Saturday, February 12, 2011

365.277: Turner is Currently...

...in THIS phase.


It seems like just yesterday we were going through this mischievous phase with Holden. I was kind of holding my breath that Turner may skip it entirely. But alas, Turner is consistently getting into everything, climbing onto counter tops and stoves, and dumping out full bottles of powder (this was actually his second bottle this week, the first occurring in the middle of the night in their bedroom).

Friday, February 11, 2011

365.276: Preschool Valentines Party

I got to go to Holden's Valentines Party at preschool this morning, which was just so much fun. The kids decorated flower pots by making hearts with their fingerprints, made a jello sundae with sprinkles, and played Valentines Bingo. I had a blast getting to do this with Holden and just see him interact with friends I barely know in a room that is so foreign to me, but a second home to him. It's the first step of my first baby becoming his own independent person.
At the end of the party, the kids swapped Valentines and treats. This is Holden with the envelope he made and all his loot!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

365.275: Paninis!

I love that Holden loves paninis as much as me! Our favorite is chicken, spinach, and lots of melty cheese. Mmmm... Only made better by ants on a log!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

365.274: Tangled


We got to take the boys to see Tangled on Ryan's day off! It was really cute--a little intense for young children--but cute. Turner started to get in on this picture, but was wigged out by the huge faces on the poster.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

365.273: Big Changes

It is so hard to believe that we have been in Waco for almost 8 months now! Although we miss our friends and family in Atlanta, it has been such a sweet time for our family. The discipleship training school at Antioch Community Church (called Elevate) that Ryan and I are in has been life-changing in the best way possible. We attend class two nights a week to worship, listen to guest speakers from around the world, and simply dive in to what the Bible says about being a follower of Jesus. It’s amazing!

As you know, the reason we moved and began school was to train to become missionaries to Portugal, and minister to missionaries on the field at a retreat center called the Haven. God gave us this vision in October 2009, and we’ve been moving toward it ever since. It’s been our hearts’ desire to simply obey God one day at a time, holding our future with open hands. Life gets pretty simple when you reduce it down to simply praying and obeying.

In the last couple weeks, the time has come to make a final decision about whether we will be a part of the Portugal team right now or not. We began meeting with various Antioch staff members and the people who are currently in Portugal (through Skype). We also started asking God (for the first time since October 2009) if this was still what He wanted for our lives and if now were the right time. Once I started asking, I was surprised by the excitement He gave me for the possibility of staying in Waco. After about a week of seeking His will, I felt pretty confirmed that He had other plans for us than Portugal right now. I found out later that Ryan had been feeling the same thing for about three weeks! We had a meeting with some of the leadership over pastoral care for Antioch, and both they and the team in Portugal were all getting the same direction from God—that now is not the time for the McCormicks to head to Portugal. Although it is sad to part with a long-term vision, we feel so confirmed that staying in Waco is what is best for our family right now. From the beginning, Ryan and I have said that if the possibility of the Haven was just the incentive to get us to uproot our family and move to Texas, then we were ok with that. And it’s still true: we wouldn’t change our journey for the world.

So now we’re looking forward to our trip to Indonesia at the end of Elevate in June. (More on that to come soon!) Holden will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, and Turner is currently trying so hard to learn how to use the potty! Come visit us in Waco anytime—we love to have visitors! And we would love to hear about what God is doing in your life, too!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

365.271: Phoebe


After I washed Phoebe today (with Garnier Fructis--is that bad for dogs??),
I indulged her by allowing her to wrap up in a cozy blanket.
So now no one can say that I'm not sweet to this dog! :)