Five Generations!

While we were in Nebraska we were able to get a five generation picture. Anita Pedersen (Azariah's great great grandmother), Charles Pedersen (Anita's son and Liz's dad), Liz Patten (my mother and Charles daughter), and me (Liz's daughter), and last, but deffinitly not least Azariah. It's pretty cool to see five generations in a span of 87 years. It is such a blessing to be able to spend time with family for the holidays in celebration of our Savior's birth!

Leaving for Nebraska Soon!

Azariah is very excited that he is coming to Nebraska to visit. I have been trying to get everything ready for the trip. It's going to be interesting going 1000 miles with a four month old. We are going to try to make it in one day. Please pray for safe travel and good weather.

Beautiful Alabama Fall

We've been enjoying the fall colors and the weather change here. Azariah is definitely an outdoorsman (that's my boy!) who loves to look at the leaves. I took him hiking with me to Cane Creek and he was quite content in the sling. The Lord is so gracious to us - that He would create such beautiful colors and trees for us to enjoy. His creation testifies that He is good!

Growing Boy

Azariah has been doing really well. I have a blast just taking care of him every day. He really likes to talk to us now, even though it's just baby talk, we love to listen to him. This last week he really started giggling more. It's so cute to hear his little laugh. He is excited to meet and reunite all of his family in Nebraska at Christmas.

November Update

This is the house we just moved into 2 weeks ago. We really love it. It has two full bedrooms and one office, and a big living dining room space. We had lots of help with the move. And my mom came too to help. It was such a blessing to have everyone come and help. The thing we like the most about our new rental house is that it's out of town. We love the quiet. And it's great to have our own yard.

Doctor Visit

Azariah had his 2 month check up this week. He is actually 2 and a half months old now. He didn't really like the shots he gave him. He only cried for like a minute, but the rest of the day he was kind of sober and tired. He measured 24 inches and 12.9 lbs. The doctor said that everything looks great and that he is growing very well. Holden and I are just having a great time with him and loving being parents. He is such a joy and blessing.

Moving!

Well, incase you haven't heard, we're moving! I just started the packing process yesterday. We are moving from our apartment to a house outside of town. We are all very excited. Even though Azariah isn't old enough to understand, I'm sure he will appreciate not having to share his room with his dad's office. The house we are moving to has three bedrooms instead of the two that we have now. We are most excited about having our own back yard, and being out of town and away from the noise. It is such a blesssing to us from God. The house is owned by a family in our church, and they let people from the church rent it. We are so thankful for the wonderful people that God has put in our lives. Holden said that the unofficial date of the move will be next Monday the 3rd. Please keep us in your prayers that everything will go smoothly.

Holden's New Ride!

This is Holden's new scooter. He bought it about a month ago to drive to work. We have had
alot of fun driving it around. Except I almost crashed it into a dumpster the first time I drove it. We bought it because Holden wanted me to have a vehicle at home while he was at work. So now I have the Honda if I ever need to go somewhere during the day. Plus, the scooter gets about 90 miles to the gallon, and with gas prices the way they are, it's a pretty cheap way to get around.

8 Weeks Old Today!

I can't believe it, but Azariah is already 8 weeks old. The time has gone by so fast. I keep telling him to stop growing, but he just won't listen. It has been amazing though to watch him grow and develope. He is awake more during the day now, and he has been making eye contact alot more. And he has started smiling more often. It is so cute when he smiles big, and we can see his gums. He is still sleeping great. He has slept all through the night since he did that first time when he was 6 and a half weeks old. One of his favorite things to do is to watch his mobile. He gets so excited when we turn it on. He also likes to be put in his bouncy seat and watch me and Holden.

Date Night

This last Friday night me and Holden got to go on our first date since Azariah was born. Miss Pat (our neighbor and adopted Grandma) watched him for us. It was hard to leave him, but we had a great time. Holden took me to Chili's, which is one of our favorite restaurants. Then we went to Book-a-Million, and ended the date at Chic-fil-A for a hand-spun shake. It was nice to have some one on one time, but we caught ourselves constantly talking about Azariah. We had to make a conscious effort to talk about us instead of him the whole time. Having a child has changed our marriage in many ways, but it has deffinitly been a change for the better. We couldn't be more thankful for the wonderful addition of Azariah to our family.

Oh Great God!

Last night at church we sang a song called "Oh Great God" and the lyrics really blessed me as I sang. It reminded me of the journey of sanctification that I am on as a believer. It is my prayer that God would continue to conquer every rebel power and to remove the sin in my life that so displeases Him. The second verse was a great reminder to me of how I used to be so blinded by my sin before God gave me ears to hear His voice and saved me by His power.

"O Great God" by Bob Kauflin

"O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven's joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life
That's dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me"

God is worthy to be praised by all of our thoughts and deeds. He alone deserves all the glory!

