Bedtime changed last night...

No more baby room...my heart was sad to not have one anymore but so filled with joy at the excitement my boys got to finally share a room. Owen's been asking for a few months now if and when Jude was going to be able to share a room with him...we figured, why not now. How much fun they will have together being boys. Yes, Jude is only 18 months and he's on a trail run with the twin bed and worse case, we'll move his crib into the room instead...but regardless, they're together and loving it. Owen reads every night before bed for a half hour and Jude got to join him in this and loved it (reading books is his favorite thing to do!) At one point Owen was reading to him and it just melted a sappy mama's heart...a love for each other and a love for reading...all in one shot!

Happy Birthday Uncle Scott!

We had a fun day celebrating my brothers 28th birthday...we all got to watch while Scott, Noah and dad raced at the indoor race track. The boys loved cheering them on. Happy Birthday Scott!

I'm back on line...I hope!

Just thought I'd update some pictures of our boys...they're both getting so big. Owen just turned 6 in January. He is LOVING school - learning to read and write and everyday comes home with something new he's learned. What I would give to have had a love for learning like he has. He's recently started drum lessons and wishing he could have his class every day...And Jude, he turned 17 months today! He's been such a joy. He's learned to walk and talk (only when he feels like it, much prefers sign language), and has zero interest in toys...prefers my dishes, his toothbrush, flushing the toilet, climbing on the desk and going on the computer and closing every door and drawer I leave open! Praise the Lord for one neat and tidy child! Enjoy the update....will try and keep them coming, mom!

Our baby turns 1!

Joshua Jude turns one today. Time has flown by, as every mother says...

One year ago today, we were on our way to Southern California to pick him up. I can remember the sunrise that morning, so beautiful, so radiant and peaceful. The Lord had hand picked us to love and raise Joshua Jude as our own. It has been a blessing and such a humbling honor that God would choose us, an ordinary couple, to be a part of such an amazing journey. We have watched God continue to do His work in the life of his birth mom which has brought a tremendous amount of joy to us. One day, he will meet this amazing young woman and we're so excited for what lies ahead as God grafts our lives together. We've watched God grow this little boy into the most happy, joyful little guy. No matter who you are, he has a way of climbing right into your heart with his contagious laugh and smile...He has brought such a joy to Owen's life as well, crawling at rapid pace to keep up with him. Nothing can make him smile more than when Owen is with him. As a mom, one of the things I've waited 6 years for is to hear the sounds of my kids laughing, talking, playing....sibling sounds...to watch them chase each other around the floor, something so simple, is a daily reminder to me of how faithful God continues to be to me, an ordinary woman.

The boy we've fallen in love with...

" Joshua Jude...your smile lights up a room...your laugh leaves an impression...your joy is constant...your contentment is noticed by anyone who meets you...your legs dance when your brother is in sight...you snuggle your curly haired head right under my chin when it's time to rest....your independent, determined and stubborn...and so incredibly lovable...We love you!"

Happy 1st Birthday Dute Bug!

Happy Birthday Emmy!

Our niece turns two today! And that deserves a shout out to our girl. You are a joy my sweet Lou-Lou Bird! We love you and miss you every day!

Trip to the cabin...

Every year we go away for the weekend with our dear friends, the Sanchez Family. We had a blast this year at Bass Lake. It snowed and it was beautiful. We are so blessed with the friendship we have with Dave, Sara and their boys Chase and Cooper.

The Sanchez Family

My sweet boys...

Best Buddies, Owen and Chase!

JJ just chillin' watching the big boys.

Me and my daddy.

and me and my mommy!

And there's me, just bundled on the tailgate, watching intently!

Our family, so blessed by the Lord!

Woo-hoo, takin' a ride.

Bundled up so I couldn't move!

Stealing a smile with someone else's awesome snowman!

Loss Hurts...

It's been a few days, but last weekend my brother lost a friend in a freak snowboarding accident. He was a young man, about 27 years young. I've know him for years because he was a good friend to by brother in high school. It has been a real struggle for me with God, for some reason it has really impacted me and had me at the feet of Jesus for many reasons.... struggling with why, the pain of the family and friends that are left behind...

There's a song that I've been listening a lot to lately and it wasn't until yesterday that I actually sat down and listened word for word and it was good for me to hear, understand, believe...

The King above all kings is coming down

but He won't say the words you wish He would

He don't do the deeds you know that He could

He won't think the thoughts you think that He should

But He is good, He is good.

Regardless of what He does or doesn't do/say/think....He is good. Sometimes it's a choice to believe this even though we don't feel it.

Believing He is good, trusting He is good when circumstances say different...a hard choice but that is walking in faith.

Please pray for the Chance family as they mourn the loss of their son Matt.