"I could help! I could help!"

Amelia always wants to help, which is sweet when its cleaning or laundry, when it's making dinner with a sharp knife and hot stove ... well, I guess it's still sweet, just a safety issue. Since we know these days of her helpful heart might be short-lived (you know, before we start having to MAKE her help) we happily give her tasks, some have to be a little creative. Anyway, last night Daddy was hanging a mirror in the hallway and as soon as he started ... "I could Help! I could Help!" started too.

She would quickly imitate everything Dad did as soon as she could: measuring, using the stud finder ...

She also was very good at holding things for Dad until he needed them. And yes, she is standing on her chair of course.

Dad even was showing her the drill.

*Yes, even Amelia is ready for March Madness with her sports pjs :) a favorite of her. We regularly have to get new sports pjs after she grows out of them because she loves them so much... a girl after her mother's heart :)

At least we already have a few things for her brother to wear too!

Zoo Day

Last week, we had a very warm day for February ... so we headed to the zoo for our first trip of the year. (love our zoo pass) It felt like we were the only ones there. We got to spend alot of time at the exhibits that were open. Amelia was beyond happy to watch the fish, pet the sharks, run back and forth with the tiger... and such. Here's a few pictures:

Sting Rays... always a favorite most likely cause she can get right up next to them.

watching the sea lions swim around

before heading into the desert to see the turtles, snakes, and lizards

and pictures from our favorite exhibit: the tiger. We spent most time here where the tiger paced back and forth and Amelia raced him.

Here we go...

It's Official! Amelia is going to have a BABY BROTHER!!!

Introducing ... Jack Sterling Humphrey!

We are SO excited! He is expected early August! We had the unique opportunity to get an early ultrasound (for free no less) at a women's center that was training new nurses. So we spent Tuesday evening watching our little man roll around, kick about, and squirm for an hour almost. It was so wonderful. After some bumps in the road it was a huge answer to prayer and such a blessing to see and watch our healthy baby.

Again..so excited... so blessed.

New Heights

Amelia can be found most of the time these days carrying her chair around ... to turn on and off lights, getting things like chapstick and highlighters off countertops, and gaining a new perspective ...

For your viewing pleasure...

A few weeks ago, Amelia and I did a seasons craft to help her figure out why just because there wasn't snow on the ground did not mean it was warm out. Here she is explaining each ... still trying to figure it all out.

This one is Amelia singing "I've got peace like a river" of course before the camera came out she knew all verses and was singing clearly... oh well...

And finally, every time I lay with Bug before bedtime, she asks to talk about Jesus and Lazarus. So together we tell the story ... about every night. Not sure why she's clung to that story... and it is hard to try and explain to her the many things in that story. I don't think the two year old grasps death just quite yet. Either way, I will gladly talk about Lazarus and Jesus every night with her if that's what she wants.

*disclaimer: sorry about the creepy whisper voice. I had a bad cold and had lost my voice... for about 4 days. It was challenging to control, communicate, and instruct a two year during that time... she did however whisper back :)

A Few Things ...

1. I know it's been awhile. I feel like when time and the blog gets away from me, it's hard to know what to update the blog with... So here's a few things that have been going on around here.

2. My dad just returned from a trip to Africa. He had a unique opportunity to attend a bible dedication ceremony. It is the first time this tribe has the Word in there own language. It was amazing to hear his stories and how God has been working in this tribe. Amelia is also excited about her gifts from Papa ...

3. We, of course, enjoyed the craziness of last week here in Indy. It was cool to hear/see all the things they had going on downtown for the Super Bowl. We were able to head there Friday night. It was CRAZY! So many people, and it was quite overwhelming at times, but it was clearly a once in a lifetime thing.
4. We've also enjoyed the respite from the winter weather. These 50 degree days the have given us the chance to take walks, go to the playground, only wear a light jacket... you know. I know winter and snow is lingering around the corner (It is Indiana and it is Feb.) but it's been a very pleasant winter so far. It's got be looking forward to Springtime already, though.

5. In other news... Amelia is practically pull-up free! Can you believe it! I still don't feel safe enough to bite the bullet and put her in underwear when we are out and she still wears something during naptime and bedtime. But she has done amazing using the potty while here at home. It has been one of those things (like most things with parenting) that is a hit or miss- trial and error things. I know it's long process and she'll get there. We think she is playing the system though... she would receive a few M&Ms (one of her favorites) after potting. The problem has become she chooses to relieve herself little by little in order to acquire as many pieces of candy as possible. So, I am about to switch to just one reward for staying accident free all day. Two can play at this game.

Well, maybe I will do a better job at keeping this thing up to date. If not, I'll see you in another month with a few more things.

Verses

Amelia has been picking up her bible verses so quickly ... I might have to do two a month :)

It makes my heart happy to hear her recite them! Here is December's (Col. 3:2 "Set your mind on things up above, not on earthly things.") and January's (Pro. 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart.") :