the newest member

with gratitude to God, we are so humbled and blessed to introduce

Oliver Judson Cuthbert

8 lbs. 6 oz. 20 in.

born 04/27/14 at 3:00 AM

Oliver: derived from the word olive--to extend an olive branch is to extend peace. Judson: inspired by the great 19th Century missionary, Adoniram Judson, who took the good news of Jesus to the people of Burma.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, 

who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

As we welcome our son into the world, it is our prayer that we will be faithful to share with him the good news of Jesus, which brings eternal peace. And we pray that by God's grace he will embrace this good news for himself and proclaim its peace wherever God takes him in life. 

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers--we're all well and so excited he's here.

i made them do it.

I always try to get a couple family pictures around Easter, though this year I wasn't feeling especially photogenic (9 months pregnant the third time around will do that to you). But I did manage to snag some of the boys...all three (even 4!) of them, actually. And something tells me my time to dress them up alike and take pictures is probably limited, so I'm just going to go ahead and do it while I can. I mean, what else are we going to put on a graduation picture board or wedding slide show if not these?!

And all it took was the promise of an Easter egg hunt if they were cooperative (ahhh, bribery. And they were mostly cooperative).

Special thanks to my long suffering husband...

and a couple outtakes. friends, meet thatcher.

backyard boys.

the last couple of days have been so needed. we've been out basking in the sun before it hits 50 degrees and it feels almost tropical. most meals have been on the plastic picnic table and I think I'm realizing how cooped up we really were all winter.

and everyone can put on their own shoes/boots--no thirty minute bundling required.

the huge downed tree limb left over from the pre-Christmas ice storm has finally shown itself and (until the preacher delightfully took a chainsaw to it tonight) Jonah was climbing his little heart out. maybe a little too high? and all I was picturing were broken arms.

my dad sent me this --so I kept letting him climb.
and this morning I let both boys run around the back yard with sharp wooden debris (and am happy to report we have since made it through one more day without an impaling).

so long as grandpa doesn't mind the frequent, "does this require stitches?" facetime calls, I guess I'll try not be too overprotective.

because, as the case may be, "after lunch, thatcher and I are going to do a couple more unsafe things."

greeeat.