Merry Christmas!

The Gift of Gifts

O source of all good,

what shall I render to thee for the gift of gifts,

thine own dear Son, begotten not created,

my Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,

his self-emptying incomprehensible,

his infinity of love beyond the heart's grasp.

Herein is wonder of wonders:

he came below to raise me above,

was born like me that I might become like him.

Herein is love;

when I cannot rise to him he draws near on

wings of grace,

to raise me to himself.

Herein is power;

when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart

he united them in indissoluble unity,

the uncreated and the created.

Herein is wisdom;

when I was undone, with no will to return to him,

and no intellect to devise recovery,

he came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,

as man to die my death,

to shed satisfying blood on my behalf,

to work out a perfect righteousness for me.

O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds,

and enlarge my mind;

let me hear good tidings of great joy,

and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore,

my conscience bathed in an ocean of repose,

my eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father;

place me with ox, ass, camel, goat,

to look with them upon my Redeemer's face,

and in him account myself delivered from sin;

let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart,

embrace him with undying faith,

exulting that he is mine and I am his.

In him thou hast given me so much

that heaven can give no more.

taken from "The Valley of Vision" (emphasis mine)

Tourist Day

As we're leaving DC soon, we realised we needed to look at some of the sights! So we packed ourselves up for the day and started walking with the aim to go to the Lincoln Memorial....

It is so fun that we walk past the Capitol Building so often. It has become a fun habit to call out "Look right!" (or left) to each other as we cross East Capitol St, also serving as a fun reminder that we really live here.

First stop was outside the Botanical Gardens. They recently had things fenced off, but now it's looking superb. Lyle and Emma took a moment to peek at the fish.

Further along the mall we saw a carousel and of course Emma was very excited to have a ride...however, this was at the beginning of the ride before it moved. She clung on the whole time with all her might and when it finished, sure enough, she cried. Gotta love the 'bad parent' moments in life!

This was after the carousel ride heading towards the Washington Monument.

We finally made it past the Washington Monument, the WWII memorial, the Reflecting Pool (where there was ironically loads of construction and no water) and into the Lincoln Memorial. As you can see the kids were just thrilled to finally get there.

On the way back we walked past the White House to see the tree and the trains. I always find it amusing that 'Thomas the Tank Engine' makes his appearance all over the world.

After this (I did some clever google maps calculations and we had walked about 8km) we were too tired to keep walking back so we jumped on the metro (train) to Union Station and finally home again!

It was really fun being tourists for the day. The last few months have gone by so fast with Lyle working so hard that we've almost missed lots of the fun of DC.

Princess Hair

Visits and Farewells

The internship has ended and we had to say goodbye to some very dear friends. Harshit Singh and his family are from India and we enjoyed getting to know them so much.

His wife Malini and I really enjoyed each others company and have started planning a holiday our families will take together in India one day!

Sameera (Sammy Sam) and Emma are dear friends, they always greeted each other with a "long lost friends" hug, which amused the nursery workers each sunday. Lord willing, we will see them in India at some point and the girls hug will be warranted! Sammy is also one of Williams greatest fans - calling him "Lilliam" and always pouring love and hugs on him.

We also recently had a visit from Lyle's cousin Kayley all the way from South Africa! It was just a short visit one evening (she's travelling around the USA with friends) but it was very special time as it was a unique moment for someone to witness William learning to walk. It's such a short stage of a child's life and I'm glad Kayley had the opportunity to witness it with us!

Little Trickster

I love this "how clever am I?" look on his face.

(and yes, Emma's in there too, behind him)

Happy 1st Birthday William Luther!

November 24 was William's first birthday.

We praise God so much for the joy that Will brings to our lives.

As I was looking through his newborn photos I thought about how amazing the process of childbirth is. It's no wonder they come out screaming, it's kind of a big deal!

I also thought how little I knew of him when he was born and how fun it has been to get to know him over this last year. Lord willing we will have many, many years ahead to enjoy him.

He has such a fun personality. He is definitely the clown of the family. At this age Emma would giggle cutely at the silly things we did, whereas Will is the one who does silly things to try and get a laugh out of us! More often than not he succeeds.

A Sunday Afternoon

We had a nice lazy afternoon today. Let's have a look at what we did...

Here's my handsome almost one year old boy!

And here's a very silly photo of his mouth - he has very cleverly grown 3 (maybe 4) teeth on top all at once this week, bringing his total to 5 or 6.

He doesn't teeth well AT. ALL. sigh.

