Dear Mimi

We dedicated you at church on Sunday. It was a chance for us to remember how thankful to God we are for bringing you into our lives. You are a constant reminder to us of the Lord's faithfulness and are the answer to many of our tear-filled prayers. This time last year I was heartbroken...and now here you are. We hope that we can step aside and let you be the person you were meant to be without too much pressure or expectations, however, here are some hopes that we have for you:

• that you would come to know how truly satisfying and fulfilling a personal relationship with Jesus is. I pray that the "wholeness" that relationship brings would give you a hope and a purpose in life.
  
• that through knowing a deep and satisfying love in Christ, you'd be different from the people around you. I pray that you'd have eyes to see people's hurt and humanity and would take the time to love outside of yourself. I pray that you fight for what is right ALWAYS and would care deeply about justice and mercy, just as Christ does.
  
• I hope that you can have courage to be yourself and make your own choices, even if they are unpopular
• I pray that you'd be filled with deep joy that would radiate
  
• Mostly I hope that you can grow up feeling loved and that our lives won't hinder your own walk with the Lord, but would point you to Him in a real way.
  

We love you Mimi Harper. We can't wait to see what unique gifts you bring to the world.

life with Mimi

...includes lots of posed pictures of new outfits (to send to Nana, of course), big smiles (and some laughing as of Saturday), kisses and now some bedtime read-alouds.

Would you like fries with those?

In an attempt to get a current, close up picture for Mimi's baby dedication at church, these are the shots I got...

I feel hopeful that I'll see her face again one day soon. As for now, the only pictures I have of her are dominated by her newly found hands. Oh yeah, and one where she looks completely annoyed by my addiction to the camera...sweet.

Three by the Sea...

Ben and Mimi and I just got back from a trip to Captiva Island, Florida where Bob (Ben's dad) and Robyn got hitched! Here are some fun pictures from our trip.

Drew and Kate heading to the beach...we love Auntie Kate and Uncle Drew! Poor Kate was sick for the whole trip and couldn't hold Mimi..she showed great restraint! We're going to go visit her the MINUTE she gets better so she can make up for lost time :)


Here is the debut of Mimi's little bikini...(for you Ash!:) I really didn't have intentions of getting my newborn into a two piece, but I found it shopping one day before she was born and it was just her size. She proudly wore it (as you can tell)

Grandpa B.T. was really excited to introduce Mimi to the ocean. He didn't waste any time getting her little toes into the water...

meeting Laura Barnett and Ben's Aunt Karen (Grandma Mimi's sister)

wedding rehearsal

My good friend Allie Brownlee who is getting her masters in Ft. Lauderdale drove 2 1/2 hours to come see us and meet Mimi. We were roommates in college and share a love for Halloween, Hapa Sushi and great roadtrips...(one in particular). It was so great to see her.

Thanks for my lamb Allie! We named it Lola the Lamb...(yep, my mom is wierd. We like to name things)

Finally it was time for the BIG DAY!

The Turrill men

How Mimi watched the ceremony...

The Mr. and Mrs.!!!

After the ceremony we all went down to the beach to watch the sunset with some cold beverages...

the newlyweds!

Aunt Lawren and Uncle Reid

Mimi partyin' it up on the dance floor...

and wide awake after closing down the reception at 11:00 pm!!! (She does look a little punchy though...) Ben made the comment that there better not be a tree outside of Mimi's window when she's a teenager to sneak out from... She may be a party girl.

Our last sunset on the beach

Before we left Florida, we drove to Tampa to stay with Eric and Rhonda Murphy,my bro and his wife, before flying out the next morning...

Eric and Rhonda, our wonderful hosts in Tampa

Jenn, my sis in Florida and Mimi and I

A picture of the kids for "the parents" :)

This was the last of Mimi's 6 plane flights in her short two and a half months of life! Don't worry Mims (I see that look on your face), after we get home we will be firmly planted on the ground and at home for AWHILE!