Today our little princess Annabeth is one week old. I can’t help but smile as I write to you about her. She is the most precious little thing. Both of my children and Jackson weighed the least bit over 7 pounds so our little 6 pounder is the smallest baby I’ve ever personally cared for. Keith says she’s not even the size of a good trout. Make no mistake. She’s got some spunk…and she’ll need it with that precocious big brother of hers. Considering what a spotlight he’s held in three families (firstborn to Curtis and Amanda, first grandchild to both sets of grandparents), I think he’s done a terrific job of adjusting. I spent the night with them Saturday night when I returned from El Paso and when I went into his room the next morning after I heard him stirring, he said, “Hi, Bibby! Where’s the girl?” I loved it. Needless to say, I lifted him up to look into the crib and he was very pleased that she was still there. Since she was awake, I asked, “Do you want me to get her out?” Of course, he did. I sat with that tiny little thing on my lap while he fetched a huge pink stuffed bear from a chair and danced it around in front of her. I assured him she was very entertained despite the fact that she had the posture of Raggedy Ann and wanted to nap in the worst way. She’s going to love him so much. Lord have mercy, what trouble they’re liable to get into together. I hope some of it’s at Bibby’s.
Curtis and Amanda are sleepy but doing so well. They have an exceptionally good routine for life with such a newborn. She usually has a wide-awake time late at night so Amanda feeds her then goes to bed while Annabeth stays up with Daddy. Mommy then gets up for all the night feedings since she herself is the bottle and that’s when Daddy gets to sleep in. So far, Baby Girl eats during the night and goes right back to sleep. If a week is any indication, she seems to be content to be awake without being fussy. Boy, would THAT be a wonderful enduring trait! She, however, does not like to be changed nor given a sponge bath but, at that weight, who on earth would? She’s going to need some body fat to warm up! We could not feel more blessed. She is honestly a living doll with the cutest wardrobe just screaming to jump off the hangers and onto her little self. Everything just swallows her right now so most of it has to wait. The footies on her footie pajamas just hang limp.
God was so thoroughly gracious to time that sweet child’s birth before our El Paso LPL event so that I could be completely free from concern that she’d be born while I was gone. The event was already etched in stone when Amanda realized she was expecting. Both times I’ve chosen (contrary to my anxious personality) to trust God with the timing and not stress that I’d miss those grandbabies’ births. God has been so faithful that I could bawl about it. He even allowed me to miss a vicious stomach flu that both Melissa and Keith got. (She got it first and took it so badly that she’s still not completely over it.) I felt so sorry for them I didn’t know what to do. It caused Melissa to miss getting to hold her niece for three days of the six she was home. (You don’t want to try to come between Melissa and her niece. There could be blood.) If I had gotten that bug, I’d either have missed the event (which God has never let happen in all these years), missed getting to help Amanda with the grandbabies, or exposed the entire Jones family. He didn’t let any of those things happen. I am so full of praise to Him.
Melissa and I went by on Sunday afternoon to pick Amanda up between feedings and take her to run a few errands while Curtis babysat. She needed some fresh air…and some Starbucks, for crying out loud. Melissa talked us into trying the new London Fog Latte. So tasty! We got grandes even though a tall would have sufficed because…well, because we are Moores and if a tall is good, a grande is better. I don’t get Venti because, not only do I not want to pay for it, I don’t have a lot of confidence about how to say it. It sounds dumb. Amanda, Melissa, and I are one another’s favorite people on earth (besides our men) and we laughed our heads off together on that Target run. Amanda kept saying, “Stop it, y’all! Stop it!” because, needless to say, it hurt when she laughed. Which made us act even sillier. It was the best medicine on earth for all three of us.
By the way, I could NOT have loved our El Paso group more. If you watched the video and wondered about the trash can thing, it went with our subject matter. Rich did such a great job on portraying that. I would have brought every single one of those women home with me if I could have. Did you know Lucchese boots are made right there in El Paso? And would you also believe that I received a brand new pair of them as a souvenir from the event? The director of marketing’s beautiful wife awarded me a set of snake skins (that’s one way the snake stays under these feet) and, let me tell you, they were not pearls before swine. I put those babies on the second I got onto stage and I was one happy girl in the Lone Star State. They will be put to much good use. They were the exact ones I would have chosen off a shelf: a rich brown which is my signature color (hello, Shelby) as much as I wish it were blush and bashful.