(the whole family is very tired . . .)

Emma doing a spin before heading out for a walk

We visited a garage sale or two . . .

It's autumn! see!?

Squirrels have enjoyed the remnants of halloween at quite a few of the houses we walked past

Emma looked at this and said "that's not nice!"

Emma and I wandering home after visiting the coffee shop

(yes I know my legs are skinny. I take after my father. haha)

It was a lovely way to spend an hour and a half with the family. God is kind.

The Red Lion

Three weeks ago Lyle went to Boston and New York with some staff and the interns at CHBC for the week. I was privileged to get out of town with the kids to Pennsylvania to visit some dear friends from long ago! I went to college with Erin in California, then she married an Australian, Rodney, who went to church with my folks while I was at college! It was refreshing for me to be with another mum all day long as well as a nice break from the city. Although I have to confess it did feel almost too rural on occasion. Perhaps DC is making its mark on me! Actually, that’s not half wrong - I remember the day after we returned the word ‘balmy’ came to mind as we walked home from church.

We were in Red Lion, PA. Which is near York (people here still haven’t heard of York, so I learned quickly that “a place 2 hours away in Pennsylvania” was a sufficient description). Emma was very excited to see the Red Lion, so when we told her we had arrived, she looked out the window of the car to see it. Thankfully there is a Red Lion or two in the area, in some front yards and in the town square.

I loved watching her language develop astoundingly while we were with 3 older children all week too. Sadly yesterday I noticed she had reverted back to saying “I want different” instead of “may I have something else to eat?” sigh. She won’t be 2 forever so I strive to enjoy it.

We’re heading back there for Christmas which we are all looking forward to so much. I can highly recommend the Pearce’s as excellent hosts (if ever you’re in the area, hehe)!

The girls being ballerina's

Puddles!!

...and the result of puddles+mud

I LOVE this photo! I'm glad that Emma had Henry and Grace to show her how it's done.

I think Emma's face is sour because we were making her sit and smile instead of playing in the playground . . .

Daddy joined us on Friday afternoon and we left Saturday night.

He brought us back our NY tourist shirts! (William has one too but it's a NYPD shirt)

I can tell he's not a baby anymore from the enjoyment he now experiences on big kid toys!

Thank you Rodney and Erin for loving us so sweetly!!

10 months old

It was just becoming normal to say "he's 9 months old" to the fellow playground attendee's in their inquiry of Williams age . . .and now all of a sudden without warning he's 10 months old! It has taken me quite by surprise! I weighed him on the bathroom scales and he's about 9kg's and is 76cm tall!

William:

~loves the bath

~loves his sister (I often catch them having private giggles together)

~speaks! he says: mum mum; dad, dad-dy; mmma (Emma); MA! (more); hi; ah-da (all done)

~he sleeps beautifully

~eats like a boy (lots)

~plays like a boy (messy and busy)

~makes lots of 'boy' noises (yelling and growling)

~is trying to walk (he walks when we hold his hands)

~has the best belly laugh

~gives the sweetest cuddles, wrapping his arms right around your neck

~mimics lots of sounds I make to him (clicking his tongue, kissing sounds)

