Cousin #5 - Lila Belle

Clara has some friends at church and school, but other than Chloe the little people she really loves the most are her cousins.  I was never close to my cousins growing up, but it's so fun for me to watch how my girls have girl cousins so close to their age on both sides and the bonds that they are forming.  My brother, Trey and his wife, Jennifer were expecting their third child in April and since they don't find out the gender until the baby is born, I was so excited to get the call and find out that it was their third girl.  Girls, girls, girls everywhere.  Introducing Lila Belle Davis, Davis grandgirl #5 and Clara and Eloise's fifth girl cousin (all under five years old).  Sweet blessings.

Here's our first time meeting her.  Clara loves loves loves her some babies and since Eloise was getting big and wiggly by this point, she was pretty excited to get her hands on a newborn.

Retirement and Lake Adger

After FORTY-ONE years of working in education, touching lives of countless students in the elementary classroom all the way through graduate school, my mom finally wrapped up a remarkable career at the end of June.  There aren't ways to express how proud we are of her and also how grateful we are that this chapter has come to a close and that we'll get even more Sweet Mama in our lives.  Here are my girls with her, wearing their "Love Salem" t-shirts, on campus her last week of work.

When July 1 rolled around, we went off to Lake Adger to celebrate.  It was one of the most peaceful places I've ever been.  We spent the long weekend swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, eating, resting, and enjoying being together.  It was a great summer getaway.

Eloise had it made; hikes in the backpack, naps in the kayak.

Matching PJs

Caroline and Clara loved listening to books on CD together.

 And everyone got some Sweet Mama snuggles.

 Great view from our deck.

The big cousins loved sharing a room.

 Robert taught the girls how to fish (no catching this time though).

 And we had our own kid-friendly firework show on July 4.

These girls finished up a fun weekend together with a movie night in bed.  Sweet cousin memories.

Congratulations, Sweet Mama.  Here's to lots more traveling and many more memories to make together in the years ahead.

The Dedication of Lila Belle

So, the problem with this whole working backwards from June thing is that it's like some strange reverse narrative.  This is the dedication of Lila Belle Davis, but I'm realizing you might not know who that is.  Davis niece #3 was born in April and is a delightfully squishy bundle of baby love.  And at the end of May we all went to Raleigh to be there for her dedication service at First Baptist, where my brother serves as a minister.  It was a great joy to celebrate with their congregation as we pledged to stand with Trey and Jennifer as they raise Lila to  know the love of Jesus.  Here are some photos of the special day.  

 

 And all God's people said,

"Thanks be to God!"