Whats in a Year...and a 1/2?

December 2 our affectionate, vivacious baby boy turns 18 months. Typing this makes me cry, knowing he is a toddler not a baby makes me miss his tinniness. But watching him walk, talk, sing and enjoy life gives me inexpressible joy. And even though there are things I miss, like hours of cuddling and carrying him around everywhere in the Moby wrap, I have no desire to turn back the clock. He doesn't spend 4+ hours a day crying, he sleeps most of the night and I don't have to carry him everywhere. 18 months is really such a short period of time, but in 18months Samuel has changed soooooo much.

Some things that haven't changed;

He still loves to cuddle

He loves to eat even though we are no longer nursing he will still eat just about anything

He has oodles of energy, his usual bedtime is between 10-11pm then he gets up between 4-6am

He loves to be around large crowds. From day one, large groups seemed to excite him. He eats up any and all attention.

He enjoys time with animals. They calm him and teach him how to gentle and how to share.

Loves music, but now he loves to sing, dance and play instruments.

Some New things:

Exclusively free walking with no crawling.

Sleeping more than 1-2hours at a time(this is the best change=)

Wanting dad over mom. Even though he has always loved dad, he would choose mom over dad. The past few weeks he has decided that dad needs to be present at all times. And he doesnt need mom. This might sound sad, but its so reliving. In just a few months I will have another little one attached to me. Im enjoying my little break.

Talking, some new words; "yep, cat, lion, rhino, eyes, belly, cup, this, out, ouch, oooooo, yum, uh-oh"

"Reading" he loves to take a book and make up words for it. He reads to us, and our pets. I love it and I cant wait to see where his vast imagination takes him.

Doing chores. We expect him to do one chore a day and anything extra he does he gets 1 penny for. He loves to put the pennies in his big crayon bank. His favorite chores; sweeping, mopping, washing dishes and feeding the "shish" (aka fish).

Time out. He has a strong will like both his parents. We have found the best discipline is time away from people. He hates to be alone. He generally ends up with 3 one minute time outs a day, depending on his mood. He is actually very compliant when we tell him no, he listens, but he needs to be told multiple times like all of us.

Fix, repair, and organize any and all things. He has a mechanical mind just like daddy.

Happy 18months sweet Samuel. We are so proud of you!

Halloween 

Lovin on the dog

posing after he climbed on the hose all by himself

painting the cat with yogurt, dont worry, she liked it

hanging with uncle 

16 Months Down...a ton more to go(=

Sam is 16 months old today! He is way too big and knows too many things.
At 16 months Samuel
Walks independently (sometimes unless mom or dad is around to hold his hand)

Repeats everything we say. We are working one word flash cards right now.
Some words he says all the time "dad, daddy, mum, duke, dog, no, mine, yep, ok, done, please"
loves shoes! If he is not wearing some he will walk up to you and take yours right off your feet. No matter the size(=
likes to touch my belly and say baby, even though he has no clue what this means, he likes the word. is learning to play with other kids. Its so fun to watch him interact.
went through a month phase of hating baths, thankfully he is over that and back to loving the water!
sleeps most of the night in his crib without waking up. Before he got sick we actually had night of sleeping all night in his crib.
loves to make people laugh. I have no clue where he got that from(= He will sneak up behind you or try to tickle you, basically anything he can do to get a smile out of you.
still loves daddy. The last couple saturdays Joe has been working Sam walks around the house saying "where dad?" I love the relationship they have and pray it continues to grow.

Happy 16months Mr Sam.
Here are some pictures from the last few weeks. We have spent lots of time with family so most of them were taken out of town.

Samuel doesnt like to share. Tonight we had a some friends over with a newborn. When I was holding the sweet little baby Sam crawled over and started screaming. NO! No! and tried desperately to remove the baby from my arms. I understand his feelings since he has had me all to himself for the past 15 months. But alas, he is going to have to learn to share(;

Samuel is 14 months old tomorrow! Thankfully he still needs his blue hippo to walk. Im sure I will cry the day he decides to walk independently.

His favorite thing to do this month is to push his stroller all over. We have walked miles together. Usually I dont even need to steer, he just walks or runs behind wherever he sees fit to go. When its time to go inside I have to peel him away and he usually screams for 20-30 minutes.

Tantrums are his second favorite thing. He is soooo determined to get what he "NEEDS". Yesterday he screamed in the stroller the entire time I jogged. All 2 1/2 miles. We got alot of dirty looks. But it was worth it. Running is my sanity(=

He still lives water... Any where. From playing in the toilet to sitting in the sink with the faucet water pouring on his toes, water is his happy place.

We were blessed to spend most of this month with Uncle Isaiah. I sure miss him. Not only did he do my dishes, walk my dogs, and clean my house, but we sure had alot of fun together. Sam went on lots of "adventures" with his uncle. They were inseprible. Even though Samuel wont remember this last year of his life, I will always remember to great lengths our entire family has taken to be apart of Samuel's life. He has some many Aunties, Uncles,  Nana/Papa, Grandmas and Grandpas (and greats) who have sacrificed to be with him. I cant wait to show him all the pictures and tell him all the stories some day.

