Sweet Leah

Today Leah turned 4. My heart balanced between melting and bubbling over with awe. She's amazing. She loves to dance and bake and read. Ryan and I frequently watch her and say, "I wonder what she'll be..." She's pretty eclectic. She loves to compose stories and make up jokes. She and Ryan play a game called, "Daddy what if..." She poses once question after another to Ryan..."Daddy, what if Logan swallowed a stop sign?" "Then his head would be an octagon." She giggles, thinks about that, looks at Logan and we can tell she imagines what it would look like, and then cracks up. She's quite the dicotamy really. For her birthday, she asked for a scooter and roller skates. She loves to be outside digging and collecting berries and rocks and even searching for bugs. Her request for her birthday cake? Real flowers on top...she's our Rugged Princess :)
Today we had birthday cake for breakfast, played with gifts, took a nap and didn't sleep :) We tried to go ice skating at the Galleria, but it was seriously crowded and we decided, with heavy hearts, that we'd try another time. We went to see the Princess and the Frog instead. Matt and Katie joined us and Leah laughed and laughed. She also wore her TuTu from GG and Papa to the movie.
She thanked us all day, and while she may not have been the best to visit with on the phone with familiy members who called to send love, she was sincere with us and we know that she is greatful for a special day. We had,"special meat", for supper, per her request. (I make hot beef sandwiches with dipping sauce, and they're her favorite.)
I found myself tearing up a few times knowing that she's not my baby anymore but rather our sweet young daughter. As she told me a few days ago, "Mommy, i'll still be your baby." I'm so proud of her kind heart and her desire to learn. She loves Jesus and knows that He loves her. God has given her a tender conscience and we are greatful for her humble heart. We're so blessed to have been given Leah Beth.
We love you Wee-Nut!

Bailey Lisa!

Santa came!!! He brought the kids Bailey Lisa today :) Actually, Grant and Vanessa found sweet puppy Bailey in their yard a few weeks ago and we decided to adopt her. We're just pretending like she came from Santa. We really thing that God knew we needed a new little puppy. Elmer will be pleased to have a sister, and we're thrilled to have added to our family! She's very sweet, very smart and we think she's about 4-6 months old.
Welcome to the family, Bailey Lisa and Merry Christmas!
P.S. Ryan and I named her Bailey and Leah added the Lisa...

I Seek True Friendship...

I was lucky enough to get to go to Jared and Charla's wedding yesterday. I knew I was going to see some old friends and was pretty excited. (I have this great husband that told me to go without kids and enjoy being filled with fellowship...and that I was!) I also have this great brother and sister-in-law that help with the kids when we need a break. So thank you to Matt and Katie for lending a hand. You are appreciated and loved!
Expecting to go and visit for a few hours, probably laugh and remember good times, I surprised myself by crying more after the wedding than during! The wedding was beautiful, honest, pure, a great reminder of what a Godly marriage is to look like, and made me fall in love with Ryan even more than I already am. I found myself tearing up multiple times while visiting with friends afterward. You see, I had these great friends in college.It was nice to get caught up with everyone. I have a unique group that continue to speak to my heart. My Soul Concern boys are some of the most special people i've ever known. They served as my friends and protectors for 2 years during my stint with the group. I always knew that they were special to me, but I'm seeing now just how vital they were in my growth in heart and spirit. We used to do a skit about Jeremiah 29:11, that reminded us all that God has plans for us. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,"
It's now, when I can look back and see where God has placed each of us some 9 years later, that I continue to be amazed and greatful for His promises. More than His promises, I am humbled at His consistency in doing what He said He'd do...and that He loves to bless us! I know that one of the ways He has blessed me and prospered me was to plant these people in my life.
As they say, my cup runneth over after such a day as yesterday. I'm so thankful for the friends God has placed in my life. I'm thankful for the way He has provided for them, used them in the lives of others, given them gifts which they are using to serve Him, and held them close when they've felt lost. He has listened to us, and He has given us peace.
It was so nice to see everyone...Jared, thanks for getting married so we could all get together for a day of fun!

Happy Birthday Logan!

A few pictures from the day...thank you everyone for the thoughtful cards and gifts! Logan (and Leah) had a great time!

Birthday Boy!

Our sweet Logan turns 2 tomorrow! It's hard to believe that two years ago today, we were hanging out with Matt and Katie. I asked them if they'd be available to keep Leah if the castor oil I was about to take worked. They all agreed and so did my parents, to come on down the next day take over and stay with the Wee-Nut. I didn't have any side effects from the castor oil, but I did go into active labor at 6:15 the next morning! We drove to the hospital at 8:00, and I was contracting every 3 minutes, over bumps and railroad tracks...Logan was born at 12:30 that afternoon.
What a special day when we met our sweet boy, all wrapped up in a Christmas stocking!
He's such a personality already, at 2. He's a smart little man, already potty trained. No accidents in 2 weeks! What a clown he is, making us all laugh on purpose. He makes funny faces and uses funny voices already, walks funny on purpose and can end a time out with a cracked joke and a laughing mommy. Really. And those dimples could stop traffic, I tell you. He loves trucks and trains and airplanes. Logan loves music and to dance. He mimmicks tunes he hears and can identify guitar and violin and piano among other sounds. He's putting together 9 and 10 word sentences. His funniest words lately are as follows: Wonderwear is underwear. He calls his chest his, sprinkles haha! And he likes to watch Peanut Pan, Peter Pan!
He already tells us that the Bible is true! so we know that God is planting seeds of knowledge in his heart already. We're so greatful to be able to raise such a young man. Leah thinks you're just the best little guy she's ever seen. She tells us frequently, "Logan, you're such a little toddler!" (We think she gets that from The Fox and the Hound) And, "Look at Logan! He's so cute!" You and Leah are such good friends.
We love you Logan and we thank you for the laughter you bring to our days! We look forward to seeing what you learn in your second year! And what you'll no doubt get into. I know God will give us the grace we need to deal with the hectic days, as He will for those happy and special days.
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mommy, Daddy and Leah
I'll post Birthday Pictures and hopefully some videos tomorrow.

