Inexperienced gardening

Aren't they beautiful? Know why? For those of you who are Christians, this is one of those principles you mostly wish you didn't know. The day before they were totally wilted and not worth keeping. But rather than chuck the whole $2.99 1/2 dozen from Aldi, I kept two, hoping for one more day of life. Just for kicks, I cut off 3/4 of each of their stems and stuck them in some water. The next morning, I have to say I sort of freaked out when I saw how beautiful they were. Why? I really enjoy gardening and cutting and new life and all that stuff, unless it's done on me. Seeing the principle of pruning at work before my eyes I couldn't help but think of John: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." -John 15 Personally this is one of those pages in the Bible I'd rather conveniently tear out. I'd like to be more beautiful like these flowers, producing lots of gentleness, kindness and all that stuff. I'd rather skip the cutting, however. For those of you who know what I'm talking about, be encouraged. You're much more valuable than the flowers of the field, and look at their beauty!

Elliot's first birthday

Is this kid not the cutest? We had a great time at Elliot's birthday party. Though he was mostly cranky, tired, and teething, there were golden moments. He loved the candles, as he seems to take after mama in his obsession with fire. The chocolate frosting was also a hit, though some came back out a bit later... His actual birthday is Monday, 8.21.06, but we celebrated a bit early so others could join us. I have to say, I'm a bit sad about birthday number one. Does this mean I can't call him "baby" anymore, which I use more than "Elliot"? I know it's cliche, but MAN has this first year gone fast. I still remember the first time I think he really looked at me, about 2am in the hospital, that first night. Everything was dark, Michael was snoring on the couch, and a nurse brought him to me, ready to eat. I had been waiting for him, anticipating seeing and touching him again. I pulled him to me and he just looked up at me, with these big, beautiful slate blue eyes like, you're my mama, do you know that? I'm yours, are you gonna take care of me? It makes me cry, seriously, still, to think about that moment. I think that's when I loved him, really loved him, first. I've been hooked ever since.

Dressin' up and dressin' down

Michael is preparing Elliot for a desk job, obviously. I'm not sure what Elliot and Maddie were doing here. Something to do with wires, I guess. But I caught them in the act.

New explorations

Elliot's been delving into all kinds of new things. He climbed the entire staircase in about three minutes after figuring out the first step. He loved the watermelon papa gave him, and he and Nana (7 month old Newfoundland mix) are getting along famously (shown here wrestling). The new fab food is partially defrosted peas. This is currently the only vegetable that is getting through...

Family

Elliot spent a week in Peoria, escaping the heat and power outage in St. Louis, being completely spoiled by grandma, and enjoying a whole new carpeted livingroom to explore. Then a week in Georgia, saying goodbye to uncle Jason. I'm sad that Elliot won't know Jason in the flesh, although I guarantee he will hear stories about him. He rides happily with his papa in Jason's truck. I want to find him a handkerchief to put on his head and a wife beater, in honor of uncle Jason. We all miss him here. Elliot and Robert Jackson had some good cousin time together - you can see who won the potato chip contest...