He's joining the ranks

(no... I don't know this man...just needed a snappy picture)

That's right...after much studying and after several difficult ordination exams our Tyler has passed! And, September 9th (you're all invited) Tyler Dirks will be installed as Reverend Tyler Dirks by our regions presbytery at the Great Aunt Stella Center. And, I will officially be a pastor's wife. This means that soon I will be the best cook, mom and wife in all of Charlotte (JK)! But, seriously we are thrilled. Tyler has worked very hard to accomplish this feat and we are extremely pleased with him. We thank the Lord for His many many blessings on our home, and we rest in Him now more than ever as we enter this new chapter in life. Thank you to all of you that have been praying for us, please continue to keep us in your prayers as we know that the evil one will certainly try and attack our family and especially Tyler as he enters this new role.

and to Atlanta we go...

"Let me just see if I can stuff this whole thing in here"


Tomorrow we head to Atlanta for a week of RUF training (well actually two, but Maggie and I are only staying for one). We'll be back next saturday in time for Tyler to go before the Presbytery for his final (hopefully) ordination exam. He will then drive back to Atlanta for the remainder of RUF training. If you think about us please pray for our week in Atlanta and also for Tyler as he continues to study for this final exam. Here are some farwell shots of Maggie to hold you over until I can blog again. These are some pictures taken by Daniel McNamee, who is an awesome photographer (and babysitter along with his wife Virginia)!

Here we are!

For all our blog dedicated readers, I apologize for the lack of blogging these past few weeks. It has been very very busy in Dirksville. We moved last friday and that pretty much sums up the insanity. I thought it would be a simple move, I mean it always has been in the past. I figured we'd pack, move on friday and pretty much be settled by saturday (I neglected to factor in painting the new place, and cleaning the old house and the new house and packing and moving and continuing to be a mother in the process). Thankfully the Lord has blessed us with some amazing friends who have made this ordeal so much easier and doable. We've had help painting, cleaning, moving, babysitting, cooking and doing all kinds of odds and ends. I thought I couldn't feel anymore loved after all the kindness shown to us following Maggie's birth, but I was wrong. Thank you everyone who helped and prayed for us during this transition, I didn't realize how badly we needed it!
PS Maggie has been crossing some major infant milestones this week. She's rolled over several times from stomach to back and ate her first meal of rice cereal last night. However, at her four month check up yesterday she was stuck with some awful vaccinations that have made her sickly today. She is recovering like a champ though! And Grandparents, her four month stats were 12 pounds 7 oz and 23 1/2 inches long.
I thought this was a funny picture of our petite little girl. I put together her bouncer saucer thingy and her feet didn't even reach the bottom shelf on its highest wrung. The box said 4 months plus, but alas I fear we will have to grow a little more before we can fully enjoy this contraption. Note the Settlers of Catan box under Maggie's feet.

Hilton Head

Well, we just got back from yet another trip to the beach. It turns out you get to go twice when you have a cute little baby aka ticket to Grandma and Poppa's hearts. Here are a few pics of our fun.
Who doesn't like bathing in a sink next to a watermelon and a frozen turkey?
One of Maggie's newest tricks...standing without our help (lots of spotting however)
Maggie and Grandma at the baby pool.
Maggie cooling off in her robe after a couple of laps in the pool.Maggie in her new bathing suit and shades.
Tyler and Dad at DauFauskie(?) Island playing golf.
When we returned from the beach on friday we were welcomed by a huge storm and one of our neighbors houses was struck by lightning and caught on fire!
Maggie was very concerned.