Samuel has ventured into the world of art. At least once a week we have a painting day. I just give him a squirt bottle of homemade paint and set him loose on canvas outside. He gets super messy and has soooo much fun. I love to watch him create and play. Next week I plan on filling his little pool with jello and spaghetti. He loves to explore new textures and tastes. Dont worry I will take lots of pictures!

He loves his dogs. We aren't fostering anymore since we adopted our last foster baby. He is a deaf american bulldog and he is so patient with Samuel. He lets Samuel jump on him and use him as a stepping block. Whenever we go to the dog park Sam starts to jump up and down. He screams "dog, dog, dog" every time a dog runs by. Im so glad he loves animals like I do. Of course when he brings home every stray in the neighborhood I may regret raising him this way(;

His vocabulary is expaninding. He can say dog, dad, mom, this, that, no, yeah, what and as of yesterday...bird!

Samuel adores his daddy. When daddy is home it is daddy Sam time. Even when daddy needs alone time, Sam thinks its daddy Sam time. They play and sing and dance and entertain me together.

I love my boys. I am so glad Joe was able to grow up with his daddy. He sure taught him how to be a GREAT daddy. Not a day goes by that we dont talk about daddy Savery. Some days our stories are joyous and others are tearful. But they all reflect the marvelous legacy he left us.

Cousin Music Time

See his clothing on the picnic table

I added some of Samuel's party pictures at the end. Thank you so much Auntie Lindsay for taking them!

Mission Panama

Dear Friends, Last February Joe was blessed with the opportunity to minister at a music camp in Panama City, Panama. He spent ten days working along side local missionaries teaching music classes, bible studies and sharing Christ’s love with children, teens and adults. Once again, the opportunity is here and God is calling both of us to go. 

Panama has an estimated population of 2,329,400 people. Nearly 40% of these people live in Panama City. Though the official language is Spanish, many Panamanians speak English. Life in Panama is much like life in America. They enjoy many of the freedoms we enjoy. With these freedoms come the same ignorance and false hopes Americans trust in. Wealth, and the pursuit  advancement bring temporary security. But like America, Panama needs the hope of Jesus Christ. While the local population of Christ followers is growing, this body of believers needs to be strengthened. This is the mission of “Campamento de Musica 2013”. The camp unites believers from all over Central and South America. They spend two weeks learning, celebrating and being refreshed. Campers range in age from 4 years old to 60 years old. With the bulk of campers being teens and young adults.

While in Panama Joe and Bethany will be leading music classes, teaching Bible studies and clowning. We are going to encourage the believers in Panama so they can continue to minister. Our hearts ache for these people. We long to see everyone in Panama come to a new life in Jesus Christ. 

What can you do?

Pray:

for the people of Panama to find true hope in Jesus Christ 

-for strength/provision for those ministering in Panama

• Safety as we travel, and others prepare the camp grounds
• Bethany, Joe and Samuel as they spend 2 weeks apart from each other. Pray for Papa Fred and Nana Mac as they care for Samuel while Bethany and Joe are away. 

Give:

- Do you have old musical instruments you or your kids don't play? We will take them. Even if they are in need of repair!

-the estimated cost of this trip will be $1,500 per person. A donation in any amount will be greatly appreciated. 

You can give online with your paypal account by clicking the link below:

 Give Via PayPal 

Or send a check to 

730 Dilger Ave Rapid City SD 57701

We will be having contest fundraisers soon. So check back for updates. Thank you so much for your support!  

1 Year old

How do you sum up a year? Samuel has been with us just a short time, but I cant imagine one day without him. He is wild, loud, funny, joyful, eccentric, and perfect. I would not trade one of these many sleepless nights for life without him. He has taught me so much about life, love and myself. What a wonderful treasure Samuel is.

"Samuel" means "asked of God". Every moment of his life has reflected this meaning.  I praise God for the time we have had with him I beg God for more time with him and direction to become the reflection of Christ Samuel should be. 

My favorite thing about Samuel is his contagious smile. He has a vivacious personality. You cant spend time with Samuel and leave grumpy.

He loves his piano and anything that makes "music'". Samuel dances all the time. He even moves to the rhythm of the dog panting. I love my sweet musician. I cant wait to go to his school concerts...some day(=

Samuel isn't much for toys. But he loves this little giraffe. Joe and I bought it shortly after we found out we were expecting Samuel. Samuel carries it around all the time. He loves to entertain his audience 

Samuel is not camera shy. In fact when he sees the camera he usually stops and poses for me. 

I adore his creative mind. He is always finding new ways to play the piano. Here he is using his foot. Before this picture he was playing the piano with a stick.

He looks like a man. He was so tiny and now he is crawling, almost walking, and climbing all over things. 

"no mom I can climb down myself"

Hes a thinker, dreamer, story teller, a comedian.

He has the worlds most adoring, passionate, loving, protective, faithful and courageous father...

• 

  
  "Your baby blues so full of wonder, your curry cues, your contagious smile. As I watch you start to grow up, all I can do it hold you tight. Knowing clouds will rage and storms will race in, but you will be safe in my arms. "