~gets his big sister in trouble (I saw Emma reaching for his dummy/paci and after I said "Emma, leave it in his mouth" she took her hand away without touching it and William spit it out anyway and did the "she hurt me" cry!!)

~~~brings us great, great joy~~~

Emma's Washington ABC

We went to the Mall this morning. You can see the Washington Monument in the (far) distance! (Emma was more interested in the pebbles she's playing with)

Sharing her sultanas with Will. Which are called raisins here. But we have raisins in Australia as well as sultana's - does anyone know the difference? Let me know if you do!

The Capitol Building (aka the "catabuilding" or "catatall") she has informed me "that is a tricky one to say"

let the good times roll

We have photos again! Here are a few random pics to show you a little of what we've been up to.

As an intern Lyle was at a family fun day - all day (in the dunk tank - have I mentioned 'intern perks'? at least he was cool).

We visited for a little while, had a bite to eat and headed home for a loooong sleep.

Emma was excited to be on the 'trampoline'.

William has grown up SO much. He LOVES the bath, but too much water is emptied out when both Emma and Will are in there together, so they take turns.

Family photo

Our big, big boy. He's almost 9 months, has 2 teeth (finally), and is cruising around furniture (already?!)

Bedtime Giggles

Washington DC

I usually blog mainly with pictures, but our card reader is in transit from Australia . . .it was misplaced in the 'great move' (akin to the great flood but rather less watery . . .at least it feels that way).

We arrived in Washington on Friday afternoon August 5th. It's been just over a week and I think we're finally finding our feet a little more. Lyle hit the ground running, he has written tons of assignments and read as many books within the first week.

Capitol Hill Baptist Church is a special place. Being located on 'the hill' a lot of its members live locally. Weirdly a lot of its members also live in other states! Of course DC is teeny tiny and is surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. In fact I went grocery shopping in Virginia this morning. It's a strange feeling, but is making a little more sense each time I venture out. And Virginia has a lower sales tax than DC...or so I've heard, so if I shop in Virginia I can justify my Starbucks spending.

When I go to the park within moments I'm able to spot at least 5 other church mothers there. It's a lovely opportunity to fellowship each day. I've hardly had to cook so far too! We have been made so welcome with dinner invitations.

At church on Sunday evening Lyle and I sat behind Mark Dever and Al Mohler. After church Lyle was invited to spend some time with Dr Mohler for a Q&A (a total intern perk).

We have figured out online shopping (and feel all the more American for it). I think partly as we don't have a car and Lyle simply doesn't have the time.

We went for a walk on Saturday to the Capitol Building and the Library of Congress. They are such amazing buildings. It was fun to understand a little more about the US political system too.

Hopefully we will be able to get some photos up soon. William is trying to walk - he's pulling up on everything and has his first tooth! Emma has started speaking with a bit of an American accent which is cute but confusing because I have to ask her a couple of times before I realise she's saying the "r" in a particular word.

We've decided we're going to love living here.

Skyping with Daddy

2 year olds are the cutest

Right now we're having some play time before lunch while listening to some music, or "muskik" as Emma calls it.

The hymn Holy, Holy Holy started and she said "oh roly poly" and was rolling her hands around. I realised that she thought the hymn, holy, holy holy is in some way, the kids play rhyme "roly poly ever so slowly faster, faster, faster stop" Sure enough as the introduction finished and the singing started, Emma rolled her hands and sang 'roly roly poly, Lord God Almighty'.

SO cute.

William William William

It's so fun having two children. But something I didn't realise was how much fun it is reliving certain ages and stages of life. It's exciting to see how amazingly smart we think Emma is, but it's also fun to enjoy William as a baby knowing how quickly his first year will go by!

He loves Lyle so much

Pirate Will

yup, it's the "put EVERYTHING in my mouth" age

He's almost 7 months old - his first year of life is already on the down hill!!

Curious Will

Will's a bit of a sticky beak. Especially the age he is now, everything and anything is interesting. While I was cooking the other day he just had to know what was happening behind him.

William sits, Emma reads

William sat up by himself for the first time yesterday. He thought it was the greatest thing ever. He was talking away so happily. He fell backwards a couple of times (on pillows!) but didn't seem to mind. He was probably on a 'high' from sitting that he didn't care that he fell! hehe.

Here's the clever boy

I love this photo - "Look!! My toy!"

Our big Emma girl is learning to play nicely by herself at times. I really need that too. I haven't seen my laundry floor in a while, so any time she can give me is really helpful. Obviously she can't yet read, but she will sit and tell a story from whatever she's looking at. It usually starts with "One day . . ." or "Sometimes . . ." This morning I heard her 'reading' a book about Jonah. She was talking about the rain (the storm) and Jonah being in the fish. I love to hear that she's learning truths from God's word, it is so precious.

There's a Spurgeon quote I truly appreciate which reminds me of the intense responsibility it is to raise our children:

"Watch with ceaseless care over those new-born babes who are strong in desires, but strong in nothing else. They have but just crept out of darkness, and their eyes can scarcely bear the light; let us be a shade to them until they grow accustomed to the blaze of gospel day."

I recall a conversation with a friend. They have chosen to not allow their boys to play with toys like guns and knives as they feel it's inappropriate. The dad recalled "someone said to us 'well that's a big over protective isn't it?' " but my response was simply - 'Of course it is. That's our job!' Our children have come to us with their sin and selfish desires, the greatest love we can show them is to share the love of Christ to save them from themselves. It is such a daunting task and I'm glad that even if I fail God can save my children if He chooses. Now, that is a great relief to me.

My babies at 6 months

Thought I'd post a comparison photo of Emma and William. I thought, until recently, that they're chalk and cheese, but looking a little harder they're actually really similar! But let me tell you, they definitely have different personalities!! God is so creative.