Well, I have Bible study tonight so I best not tarry here on the blog. We think of you every day and we are so honored to be your sisters and your servants. I wish you knew every single one of our staff members because you’d love them all so much. They serve you in one way or another every single day behind the scenes. I’ll leave you with a picture of only about half of them taken in Amanda’s hospital room last week. They brought her a quilt with all their pictures attached to various squares. It was hilarious. All of us are shameless about babies.
Know that you are greatly loved and prioritized here at Living Proof Ministries. We exist to encourage people exactly like you to come to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ through the study of His Word.
Talk to you soon!
Beth (AKA your very own Siesta Mama)
Susan, Linda, Beth, Nancy, Sabrina, Diane, Jenn, and Aunt Melissa
Oh, Beth! She is absolutely adorable!!! And I know you are enjoying being Bibbyx2!!!!!
I wanted to tell you that we’ve been doing Esther at NBC… We’re in week three. And God is doing some really cool stuff there.
Thanks!
Congrats to all of you and many days of joyful memories ahead of you.
If my memory serves correctly isn’t there a bible study where Beth mentions to her own mother she is not feeling good shortly after being married. Her mother asks her what her symptoms are. Melissa…is it possible?
Awww! What a cutie!! You, too Beth! LOL! Thanks for thinking of us with all you have on your plate. You are a blessing to us!
Beth,
Annabeth is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on the precious new addition to your family!
Many, many blessings,
Anne in MO
Annabeth is precious. I am so excited for you guys. God bless you richly!!
What an adorable, precious creation of God! She is perfect and I know that Jackson will have tons of fun with his little sis.
Beth – you are a beautiful woman of God and a beautiful person. Jesus just explodes off of you!
I am lovin’ Esther so much. Thanks for all you do.
In Him,
Beth
The "best trouble" I ever got into was at my grandmas'. So blessed was I to have them both until in my late teens.
Now that they've been with The Father for awhile I can share the stories with Mom & Dad! (so shocking???hahahahaha)
Can't wait to hear about Annabeth's, Jackson's and Bibby's adventures!
I don't know how Amanda is letting that sweet one out of her site…those eyes are so sweet.
“Where’s the girl?” I love that! Should my sons ever be blessed with a sister…I can just imagine them calling her “the girl”.
So blessed to hear from you and glad to know all is well! You ALL serve our Lord well!
Beautiful, beautiful baby!!!!
God is so Good!
Just finished ” Esther” last night, what a blessing to laugh, learn and know I have a destiny !
Much Love :
From Idaho
Beth, you are such a blessing!
With all that you have going on 24/7 – including the birth of your newest grandbaby… you are so sweet to remember us online.
Melissa, I hope you feel better soon!! Take 1 cup of Sprite, every 2 hours [in the Slanket] and call me in the morning. lol
Curtis and Amanda, you have a beautiful young lady on your hands. I am so happy for you all.
Congratulations on such a blessing, Jones & Moore families!
Monday night I saw the video of this past weekend's Living Proof Live session in El Paso… The song is amazing, and i'm pretty sure he wrote it from the 2 session study: Water into Wine.
Watching that video actually started me bawling – and i couldn't recover until i'd cried out to God.
I saw all those beautiful women of God seeking His heart, and i just miss that so much!!!!! The woman at 1:23-1:28 is just such a beautiful visual of all-out adulation. The music is phenomenal!! It sounds Irish or Scottish, in the beginning notes. It's my new favorite song.
I got to spend some time that night in prayer, and weeping (those who know me, know i rarely cry, so this was BIG)…
i asked God [not to let the neighbors hear me and] to be brutally honest with me – and show me what all needs changing in my life/personality/will.
I asked Him to give me the power to do what needs to be done, and to overcome things that are lacking. It was heartbreaking, but it was so great.
Tuesday, our God helped me to begin a new itinerary, and is encouraging me along the way…
One of the things i miss SO much is sisters & brothers in Christ. I have been in central Brazil for 2 years, and haven't found any siblings in Christ, yet.
Fellowship…
Worship with fellow Christians…
Beth, and the staff at Living Proof:
thank you so much for providing this fellowship and worship online, for those of us who don't have it available physically.
