I did it!

Okay, so this probably isn't something to be that proud about, but I was proud of myself. For two years I have wanted to go to a Bible Study at our church, but the first year I was working full time then the next year I had Isabel right before they started, etc. However, this year I was determined to go. I asked for permission from Cydney, which she graciously gave me, to take Jacob with...even though both kids would likely miss a nap, potentially be cranking the rest of the day, etc. So this morning, I got the kids all ready and made it to church (on time):) However, I did forget the lunches I packed (on the counter) to eat with Lee and I found out when I got there the Bible Study I signed up for didn't start until next week (or sometime). Oh well! I ended up going to a different Bible Study and am just going to stick with that one.

It's no big accomplishment really (many of my friends have more kids and do more than I do), but I got out with both kids (3 months apart in age) and made it!

Can you guess?

Can you guess what Isabel's new favorite fruit is?

If she starts to look like this, you'll know why!

World's Smallest Root Beer Float

Scene: Friday night. Chillin' at home. Looking for an evening snack.

Lee: Want some icecream?
Candace: Sure. With chocolate sauce?
Lee: We don't have any...how about a root beer float?
Candace: Sure. Just a small one though.

Result...The glass came from Ed Debevic's, a restaurant in Chicago, where the servers are purposely rude to you. It is also where you will find the world's smallest ice cream sundae.

Chillin' and Walkin'

My mom has been in town this week for Isabel's birthday. So we've been doing a lot of chillin' and a lot of walkin' (Isabel that is). Isabel's been taking steps for about a month or so, but I never could get any on video, mainly cause it always happens so fast. Now her walking has gotten to be more frequent and she gets better everyday it seems. So with a little help from my mom I finally got a video. She's done better and gone farther, but every time she walks she is SO proud of herself, it's really cute.

Isabel chillin' with her new baby doll in her new chair (aka birthday presents):)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABEL!!!!

I thought this pictures was cute. "Didn't you know I could read guys?"

Carl, Masami, and IsabelThe birthday girls...Lydia's birthday is 2 days after Isabel's
"Jacob, it's my birthday, do I still have to share my toys?"Isabel will now hold up one finger if you ask her, "how old is Isabel," it's so cute:)

A night with friends...there were more than just girls there...I don't know where the guys are.

Ms. Laura showing Isabel how to feed her new baby doll

WE LOVE YOU SWEET GIRL!

Isabel's 1-year old pictures

Isabel 7-weeks oldIf you are ever looking to get pictures taken, I'd HIGHLY recommend Lauren Bryson. She does an awesome job. She took pictures of Isabel when she was a baby and last week she took Isabel's 1-year old pictures. Lauren did such an awesome job of capturing Isabel's personality in every photo. There are so many good ones it's hard to choose which ones to post, here' s a few:

Isabel 1-year old

Oh to fly standby...

This past week I took a trip out to Jackson Hole, WY with a co-worker to finalize plans for a big event I have out there next month. It was a very quick trip. We flew out Tuesday morning and flew back Wednesday afternoon. My co-worker, Joetta, used to work for Delta, so to try to save the ministry some money we flew standby. I will just say right now I hate flying standby. It is the most nerve-wracking thing in the world. Our flight went through Salt Lake City, and going out to Jackson we had no problem. However, the return was quite an event. We get back to Salt Lake with no problem on Wednesday. Joetta had checked the flights before we left the hotel that morning and both flights looked good, plenty of seats. However, we get to Salt Lake and she checks again and all of a sudden, 32 people on the standby list and only 10 seats available. YIKES! Joetta was listed #8 so she was sure to get on, but I was listed #17, very unlikely to get on. At first Joetta didn't want to leave me, but I told her to go because it would be easier on the next flight to get one seat rather than 2. She left me hesitantly and boarded the plane. In the mean time, I was just praying and telling the Lord, I know if you want me on this flight you can get me on it, but if not then I'm ok with that too.

