5 month old Munchkin

Our little munchkin is growing up fast! Anyday now, she'll be rolling over and crawling. She still loves "chewing" on her little fingers & toes, playing with her toys and tasting my banana creations. :) Madison is doing such a great job at eating with a spoon. She's not an expert yet, but give her some time.

Madison now weighs 15 lbs and is almost 24" long. She's outgrowing a lot of her clothes...yes, I'm a little sad when I have to put them away. But at the same time, I love rediscovering all the new outfits awaiting us both!

She's become so fascinated by our dogs recently. We'll sit with her on the couch or floor and she will just watch them with a huge smile. Harley will let out a playful bark and Madison bursts out in laughter. It's truly the cutest thing! :)

Not much other news on our end, but please drop us a line. We miss everyone!

When we don't understand

"My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Sometimes we simply don't understand why God allows certain things to happen in our lives. Why does he allow diease & pain to enter into our bodies, why does he take a young person's life, why do some live in such poverty? My mind has been racing with these thoughts the past week.
I've always believed that everything in life happens for a reason. A reason we may not understand at that very moment, but a reason God has created. Sometimes it takes days, months or even years to figure it all out...sometimes we never do. I've struggled with the "not knowing" part of life for such a long time, but now I take peace in knowing that He will take care of me. He will take care of us all.
"So don't worry because I am with you. Don't be afraid because I am your God. I will make you strong and help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you." Isaiah 41:10

At this point, I'm sure you're wondering what happened in the last week to make me reflect and dig so deep into my thoughts. Well, I found out that a family friend has cancer that's spread into his bones. There is no cure and he's been given 5 years to live. He's lived a good life, but deserves to live a lot longer. Of course the question that first comes to mind...why? Why him, why now? Then I turn to my faith. God will provide the reason one day.
Last Friday I received a call from a friend in NY and was told that another good friend had passed away the previous night. She died of a massive heartache at the fresh age of 23. She leaves behind a precious 3 year old daughter and a loving husband. Almost a week has passed and it all still seems so surreal to me. I want to pick up the phone and her tell me it's a prank, but I know it's not. Darren tells me to remember the good times with her. The crazy times we had while living in NY. That brings a smile to my face. She was a good woman, a good friend, a great mother and loyal wife. She didn't deserve to die at such a young age, but He holds the reason. I can no longer ask why, I must trust Him.
"Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success." Proverbs 3:5-6