You mean more to me (and countless others) than you will ever know, until you get to heaven.
Congratulations! She is absolutely darling!
I was just listening to Celebrating the Feasts of the Lord (disc 2), again…
Beth you said a woman had given you baby booties she had made while doing Breaking Free;
a friend had said she was “seein’ babies in the spirit, babies in the spirit”; and
Keith had said at the rehearsal dinner “be fruitful and multiply”.
And here we are, livin’, breathin’, praisin’ God and celebrating the arrival of sweet Annabeth!
In listening to you read the following text, I could so hear you saying it to Him in the last week (and I’m sure you have).
2 Samuel 7:18-19
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?
19.And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?
The Lord has delighted me today.
She’s beautiful! Thank you. I enjoying reading LPM blog so much but better get my homework done — Esther study tonight. Love it!
Great pics, Beth. Thanks for giving us a peek into your life. I know it’s true for many of us, that although we have never met in person, we feel like we know you through your heartfelt, “real” stories and insights. Little girls are so fun. Mine is now 9 and I am helping to coach her 4th grade basketball team. Yes, a lot of patience required, but so fun to watch them learn and grow. It’s fun seeing them share your interests and create unique ones of their own. Watch out for the whole American Girl stage – wow!!
It will suck you in before you know it!! 🙂
Cindy
So beautiful! She’s seems to be getting the whole pacifier thing down well! 🙂
Take care,
Julie
Dear Bibby,
The little one is just precious. Grand children are one of God’s greatest blessings, and he has oh so many.
Today I was working on Esther, the second week,and you made me Laugh OUT LOUD. Sometime MEN JUST DON’T GET IT. That is a true A-MEN, but bless their hearts we love them anyway.
Esther is my 3rd Beth Moore study and I have to tell you I really am lovin it. It is all I can do not to go on and on and on. Have to tell you I already read the whole book. Did that the first week. I think it helped as the in depth study has more meaning as I can view it in full context.
Keep those wonderful studies comming.
OH, almost forgot I have TWO of those blanket with sleeves things and I really like them. The royal dog at my house loves to snuggle underneath the side, could be that is were the name came from.
God Bless you and yours,
Mary
What a precious baby girl! Annabeth has such sweet eyes. I love the picture.
Enjoy your baby girl. The time will pass all to fast!
P.S. Love the Steel Magnolias comment. It is one of my all time favorite movies.
Dear Beth,
I am not sure you will still read this comment since most were posted yesterday but I would love for you to share more about the relationship you have with your daughters. What a blessing to read that the 3 of you are each other’s “favorite people on earth.” Those words are full of significance and a sense of belonging. While I have many, many friends, that type of relationship is currently non-existent in my life. Every best friend I have ever had has moved out of state and eventually lost touch. I think God does that for me because He wants every piece of my heart. In one way it is so beautiful because I do love Him more than ever. Yet women are designed for friendship too. You may remember my mentioning my daughter, who we adopted from Russia and is 12. She and I will one day have the type of relationship you speak of having with Amanda and Melissa. We have tons and tons of fun together but we are not at the same level yet because she is still young. I look forward to her grown up years with fond affection and a deepening friendship that will last forever. Thank you for the inspiration you share. Your life is an open book for so many and we appreciate that sacrifice to make us feel loved. Would you and your daughters consider writing a book together sharing inspirations, recipes, memories, pictures, stories, scriptures, etc…I know this would be well received and would make fabulous Mother’s Day or girlfriend gifts. Proceeds could go to help orphaned children. (?)
Love you,
Dawn
…..one word…..Precious!! Enjoy being Bibby!! I will pray for Amanda and Curtis as they adjust to having two precious ones! God’s timing is perfect, isn’t it?! They are near you….to be a part of this wonderful journey!
Enjoy being Bibby of two!
Look at the gorgeous eyes on that child! And the dainty nose!
Thank you for sharing! We've been wondering how it's going with you all! Blessings and rest to Annabeth & mama (& dadddy). I have to tell you that your ministry (namely this blog) ministers to me so much. Last night when I was reading your update, I was in the middle of letting my "insecurities make a fool of me" in my own home with my man (always fun); and just reading about Annabeth and what's going on with you all brings me closer to the Lord and He draws me to Him through all of you. My heart softened (but I still need to apologize to my hubby, oops.)Thanks for being the Real-Deal Ms. Beth, Melissa, Amanda & LPM.