Sleepy Boys

Last night Azariah slept through the whole night for the first time! So I got my first full night's rest since he was born. It was so nice. I usually get up between 3 and 4 and feed him, but last night I woke up at about 4:30 and he was still asleep, and then at 6:30 he got up. As exciting as it is that he slept through the night, I am going to kind of miss our middle of the night feeding. It is so quiet and it's just me and him. It has been a special time for us. But it will be nice to start getting better sleep again. I have been working hard to get him on a schedule during the day where he eats every 2 and a half to 3 hours. It has been working really well, and he is gaining weight good and is a very content little boy. He doesn't cry much, and is healthy. Oh, and don't worry we don't sleep with him in our bed. He sleeps in his basssinet. I just brought Azariah in our room in the morning to snuggle with his dad for a little while.

Holden and I were just on a walk last night with him in the stroller, and we were talking about how blessed we are to have him in our lives. We can't imagine life with out him. We feel so unworthy of such a blessing from God. That He would give us a son to take care of and love. But I am the most blessed because not only do I have a wonderful little son, but I also have the most amazing man in the world for a husband. Holden has been the best thing that has happened to me on this earth, and I am really blessed to be able to walk through this life with him by my side and leading our family.

Patten's Visit

Grandma Liz with Azariah.

Grandpa Larry holding his first grandchild.

Aunt Amanda with her new nephew.

This is a little late, but I wanted to update you all on the Patten visit to Alabama. It started off with my mom driving 16 hours straight through the night to get here in time for Azariah's arrival. What a devoted grandma, and mother! Thankfully she made it here safely and on time for the birth and most of the labor. Although she was extremely tired, she said she wouldn't have missed it for the world. A few days later Dad, Amanda, Nate (Amanda's fiance'), and our lab Anna arrived. Sorry I didn't get a picture of Nate. Eric couldn't come because it was his first week of school. Azariah is still waiting to meet his tall Uncle Eric. We had a great visit. They went cliff jumping, and spent a lot of time chilling at the river where they had a campsite. They pulled their new camper all the way here so they could camp out at the Tennessee River. They all had a great time fishing, and me and Holden sure enjoyed eating the fish they caught. Then things got a little crazy, when mom and dad had to leave due to my grandmother's funeral in Michigan. I really wanted to go too, but obviously couldn't with a new baby. Mom and Dad returned 3 days later to finish up their time here. It was hard to say goodbye, but we plan on making a trip to Nebraska in December, so we'll see everyone again soon.

Azariah is just starting to smile, but it's been hard to catch on film.

This is one of his little smirks.

I just had to see what he looked like in his robe.
What a little man.

Sleeping peacefully.

The Barry's Visit

This last weekend the whole Barry family came to see us. It was a wonderful fun filled weekend. It was so nice to catch up and see everyone. The boys had all grown so much since we saw them last. It was so sweet to watch them holding Azariah and laughing at him when he would cross his eyes trying to focus on their faces. He sure has a lot of crazy uncles:) Grandma and Grandpa also had some time to get to know their first grandson. It was so hard to see them go. We miss you guys already!

While the Barry's were here, Holden took us cliff jumping. Debbi stayed and babysat Azariah so I could go too. This is a picture of Holden jumping off of a 40 foot cliff into the Tennessee River. It was so fun to watch the boys get the courage to jump. I jumped off one that was about 25 feet. It was a long fall, but lots of fun. Jeff, Jordan, Christian, Jack and Nolan all jumped. Some of them did it multiple times. And Reuben did a great job climbing all over the rocks. He sure is a good climber. I was really impressed with how brave the boys were. I would never have been able to do that at their age. And Holden did a dive off of the 25 foot cliff, and scared me to death. But he was fine, as always.

Pictures of Azariah

The Joys of Motherhood!

Before Azariah was born I remember women telling me that there is no way to describe the love that will come over you for your child. There was no way for me to prepare for what happened when they handed me Azariah for the first time. I am so overcome with love for this little boy! But along with all of the feelings of joy and gladness have come great fears that I have never before felt. I have to give my emotions to God daily and trust that He is the One who is sustaining every breathe that Azariah takes. Even though I want to protect Azariah from all harm or pain and this corrupt world, I know that I can not do that. His life is in God's hands, and that is the safest place for him. But when I really think about Azariah's life and future, I realize that the only thing that matters in the end is if he comes to saving faith in Jesus Christ. I know that I have no power to save him, but I have full assurance that my God is mighty to save. My job now is to feed him, bathe him, sing to him, change his diaper, kiss him, and most importantly pray for him. These verses have been on my mind often:

"By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother's womb; My praise is continually of You." ~Psalm 71:6

"For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb." ~Psalm 139:13

Father and Son

The proud new father! Holden is discovering and enjoying the blessings that come with being a father. And he sure is doing a wonderful job. Having a son has had a profound impact on our spiritual lives. We are understanding the Father's love in a whole new way. That He would send His only Son to die for wretches like us means so much more now that we have a son of our own. And it is also an amazing thought to think of how Jesus came as a helpless baby.

Azariah Clay Barry

On August 12th, 2008, God blessed our family with a son. Azariah was 6 lbs. 5 oz. and 20-1/2" long. Holden and I are so excited to be parents! What an amazing responsiblity and blessing to add to our lives. What a miracle to watch him come into the world. All glory to God!

May 5th 2008: Married one whole year!

I know some of you wanted to see a picture of Rachel pregnant. Well, here ya go. This was taken in the 38th week. We just can't wait to hold that baby!