CORRECTION

The link for the Christmas Concert is as follows:

www.countrysidebible.org/live

If you just go to that link, it'll take you right there. Happy listening! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Concert!

Tonight's the night! If you're looking for a way to relax tonight, turn on your computer at 6:00 pm! Our congregation has a Christmas Concert every year. The orchestra will play, the choir will sing and I'm in an ensemble that will sing 2 songs.
www.countrysidebible.org

Go to that site and click when it says, "Watch Countryside Live". Grab some cocoa, crank up your speakers and enjoy!! If you miss tonight's concert, there is another identical concert tomorrow night at the same time. Call me if you have any questions and i'll be happy to help you get all set up.
Merry Christmas!

Davis Mountains 2009

We had such a great time this year out in the Davis Mountains!! The kids were so well behaved, entertained themselves with the rocks and sticks and everything else in the area. We were so relaxed, able to enjoy the fresh air and each others' company. The campground was quiet this year with very little drama. We went to a star party at the McDonald Observatory again. We rode horses and ate amazing pancake breakfasts up at the lodge. We slept well in our snug tent, waking up to 20 degree temperatures on more than one occasion! We hiked and napped, we listened to the campfire. We went into town and got firewood and snacks...we went for drives and even saw Christmas lights! Logan used few pull ups, as he enjoyed going potty on the rocks". Leah was in her element, lit up and alive all bubbly and happy. Logan clung to Ryan, and they enjoyed some serious bonding time :) My parents came out on Wednesday night and we enjoyed Thanksgiving with them. We even cooked a real turkey! It was the tastiest i've ever had. I don't have pictures from before they came because my camera battery died and I couldn't find the charger. My parents took the kids overnight for 2 nights, so Ryan and I enjoyed a quiet campfire and full-nights rest both nights! I can't say that Mom and Dad got as much sleep as we did, but I think they had fun too. Thanks Mom and Dad for making the trip, spending time with us and for loving us so much! We love you too.
We're so thankful for the sanctuary God provided for us out in the mountains last week. We look forward to enjoying it again next year. It truly energizes us and reminds us of how greatful we are for our little family and the blessings we have been given. Enjoy the pictures!

My Best Friend

I love being married to my best friend! I'm so excited to go away with him and our babies in 3 days! Thank you Lord for my sweet partner and for the joy and strength he brings to my life.

Potty Police

We love the fall! It means fun festivals, playing outside more, and more time with Ryan! Here are a few pictures/videos from the last few weeks. Mom and Dad came out last weekend for Mom's birthday. Dad planned a game, brought silly string, and we had some cake. Leah handed out tickets to her ballet show. I couldn't help but remember that Vanessa used to do the same thing. Crazy. Seems like not too long ago that we were putting on shows for our parents, and now my kid is doing it for her grandparents. The kids did great at the fall festival at church. They loved riding the mini pony and seeing their friends. The hayride was a nice way to end the night. It was actually cool this year so we semi-bundled up to go and enjoy the evening. The Motorcycle/Star picture is the new "Potty Police" I developed for Logan. He's started to mark his territory around the house so I had to come up with a solution. He gets to put a motorcycle on a star everytime he goes in the potty. If he gets 5, the potty police says he gets to go outside and ride his motorcycle bike! Leah and I make a fun police voice, so we all really get into it. It's working so far today! I'm going to try to attach two videos. Each of the kids have started to take turns praying before mealtime. Logan's is hardly decipehrable, funny and sweet none the less. Crank up the volume for his. I think I catch a, "mommy" and a "stuck" in there. He speaks so clearly when not praying. Not sure why he mumbles during prayer time? Leah's is cute too. She allows Logan to pray along with her. They really are getting to be pals. It's nice.

And so comes forth the fall...

There's just something about fall! It's actually very cool here the last few days. We've needed to pull out the sweatshirts and socks this last week. I love fall because I love the family time we get together. We see a bit more of Ryan and we just have so much fun falling in love with being together for the holidays. And they are about to begin! I thought we'd kick it off with some fall-ish pictures and our trip to the pumpkin patch. The kids loved it and Ryan and I enjoyed just letting them run and pose for pictures. It's nice not to have an infant to lug around...it is fun that they're growing up!
Enjoy some happy pictures!