From one celebration to another

I coordinated UAB's two commencement ceremonies on Saturday. Everything went very well - I feel more comfortable in that role after each graduation ceremony.

Daniel spent the day playing with his daddy at "I love Homewood Day" and apparently had a great time!  So great, in fact, that he fell sound asleep on their way home.

After Graduation, I rushed to my parents home to get ready for another celebration - the wedding of Katie and Michael.  This was the most beautiful wedding!  I got a picture of the cake:

The food was delicious, the cake was even better, and the band was rocking!  We had a wonderful time, and wish the happy couple well!

Sweet Home Alabama

Our beloved Tuscaloosa was hit last week as were several cities just north of Birmingham.  We are so fortunate that although Bluff Park was hit, we didn't have damage at our house.  Ashley sent me this video this morning and I wanted to share it. 



Please take time to look at the video - the pictures are absolutely incredible, and I honestly do not recognize so many of the places that I used to know.  My heart breaks for my college town and for those that are hurting all across Alabama.

A friend that I work with at UAB shared some pictures with us from her neighborhood. She lives in Pleasant Grove which was also hit very hard in the tornados that swept our state. She said that she really has to focus when she drives home because nothing is familiar anymore; she doesn't recognize streets or the turns that she needs to make to get to her home. But thankfully, her home is still standing just two streets away from this complete distruction:

Please pray for the families that lived in these homes and for our state. Out of 63 counties, 36 are receiving aid becuase of the destruction that tore through the state.  Please pray for our entire state and for those that are volunteering to aid in the clean-up.  We are so thankful for God's grace and goodness - even in this storm.

Easter Weekend

This is a little boy that loves his Daddy!

We went to Aldridge Gardens and Daniel had some pictures made with the bunny statue.

Daniel was very good at hunting Easter eggs.  I guess it isn't very hard when they are all laying right in the middle of the yard!

We had lunch at my parents house after church.  Daniel and Mary Linnley loved strolling around and riding in the wagon.

All in all, we had a wonderful Easter weekend!  Christ the Lord has risen today!  Alleluia!

He Loves to Swing

Today we spent the morning at Homewood Park.  We enjoyed the swings, the slides and walking around the sidewalk while people-watching. 

To the Zoo

Daniel's school went to the zoo the day that the awful tornados came through Alabama.  Our field trip was early in the morning, so we were still able to visit all of our zoo friends before the storms came.  We didn't get to see the real elephants; they were still sleeping.  We did get to see many other animals, and can't wait to go back for more fun!

He always raises his arm and makes the trumpet sound when he sees an elephant

Monkey

Monkey

Ostrich

Otter

Pelican

Sheep

Train ride

Train

Watching the giraffe

zebras

School

Daniel loves school (daycare).  The last few days, instead of carrying him into the classroom, I have been letting him walk by himself.

He typically walks directly to his room, turns, and waves bye-bye.

Yesterday, parents came in to watch the children during nap time so the teachers in the center could go to lunch together.  I volunteered for an hour.  It still amazes me that the children sleep on their cots so well at this age. 

Other than one child that tried to "sleep-crawl," the nap hour went very well.
We love Daniel's daycare, and couldn't be happier with the things he is learning there.  Below are some of his "signs."

STOP!

Please

Tub time

Just a little more evidence that Daniel loves tub time!