Art in the Park

We absolutely LOVE where we live. Only blocks away from downtown, Minute Maid Park (Go Cardinals!!! We only go to games when they're in town), and the Toyota center and within minutes of major shopping areas and the medical center, we also find ourselves just two blocks from a great little park! This past weekend was "Art in the Park", a chance for many local artists to display and sell their wares. It was a beautiful day (70's and no humidity... NICE!) so we decided to stroll on down to the park and enjoy the fun!

There was quite the variety: ceramics, jewlery, painting, photography, sculpture, even cars and graffiti! There is a business just across from the park that makes their building available to local graffiti artists during the event. It was actually pretty amazing to watch them at work!

There is an abundance of trendy little restaurants and shops and random little events such as this one in the area. You should see our list of things we want to do! We're definitely hoping for more events like this one so close to home. Here are a few snapshots just to give you a little flavor of our day...

Go Cards!!!

The thrill. The excitement. A slight breeze on a warm spring evening. Good conversation. Well plotted strategy. Seats in the second row behind the dugout. The St Louis Cardinals in all their glory. The only thing missing? Busch Stadium.

We were blessed with fantastic tickets to the Cardinals game last night. (Okay, the few misled baseball fans living in Houston would call it an Astros game, but Cards fans in the area know the truth!) Our friends Meghan and Tim have connections and have been so kind as to share the love on multiple occasions. Thanks!

Micaiah's not quite ready for the thrill of the stadium. Maybe better stated, Micaiah's parents aren't quite ready for the thrill of the stadium with an infant! Dressed in Cardinals red, she cheered on from the comfort of Andy and Lanetta's loft with strict instructions not to listen to a word Andy said. (He's a die hard Astros fan... We know, we don't get it either!)

With this arrangement, everyone was on the winning side... Mom and Dad saw a great game with friends, Micaiah hung out with the Weeks who absolutely adore her, and the Astros lost the game... er, uh... the Cardinals brought home a victory! Okay, so not everyone was on the winning side.

For those of you wondering what Micaiah thinks of the Astros...


The whole crew in Cardinals red. (If you're wondering, Micaiah could not be persuaded to stop celebrating the Cards victory for a family pic. "GO CARDS!!!" Who can blame her?)

Easter Fun

Happy slightly late Easter everyone! We hope your Easter was a joyfilled as ours...

We had the pleasure of helping to plan and host an Easter egg hunt for some families who live in a rundown area of Houston just north of downtown. This was both a total blast and a leap of faith for our 705: community. We planned games, procured our very own balloon artist (thanks Steve - a man of many hidden talents), filled 1500 easter eggs with candy and trinkets, posted fliers, and showed up. Thankfully, God and a good number of kids did, too! (Those of you who know me, Erin, well know I stink at estimation...) The kids and their parents were not only shocked at the generosity of the 705: community, but truly thankful. "I don't think we would have had an Easter if you hadn't been here." We pray their Easter was not only defined by an egg hunt and some games at a park near their homes, but by the celebration of the RISEN Lord, the One who saves. As I had the joy of running one of the hunts, I don't have a lot of pics, but enjoy the few that we do...

This was also our first Easter with Micaiah! After working our way through a number of adorable dresses in a search for one that fit, we landed on this little number. I know more isn't always better. I should probably just choose a favorite photo and post it for your viewing pleasure, but this mom couldn't decide. So, here's our little munchkin in her Easter garb (over and over and over again)...

March 15th and 87 Degrees

You read correctly, it was 87 degrees here in H-town on March 15th. Did we savor it? Yes. Did we dread the omen that comes with such weather at this time of year? Yes. 87 degree weather on March 15th can only mean one thing, a VERY hot summer. Ah, the joys of Texas.

We took advantage of this very nice day by taking a trip to the park! Not just any park, the "big park", or Herman Park for those native Houstonians. For those of you familiar with St. Louis, think Forest Park but on a slightly smaller scale. It was wonderful! We packed a picnic lunch and spent a couple of hours treking through the Japanese Gardens and soaking up time as a family.

Yes, most of our life revolves around our daughter now, which is a good thing, so it seems only right for me to let you know that this wonderful excursion to the park coincided perfectly with her 4 week birthday. She has no clue, but I think it's nice. She slept through the whole thing, but that's okay, too. She's growing up so fast!!! And I digress.

Here's to 4 weeks, family time and 87 degrees...

I told you she slept through the whole thing!!!

I Love You Grandma!

Grandma went home today.

She was able to come and stay with us here in Houston for almost three weeks and we had a blast! We went for walks and car rides, sang songs, and had long talks about the important things in life. She was patient with me when I wouldn't burp and changed many a dirty diaper. She even got up with me in the middle of the night. Now that's love!

I know my parents will miss having her here just as much as I will. They say we'll go visit her in St. Louis. Grandpa, Aunt Nora and a whole lot of other family live there, too. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?!?

We'll miss you Grandma! We hope to see you again soon!

Redeemed!

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the baptism (washing) of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3.4-7

This past Sunday night, Micaiah was baptized into the family of God. We celebrated her rebirth into the Kingdom of God with family, friends and the 705: community. Needless to say, it was an evening filled with God's power. We were so thankful to Nora (Erin's younger sister) who committed to being Micaiah's God parent. She has the incredible responsibility of making sure that Micaiah is raised in the faith along with making sure her parents do what they are supposed to. Nora is an incredible woman of God whose passion for life and God inspire Micaiah's parents.

As a side note, this was the first baptism for the 705: community. We are hoping that there will be many more as the Lord sees fit to grow this spiritual community. Thanks to all of you who have become our spiritual family here in Houston! Here's to the journey!

Below are a number of photos from the evening. Note that the baptismal gown was made in 1915 for Erin's grandfather's baptism. It has been passed down from generation to generation! It was an awesome gift to be able to use it. Enjoy God's grace.

I Love Daddy Because...

1. He gives me fuzzy kisses.
2. He tells me I'm beautiful.
3. He calls me his 'Sweet Pea'.
4. He likes to laugh.
5. He sings me funny songs.
6. He burps me rhythmicaly.
7. He encourages Mom to eat ice cream.
8. He snuggles with me on the couch.
9. He gets up with me in the middle of the night when I'm unhappy.
10. He still loves me even when I stink.

I show him I love him by pooping while he's holding me in my freshly changed diaper.

Dad's great!!!

Our Baby Girl...at Home

Well, it's been a week. And yes, she rules our lives! And we are so thankful! God has blessed us in so many ways and Micaiah is no exception!

We've spent the week figuring out what it means to survive on as little sleep as possible, distinguishing between smiles and gas, learning the difference between neh and eh (thanks Oprah) and soaking up what it means to be parents.

More than anything else we've learned the meaning of surrender. It has quickly become clear that we are, in so many ways, powerless to answer her every need; we can't raise this little girl on our own. And as much as we would like to provide for her perfectly, we've quickly come to realize that only God can do that. Even in the birth of our new baby girl, we are still learning to follow where Jesus leads...and that means surrender. It means surrendering to his goodness, grace and His power. It's humbling to realize that you are powerless and He is all powerful.

Below are a number of pictures from our week of surrendering! Enjoy!