Go Bama!

Aidan loves her books (to chew on, that is). And she also loves her bunny and pacifier.

Aidan's already a Bama girl... her Daddy is so proud!

Today was Aidan's first College Football Saturday. We had a family day of watching football and just hanging out. It has been several weeks since we've had a whole day to relax and spend time together as a family... and it was wonderful. To top it all off, the Bama game was awesome!! Alabama beat Clemson 34-10! Woo-hoo! But the real highlight today... Aidan rolled over 3 times in row! We even caught it on video. You would've thought she'd just won a gold medal if you'd heard us cheering for her! :-)

Last weekend, we were both in the wedding of our dear friends Pete and Heather. The wedding was beautiful, especially the glowing bride, and we had fun catching up with some of our old friends. Claire and Lucy... so great to see you both!! Lov ya'll!

In campus news... I baked 120 cookies this week and stuffed cups full of treats for the girls in KD. Derek has started coaching a freshmen flag football team and has the jammed pinky finger to show for it. I guess that's about it for now...

Tummy time and smiles...

My, how time does fly! Aidan is 2 1/2 months old now, and I can't believe how fast it's gone by. She is now lifting up her head, smiling, cooing, sleeping through the night and wrapping her Daddy around her little finger. She is such a joy to behold. We're convinced her smiles and coos are the sweetest sight ever beheld! :-)
I am also seeing how the Lord uses our little blessing to make us more like Himself. Derek and I have decided that the best way to come face-to-face with your own selfishness and love of comfort is to have a baby. Somewhere between 5am feedings, diaper changes, and sleep deprivation, we have seen the Lord slowly (and sometimes painfully) draw our sin to the surface like dross and lovingly refine us. We are also seeing such a picture of the Lord's love for us during this time. While it is often so hard as we learn how to take care of our little one, the love we have for her and the joy she brings so far surpasses the hard times. She is worth it all a hundred times over. I stand in awe of the fact that our Heavenly Father loves us in the same way... even more so. It reminds me of 1 John 3:1 "See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are." We have so much to learn, and I often feel overwhelmed. But what a comfort that the Lord loves us as His very own... that He delights in us even!
Ministry is going well. We spent a few weeks at the Summer Beach Project, and it was so encouraging to see that the Lord has done an amazing work in the lives of many students here at West Georgia. Four of the students became Christians this summer! Our semester kicked off Sunday with move-in day on campus, and classes start Friday. So, we've officially begun the whirlwind that is the Fall semester. We are looking forward to what this year brings! :-)