How's It Going?

Lots of rain today. 70 degrees. I love the coolness... reminds me of myself.

Anyway, it's been a smooth transition for all of us, as we had been praying for, praise God! Eva has been doing well and hasn't caught Mommy's cold, praise God again. Thank you all for praying for us too. We have felt much peace and joy in beginning this new season. Adam is really enjoying all of it! Meeting the guys, learning about Sov. Grace history, being home more, playing basketball; it's all been a fun time. I've been enjoying getting to know the area, the weather has been lovely (70's most days!), and we've had a lot of family time and seen a lot of dear folks before things have gotten going. It's been one blessing after another.

God has continued to show Himself gracious as we've begun the school year. It's only been 3 days, and it isn't tough yet, but we've slid into some routine more which is also a blessing, especially for Mommy and Baby! Sundays can be hard, that's when i miss my family and church family the most (kisses, squeezes, and a few awkward side-hugs to you all!), but we have met and are really beginning to love our PC chummies. They're feeling the same things we are! (I love you guys!)

This year coming holds a few scary knowns and lots of unknowns, but this I know: My God is for me! (This I know! ...care to sing along?) And He's tenderly leading us through it all. Bless His Holy Name!

When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see Him there, who made an end of ALL my sin!

A Trip to the Park

Flying

Trying the Swings
"Daddy, this is too high!"

(don't worry, we didn't acctually swing her like this, Mom.)

Daddy's Girl

First Day of School!

Today is Adam's first day of Pastors College classes!

He was kinda nervous...

... but mostly excited! (really, really excited here)

And here's a picture of the classroom. (courtesy of Amanda)

"When the Cause of God invites you, give yourself to it!" - Spurgeon

"I'm ready, Baby! It's time. Time to go answer the call!" - A. C.

3 Months Pictures

Finally got her 3 mos. pics up... she's already halfway to 4 now!

Had to put the sticker on ther head to keep it from getting munched on.

Blowfishy!

Getting bored of camera-time.
Mommy's wiggle-bug
Don't know if you can tell, but this child's lashes are so very long! God gave my little girl some beautiful eyes.

Love and hugs to you all! Miss you.

Missing My Buddies

Hi guys, it's me, Eva. I like Maryland fine, but I'm a little sad right now because I miss my girlie buddies. Hi! I miss you so much!

Can you guess which buddy I'm thinking of?

(abi lechner)

(avery blackburn)

(alathea)

(kat-kat swan)

(audrey nilsen)

Saying Hi

Here

Gaithersburg is different. It's busier, older, and has far more 7 elevens and Starbucks than are necessary, but we're enjoying it. It all feels like a vacation right now. Adam is home all day every day and we're eating fish sticks or Panera. There's a lot of work, but it's not dull setting things up. It really doesn't feel real yet. Each morning I wake up and think, "We'll be going home (to Charlotte) in a few days." But we won't, will we?

I'm sure reality will begin to sink-in on Sunday morning when I go to a strange (and huge!) church building and where the preacher isn't Mickey, and nobody wants to see how much Eva has grown, and Taylor won't run up to me with his bobbley, eagle-flapping hug. Then, afterwards, we won't be going over to Mom and Dad's for dinner and history movie watching, we'll go back to our little apartment and it will just be our little clan.

Yep, it's going to be different for a while, even a little sad, but that strange, huge church building still houses God's people who, because of His Son's death, are redeemed, just like me. And we're all called to the same good purpose; serving Him. And I know that, because of The Cross, I can love these people and learn and grow along with them. Doesn't the Gospel make things so nice and simple? We love, because He started it by loving us first.

I miss my CrossWay church family and my kinfolks (yeah, that's what i'm callin' ya'll Hawkcrew now), but I know you all are praying for us and I know God has carried us here to G-burg for a glorious Cause. His Cause, the Gospel. It's an honor to obey and be a part... and it is so worth it.

But who will Patch tell his week's adventures to now???

P.S. We love our condo! Video tour to come...

My Eva is 3 Months!

We're getting settled here in Maryland and it's been fun but oh, so busy! Which is why I am late posting about Evangeline's 3 months day. 

Yes, she's getting so big and so funny these days! Latest accomplishments include: attempting to fit whole fist in mouth, screaming for joy (or is it for attention?), and making friends with our bird Bargeory. It's true. She's quite taken with the cockatiel and even prefers to watch her over playing with Mommy or Daddy at times. Oh well, 'glad we found a babysitter that Eva likes,' is all I can say. (wink) 

Packing Up

What We've Been Up To...

It's a busy season in Campbellstown as we get ready to pull out on Monday for Maryland. (this may be my last post before moving) Much to do and not a lot of time to do it in! I've been tempted to be (and have been!) overwhelmed by it all. Plus, Eva and Mommy have colds. Mine isn't bad at all, but poor baby, she is so stuffy sometimes and is waking up at night now. Arrg. The most comforting thing though, is that God wants us on this road and in this season of craziness right now and so He's providing the grace for it. And I see and feel it! There's always time and energy for what He calls me to and I'm a happy child in His good care. 

And Adam and I are so in love with (each other! smooch! oh, wait... focus, Emily.) our little Bean. She is a pure delight. Even when she has her stinky/ cranky/ pouty moments there's nobody like our Eva to make us laugh and praise God. What a miracle she is! A beautiful, contagiously joyful miracle. 

She is a good baby. She's been healthy up until now and only crying when there was something wrong. She got into her routine in 3 days and was sleeping through the night in 4. What a blessing! Scheduling is sweet. Then vacation and sickness came and she's back to her 4am need-mommy time. I'm waiting for her to get better and waiting until we get settled in MD before reminding her that she knows how to sleep though the night. In the meantime, I don't mind our little mid-night meetings. She's always so happy to see me. She flails around and snorts and snuffles excitedly (because of her cold). Boy, does she hate her nose drops tho! (She's glad for them a moment later when she can breathe again.)

Evangeline is 12 + pounds and getting her healthy chunkiness. She's definitely got some Hawkins' baby cheeks. Don't you love 'em!? Sometimes it looks like she's tired of holding them up and so she just gives up and sits there "blobbing-out." It's the funniest thing. I'll have to get a picture of it sometime.  

Here's what Eva's been doing lately:

"I tried a new bow."

And I've been trying to sit up a lot recently, 

especially in my pram, see? So, Mom said it was time to meet my booster seat. 

At first it was scary...

... then it was fun ...

... but then it was scary again.

Mom let me use her neck pillow on the floor. It's squishytastic.

I'm pretty good at holding myself up though.

See?

I also have been helping Mom with the laundry. 

You see this towel? I wrestled him down so Mom could fold him.

 He ain't goin' nowhere!

Ok, I'm tired. Mom are you done taking pictures of me? 

Can we snuggle now? I think I want blankie and nap.

 

Four Generations

Grandma Hawkins meets Eva (and teaches her about shopping!)

June 2008

Grandmamma and Granddaddy Stotts meet Eva

(and teach her which hand is the rigth hand to use and how to give "sugar")

May 2008
God has blessed me with such a wonderful family that loves me and my little girl and the Lord. I'm so grateful that Eva gets to grow up with them!