We're Proud Parents... Deal with it.

We were looking for a good reason to post and, frankly, we've got nothing. So without further ado, here's some unadulterated Emma Grace loving:

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Exhibit A: Come on. How am I supposed to deny this face? Exhibit A is also further reinforcement that we don't have a stone cold sandy on our hands. She does actually smile all the time.

Exhibit B: A great shot by our friend (and incredible Aunt!) Carly. I pretty much put Emma in this little dress as often as Kelly will let me get away with it. I delight in this little one.

Exhibit C: Emma is rocking the bumbo. This is seriously a great invention. Emma loves it. We also discovered she loves pictures of people. In this instance, she's staring and smiling at her Momma and Aunt Caitlin. Nevermind that Emma is right in front of the knife block and leaning precariously close to the edge of the counter. We're good parents, we swear.


Exhibit D: Emma and her daddy went for their first run together. Emma's not sure about this whole running thing, though she was kind enough to indulge me as I ran around Quail Hill and made it a point to run past people. I'm kinda sorta proud of her.


Exhibit E: 4 months already. This weekend also marked the 1 year anniversary to the day that the ER doctors told us we were going to lose the baby and Kelly should go home, "relax and have a glass of wine". Emma says "Irvine Regional can bite me."

Angels Game with the (future) Clemens

We had a great time with Teri and Jacob at the Angel's game on Friday night. The Angels lost (as always when we are in attendance), but we enjoyed the Beach Pit BBQ (sweet sweet pulled pork) as well as Mormon night in our section. Seriously, is there a reason why Mormons are all good looking? Did the caffeine give me the back hair?


The other image is my new favorite thing to do with Emma. Though this image doesn't show it, she just smiles when I balance her like this in my hand.


Contrary to popular belief from our documentation efforts to date, Emma does actually smile, you just have to sneak up on her.

Family Portrait

Our latest family portrait...created by Pops.

Perspective

This weekend was significant:  I think I can count on one hand the amount of memorial services I've been to in my life.  This weekend I went to two.  On Saturday we went to a memorial service for my Aunt Marla, who passed away last week after battling ovarian cancer.  Her life was marked by joy, service and generosity.  Today I went to the memorial service for Joey Johnson, a friend who was like a brother to me in high school and whom the Lord suddenly took home at the age of 28.  Joey was adventurous, hilarious, and spontaneous.  He lived his life as though he knew it would be short - and filled it with memories, travels, and love for others.

Andrew and I have had some significant conversations this weekend - what it means to make the most of every day, the purpose of life, and how we teach Emma to live in light of eternity.  Our lives feel remarkably different today than they did even a week ago.   We don't have all the answers, but as my Uncle John wrote in his last letter to my Aunt Marla, "The road to the Lord's house is often bumpy...but it is the right road."