Oh Well

: : outtake from Esther's 3 month photos, she looks so bored! : : 

I was on a roll there for a few days with the blog posts, then it all came to a screeching halt when our computer crashed on us. It's sort of fixed now, but not well enough for me to do much photo editing. So, it may be a little longer before I post anything more here.  Meanwhile, enjoy this outtake from our recent photo session with our sweetheart - she is 3 months old today!  I can hardly believe it!

Papa Cavie Comes to Visit

I think one of the sweetest things in the world is seeing my dad with Esther. A lot of people who meet him (and know him from church) think he is stern and a bit scary, but all you have to do is watch him with his granddaughter (or any baby, for that matter) to know that is not the case at all!

We were trying to get a photo to send to Ms. Helga, a friend from church who wanted a photo of Pastor Steve with Esther. She gave him some pretty good smiles while I had the camera out!

See? What did I tell you? One of the sweetest things ever.

: : Esther, checking out her new friend : :

 : : wait, daddy's home! much more interesting than this thing on my lap : :

 : : oh no, mom! he picked me up! : :

: : are you seriously going to let him kiss me with that beard? : :

: : aww, man, this thing is scratchy : :

I'm Thankful

Today we are grieving with and praying for two separate friends who have lost babies. One a week old, the other just a day old, both from unexpected complications after birth. I look at my sweet, healthy baby and cannot imagine losing her. I would hope that I could respond with the grace and faith in the Lord that our friends have displayed.
Today, and hopefully every day, I am taking more time to thank the Lord for all the little things, which really are big things, that I so often overlook (or complain about!).

I'm thankful for... 

dirty diapers
 baby drool on all of my shirt shoulders 

middle of the night feedings, more often than I would like

sweet smiles
unhappy frowns
sleepless nights
sleepless days
piles of dirty laundry from poop explosions and sour milk spit up smells
baskets of clean, yet-to-be-folded laundry because I've been holding my happy baby instead of doing chores...
back ache from standing while holding a growing baby, or having to sit just so while I'm nursing,
a messy house, full dishwasher, full sink, because I'm feeding, changing, playing with, holding my sweet baby and not getting chores done


...and most of all, I am thankful for the promises of the Lord, 
and looking forward to the day when He will wipe away every tear and make all things new.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 

 (Revelation 21:3-5 ESV)

Guess who came home for the weekend?

It was great to have Abby home for the weekend! It was busy with Matt & Jessie's wedding on Saturday, and then church on Sunday, but it was so good to see her for the short time we had. Her finals at Boyce are this week (if you think of her, please pray!), then she'll be coming home after Jeff's (our brother) graduation from seminary in a few weeks. We can't wait to have her back!

Easter 2012

This Easter we spent the day celebrating the resurrection with our church family, then relaxing with the Cavies. And of course, we made time for a quick family photo shoot.

: : first Easter with our daughter, Esther, so sweet! : :

: : naps with a sleeping baby are the best : :

: : trying to finish the book before we watched the Masterpiece Classic version : :

: : watching napping through the masters golf tournament : :

: : Easter table - ham, olive cheese bread, cheesy grits, asparagus : :

: : eggs died with onion skins, sriracha deviled eggs : :

: : happy Easter from the O'Neals! : :

Where I've Been

Wondering where I've been lately and why there haven't been any blog posts this whole summer?  Read this!

Columbus with the Coffeys

Last month we had a very special visit from my Aunt Terry and cousin Marianna [my mom's sister and her oldest daughter]. Marianna was in Bexley [just a few minutes from us] for an acting competition [or festival?] with her students [she's a teacher in Misissippi], so after she was finished, my Aunt Terry flew up and they stayed several days here in Columbus. It was their first time to visit us in Ohio.

We had a great time hanging out, playing games, eating delicious food, and seeing the sights in Columbus.  On Monday we went to Easton for some shopping, then on Tuesday we went to the North Market, the downtown library, and the Topiary Park.

Val, this one is for you - notice the sign behind Steph in the background

Update

I'm not so good at updates that are non-photo related, but for the sake of long-distance friends and family who would like to be able keep up with us better, I am going to try.  Here are a few snippets of things that have been happening lately.

Scott:
+ Just recently received a promotion at work, and is enjoying it so much.  I can't really explain what he does, but ask him, and he would be happy to tell you!  He comes home happy after work every day.  It's a blessing for him to have a job that he enjoys.

+ Was ordained last fall and is a deacon now at our church.  We've been so blessed and encouraged with the support and love we've received from the body of Christ at RBC!

+ Is teaching the young singles Sunday school class at RBC on Sunday mornings.  Right now we're in the midst of a chronological study through the books of the Old Testament.

+ Has had a lot of great opportunities to preach at church.  You can listen to some of his sermons here.

+ Spends his spare time fixing the car, fixing or renovating the house, and spending time with Emily.

Emily:
+ Is working as a secretary at RBC [our church] part-time two days a week, in addition to doing some part-time photography work for friends and family [see some of her work here, at her new blog].

+ Is attempting to plan a garden for this spring, summer, and fall.  Neither of us has planted a garden before [beyond a few pots of peppers and herbs], so it will be a challenging learning experience!  If you know anything about organic gardening, she would love your input.

+ Spends her spare time taking photos, babysitting for friends, working around the house, spending time with Scott, and doing whatever she can for people in the church [organizing class events, showers, etc.].

We:
+ Are playing and singing regularly on Sunday mornings in the worship service at RBC. Scott plays the guitar and Emily, the piano.

+ Just finished our taxes! [haha, who are we kidding? this should be under the "Scott" category]

+ Are preparing to participate in our church's annual community Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday [tomorrow!].  Please pray that the storms stay away, and that we will be able to reach out to many families from our community.

+ Just enjoyed our fist grilled meal of the year al fresco on the steps of the deck last night [proof above].

+ In our spare time together, we enjoy dressing up as Bonnie & Clyde.  [just kidding...that was for an April Fool's costume party we attended]

Alabama, the Beautiful [part 3]

On our last night in Alabama we got everyone together in an attempt to get some good group shots. Well, some worked, some didn't. :) But that's how it goes...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't!