Heather
Charlotte NC
That is one really cute baby!
And by the way the Esther study is wonderful, and powerful!! I wish I were able to come to the Heritage Bible Study, I am sure it is powerful too, a subject we all so desperately need.
shalom
That is one really cute baby!
And by the way the Esther study is wonderful, and powerful!! I wish I were able to come to the Heritage Bible Study, I am sure it is powerful too, a subject we all so desperately need.
shalom
Congratulations on all the wonderful news! The darling new addition, Annabeth, and that everyone is feeling better. I just knew that Jackson would love his new baby sister. They will be each others best friend.
I absolutely love the quilt the LPM team made. I love innovative and thoughtful homemade gifts. I also knew they would be the most beautiful group of woman. (I am not just speaking of their looks but of their heart.) We feel their love for us every time we attend an event. Thank you to each and every one of you.
Enjoy spending time with your family Mamabeth. We can only imagine how busy a life you lead. Thanks for always thinking of us.
Much love, Lori
That picture nearly killed me. PRECIOUS!!!!!
Beth,
Please pray for me. I am doing Breaking Free and it is SO hard. You are such an inspiration to me. I have a similar past as you, same childhood. I just don’t think I can get past it. I want so much to let God heal me and be able to be a fierce witness to Him like you are, and to bring glory to Him through my abuse. But, I feel like I just can’t. It’s too hard. I’m swimming upstream and the current is too powerful and it’s sweeping me away. I’m tired of fighting against a force that’s so much bigger than me. I’m exhausted and ready to give up.
Love,
Lisa in Rl, IL
She is just beautiful, and I’m so glad everyone is doing well. We’ll keep praying for good health in the long and short, and bucketloads more happiness.
I love the picture of Annabeth! She is such a beauty with those big eyes!
How awesome is our Lord with making it possible for you to be present at the births of your grandbabies…He is such a wonderful God!
On a different note…I’m having trouble being consistent with this memory verse…just have not committed it to memory as easily as the last two. I want to be successful at this memory challenge but am weary…any words of challenge or encouragement?! Thanks!
Oh, I love the pictures, especially of Annabeth. How precious!! Beth, does she have your eyes … or maybe Amanda’s? Beautiful, big bright eyes!! I’m praising our Lord of ALL here in Atlanta.
With love and praise!
While I am so happy about the birth of your Annabeth, I must say…
The Slanket is not okay. Not okay.
I may be judging, but it is what it is.
beautiful baby…love seeing her.
LVUM…Allison
what a precious lil’ one! a true blessing! congrats to you ALL! it seems she has quite a fan club from the pics!
*my girls were b/t 4 lbs 3 oz and 4 lbs 9 oz…can you imagine something so small?!
Yay!!! I’m so excited and happy and for y’all!! Doesn’t God just rock your socks off?!?! Annabeth’s booties too! I’m sure! *wink*wink*
Blessings ma’am! So glad everything is falling into place so wonderful… Praise be to God!
Now that is one pretty little girl! Remember that small dirty diapers are a blessing to being a little lady…..
ah, hug that nancy mattingly for me!
that annabeth…a tiny bible scholar in the making…she already looks like she’s got something to say 🙂 …wonder where she gets that from? 😉
love ya’ll… praying for continued good sleeping skills in the infant department 😉
What a beautiful blessing! How do you get anything done? Don’t you just want to hug and kiss her all the time!
Annabeth is absolutely darling! I know you’re going to soak up these sweet moments in the days/years ahead.
I know I’ve already left a comment, but I just have to tell you, Beth, that Esther, week 4, day 4 resonated! I loved the Scripture references to the kingdom – so encouraging to me in this season. I think God must have been thinking about me when He gave you the homework for this particular day. I’m in the middle of one of those hard places to which you referred, but so encouraged because, as you said, and I agree completely, God did not call us to live an easy life but a purposeful one. Thank you so much for your encouragement. May you and those you love be blessed today.
Grace and peace to all of you,
Patti Hayes – Lutz, Florida
Those eyes … how beautiful! And does she have a tan? 🙂 Enjoy your little Valentine sweetheart!
