Just Can't Get Enough...

Of this sweet, sweet face!!

What sweet dreams he must be having!

(Again, forgive the quality of the pic it's my iphone and the lighting was poor but the subject was perfect!!)

And these sweet hands - I think those long, little fingers will be picking at guitar strings one day like Daddy!


And the places those sweet little feet will take him all too quickly!!
(Of course, wherever he goes the prayers of his Lolly and Pops will go with him!)

Reminds me of a sweet Bible song that is seldom heard anymore...

O Be Careful, Little Eyes

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little ears what you hear
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little ears what you hear

O be careful little hands what you do
O be careful little hands what you do
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little hands what you do

O be careful little feet where you go
O be careful little feet where you go
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little feet where you go

O be careful little mouth what you say
O be careful little mouth what you say
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little mouth what you say

"Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart." Proverbs 29:17

Sometimes, In Texas, You Have To Stop....

And Appreciate the Bluebonnets!!

and that is just what I did!


The Indian Paintbrushes made quite a showing as well!!


The day was a little overcast,


the camera was not of a professional quality,

and the photographer not adept at choosing her scenes.

If there was a flower, I wanted a picture of it!

And around every corner there was Texas...

in all her glory!!

Even if there wasn't a flower in the frame!!

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." Isaiah 40:8

A Conversation With Lolly

After Josh and Jamie flew out on Sunday evening, Tony and I had a little extra time with Sawyer while his parents slipped out for their first dinner alone since Sawyer's arrival! Sawyer was alert after his dinner and we decided to have a little conversation. All of my conversations with Sawyer begin with "Lolly loves you" and "Jesus loves you" and on this evening we decided to go a little further and talk about the future.

I told Sawyer that he had a great Dad, Uncle, and Pops that couldn't wait to get out on the baseball field or football field and throw the ball with him! And that to our dismay that day would come sooner than we all think! :-( (I love cuddling him and I know all too soon he will out grow that!)

I told him that before we knew it he would be in high school trying to decide which college to attend! I reminded him that his parents, his aunt and uncle, his grandmother and cousins went to The University of Texas but that he had a grandfather who went to the University of Oklahoma.

"University of Oklahoma...ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...no way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"I'm sorry, was that too harsh!"

"I want to be a quarterback for The University of Texas. See I'm already working on my throwing arm!"


"I want to stand on the field and throw up my hands for the touchdown along with the the ref!"

"Look, I'm already working on my upper body strength. Jeff "Mad Dog" Madden would be proud of my muscles!!"

"Oh, and I forgot baseball - I can do both! University of Texas here I come!!"

After all that talk of college and sports, it took us a few minutes to calm down. But we snuggled and I reminded him that we all loved him and that no matter what he chose to do we would support him. And I committed to him that I would always cover him in prayer and live my life as an example of faith for anything is possible as long as he looks to God for His strength and His direction!

Sawyer, may you grow to be a healthy and happy young man who walks in the knowledge of His Lord and Savior and as a man of integrity and great character bring glory and honor to God. Amen

“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your children and your grandchildren” Deuteronomy 4:9

Uncle Josh Falls in Sweet Baby Love!

The first look...

The feeling of sweet baby love washes over...

The thoughts of fun times ahead as an uncle...

The realization that you will always love him!!

And all those feelings and thoughts began before they ever even met!! The proof is in the shirts! Welcome to the Hamblen family - no matter what we're doing we can always make it fun, it always becomes a lasting memory, and there is always a side story to go with it! Jamie, just one more way in which you've become a Hamblen! ;-)

Auntie Jamie and Uncle Josh came bearing gifts for Sawyer! The gift Meagan is holding is a baby's keyboard that he can hit now with his feet or later as a toddler with his hands. (A dangerous precedent to set - giving a toy that makes noise. If Josh and Jamie have kids, Meagan and Jeremy may remember this depending on how good of a musician Sawyer is?!)

But no surprise here - a perfect gift coming from an auntie and uncle who happen to own a boat!

And how would swim trunks look without a pair of "topsiders"!

Auntie Jamie enjoyed a little snuggle time with Sawyer and he seemed verrrrrrrrrrrrry content! Did she slip him a little birthday cake when we weren't looking!

