A Lot Going On

     This week, between work, church, and within our home, we had a LOT going on.  All good stuff, but it keeps us busy nonetheless.  I've been working on a women's banquet at church, trying to keep the nursery stocked with both food and workers, I still take Matthew to school, and on top of all that I try to maintain a clean home with daily meals.  Oh, did I mention that I'm a full time wife and mom??? :) 
     Mark is busy with work (always) but he's our Sunday School director and had to present a report at our last business meeting as well as propose new changes to the Sunday School teachers.  He also plays church volleyball twice a week and we both still help serve on Tuesday nights at Kids Kitchen.  He, too, is a full time husband and father. :)
     In the midst of all this busy-ness, we really try to make time for playing with, teaching, and interacting with Marcus as much as possible.  Our number one priority is teaching him about Jesus, so you can't teach someone if you're not there.  He's been memorizing scripture, listening to Christ-centered music (he asks for "The Holy Name Song" AT LEAST 10 times a day), and we read the Bible to him.  This doesn't equate to him being a Christian when he grows up.  That'll have to be his choice.  But we do hope and pray that he makes that decision at a very early age. 
     Nonetheless, we're still having a ball with him.  He makes us laugh CONSTANTLY with his funny faces, silly voices, and how he can crawl in and out of his crib.  He's still strong-willed and aggressive, but has a sweet, compassionate side when it comes to babies that are smaller than him.  He likes to kiss their feet!  He's well-rounded to us, but we're partial. I bet you are a little, too.

Marcus with some of his buddies at church.  L-R: Adam, Jackson, Marcus, Matthew, Mariclaire, and Lily (hidden).

He wouldn't smile, but I thought he looked SO CUTE in this outfit.

Playing with Play-Doh that the Hausers gave him for his birthday.  It's a new favorite around here.

Reading books in his "Special Spot" behind the couch with Isabella.

Playing Peek-A-Boo with Matthew is...

hilarious to Marcus. :)

Granddad came to visit and booooy did they play a lot.

All Marcus' grandfathers like to push him high.

Trying on his new hiking boots from Granddad and Granny.

Getting pointers from another baseball great.

Our PRECIOUS big boy, all ready to go play ball outside.

Using his dump truck to play in the mulch.

Don't forget the digger (Thanks, Aunt Liv!)

Happiest outside.

Back in the puddle

The leaves are JUST starting to change here.  (Can you find Marcus?)

It was a PERFECT day for a snack on the porch (especially since the wind knocked the power out).

Mark and I both thought the other one was watching Marcus after his shower.  Little did we know he put on his boots himself and walked down to the swing set - NAKED!

Must not've been that cold because he didn't seem to mind it!