West

West is a climber! Several weeks ago he discovered the stool at the bathroom sink and that he likes to look in the mirror. We now keep the door shut all the time. On Wednesday, after school, Jones yells for me to come quick. West was on the fourth step on the bunk bed ladder. I got him down, got the camera and put him down to see if he would do it again. He did. I asked Jones to stand right behind him while I videoed and took a picture. We now keep the ladder off and/or the door closed. Everyday he is making records for standing unassisted. He will be walking soon.

Hit of the Week

I love radio.  I despise video games, like some TV shows, but I love radio.

Sometimes radio playlists hit a slump.  Artists all seem to offer up awful to just so so songs all at once.  Country radio is in a slump like that right now.  Hip-hop radio has been in a slump for about 15 years now.
But this month, contemporary Christian radio is on a hitting streak.  Great artists putting out great songs.  I rarely use a current hit as song of the week, but I'm going to this time.  The first time I heard this song on the radio it punched me in the gut.  I believe in serendipity and the providence of God.  I'm thankful that Sanctus Real released this song at just the right time, just when I needed it.  If you know a husband or daddy who needs this song, please share it with them.

“Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life

Almost perfect from the outside

In picture frames I see my beautiful wife

Always smiling

But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes

They're just children from the outside

I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine

They're independent

But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/s/sanctus-real-lyrics/lead-me-lyrics.html ]

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength

To be everything I'm called to be

Oh, Father, show me the way

To lead them

Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands

To stand up when they can't

Don't want to leave them hungry for love,

Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight

And give them the best of my life

So we can call this our home

Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Georgia's belated party

We had a fun belated birthday party for Georgia with Jazbo and Mimi.

Today In Our World

Went to Somerville and back early this morning.  Easy trip.  Got home in time to meet Jones at  school for lunch.  Nasty Nacho day.  She told me that they had been learning about the 4th of July, the Declaration of Independence, etc... Made up for the Cinco de Mayo junk from last week.  

We picked the first squash from this year's garden and had it with our supper.

Jones, Georgia, and I rode our bicycles to the mailbox and then to the park.  Jones was in front of me as she reached up to grab the monkey bars.  Before she started across she stopped and said, “Hey, Dad, you know what?”
“What’s that, dear?”
“I have some hairs starting to grow under here,” she said as she pointed to her armpit and started giggling.  
I didn’t know what to say to that.

Annie starts whining every evening in anticipation of bedtime.  She begs for someone to please sleep with her or to let her sleep with them.  No one wants to sleep with her because she wiggles and talks to much.  

Georgia is going to Kindergarten round-up tomorrow.  Please begin praying for obedience for my daughter, patience and a good sense of humor for her teacher.

West is almost a year old.  He’s toddling now and we’re all out of babies.  Except for Tuesdays and Thursdays when we keep Jameson, but that will be over in a couple of weeks. 

I think I have plantar fasciitis.  My foot has been hurting for a couple of years now.  I'm going to see my doctor about it next month.
  

Mother's Day

Western Hills Church celebrated Mother's Day with their Baby Blessing. We are blessed to have great friends here in Temple and are honored that we get to share our children with so many wonderful people.
Justin and the kids gave me flowers, cards, lunch at Roadhouse, and a nap! Thank you. I love each of you very much!

Sea World Praise Wave

Friday
Swimming at the Residence Inn.














Saturday
We arrived at Sea World at 830am. They opened the gates at 930am. but only took us a little ways inside the gates. The anthem played at 10am and the herd of Christians ran to the Nautilus theater to stand in another line to get a wristband. We did it! We were not going to miss Bebo Norman, Chris August and Francesca Battistelli. Then, after a sigh of relief, we had til 330pm to enjoy the park.





Justin, Jones, Annie, Mikayla, and Ethan sat sat in the Shamu Splash Zone, but Shamu missed them. There are new kid rides and a new splash pad. Justin and I took all(but West) on the log ride. Annie and Georgia didn't enjoy it.

































Justin was able to take Jones and Georgia down to the stage to see Francesca and Bebo a little closer. I missed the last half of Bebo and the beginning of Chris August doing bathroom trips. Note to self: Put pull ups on everyone for the next concert! Three hours. Hot. Tired but Excited. The kids did great for their first concert experience.


Francesca Battistelli











Bebo Norman

Weekend Adventure and Song of the Week

A few months ago Jones and I were riding in the pickup listening to Francesca Battistelli.  Between songs she reminded me that I had promised to take her to a concert someday and asked if I could check and see if Francesca was going to have any shows near us.  When we got back to the house we looked online and found out that she was going to be playing at SeaWorld with Bebo Norman, Chris August, and Newsboys.  We put it on the calendar and began making plans.
After 3 months of waiting, the day finally came.  We went to San Antonio on Friday, got a hotel room, swam in their indoor pool, ate pizza, and watched River Monsters on cable.  We got to SeaWorld early so we would be sure to get a wristband that would be our ticket into the concerts.  We ran with the mob at 10:00 when they opened the floodgates after the playing of  The Star Spangled Banner.  It was a great day of Shamu, roller coasters, junk food, and good music.  I'm sure Leslie will post pictures soon.
Did you know that we have a youtube channel, too?  www.youtube.com/justinwilhoit   Check it out for SeaWorld concert footage and assorted family hyjinks.

Halfway through Bebo's set something went wrong with the sound system. His vocals were the only thing coming through the main speakers, but he didn't know it. He was still hearing his guitar through his in-ear monitors. He kept singing, the crowd was singing with him, the moment was a magical time of worship. Fittingly, the song was "I Have Nothing Without You". I decided to use it for the song of the week.  Let it be your prayer as you go through this week.