I went up to the front desk where the gate agent was to wait for him to tell me what to it. As I walk up I look at the screen and now I'm #4 on the standby list. The gate agent then announces the #3 persons name. It was a couple. I over hear the agent say, "we might only have 1 seat on the plane, if there is 1 will you guys split up." The couple says 'no.' My heart stopped. The agent then calls my name and tells me if there is only 1 seat I will get on the plane. I couldn't believe it. The agent has the three of us walk down the breezeway to the entrance of the plane to find out. In the mean time I'm talking to the couple. They were just on their honeymoon, got bumped off the earlier flight, were trying to get home, I felt bad for them. Al l of a sudden the gate door bursts open and a lady comes running down the breezeway with her ticket in her hand. Again, my heart sank. I thought, no way, now none of us will get on the plane. The lady enters the plane and goes and sits down. All of sudden the agent looks at me and says, "you're on, get on the plane." I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! I was so over joyed. I felt terrible for the other people, but was so happy. When I entered the plane, I saw Joetta and she almost burst into tears. She couldn't believe I got on the plane. She told me how she was just praying and telling God how I needed to get on the plane so I could get home to my family. God was very good to me that day.

Anyway, that's my exciting standby story! I'm sure many of you have them also. Here are a few pictures of Jackson Hole. It is so beautiful out there.

Olympic Memories

Four years ago, the Olympics in Athens were happening. Lee and I were newly married and living in our first apartment. The apartment that we were in just happened to be right next to the complexes pool. The nice part was that in the evenings no one would ever go to the pool, so Lee and I would take advantage of having our own private pool. We especially seemed to be inspired during the Olympic season. It might sound cheesy, but we would go down to the pool in the evening, pretend we were Olympic athletes (ok not really this part), but we would race each other. It was a fun time in our life. This year again, we are inspired by the Olympics. Sadly, the only pool close by is Isabel's baby pool...oh well.

Our Little Ninja

My boss, Carl Kerby, one of Answers in Genesis' speakers recently returned from Japan. He brought back with him an adorable Japanese outfit for Isabel. For months Carl's been joking that we need to give Isabel a squid leg to chew on....so tonight we went out for Japanese food with him and his wife Masami...and....well, see for yourself...

...she really did like it:)

Carl and Masami with Isabel in her Japanese outfit

Isabel bowing in respect

Neighborhood Sighting

3 year old boy running from one house to another with plunger in hand, smiling and waving as we stroll by on our evening walk.

Godly parenting

Our pastor, Pastor Brad Bigney, has been doing a parenting series the last few weeks, and it has been really encouraging.

He is talking about the Christian Urban Legend that "Godly parents guarantee Godly kids."

The theme of his sermon is:

"A Godly home does not guarantee Godly kids, but a Godly home can lay the foundation for the grace of God and the Gospel of Christ that alone can produce Godly kids."

I just wanted to share this with some of those that don't attend Grace or live out of state.

Here is the link to listen to Pastor Brad's sermons (it's a 3 part series): http://www.graceky.org/index.php?c=sermons

Safetytat's

Saw this on the news tonight. Not sure how I feel about it yet.

http://www.safetytat.com/

Da-da?

Lee has been at a conference the past few days, and needless to say we miss him terribly. I typically am terrible at staying home by myself. I get bord, lonely, don't sleep, etc. I've been praying a lot though and have done better this time. Thankfully Lee will be on his way home tomorrow and we will all be together again. Thankfully Isabel has been a gem. She has slept good and been overall happy.

Every morning Lee typically gets Isabel up and out of bed. She has seemed confused the last few days as to why mommy is getting her. After she finishes her bottle she is always like, "da-da?" as if she is looking for Lee. Then we were with Jesse and Cyndey Pie and Isabel kept staring at Jesse. I don't know if he reminded her of Lee or she was glad to be with someone else than a woman. Who knows.

Anyway, we miss you Lee/Daddy!