Happy Birthday Jude!

We're all pooped so maybe I'll write more later but for now, here is a video and some pictures from today. As you can see the happy birthday song did not go as planned. Pure comedy!

A Big Week for Ellison

This week was the first official week of preschool. Although Ellison has attended Weekday(North Point's childcare for employees) since she was 8 months she now has an official program which requires her to come 3 days a week. Her teachers are just fabulous and so on it! We got a detailed breakdown of how things work in the classroom everyday and man it is really organized. On the first day she barely said good bye as she hugged her teacher and ran into her class. Sadly, she has been separated from some of her buddies who she's been with since she's 8 months but she seems like she is getting into the swing of things. On Tuesday I felt like a true preschool mom, because I just drop her off and go back home with Jude. It is such a blessing to have some alone time with him and I'm really looking forward to that.

Today we went to the dentist which she was very excited about. She picked out a toothbrush and makeup kit as a reward. The dentist is so great. They have a little movie theater, an arcade room and coffee for parents!  We do have homework...flossing and stopping the thumb sucking. So we got some m-n-m's (i know it's ironic) and she gets one taken away each time I catch her with her thumb in her mouth. A friend of mine gave me the idea and I hope it works. The dentist said that it takes about 40 days to form a new habit so hopefully we'll be thumb free before she's 4. For the flossing, we all need to do a better job in that department so we are going to implement family floss time each night! HA!   

A Declaration

 So there are a number of reasons that I haven't written over the past few weeks. Life has been crazy! Ian got his wisdom teeth pulled, Jude was sick for about 2 weeks on and off, we're in the midst of moving over 2000 kids to new classes at work (aka PROMOTION), my preparations for Spain continue and the list goes on and on. Through it all I kept meaning to update my blog but today I have a few minutes to update so here it goes. 

To be honest, the past few weeks have felt like I've been under a spiritual attack. On Wednesday in our starting point group the reference to John 10:10 came up, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...." I listened to Steven Curtis Chapman last night on Larry King as he and his family talked about the evil one and they referred to this scripture as well. I don't always acknowledge that there is a spiritual battle going on and that Satan wants to get at Christians in any way he can. These past few weeks have been downright tough and he has tried to destroy me emotionally. I feel like every area of my life has been under attack. So today's post is just a reminder for me and maybe for you too that we are the redeemed we are the ones who are free and we belong to Jesus!!! That is a line from "We Shine" which is one of my favorite songs.  (myspace.com/stevefee listen to we shine ). There is really nothing we have to fear or be downtrodden about. The end of John 10:10 sums it up well.."I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." So today, I wish you life to the full. May you know that you do belong to Jesus! As satan comes and attempts to steal, kill or destroy remember that the perfect Prince of Peace has come to bring us life and life to the full! That is my declaration. I hope you have a fantastic rest of the day! 

Fabric-$6, Wood $5, Chargers $0, Headboard-Priceless

YAY! We finally have a headboard. I am a total HGTV junkie and if I could, I'd love to go to design school. I've got quite a bit on my plate these days however :-). Every now and then, (ok.. everyday Ian I know)I will see something that I want to try. Time after time host after host whips up a headboard that looks spectacular for a really great price. Well I'm defintely not a host on HGTV, and I'm not exactly sure it's spectacular, but the great price is true for sure! Here it is. The new headboard of the Chadwicks. The chargers were a bonus from a storage clean out at church! SCORE....

Pray for Our Group

Here is the group of us who are going to Spain to launch UpStreet. We had a great retreat this past weekend and I'm so excited to see what God will do.  If you think of us please pray for supportive families, wisdom in our planning efforts, team unity and for God's provision for all of our expenses. Here are some specific prayers from the church in Spain:

1. For motivation and excitement about the new strategy in ministering to children. (Currently the kids leave during the preaching and after our visit they will be having an entire service just for them.)

2. That God will bring more children to the church. 

3. That they would be unified. 

4. Through their work that God would be glorified. 

11 Months

Today has been such a good day with both of the kids. I had a moment where I wanted to cry just looking at them. I feel so blessed to have these 2 incredible children. Today, Jude is 11 months. He knows how to wave bye-bye and sign more! I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by. It's been even faster with Ellison. We had fun this morning playing at the soft play area at the mall. When I told Ellison we were going, she asked if there would be a coach like at daddy's games (confused it with soft ball) :-). We had a tea party this afternoon where the 3 of us ate ritz crackers and water. Jude of course had more fun destroying than anything else. Here are some pictures of Jude at the softplay and Ellison in her tea hat (sorry Joy just borrowed it for the party). 

Praise God for children. They truly are a blessing from Him! I'm finally starting to get in the groove with having 2 and on a lot of days recently am feeling the itch for the 3rd. It's almost like it happened overnight. 3 months ago I could have been fine with 2 and now I'm beginning to feel like there is another little someone to be added to the family. Ian and I have been praying about the possibility of adopting so it's cool to think that maybe there is a child already born waiting to come to our home. I am open to whatever He has in store, He always knows best. 

A lot's happened in a week

We just got back from vacation with Ian's family. We rented a house at Jekyll island and all in all it was a great trip. It was Jude's first trip to the water and Ellison had a blast playing with her cousins all week long. Ian turned 30 while we were there which made for a special celbration with all of his family. Ian and I got a date night with his brother and wife and we had some chances to run on the beach together! That was fanstastic.  The day before we left, we completed the peachtree in one hour and 9 minutes. Here is a pic of team "C.H." after the race.  I'm actually looking into a 15K or possibly a 1/2 marathon. I need some motivation to keep me moving.  Well, here are some pictures from all of the happenings.