Update!

It's been awhile since my last update on the kids!

We had an awesome Easter. Eric was off work this year, so that was a nice change! Cole and Raleigh loved hunting Easter eggs. Raleigh was surprisingly good at it! She caught on quickly and it was a race between her and Cole! She just turned 14 months...repeat....14 MONTHS on Saturday!!!! Insane. Not sure where the time is going. She still seems like a little baby to me, when in fact she is growing up right in front of me. She is so full of life. She loves to laugh, play with Cole, give hugs and kisses, play with dolls (she got her first Barbie the other day and loves it; she calls is "Ba Ba!") climb stairs, babble and watch me get ready in the mornings. She is so girly and I love it. It's a nice change from Cole and Eric always talking about hunting and fishing! She seriously loves to watch me get ready. She pretends to brush her hair with me, and I have to pretend like I'm putting makeup on her! She just smiles and I say, "Oh, Raleigh, you look beautiful!" Hopefully one day she will know there is no makeup in the world that could make her any more beautiful than she already is. She amazes us with how much humor, personality and sense she already has. Our daughter is wonderful!

Cole is doing great! He started T-Ball this month. It's been interesting, to say the least! He loves it. However, not sure how much his coach loves him playing in the dirt! Okay, in his defense, he gets really bored in the outfield. And, I believe, rightfully so. He's 3 1/2 and very active. But, this experience has been good for him. He's so outgoing, so he's making friends and is learning what it's like to be in a structured environment. He's at home with me all day everyday, so this is a nice change of pace for him. And he's actually really good at batting! He will start preschool this year, and that's all I'll say for now...I'm getting choked up just thinking about it! We are going to put him in either our church program or another church a little closer to our house. Regardless, I'm really excited for him. Cole is very smart, loves his sister, LOVES his daddy, loves to fish and hunt, and loves to be outside. He is so sweet, very funny and talks constantly! If he thinks it, he says it! I am very proud of Cole and the strides he is taking in his early walk with God. He is really curious about everything. He prays for us before every meal, and that touches my heart to hear my son praying and thanking God for what He has so richly blessed us with. It touches me even more when Cole, on his own, prays for other people. He will not touch his food or snack without praying. He often asks about Jesus and what He did here. He knows what Heaven is, and also knows the meanings of Christmas and Easter. He made a small bank at Sunday School (they had a lesson on tithing) and whenever he gets money from us or his grandparents, he immediately asks to put it in the bank so he can "give it to Jesus." I cannot describe to you what that feels like as a parent to watch your very young child willing give up his money to give back to church, and understanding the importance of prayer. I'm always praying for my kids, asking God to help me guide them on the path towards Him. I doubt myself often, but something is getting through to Cole. I feel an overwhelming since of pride for my son when he does things like that. Our son is wonderful!

In other exciting news, my oldest brother and sister-in-law welcomed their second child into the world last Wednesday! Lylian Nicole Brown is our precious new niece! My nephew is so wonderful with her! He will be 3 next month, and he is such a proud big brother. It was awesome to watch Jarid and Anita with their new baby girl. They too are a family of 4 now. How great is our God. We have, however, conceded to the fact that we will most likely not be getting together for dinner at a restaurant ever again, but rather at each others houses! 4 adults and 4 kids....whew!!!