She is one!

Today the baby girl is ONE!  One year ago she came into the world and forever changed our lives.  No screaming or crying (she saved that for later) when she was born, just this beautiful precious God-sent face.

All 8 pounds 2 ounces of her!

I wanted her to come a little earlier than December 28th...she of course had other plans.  I joke that she would have stayed in my belly a lot longer than her due date if we would have let her.  But as I've gotten to know her over the past year, I've found that is kind of her MO.  She does what she pleases, but she'll give you the cutest smile when she does!

I remember my first words about her...she is so pretty (I was a little drugged).  But she is and so is her personality.  She is a little feisty, opinionated, quick to find the things she should NOT be finding, poker faced (seriously I want to know what she is thinking numerous times a day especially about people), quick to join in whatever it is we are doing, PERSISTENT, over the moon joyous, observant and appreciative.

Some of the words that have been spoken over her during the first year of her life include:

• Someone who paves the way and isn't afraid to make the first move or speak out of truth
• A persistent warrior in God's Kingdom
• She will go after every person she encounters and will fight for their salvation

• She will be a fire starter and bring revival to the nations
• She sees people as the Lord sees them (this one is sweet because these exact words have also been spoken over me)
• A precious jewel of value

• She will be a refuge for everyone around her
• Seeker and evangelist
• A little powerhouse (YES!)
• Marked with an unusual level of faith

My precious daughter, it is an honor and a blessing to be your momma.  I have not stopped praying for you since I found out we were going to have you, and I will not until God calls me home.  

You, little one, keep us on our toes.  You are energetic and excited about life.  One of my favorite phrases for you is "Finley's just happy to be alive" because you are!  You greet the day with your sweet smile and voice and end it with gracious kisses for your daddy, SE and I.  I pray for that zeal and joy to continue to grow as you grow.  

I pray that you know you are a worthy and beautiful daughter of the Most High King.  I pray you know you are wanted and have an established place in our family.  I pray you stand firm on your identity in Him, on who He says you are.  

But most of all, I pray that I get to have many, many, many more years with you because you, Finley Cohrs, are an absolutely delightful creature whom I will never stop celebrating and for whom I will never stop thanking the Lord.  Happy birthday baby girl!  We LOVE you to the moon and back!

Merry Christmas!

There is a lot of JOY at our house this season.  We find it in the obvious places.  Decorations!

I kind of kept forgetting it was Finley's first Christmas.  I was soooo pregnant this time last year that it was like she was already here.  As I was out picking up some last minute things the other day, I came across this:

It was too cute not to get...seriously when Sean saw it I thought he was going to cry.  So I didn't forget completely.  But since I got her something I thought it best to get the big brother something too:

Speaking of the big brother, did I tell you he was an elf in his music school Christmas recital?  Well, he was, and of course, he was the best elf.  No seriously he was...he was the only one sang.

With sweet friends Asher and Grace

See only one singing :)

Finley is 3 DAYS from being ONE YEAR OLD!  She is growing, moving, and constantly bringing smiles to our faces.  She is a pretty sweet little girl!

This song apparently wasn't very good...she gave it a thumbs down

This one met her approval

I also broke down and finally took SE to see a Santa Clause.  He thought it was fun, but the Santa wasn't superb to say the least.  I mean I'm sure he wasn't being paid or anything so really what was I to expect?

Merry Christmas from these sweet faces:

And us too!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord! Luke 2:11

Busted!

I've been wanting to do this post for a while now.  Throughout our days, I stumble upon numerous things SE and Finley do sometimes good and sweet, and other times mischievous and well, I'll say it, naughty.  Happily I can say that 9 times out of 10, the naughty moments are not severe enough to prohibit picture taking.  And every once in a while, there is that moment between brother and sister that brings tears to my eyes because I see the bonds of friendship forming and taking hold, and I get to pause and celebrate what He is doing in my kids. 

Not sure how many more stickers SE can hold

In the cabinet

Breaking and eating my cell phone (not the healthiest food choice)

He really wants some red rain boots (like momma's)

Brotherly/sisterly love

Climbing up the step

Someone had a rough day

He climbed up on the cabinet and helped himself

It was a good faith attempt, Fin

Confetti egg!

Why not dump the entire container of puffs out?

Yarn...seriously babies at her age are just like puppies

Down the step

Break dancing (part of his touchdown dance)

Playing together

Crawling into sis's crib

  Bring us more, Lord, especially the sweet, affectionate times...even though the ornery ones aren't that bad!