Can you guess?

Can you guess what this face got today?

With all the dirt and mess?

And all the cuteness and sass?

This face got

these hands,

and these hands

to set up our TRAMP!!

Yay for hours and hours of jumping fun!!

Who is your hero?

The other night at care group, we were asked the ice-breaker question of "Who is your hero?" I didn't have much time to think about it, but I didn't need time. The answer was easy. As silly and backwards as this may sound coming from the 'older sister', Ange is my hero. As I thought about why, that was easy too, everything that I lack - every shortcoming I see in myself, I see in her as her strength. We are far from perfect - all of us. But, if there was someone whose positive qualities I want to emulate in my everyday life, it's Ange.

Unlike me, she naturally and sacrificially LOVES all children, deeply. Her eyes light up at the sight of not only her own children, but also, her nieces and nephews. And now that we live close to each other, I see how beautifully she loves all the children that are in her house on a weekly basis.

And while we are talking about her house. . .yet another reason she's my hero. Her house, IS her ministry to the world. It is her way of giving back, to her God, her family (even though we don't deserve it), and her community. She has altered my thinking in what we can do with what we are given, and for that, I thank her.

Have I mentioned that Ange is an amazing mother? She challenges me daily, to take a breath, think before I answer, and love not just in word, but in deed. Whether that is going above and beyond in action, or taking a minute to hug and kiss my kids, just because I can. She can often be seen taking a minute to sing with, dance around, or build with her children. I hope her girls will come to know how special their mom is.

Ange, on this day, your 29th birthday, I pray that you will know you are loved. I pray you will know that because of you, I am a better wife, mother, friend, and sister. I want you to know that YOU are my hero. You make the world a beautiful place to be, as you live and love.

Nora

I'm sure you've heard the saying that the last child in the family never has pictures to show for their childhood. This is not the case for our littlest Crisp. It may be that I love to take pictures. It may be that I love taking pictures with our new camera. It may be that I swore I WOULD take pictures of all my kids as much as possible. Whatever the reason, it doesn't really matter, Nora will have memories of her childhood. Whether it be

Swinging with her sisters,

climbing on the dog,

and her brother.

Without her binkie

or with it.

Sitting in the grass

or learning how to stand on her own.

Smiling happily

or enduring another maul session by well-meaning, loving sibling.

But most of all, I hope she sees that her family loves her, and always will.

Just because. . .

. . .they are SO cute!

Just some cute shots of the 2 littlest Crisp kids. Gid is talking more and more clearly and Nora is "inch worm" crawling and almost going to sitting from the belly position.