December

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

Matthew 6:24

We are greatly enjoying all life has to offer right now. We have 2 kids who keep us busy and active. Joseph is working his dream job. And I am enjoying being a mom and wife. I'm also thrilled to be running again. 

Things will change for us very soon. We have just a few months left to find a new house. It's bitter sweet to think of leaving behind these walls where so many memories both wonderful and painful, have been made. We have a spring mission trip planned and Our summer will bring new family responsibilitys. We will also be working with our church youth for a short time in another month. We are still healing from 3 years of deaths and loss. But this is a summer season for us. We are enjoying our blessings and working toward  what God has in our furture. 

I never want to lament or even dwell on the past. Our kids are growing and life is changing, but it will happen regardless. So I am excited for the future and remember the past, but I am enjoying today.  

Happy December... By the way it's really cold here(that's why all the pictures are inside)

Eating like a champ & saying "dada" she also says "ba" and "ma".

Sam is very loud and passionate in all he does. We have realized he is not as social in large crowds, but enjoys being the center of mom, dads and sisters attentions. As a baby he wood calm down in public. I thought he was enjoying it, now I realize he was just overwhelmed. But we are learning his signs of having too much social time and teaching him to find ways to handle his feelings. He is a sweet, affectionate boy who loves to help everyone. 

Adalyn's 1st thanksgiving we went to Nana and Papas house in Blunt. Sam got car sick on the way. Thankfully we were only 20 mins from my parents house. We had a wonderful time. I'm so thankful for every second we have together 

Uncle "zays" and auntie "kendraaaa" 

Playing with Papa. She loves Papa and she even lets him hold her. 

I have been in a rut since Adalyn was born. I just haven't had the motivation I had after Samuel's pregnancy. I am thankful Isaiah went running with me thanksgiving morning. It encouraged me to start running again at home.

Sam is a thinker, a studier, when he was a baby he would look at things (Adalyn just puts them in her mouth) and discover them with his eyes rather than his tast buds. I'm excited to see how he does with school lessons next year. 

SHe really does smile all the time. And doesn't have a shy bone in her body. I pray she can share this joy with

Others as she grows. It's contagious! 

We kidnapped our niece and nephew for the weekend. It was wonderful 

And this is my favorite photo. They must get sick of the camera... Sometimes(;

 

The Circus

Our first circus trip. Sam just sat there stunned the whole time. But Adalyn loved the lights and people. They really are complete oposites. 

Fall

Some time with just us two. 

The great hook in the cheek. Joe took it worse than Sam and we waited longer for the doctor than it took to get it out. Memories 

My bikers switched helmets, they had nice weather this month.

First Pumpkin 

Fall Firsts

The past month we have had several firsts for this family of 4.

First huge blizzard. We were literally snowed in. Our back door was completely covered. Thankfully another first; Adalyn meeting Auntie April happened to occur at the same time. The kids enjoyed having her here and I was so happy to have my sister close. I'm eaquallu overjoyed to meet thier new baby next year. 

Our back door

2 days later Sam "dressed" to play. He's a true dakota boy!

This is my snowed in face

Sam got caught with a fish hook while fishing... It wast technically this month but I had to add it. He said "dad fished in Sam's mouth". He took it like a champ. 

We spent 3 days without dad and survived! We had so much fun. What a blessing to have good sleepers and content moods. 

Adalyn turned 6 months, got her first tooth and can sit up for several minutes un assisted. She is growing so fast.

Blizzard entertainment, but Sam went to the bathroom completely of his own will with no suggestion or assistance. He is becoming independent. I may not have to change diapers forever. Yeah!!!

As our incredibly short fall (2 days) turns to winter and bitter cold comes, I yearn to share Gods grace with my children. 

I want them to know the warm of God's tender love for them. I can't wait for the day they realize their need for him and find new life. 

7 Months

I (Adalyn) just turned 7 months. 

I'm growing, I weigh 17lbs. I have 2 teeth! That's right 2, I got them both last month and I'm working on another one. 