God is so good. I watched the video from EL Paso before reading about your new darlin. When I see a new video it takes me right back to Louisville, KY from last summer and my first LPL event. Then to read about your new girl Beth, I can hardly stop the tears. I’m the Mimi to two little ones, Lilli and Landon so I understand how God showers us with pure joy when we just look at them. Who would have ever imagined that this season of life could be so fresh and new through the lives of our grands and what they say and do.
Congratulations to you all. Annabeth is beautiful and I know you are all thrilled. Beth, I just wanted to say a special Thanks to you. We are doing the Esther study and last night we watched the video on Meanness. Amen Sister to your remarks about clothing. Thanks for being willing to share what God lays on your heart even when it’s not easy. Love you!
She is BEAUTIFUL!! Please keep posting pictures!!
Tons of love
Becca
Let me tell you, the Target runs only get more fun! I love to get together with my mom, sister and little niece and go do the “girl shopping”. We never take a guy because they just don’t know how to shop. They run in get what they want and leave. We like to walk through the store and find what it is we want.
My mom and sister are my best friends also. I love to get together and just be with them. It is so much fun. I don’t get that opportunity very often so I treasure it when it comes around.
My niece was in the store with her mom when a lady came up to her and told her she was an angel. She turned and said, “I’m not an angel I’m a princess.” She is the King’s princess and at only 5 she was sure of it. Annabeth is just beautiful. I look so forward to sharing in her life.
Aren’t babies just wonderful!! Annabeth is really precious. Praise God for his timing that allowed you to be with her on her arrival in the world!
I don’t have any children of my own, but I have the nieces and nephews to spoil and each one of them is precious. Tabitha, the newest niece is about 4 1/2 months old and she is just about the most precious person in the world to me. Auntie Moo is sooo good at the spoilin’. When I first changed her diaper she started to fuss ( I would too if I had the red little bottom that she had). Anyway, I started singing this little song that I like to call the “The Diaper Changing Song” and I sing it every time I change her. She actually frowns if I don’t sing it. (Can you imagine the looks I get when I am in a Walmart bathroom singing this silly little song!) Perhaps some silly little song would help Annabeth through the diaper change time. I am sure that Bibby would come up with just the right one!
I pray God’s Blessings are abundant on this little one, and on your entire family. Thank you for sharing your family and faith with all of us siestas!
God’s Blessings Always,
Anastasia Meadville,PA
PS: Just in case you are wondering…
“Diaper Changing Song”
It’s time for the diaper changing song, the diaper changing song, the diaper changing sooong, and I hope it won’t take long.
There’s a squishy in the
diaper there’s a squishy in the diaper, there’s a squishy in the diaper….
and we’ll take that right away.
(Then I just make up silly little verses, until I put the diaper back on, then I sing)
One two, buckle my shoe
Three, four, shut the door
Five, six, pick up sticks
Seven, eight, lay them straight,
Nine, Ten, the diaper is back on again.
(She just smiles and giggles the whole time)
I hope you did too. Hugs!!
Auntie Moo
I’m officially putting in a very selfish and personal request that Beth wear the new boots at Bible study next week. I would save mine from a fire if I had the time!
I laughed and cried when I read this blog today. My daughter placed her baby for adoption 2 months ago this week and while we know it was God’s best, it has been such a bittersweet journey. I’m so happy for grandmas’s who can rejoice and hold on to their dear precious grandbabies…yet, my vision is so different now that we have gone through this journey.
Blessings on your dear sweet family and on those who read this who, will reach out and offer compassion because of a different journey.
Much love.
I’m so happy for you all!! Annabeth is so beautiful and she is so loved…what a blessing! What a special time in your lives… ENJOY!! 🙂 (I know you will!)
Annabeth’s village aunts! I love it!
Do we now call you “GrandBibby” Siesta? She is just absolutely precious!!!! I just love that you keep us updated both with pics and the “happenings” in your life!!!
By the way, just lovin’ the Esther study!! Very powerful
In His Service
Betty
Lexington NC
When my baby sister was born she weighed 7.6, my dad made the comment our neighbor had a fish mounted that weighed more than that. So when we brought her home from the hospital we took her to our neighbors house, laid her on the floor by the fish and took a picture. It came out really cute. (I thought about this after reading Keith’s comment on how small she is.
She is a very beautiful baby!