ChickfilA Dress Like A Cow!

 The day before we left for vacation- we went to Chick-fil-A for their dress like a cow day.  This year- little Lydie came along with us as a new member. :)  We met some dear friends Mark & Becky V. and I had one of my first embarrassing moments in potty training as Jeremiah had an accident inside the indoor climbing area after eating.  Nothing like leaving slowly as you realize a lady is climbing in to clean up the pee that you then realize your son did as his pants are all wet.  We slowly left and went to clean J up.  Embarrassing.  I am putting him in pull-ups when we go to Chick-fil-A from now on. 

Lydia is 5 Months Old!

I figured I had better write a note about Lydie being 5 months old before she was 6 months old!  Time flies!  Lydie turned 5 months old while we were on vacation in the Smokey Mountains- she had so much fun with her Pop-pop & Mom-mom and Rache, Mike, Josh and Jon.  Lydie rolled from her back to her tummy the week before we left for vacation.  She even dressed like a cow to celebrate so we could get some free food at Chick-fil-A.  She is holding objects and putting everything in her mouth these days- I think she may be starting to teeth- we will see.  She has begun sleeping on her side now.  She often will roll to her side or even her stomach with he thumb or finger in her mouth to fall asleep- then when she is in a deep sleep, she will flip on her back with hand stretched above her head.  She has begun to love being in her exersaucer though she is a little floppy in it.  We nicknamed her "Thumper" over vacation as she would wake up in the middle of the night and thump her legs- it drove us nuts. :)  She has begun to scoot on her back too- she presses her one leg against her other and pushes herself across the floor- scooting on her back- a funny sort of move. 

Favorite people- her brother- he can get her to giggle and laugh like no one else can- though I am working with him more this week on being gentle with girls as he thinks of he hits her on her tummy she will giggle- but actually that hurts. :)  She has gotten a little messed up on vacation as she was waking up a few times at night so we are doing boot camp with he this week in the Living Room.  She has begun half way sleeping with her brother in the same room at night.  We put her to sleep in the same room with Jeremiah and he often is found whispering so he does not wake the baby.  Lately, in order to let her cry it out- when we go to bed- I have been moving her to the Living Room so she can scream as loud as she wants and it won't bother us as much.  I have been napping them some together on certain days when I feel they will both sleep pretty well.  I will be watching little Katy again this fall starting in a few weeks- so we are trying to practice them napping together as they will be doing it more often so that Katy can have our bedroom to sleep. 

Miscellaneous Happenings this Summer...

 Here are a few random happenings in the Lyons' den lately.  Jeremiah loves to help me cook though sometimes I feel like the clean up afterward is not worth it but it is still fun.  His latest thing he loves- blowing the flour everywhere once I pour it in. Today, I was cooking a meal for a lady who had her 10th child two weeks- it was a bit of a challenge to cook for 12 people- I don't know how she does it every day! 

 Lydie's head is getting flat so the doc suggested having her sit in her saucer though she is a little young yet.  She likes it though I think this boy likes it more. 

 We bought a new car from Michael's grandma's friend- Marty- it is a Toyota Camry-  we are very thankful for this new to us set of wheels. 

 This is my garden this year- so far the netting is keeping the critters away.  I won't hold my breath yet. 

 And these are my flowers growing near the garden- we are enjoying such beautiful weather this past week that we have been having lots of campfires in the back which has been fun!

