Family Pictures..."Vintagey"

On facebook I came across a super fun photographer, Kristen Pace.  We normally have our family pictures taken once a year or so and so this year here is what we went with.  It's kinda "vintagey".  I like it for a change from our traditional pics.  There are alot!  Trust me I know...I had to go thru and water mark all of them!  I tell you why.  I am not necessarily worried about yall stealing them but it is weird that if they came up in a google image search anyone could use them....  Anyway- these were my favorites!



I love my family!  I can't believe there will be 4 of us just months away!

Are you surprised??? .....cuz we were but surely babies are the best surprises EVER.

I Changed My Mind!

I actually LOVE the fair!

I wrote in my last post about how I don't care for it and was almost dreading going but it was our first time taking Darby and it was fabulous!  We all went, even Carson, but to see how much Darby enjoyed it was such a delight. 

We went with our neighbors and so Darby got to have all the fun with her BFF. 

 They rode this dinasoaur rollercoaster ride like this the entire time and we were laughing so hard we were crying. 

Later we met up with some more friends and so Carson got to hang out with her BFF olivia for a bit.

My husband took some awesome pictures and there were tons more I wish I could share.  I have to work on watermarking them so I don't have to shrink them down so much, but I hope you enjoyed a glimpse at our night, and I officially do like the fair!



Get ready...

for alot of pictures!  We had a blast at Darby's 3rd.  Birthday party!  Lots of things have been happening over here with the Priest family.  I can't help but sing, "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazerene.  And wonder how he could love me a sinner condemned unclean...." He is Wonderful.  We got a new addition to the family that I hope to be introducing you to soon... but until then just hang on. : ).  Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Taste of the cake...session.

Okay sorry again for the slack blogging!  I have been really busy but also I am outside so much more with this spring and summer weather.  I noticed alot of my bloggy buddies have cut back dramatically in their blogging and so I don't feel as bad ; ).  I guess until the time changes again and we are stuck inside to avoid the cold weather we just wont be writing as much! 

Exciting things are coming up!  Darby and Carson are having their birthdays!  Yay.  Darby's is this coming weekend...oh man that reminds me I better get my stuff together!  Then Carson's is the following weekend.  I'm thrilled to be celebrating my sweet girls. 

So my friend Amy has done it again....she took THE cutest pics of my babe (and my sister's babe).  We had a smash the cake session!  Here is your small taste until I get them all!  Go to her photography blog to see more!

Recently I saw the movie Avatar!  I mean I am a little behind on the times but...Oh my goodness.  I loved that movie!  I LOVED it.  So if you haven't seen it then you should. 

I didn't update on Carson when she turned 11 months!  I am so slack!  What can I say.  I will tell you though that in her 10th month she perfected the art of cruising around the furniture throughout the room.  She can clap and wave...she is still really quiet but she will say da- da and her version of ma- ma.  She is serious and if she sets out on a mission she is determined to accomplish it.  She still gets terrerized by her older sister but she LOVES her big sis Darby!  She is a cubby dub.  I she weighed 22lbs on a trip to the doc last month!  She is so sweet.

Soon I will be updating you on my 3 year old and 1 year old!  I can't believe it.

They didn't take His life...

He laid it down.

The same God that rose from out of the grave (yes! this really happened)

could have taken Himself right down off of that cross

but He chose to die for those who believe and follow Him.

Bc of His love and grace He freely and without merit poured out for us...

we don't have to be perfect to get to heaven.

Does that mean we can just go on sinning so that Grace can abound? (stole that from Paul)

Well lets see what His word saids...

Matthew 16:24-26  "If anyone would come after me (Jesus speaking), he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.  What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Matthew 7:19  pay close attention this is Jesus speaking.  " Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them (talking about true followers of Jesus verses false prophets who do not teach the truth or some might teach part of the truth but not the whole truth).  Then in verse 21 and 22 he says "not everyone who says to me, ' Lord, lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven (so you can recognize Jesus as God and call him Lord he is saying and not enter into the kingdom of heaven (wow), but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 

Here is my concern...There are people who abuse the gospel of grace.  What an amazing gift we have in Jesus' death and ressurection, it was no small sacrifice.  But we can't make up our own rules.  We have to follow Him...we should be running in such a way to win the prize (1 cor. 9:24).  Whoaaa preaching to myself here! 

All I am saying is...Are you believing AND following Jesus?  If not why not?

Is it because you don't think you are that bad?
Is it bc you are not willing to give up your life to be made new (yes this may require some changes)?

This Easter what I really want myself and anyone who reads this to get is... yes it was Grace that brought Jesus to earth as a man and Grace that drove Him to the cross and Grace that he didn't stay dead but rose again!  Hallelujah Praise God!

But it is also Grace that is calling you (and me) right now to die to whatever earthly pleasures we cling to and tend to worship.  Thats calling you to humble yourself in your broken state and take up a new life IN Him (follow Him).  Thank God that we don't have to strive to be perfect anymore.  He bore the punishment for our inherit sin, He paid it all and we owe Him our lives.  Every day, every decision, every dollar, every gift, and etc...
Lets give it to Him this Easter whether it is for the first time or again. 

You have to forgive me bc I do tend to preach but I am so passionate about this and I care about your souls and I want the whole world to know His name.

Have a Happy and Glorious Easter!  I have more pictures to come of some of our festivities...here is a not very good sneak peak.

A Trip To The Beach!

Oh how I love the beach!

So saturday I really wanted to go to the beach!  The high was 78 degrees and my usual rule of thumb is not to go until it is 80 degrees inland.  The beach will usually be 5ish degrees cooler and if it is windy it will feel alot colder than that!  So anyway...I broke my rule!  It was a gamble and it was well worth it!  I am just so thankful too that both my babies love the beach.  This was Carson's first trip!  She loved it. 

I ended up with a dilemma cuz I really wanted them to wear their cute coordinating new bathing suits but I have planned to give those in their Easter baskets so I didn't but I almost did.  I grabbed hats out of the sale bin at gymboree on friday and Darby insisted that she wear hers!  It doesn't match but I am just so happy she was willing to wear it, it will match her new suit!  Here are some snap shots of our trip.  Taken on my phone...unedited.  My phone camera can be pretty impressive sometimes.