Everyone says I am the happiest baby in the world. That's true, unless I want mom and she is not close by. Then, well there is nothing you can do, so just call mom. Mom says that's ok with her because that gives us lots of special time together. 

I love daddy too and whenever he gets home he must hold me, right away. I usually let him know when he is not Fast enough.

I love to play with mommy while I'm nursing. Usually I bite her and then laugh when she screams. It's very humorous. I'm going to teach cousin Billi how to be arnrey too, because it's more fun with 2 people. 

My brother is so funny. He makes me laugh and even helps me calm down when I'm sad or upset. We are best friends. 

I love my papa too. Infact if I see him he must hold me and take a picture.

I'm not crawling yet, but I want to really bad! I'm really close and mom says it will only be a couple if weeks till I'm on the move. 

There are so many more things I can say but mom says it's not good to make the blog post too long. Oh did I mention I love to talk too. Yelling is my fave! 

-love Adie

Sam took this sweet pic of me and dad.

Sam's Favorite things: a photo diary

Blueberries, and raspberries which he calls "wash berries". This is a cake we made with some fresh blueberries, though Sam would rather have just the berries

Books... And more books this is one day of reading(;

He loves to be Superman. He rides his bike around our neighborhood saying "super man". (;

His chair, we bought for $20. We don't have any couches anymore, I was sick o trying to keep them clean. He loves to have his own special spot to sit.

Taking pictures. This is a wonderful self portrait. 

Penny, really all animals. But this little gal is especially patient. We weren't looking for a dog when she came to live with us, but I'm so glad she is here. She is so patient and sweet with Sam. She even lets him drag her around on a leash. She doesn't pull or get upset. Just a sweet little lady.

Talking on the phone. He loves to use the phone. He will talk to anyone.

Papa, he loves Papa and nana and grandma. They have great relationships. I look forward to watching them grow.

Coffee, we go on dates to Starbucks together every couple of weeks. I love my time with just him. We talk about books and bikes and cars. No phones or baby to take time away. 

Drumming, he is always making music of some sort. We got these noise makers at Story Book Island. Sam ran around drumming on everything and screaming "maca, maca, maca"(;

I believe his 2 favs are pictured here. Daddy. He wants to be just like daddy and have all daddies time and attention. His new bike is up there too. But he only likes to ride because daddy does. 

He still loves mommy. I'm so glad.

I don't think it's right to say Adalyn is his favorite yet. But he does love to hug, kiss, slap, kick ad squish her. I pray they build a strong friendship. 

He is almost potty trained. (;

He has been having Nightmares just about every night. So we stay up and talk about God. He is learning God is everywhere and that means God will "tect" him. He usually ends up in bed with us. Every night he asks where God is. I pray he fully understands Gods love someday. It will be difficult to watch him experience the trials that build great faith. But the end results are so worth it. 

I love you Sam. 

Auntie Kendra

A few months ago my sister Kendra came to stay with us. Why??? Because my kids are awesome and she needed to be with them 24/7...lol something like that. 

I have had a wonderful time with her here. She is easy going and loves to do dishes. Ok maybe she doesn't love them but she always does them with a smile and never complains. She puts up with my moods (and Joes too) and loves our kids. She alway has a hug and a kiss to share with them. I have even grown to somewhat, enjoy her hairy child Charley. He brings lots of energy to the house and my dogs love to chase him around.

She has helped me make it though many grocery store trips and survive errand running. She has taken both kids when I needed a break or a shower. 

I'm not good at sharing my space as I like things in my house my way. But she has always been gracious to me and done it my way even if her way was better. 

I love that she helps me remember the funny things the kids do and say like

"Kenra got dis butt"(; things I don't always catch or forget to enjoy because I'm so overwhelmed. 

Kendra I'm excited for you to have your own place and to have my basement back(; but I will miss you talking loud and waking up the kids... Or me. Mostly I will miss seeing you everyday. I love you.

Ps I need more pics of you with the kids(;