The Louder Side of Life

So, I tried to "re-decorate" my blog. I still don't know how to make the header look right, but after spending too much time on it I figure it'll do for now.  'Til Aunt Maggie can get on here and fix it!  Hint hint.

Once again, it's been forever since the last post.  Maci continues to grow and change every day, learning new things constantly.  She's currently getting the hang of walking. Since we have had friends staying with us this week, Maci has taken off (after being challenged by a playmate who is a few months older). We all need a little challenge or motivation every once in a while, don't we?

Life has been rolllin along in the Louder household.  Friends here this week preparing to move to Botswana, Africa.  Pursue Missions conference this weekend. SMI folllowing that.  A trip to Canton thereafter. Jantzen travelling to Europe the next week for 11 days. (Wowie, that's long for Maci and I...pray for us and for Jantzen while he's gone!)  Then, we celebrate Maci's 1st birthday. WOW, what a super fabulous year!  And it keeps going from there...God is in the midst of it all, and He's why we're here! 
Okay, I don't have any more words at midnight. :)  Until next time....

Oh wait, I love fall!  I almost think the "new year" should start in fall.  It's so fresh and crisp, just beautiful and refreshing.  I always feel like it's a beginning to new things, that I can breathe and start over on things if I want. Anyway, it's nice, and I like it!

Here are a few fun pics...

Today, I've taken the chance to sit down and catch up on some little things. One of those being reading some blogs. And in the mean time, I just felt like writing. One thing pressing on my mind lately is how much I look forward to adding to our little quiver.  People ask when we'll be ready for another...the answer is the same as it's always been, "Bring it on!" :)  Maci is just so wonderful, and as I try to soak in every single moment and catch many of them on video (I can't help it--I wanna watch 'em later like we loved to do as kids!), I get so excited to add another little one to the mix. Children are such a precious gift. A dream come true. A calling on my life to pour into them the love of Christ and to raise them to adore Him!  So, just as before, I give it to the Lord, and His peace shall wash over me while His timing and perfect planning is always in the works. :)

On another note, here are a few pics of little Miss Maci Mace. She's crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything; which in turns means she finds things like the trash can, opening drawers, electrical outlets, etc. And she gets the biggest smile when she sees her daddy and giggles so loud when we're being super goofy. It's just so fun!  Also, I've realized it's time to look for clothes to last her the rest of the summer and into fall.  Sure is fun to shop, but I'm so stinkin cheap that I refuse to pay much for those tiny little clothes that don't fit for more than a few months.  Thus, I'm on the lookout for good deals, and I mean GOOD deals. So, let me know if you find any! And yes, there's three pics of our little sailor on 4th of July (every kid has to have a sailor outfit!), but she was just too cute!

So many times I've thought of blogging and what I'd even say, and I just haven't done it!  First of all, I love the spring/summer season.  Of course, the wind has been crazy, but on the days that it's warm and still outside, it's just gorgeous!  I love freshly planted flowerbeds and pots (speaking of, I have GOT to get mine done!), freshly mowed grass (done!), wedding and baby showers (many are the invites this year!), etc. Auntie Erin gets married on the 22nd. We watched her take her bridal portraits today, and wowie she looked amazing! 
Since the last post, much has happened.  Here are only a few highlights.

Maci turned 3 months last week.  Wow, what a joy she is!  Yesterday we went to visit her new cousin, Selah.  I couldn't believe the difference in size between them.  Selah is absolutely adorable and teeny tiny, and Maci is absolutely adorable and twice her size.  They're gonna have great fun as they grow up!
This past month has been a great one of course. --Maci has discovered all sorts of things: her hands...it's so sweet to watch her put them together and play with them; she loves focusing on faces and giving big smiles, and she sometimes even has her daddy's crooked smile and yawn, which is so special; she loves sticking out her tongue, and also today has discovered an ear and her hair; she of course loves her toys and now is starting to figure out peek-a-boo.  She also had her baby dedication a couple weeks ago...so special to have family there with us.  And there was Valentine's Day...here's Daddy and his mini-Valentine. :)  Last weekend, we had a family get-together, because Uncle Nick, Aunt Kristol, Grady, and Kalyn are moving to North Carolina this week.  We are going to Amarillo tomorrow to help them get ready to move...of course we'll take pics!  And we've visited grandparents, and and and...uh, there's too much to post and too many pictures!  Maybe I could blog more often...hmm, what a thought, Abby!


So, a few other things I'll share pictures of...  Auntie Erin is engaged to the future Uncle Mark, definitely an exciting time!  We got to share in this special occasion late the other evening. :)   They're planning a May wedding...