiring in June so she can be home to watch you everyday also.

2 months old



Styling in your designer shades

 

1st time farming - Pappy's John Deere Tractor

It is my constant prayer that you ALWAYS know how much you are loved and that you treat others with respect and grace.  That you always have strength to persevere through adversities and to encourage others.  I love you with my entire being.  You are my Lilly Bug!!






“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34