Celebrating With Family

It's been a whirlwind of festivities since the week before Christmas. Birthdays, holiday parties, and family gatherings have been non stop. The boys are currently playing with their cousin, Clayton who is here from State College for a few days. There is no time to be bored, that's for sure. We've enjoyed a lot of quality time together and are thankful for the break from regular life routines. Here's a little of what we've been up to...

Finally Four

Filled with passion, zeal, and determination...Isaac Ray is our child of promise. Born the day after Christmas, eight days early, four years ago. Suddenly, our six years of infertility ended and we held our second born son in our arms for the first time. 7:55pm to be exact. I will never forget it. Does any mother ever forget that moment her babe breathed their first breath?

He does nothing half way.  Lives life fiercely. Full throttle. Leads with his head (literally). Has a decided heart. No turning back. He will change the world for Jesus, and has already changed mine. I love him with all that is within in me. Does he drive me to the edge of sanity? Absolutely. Would I have it any other way. Nope. He's my son and today we celebrate his life and the future that the LORD has in store for him.

Happy birthday, kiddo. You bring us laughter and joy unspeakable. We love you, Isaac!

The Kids

These three little darlings are the best gifts I have ever been given. And they all still fit under the Christmas tree. I look forward to capturing this pose every year. My babies are a growin'.

Baby Martin is 20 weeks and growing strong. Eric took some pictures of the two of us in the early morning frost today. On Christmas Eve we have our ultrasound and we are excited to see baby dear.

The Birthday Boys

11 candles on an ice cream cake for our 7 year old almost 4 year old sons. Lots of wind power blew them all out! We celebrated with the grandparents on Wednesday night and seven first grade boys on Saturday morning. There is lots of partying going on around our house! Eric and I cleaned our garage and made it shine like new (until almost midnight Friday night...yeah, we're so wild!) and were so thankful for the space for all the testosterone to let loose. Relay games, the limbo, musical chairs, a pinata, food, and outside football and we were good to go. I laughed a lot and so did they. December birthdays aren't so bad if you can be creative with indoor space. Little boys are like Tiggers...bouncy, bouncy, bouncy. They don't just sit and talk with each other, they wrestle, talk loudly, and love to move around. Eric and I looked at each other after the three hour party was over and both said, "We'd do that all over again!" Isaac's turn will be in a few years, I guess. I felt a little like a summer camp counselor once more giving directions, getting kids in line, and demonstrating games. We are so thankful we have two young little men to celebrate and raise up for Jesus.

Growing Up

Our firstborn turns seven years old today. Last night at supper he exclaimed after realizing it was his last day of being six, "I'm ready to move on...I feel small!" Hah...nothing small about you, my son! We are so proud of who Malakai is and the young man he is becoming. His heart is filled with love, patience, gentleness, and kindness. He's got the fruits of the Spirit down! We feel like this is a significant year ahead for him to discover more of who he is, his passions, his giftings, etc. We can't wait to see you soar, Malakai Grant! You are our "great messenger" and we love you dearly.

The Preschool Christmas Program

They sing, play games, eat a snack, and watch a filmstrip.  My mom and I enjoyed watching Isaac perform this morning. So fun to see his personality come out in front of a big group of people. Yup, got a shiner on his face two days before the program. Literally ran into one of our wooden fence posts around the pasture here on a walk the other night. This kid...

Jingle All The Way

Sprinkles were flying, hands were smashing dough and fingers were licking off gooey goodness. Three different kinds of Christmas cookies were baked, decorated and put in the freezer today. Grandma helps to make great memories with us as we roll out sand tarts in our aprons, listen to Christmas music and try not to go crazy chasing three littles around the kitchen. The older I get, the more I realize holiday traditions are for the kids and not the grown ups. Believing that this holiday season will be one that is meaningful and memorable for our children. I heard a quote the other day that I keep reciting over and over again in my mind. "We can get so busy trying to make Christmas happen that we forget that it already did." No challenge here! All is calm, all is bright.