New Tricks

Here's my little peanut, doing her new tricks - clapping and standing.

Clapping

Annelise Standing Up

War Games

Matt and I have been youth leaders for almost a year now.  I must say that my loyalty to the task had been waning.  With a baby around, I was overwhelmed with the task of motherhood, let alone the discipleship of 50 + kids in the youth group.  But, our youth activity last night helped to spur on an excitement and love for youth that I haven't always felt.  

WAR GAMES (with 120 kids - ages 13 - 18) - is our church's largest youth activity of the year! 

Two teams, GREEN and GOLD this year, face off on challenges like:

tug-o-war (with gelatin, corn syrup and spaghetti noodles in the middle)

american eagle

donut eating contest

manhunt

ultimate duck, duck goose

Me after losing the tug-o-war battle

The messiness is just too much fun!  

A local pastor gave a wonderful message of salvation at "half time" and many heard the gospel message that quite possibly had never heard it before.

Two of our awesome seniors - Keenan and Natalie (Gold team captains)

Matt was as crazy as ever!  

This is a "fly by" photo - he was hard to catch!

So...we are recovering today from a weekend full of youth and FUN.  There was a time when I didn't think those two words could go together.  But, I must say...

I love these kids!  God uses them to teach me so much about his sovereign grace.  In all of their awkwardness (which I remember all too well) I'm reminded that God's plan for us is not complete.  An added bonus: they genuinely love my daughter and minister grace and encouragement to me at times I would never expect it.

Teeth...When will you come?

Annelise is nearly 8 months old 

with not a sign of a tooth in her mouth.  

This week, she's been drooling, 

biting 

and experiencing high fevers.  

Every morning 

I anxiously check to see 

if a little while pearl has appeared..

and nothing.

So, here is a pathetic plea 

from a mommy who wants her happy little girl back.  

Teeth, please come!

And by the way...

don't you just love baby feet?

Bath-time Fun

 

Crawling...Kind Of

Army crawl?  Scoot?  Whatever you call it, she gets around.  I caught her up on her knees over the weekend, but it didn't amount to much.  How long do you think it'll take before she's full-blown crawling?

Saying Goodbye to Summer

Dear Summer,

Oh how we enjoyed your short visit.  Michigan wouldn't be such a wonderful place to live without you...even if it is for just a few short months.  We'll leave you with this photo.  Hopefully it'll be a sweet reminder of the fun we had.  Please come back soon!

Love,

The Neals

School starts tomorrow

It's hard to believe that we're entering our third year at Calvary Schools of Holland.  Matt and I spent most of the morning in his office at school, preparing for his first day tomorrow.  Lots of copying and coordinating curriculum.  

Realizing that he has limited time before the rat race begins, I found him in the nursery doing this...

I guess holding your baby girl is the best way to spend the last few hours of your summer break.