The Doty Family: Lemonade and Lawns

Hello! Long time no post... :) Life has been quite busy here these days. Everyone in the Doty family has had lots to do this summer. Here's an update:

Laura: She's been eating, sleeping, making dirty diapers, eating, sleeping, making dirty diapers, and most recently smiling and baby babbling. We love her! Weeks 4, 5, and 6 posed quite a few challenges. She was extremely fussy (fists clenched, face red as fire, shaking) in the evenings and we just couldn't figure her out. It brought us to our knees in prayer! Eventually, we figured out that she was hungry - she needed to cluster feed in the evenings. I just assumed that it was too early for her to eat again, but that wasn't the case. She's been growing some extra chins to prove that she's a really healthy eater. See the picture below. :) David and I both agree that she is a little lady who knows what she wants and is extremely determined. She is strong! She has been holding her head steady for several weeks now and loves to climb up our bellies when we hold her. Someone prophecied over her when she was just over a week old - that she would be a woman of victory who would lead others into victory over sin and struggles. We think that will be true! She seems like quite a determined little girl already. We can hardly wait to see all the ways in which God will use her in the future.

Thank goodness double chins are super cute on babies. :)

Our sweet baby girl...

She makes us laugh!

This picture is three weeks old - her one month photo beside Lullabye the Lamb.

Makenzie has also been busy these days. She has started a "store" that she sets up in the afternoons and on weekends in our front yard. She sells Kool-aid (not actually lemonade as stated in the post title), gummies, and bottled water. She's already made quite a profit. One police officer purchased a bottle of water, handed her a five dollar bill, and told her to keep the change! How generous! She's been a big help with Laura and keeps us laughing every day.

The kids love the rope swing in the backyard.

Drayton is our businessman. He began a lawn-mowing business and has done quite well. He mows our lawn and the lawns of two neighbors each week. Also, he has been mowing the lawn of a single mom down the street (for free). The neighbors have commented on just how respectful and professional he has been. We're so proud of him! In just a few weeks, he'll be starting middle school and I think he's looking forward to it - with some trepidation :)