The Next Hannah Montana Fan...

We thought Kira should have a turn with the 3D glasses. I think these are the absolute goofiest pictures I've ever taken of Kira. She looks like a dork!

It doesn't get any worse than this! :0

It's kind of exciting to think that I have another little girl to do these fun things with. Kira, we'll be waiting for you to join in on the girl time... or as Hannah Montana says "GNO" (Girls' Night Out"). :)

Little Rocker

Kenzie got a little hair dye kit for Christmas and this weekend she was allowed to try it out. We did Pink and Blue stripes and she just loved it! Fortunately, it washed out with no problems and she was back to blond for school today. Eric and I just can't believe how quickly she is growing up and changing from a "little girl" into a "kid." It's really fun to see her growing into herself.

VOLLEYBALL

This winter Eric is in a church volleyball league. It's a bunch of guys from our church and they play other local churches every Monday night. This is Eric's first time playing organized volleyball and he's really enjoying it! The guys on the team are great and they all have a lot of fun! Last Monday night I got a sitter and was able to watch the game (the play at either 7 or 8:30pm each week).
Both teams praying before the game

Just playin with my camera... darn my finger for getting in the way

Team huddle

And this is Richie Sparling. He actually graduated from Plumstead a few years after we did. He goes to Calvary and is the new Middle School Youth Director for our church. He is a VERY good volleyball player and he can jump like crazy!

So Richie can definitely jump like crazy. These don't even show just how high he can get!

Yes, there's no stopping this! I love how all the other players in the background are list staring!

Eric and Dan ready for the block

Seriously, just look at Tim's face... it's classic!!

Grandmom Ruth Kummerer

Today I had a really amazing opportunity to take pictures of Eric's Great Grandmom... Yes, our kids Great-Great-Grandmom! Grandmom Kummerer is 93 (I think... probably should have asked) and she is just the best! I am so glad she let me take these pictures of her. A few weeks ago I had the idea to take them and it was more meaningful than I could have imagined. As I sat here editing the pics I actually got really emotional. I just spent some time thinking about all that Grandmom has done with the years God has given her and it really is inspiring. Her faith is so strong and real and she is self-sacrificing, actually someone recently used the phrase "Jesus-ish" and Grandmom Kummerer is definitely "Jesus-ish". So I hope you enjoy meeting this great woman.

I loved Gmom's necklace today. It was beautiful in the pics on her dark dress. See, still trendy after 90+ years!

Wrinkles...

So I am turning 26 tomorrow and I know that sounds young (well especially compared to Gmom) but I have been noticing things changing... a wrinkle here, a sun spot there... well as I was editing my photos from today I realized that Grandmom's wrinkles are amazing and beautiful. Her eyes just shine of love and wisdom gained from a lifetime. I can only hope that my wrinkles will represent more than sun damage and age, I want them to express a life full of passionately loving God and loving others. I want to have eyes just like Grandmom's someday!

Philippians

I asked Grandmom to open her Bible to her favorite passage which is from Phillipians. These are my favorite pictures from our time together. I can't imagine how deeply Grandmom is rooted in the word... She actually still teaches a weekly Bible study at the Estates where she lives. Today marked 28 years exactly since she moved into the Estates down in South Hampton.

Grandmom was just sitting with her hands folded and I wondered how many times she has sat in this very same position praying for her family and friends. She is a true woman of prayer. When she says, "I have been praying for you," it's more than a flippant phrase, she really does petition the Lord on her family's behalf.

Shoes! Love it!! If I make it past 90 I am buying me a pair of these babies!

I think grandmom looks BEAUTIFUL in this picture with Kira. I am sad Kir is a bit out of focus, but oh well.

Great-Great-Grandmother

We are so amazingly blessed that Kenzie, Kaden, and Kira can spend time with their Great-Great Grandmother. It is not something we take for granted. After we were done with our little photo shoot Grandmom Kummerer asked if we could take some with the kids. I am thrilled to have these pictures and they will be something very, very special for the kids someday!

Baby Jackson's Tree

A few nights ago Jess and I began working on a mural for "Baby Jackson's" nursery. Hess had a really cool idea to create two family trees in the nursery. One for Kevin's side- Jacksons. The other for Jess' side- Spier. The nursery has a dormer, so it creates a neat little alcove (sp?). Kevin and his dad made a cute toybox window seat and the two trees will go on both sides of this little nook. The walls in the nursery are a mossy green and the tree will be in all white/cream, so it will look nice and simple- just the way Jess likes things.
We were very nervous when we first started, but thanks to a Potty Barn Catalog with a picture of a tree mural, we were able to freehand it pretty well. I think for two rookies it looks pretty neat!
All we need now is this little boy or girl and the room will be complete!