Dr. Cutrer- a beloved physician and professor

While away last week on vacation- away from the noise of the internet, phones, emails, away from the to-do list and in the beautiful Smokey Mountains with family and able to rest- I learned through a text I was barely able to get from a friend that a beloved physician and professor had died from Southern Seminary!  Dr. Cutrer was a Godly man and example to many.  Many at the Seminary knew and loved him!  Michael and I took a Marriage and Family class with him and were challenged by his humble and yet bold love for his wife and family!  Personally, the Lord used him mostly in a season of life when I was struggling with a dose of infertility and waiting for a child.  He worked in the Seminary clinic and on a few occasions, I talked with him about becoming pregnant and all sorts of things.  I also went to see him after my partial molar pregnancy and I remember him saying how rare that type of pregnancy was- like I was a rare find.  :)

The man was a pastor, doctor and counselor wrapped into one.  I read his book The Infertility Companion:  Hope and Help for Couples Struggling with Infertility.  I loved how he was so personal to students and truly was such a caring and loving doctor- I know that he often gave free ultrasounds and helped many at the clinic who were hoping to have a little one!  Dr. Cutrer was and will continue to be a gift to the church through his love for people and his resources he has written. 

A few days before he died, Michael had talked to him on the phone as he was going to do a Marriage conference for our church at ECC in November.  Michael was able to tell him that the Lord had graciously blessed us with two sweet little ones and Cutrer was very excited.  One thing Michael and I definitely were contemplating a lot during vacation is that life is short- sudden news like this puts eternity much more readily on our minds and hearts, which is a good thing.  Dr. Cutrer will be missed and we are praying the Lord would be ever real to his family at this time!

Below is Southern Seminary's news article about his life:  
http://news.sbts.edu/2013/07/13/william-r-cutrer-seminary-professor-dies-suddenly-from-heart-related-issues/

Lydie's Corner of the Room

 We have added a few girlie accents to Lydie's corner of the room- complete with her initials and a few butterflies.  I think she likes it. 

Visiting with Cousins

 Last week, we visited with some of Michael's cousins and their sweet little daughter.  Some pics from the festivities...

Touch A Truck 2013

This week, we went to Touch A Truck with our Moms group.  Last year we went only a few days before Michael came home from Israel.  It was an extremely hot day and we were all hot and tired before our time was done but we saw some neat trucks and Jeremiah still talks about the Trash Truck, Bus, Fire truck and helicopter we saw land on the lawn.  Last year, we went with Amy & Jack Samad as well and it was fun to get more pictures with the boys together- they both do love their trucks!

Levi Gould, Jack Samad and Jeremiah Lyons on the fire truck- Levi did not like the noise!

The driver on the bus says "Move on back..."

Cousin Jonathan and Jeremiah riding the Metro bus!

Jack and Jeremiah on the trash truck!

Jeremiah on the Orange bus!

Riding in a real fire truck!

A few pics from last year's Touch A Truck 2012:

4th of July 2013

Here are a few pics from the 4th of July.  It was a wet and rainy holiday this year- but that did not stop our dear friends, Steve and Steph L. from holding their 4th of July party though a little wet and rainy this year.

 My two little ones- having tummy time.  Our 4th of July pictures and outfits!  :) 

On another note- this summer we are planning on going on vacation to the Smokies, Lord willing.  We have had a few setbacks as my dad had to have a minor procedure on his eye and we weren't sure for awhile that he could go but I think we are all planning on going now and having a week of rest and relaxation- as much as two little kids can give us. 

Misc. Photos

 Rain, rain go away.  It has been raining for many solid days here in Cincinnati.  We are about to go jump in the big giant puddle in the back to get outside.  So on a brighter note, I thought I would post a few pictures of the flowers I have planted around and a few projects.  We have switched Michael's desk into our bedroom and put up a little crib for Lydie in J's room.  I had a few goals for this summer with the kids- one being potty training.  Jeremiah is doing pretty well in Week #2- even doing pretty well at not wetting himself at nap time.  His main struggle- going out to friends house- he gets so excited with his friends and toys that he forgets to tell me and truth- be- told I forget to ask him too and then we have lots of accidents. :)  We will need to work on that.  My other goal is to try to put the kids in the same bedroom at night- I am a little nervous about it and thinking about doing it either this week or when we get back from vacation but I think it is time to make the move in not that Lydie is practically rolling in her little bassinet crib.  We shall see.