God has chosen some wonderful men to play important roles in Sawyer's life!! Jeremy was hand-picked by God to be Sawyer's father and no one can take your place!! God will use your heart, your presence, your hugs, your laughter and your voice to engrave His eternal identity and love into his being.

Pops was chosen as well and he will express God's heart that Sawyer is unconditionally loved.



Josh as uncle will, like Sawyer's father, mentor and model the ways of the Lord!

Sawyer at 2 weeks old is very blessed and is a blessing for those who love him!

What an honor to be chosen!

"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him"

Genesis 18:19

The Bible...

reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding, its histories are true, its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter.

Here, Heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good is its design, the glory of God its end.

It should fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.

It is given in life, will be opened in the judgment, and will be remembered forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all those who trifle with its sacred contents.

Owned, it is riches; studied, it is wisdom; trusted, it is salvation; loved, it is character; and obeyed, it is power.


~Author Unknown

A Welcome Overnight Guest!

On Monday night we got a call from our son and daughter-in-law with a special request - could we babysit our new grandson while they made a trip to the emergency clinic! After much deliberation (ha!), we asked do you want us to come to you or are you coming to us? They were coming to us as we were close to the 24hr clinic. After further deliberation on their part, a decision was made that they would leave him for the night. :-)

That said we were thrilled to get the opportunity to keep Sawyer but our hearts went out to Meagan who was experiencing an extreme rash that closely resembled shingles. In all seriousness, I know how hard it must have been for Meagan to leave Sawyer overnight but I am so thankful for her willingness because it enabled the doctors to potentially give her medication that would give her relief from itching and get some much needed rest! And I believe that is just what they did!

Now if you were wondering if we were ready for an overnight stay well...

Pops had already put the car seat base in the car! (Of course, when we took Sawyer home Meagan had to come out and show us how to release the seat from the base! :-)

The pack and play with clean sheets had already been set up in our master bedroom!




We even had a little visual interest ready for his entertainment!

And since we live in a three story town home, we have a video monitor set up so I can see & hear him where ever I may be in the house should he be sleeping in his bed. (Of course, we tried it out on the dog first.)

Once he arrived it wasn't long before he settled in for his first feeding with us and of course, spent some time in our arms and on our shoulders! (Pops looks a little tired or is that just contentment - you be the judge!)

Now Mr. Darcy loves Sawyer but it was hard for him to understand why when he brought him his favorite little toys he couldn't get up to play. But the cutest thing was when during one of the times Sawyer was on my shoulder being burped and snuggled Mr. Darcy climbed on to Tony's shoulder seemingly for the same treatment. (I had the cell phone on the table beside me and was able to capture the moment! Which explains the quality of most of my pics on the blog - they are taken "on the fly" with my iphone.)

"I had a good night's sleep and there's nothing like a good breakfast!"



"I hope Mom and Dad let me spend the night at Lolly and Pops again one day! Pops thinks I'm smiling because he just fed me breakfast and that's OK - I love my Pops!"



"But I reallllllllllllllllllllllllly love my Mommy and Daddy!! This is fun but I get to see my Momma soon!!!!!!!!"

"There's nothing like a good bath and a little entertainment from my animal friends!"

"Lolly, warn me before you turn the vibrator on!"

"I don't know Lolly but I think you could cover those dark circles under your eyes a little better!"

"Lolly, put the iphone down because I am not going to smile until I see my Momma!"

And I did!!!!!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

Easter Memories

He is risen indeed!


Our Easter celebration began Saturday night at Second Baptist Church! Yes, men were present but what a fun three generation picture! Of course, if Pat and I are in a picture one of us will have an issue with our eyes!


Thanks Tony for taking care of us!

Sunday afternoon we were blessed to have the company of Meagan, Jeremy and Sawyer! We live close enough that they were able to come and eat lunch and it was a good thing because the Easter Bunny had stopped by to see them!!

Of course, Mr. Darcy was fascinated by Sawyer and I believe a little jealous!

I think Jeremy was excited about what the bunny brought him until he discovered that it was really for Sawyer! But he appreciates that he got the best gift of all on March 26th!

Sawyer's Easter basket from Lolly and Pops!

Sawyer's Easter Bunny

What could be cuter...

Sawyer with his bunny!!

How fun will it be to watch Sawyer grow to his bunny!!

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6