Silas' First Birthday Party

I can hardly believe it was a year ago that you entered the world, Silas Joshua! Reflecting back over the year is a little painful, I thought this year was going to look really different but God has something else planned. Even though the events of a move and missing people dear to my heart brings a sting, your life has brought much joy and goodness. I am so very grateful for God's perfect timing of bringing you to us one year ago.

I am so very thankful for our wonderfully simple, sunny, Sunday evening celebrating your life!

Little Man, Butter, Smilus, SILAS JOSHUA! You have completely captured all our hearts. Your bear crawling, drooling, smiling, pointing, walking, holding your golf club, watching the birds ways are so fun to be part of!

Job 37:14 Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God...

Silas, God has used you to cause us each to stop and consider God's wondrous works. We love you with all our hearts. Thank you Lord for the joy Silas has showed us in some of the most unexplained, pressing and lonely times. His little life reminds each of us that your love and grace towards us can come in the singing of the birds, the smiles, the holding close and rested head on the shoulder, the playing on the floor with toys and so much more. We stop and consider your wondrous works.

Yellow Beauty

Tali, I love that you were so taken by the beauty of the yellow tree. It was wonderful to watch from behind at your discovery. You marveled at how beautiful and bright the yellow was, how it smelled so sweet. I love how you scooped up the yellow puff balls from the ground and wanted to save them to share with Titus and Daddy. I love our walks together!

Bringing the Indoors, Out!

A beautiful sunny day, bringing Silas' room outdoors plus one happy boy (minus the few minutes that he was stepping on clover thistle balls) equals a fun day for mom and son! Oh, and learning how to edit photos... as seen by these three pictures, I am a total rookie!

11 Months!! How Can it Be?

Smiles! You are all smiles, bubble blowing, waving bye bye, standing and taking 3 steps, crawling like a bear (so very fast), eating just about everything! In one month you start a whole new year! And though I want to trap you in this time and make it stand still, it is so very clear that you are ready for so many new adventures. The beginnings of embracing so many new things and freedoms. More stumbles and tumbles to come as well as countless joys.

Beauty in Caring for Another

I don't think I realized just how sweet it would be to watch your little ones love and care for each other. I am seeing it all over the place these days in our home. Sometimes, I just hold back tears of gratitude when I observe little ones learning about the joy of giving love and receiving it. When life slows down, it is so much more vivid and there are so many more opportunities for this growth to take place.
Grateful for....
*a brother who reads to his sister before bed
*a sister who looks out the window with her baby brother in wonder as they watch the wind blow in the trees
*a big brother and sister who approach baby brother with unabashed excitement after school
*the mornings when big brother and sister rock the baby with books in hand
*watching little hands hold little hands across the grass with tight grips

Grateful for the beauty that comes from slowed time and caring siblings.

My 10 monther

Oh, my little buddy! Words can not express the joy you bring to my day to day! You are an explorer which keeps me busy BUT your laugh and smiles are such a gift! Right now you are standing, eating everything (you aren't picky at all), I know you are awake from your naps because you jump up and down in your squeaky crib, you love listening to birds and find such delight in eating rocks. Dadadadada is your favorite phrase and finding mommies nose makes you laugh. You know, "so big," and all done with your hands. You aren't fond of other crying babies, or screams but none of us are. You're reminding each of us what it is like to see the world so simply, with such fascination and wonder over dogs barking, birds chirping, trucks driving by, the wind on your face, splashing water in the bathtub, banging cupboards, clapping hands and the dancing shadows from the trees.

Packing Up!

I can't quite remember taking these pictures. A move is funny like that. There is so much going on, I felt like I lost track of minutes, hours and even days. It is all a blur. But the pictures prove that we did indeed pack up! Silas is 4 months old!

3 Monther Here!

Oh Sweet Little Man, you are already 3 months old. You bring us such joy each day. I love those brown eyes of your that can look so serious and a moment light up with your little giggles. You are such a gift to us. Your daddy, brother, sister and I can't get enough of you! I wish you would stop growing so fast.... 17lbs and 26 inches long. We love you and all those rolls!

4th of July Fun

Bike Parade, Pie Making, Fireworks....Family Fun!

Two Little Guys

Noah and Silas hanging out together. Noah 6 months and Silas 2 months (Silas is huge).

Silas is 2 Months Old

It's going to fast little man! You are smiling at us, holding your head up like a big boy and must weigh at least 14 lbs. You are the sweetest baby around!! I love you little buddy!

Auntie Meghan Visits

Yahooo, Auntie Meghan visits! We had such a great time playing with Auntie...the pool, Polly Pockets, Milk Ice Cream, American Girl Shop, The Book Store, Anthropologie and The Ivy. What a great 36 hours!! Thank you Nonnie for the ticket! Thank you Zeb for watching Ari! Thank you Meg for coming!!

Oh This Boy! Such a Trooper!

Silas...today and everyday this week you have been toted around in this little carseat all day. You have been the best trooper (aside Jimbo) that there is! End of school events, daddy's birthday day, Tali's birthday preparing and the list goes on! I promise that in a week in a half you won't have to take all your naps in this thing! Your smile says it all buddy, you are one happy trooper!

Happy Birthday Timothy Aaron!

This picture says it all babe! Your capacity to love our children and your wife is truly so amazing! You are the first one to hold our children when they are born, the one who changes their diapers for the first three days while mom recovers from surgery, you hold our babies for hours and everyday you love each of us just the way we need to be loved! You are truly amazing! Happy Birthday Love of My Life!!

Ruff, Ruff!

Our little pup gets a bath (not very often) and loves it! Silas, you are just so stinkin' sweet!

Welcome Silas Joshua

Oh sweet Silas! Welcome to this wild and crazy world. God has given you to us to care for and love while on this earth. It is a huge responsibility and many mistakes will be made along the way. But your daddy and I pray that someday you will know our amazing God and his great love for you! As your parents, we will do our best to show you Christ's love. And by God's grace we will instruct and guide you in this life! We love you Silas Joshua!

A Lot of Love

What a colorful homecoming! I can tell you and Nonnie had a great time!