Too Pooped to Play

This was Caroline's definition of "playing outside" the other day... and it's coming from a little girl who virtually never takes a nap!  I guess the daylight savings time change is affecting all of us.  Plus, check out how long and grown up she looks!  She's not my little baby anymore... :(

Ahoy Thar, Matey!

John Michael got this pirate hat while he was spending the weekend with his MawMaw and PawPaw in Richton.  He loves wearing it around the house, and I think he looks adorable... makes me want to say, "Aaaarrgh!!"

A Season for Change

Notice her face is covered with pollen - she'd been sticking her nose in the flowers all afternoon!

JM was talking to the geese through the fence

Caroline and JM flying their kites

Me and my baby girl

Change is in the air in the Oliphant household... Thankfully, we did find out that Shawn survived another company lay-off, but his territory changed quite dramatically.  He's been in transition with that for the last several weeks, and he's also been training on the new medicines that he'll be promoting.

I've also decided to start a business from home selling Arbonne.  This has been a long and thoughtful process for me that actually started over a year ago when I began using the skin care products.  Over the last month or so, several opportunities have presented themselves to me, and Shawn and I have decided that this might be a nice fit for me, seeing that I can still be at home with my kids while earning money for some of the "extras" that we can't really afford with one income alone. 

Last weekend, we went to the reservoir for a picnic and to enjoy the brief glimpse of spring weather.  Caroline and John Michael each flew their own kite, we threw a frisbee, and ate KFC. Bring on the spring... change and all!!  

John Michael's Baby Dedication

Last night was very special for our family because we presented John Michael to God and our church, and Shawn and I pledged ourselves, as parents to raise him according to God's Word.  It was such a sweet ceremony.  The babies were presented alphabetically, so it took a little while to reach the "O's."  Thankfully, a sippy cup and some nilla wafers kept JM occupied, while Caroline was entertained by Grandma, Papa, Bee, and Aunt Tracy in a separate seating section.  

When it came time for our turn, Caroline joined Shawn, John Michael, and myself, and the Oliphant family of four walked to the front of the congregation.  The image above appeared on both big screens - JM's picture, along with our chosen Bible verse for him, (Psalm 73:24-26). We had our picture taken with our Pastor Chip Henderson, then he spoke a private prayer over our family.  (Before he prayed, he joked about how big of a boy JM is!)
After the ceremony, there was a short reception, where my kids thoroughly enjoyed the cake and punch, and they had fun opening some dedication gifts.  We also received a gift from the church, which included John Michael's first Bible, a special letter from Pastor Chip for JM, and the book, "The Five Love Languages of Children," which I've been really wanting to read!  What a blessed time in our lives!

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and 

my portion forever.  Psalm 73 : 24-26

JM's First Haircut

I'd let John Michael's curls grow out long enough.  When Caroline told me she wanted to put a ponytail in his hair, I knew it was time for a cut!  He behaved really well!  He sat very still and didn't cry at all until the hairdresser took her electric trimmer to his head.  At that point, he still didn't move, but tears started streaming down his face...he was definitely freaked out by the buzzing around his ears and neck!  Thank goodness for the pacifier, or the "bah," as JM calls it.  If it weren't for his "bah," he would've probably screamed the entire time!

Spontaneous Zoo Trip

I've always said I was a flamingo in a past life....haha!

I don't think I'd be sneaking up on that if I were you, Caroline.

Shawn decided to take a last minute "holiday" on Friday, and we took the kids to the zoo after picking Caroline up from school.  (Shawn finds out next month if he will survive yet another company lay-off, and he has a limited number of floating holidays.  If he loses his job, he loses his floating holidays...use 'em or lose 'em, baby!)  

It was a beautiful day!  You would've thought it was springtime in Mississippi!  And we practically had the entire zoo all to ourselves.  What a treat!  It was John Michael's first visit to the zoo, and he was thoroughly impressed with all of the sights.  He didn't seem to mind a bit that he was missing his treasured afternoon nap.  And Caroline ran around like she was hyped up on some sort of energy-infused drug...can I have what she's having?

So, it was definitely worth Shawn taking the day off of work to hang out with us.  Who knows what next month will bring, but I do know this....I sure do love my husband and kids.

YES, HE CAN WALK!

John Michael finally walked last week!  When I saw him take those precious four to five steps across the house, I could almost hear angels sing, "Hallelujah!"  (Okay, maybe that was just my own voice rejoicing in my head.)

I've been waiting for this moment for a few months now.  JM is nearing the sixteen month old mark, and he weighs about thirty pounds.  Needless to say, the child is getting hard to haul around everywhere!  He really hasn't walked all that much since those first few steps, and he still prefers the crawling method of transportation.  But at least I've seen with my own eyes that he CAN do it!  Maybe I won't have to walk around with an ice pack on my neck for too much longer???