Some Little, Special Blessings

Last week I headed to Champaign to meet my 6 day-old niece Vienna.    

Here I am....finally at their apartment!  Of course the first thing I do is put both of them in my lap.  While, actually I was holding Vienna and I think Reuben was a little ticked at leaving him out, so he crawled up.

Grandpa snuggling with Vienna.

Reuben and I cheesing it up.  Are those cookies in the background....?  Maybe that is why we are soooo happy! =)  

Playing some euchre.  Mark had the day off, so it was fun to have him around. 

Reuben was very much wanting to get out of the apartment and do something, so we played some ball in the parking lot.

Balls are his favorite thing and not surprisingly the first word he said.

Shooting some hoops!

After the basketball Reuben and I went on a walk.

Finally, Vienna is awake!  This was a rare moment of seeing her eyes.  It cracks me up how wide-eyed she is.

Absolutely love all her hair!

Grandpa reading a story.  Reuben looks very into it.  =)

Reuben likes to hold Vienna and not let her go!  In time he will grow into a gentle big brother.

On the way home from Champaign I got to spend the night in Quincy.  Alex, Aubs, and I got up early and went on a breakfast date to a new coffee shop in town, which has now most likely become our new favorite place to go!  It was encouraging to just sit around and hear what is going on in each others lives.  We are all in such different stages in life that sometimes it can be hard to keep up with what all is going on in our lives.  We got to open the Word together and spend time sharing different passages that God had been teaching us through.  It's so encouraging to see my younger sisters growing in Christ and teaching me through what the Spirit has taught them.

This was a special moment that I will think back on often!

By the end of the week I was very ready to get in my car and head home to see Matt!!!

=)