Creativity

I have always have a creative side. Cayden brought it out even more. I began scrapbooking, and painting items for his room while I was still preganant. I have always admired photogrphers, and the true gift that talented ones have. I have wondered what it would take, and if I had "it". I was blessed to be able to get a Canon 50D, and I am in love! I am really considering pursuing photgraphy, and seeing if I can find my niche. In reasearching equipment, I came across Epiphanie bags, and what a great find it was! Totally stylish. I wanted to share with you a free giveaway going on now. Read about it and visit Epiphanie, I am sure you will like what you see too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My baby is one, and I cannot believe it! What is more unbelievable is I have watched the transformation from baby to toddler overnight. Suddenly he was more into his toys and how they work. Making sounds for his trucks, pushing them around the house (and into things), and knows that pieces fit together. He received a drum with a lid and other musical instruments inside. He was playing with it the other morning, found his drumsticks and then realized there was no lid. He began to look around the room, spotted it, half walked/crawled to it and brought it back attempting to place it on the base. He was able to partially place the top on, and smiled brightly and began to beat the drums. He has not mastered walking yet, but can take significant amounts of steps across the living room. He is now to the point of getting back up to walk after he falls. I love watching his chubby feet walk across the carpet. Here are some pictures from his birthday. We had a "Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar" theme, and it turned out great!

6 months

6 month stats:
18.6 LBS 75% (4 mo 16 LBS and 26in)
28.8 in 95%

I can not believe that we are already to the halfway point. Time has gone by so quickly. I look at pictures from just 2 months ago and see how my little boy has changed. He is growing.

Milestones: He says "mama" and "dada", rolling over like crazy. Likes to eat, but I think he likes the idea of it more than the actual food. He is a very messy eater. He has had sweet potatoes, pears, applesauce, and carrots. Still working on sitting up on his own. Loves to sleep, eat, play (but not to long). GG (my grandma) got him a saucer, and he REALLY likes to play in that. He spins around and sucks on every toy available. Still no teeth yet, I am just waiting for one to break through any day now.

~Trick or Treat~

Happy Halloween from Little Miss Muffet and her spider

Changes

Sorry I have been away for quite a while. A lot has happened. Cayden is almost 4 months old, Mercie started kindergarten this week, and we no longer live in Spokane! God has moved us to Sumner, Wa. We were asked to be a part of a church plant in Bonney Lake around February of this year. We had been praying, and truly wanted God's direction. We started applying to jobs continuously for 5 months. Little things here and there opened up, but just wasn't "right". I applied for a "team apartment manager" position on Monday August 24th. That evening while we were "skyping" into the church plant meeting, we received an email that the hiring manager wanted to meet us. Ben spoke with him Tuesday afternoon, and that night we drove over and interviewed Wednesday morning. Out of all the things on our resume, he liked that Ben had worked at a church as he too was a pastor. The situation was so out of our comfort zone, but God's fingerprints were all over it. On Sunday, August 30th we got the call we were hired and going to start in a week! BTW our lease ended August 31st. So here I sit, with the first service of Open Life starting tomorrow morning. I can still not believe that everything fell into place, and at the perfect time. There is so much more to share, but dinner is ready and it has been a long week. I will post some updated pictures soon of Cayden and Mercie on her first day. God is so good!! Very excited for this new adventure.

~Makeover~

So, I have been thinking lately that I am in need of a refreshing makeover! I feel as if my hair has been the same for far to long. I tried to grow it out, but this pregnancy has left my hair thinner/finer than normal. Usually pregnancy causes hair growth, but not mine. There is probably not much you can do without going to short, but with just about a week left before I go back to work I think the timing is prefect. Maybe a new outfit too? Any suggestions?

Almost 2 months

I can't believe 2 months have gone by already! My baby is growing so fast, smiling all the time (when he is not sleeping or eating). He is weighing in at 11 lbs 10 oz as of 7/17. He is sleeping better in his crib, although the last 2 nights he has been on an every 2 hour eating schedule. We will have to work on that, since I am supposed to go back to work in 2 weeks. Although it is hard, I do enjoy every minute I have with him. I was unable to breastfeed Mercie, and I forgot how special it is. I hope I can continue to as long as possible. The quiet moments between mother and son are soon gone, and I want to treasure every moment.

Here are some recent pictures of 6-8 weeks.

Summer Fun!

All smiles

On Cayden's one month birthday we went to summer camp in Seattle area to lead worship. We got into camp at about 11:00. We were all tired from the drive, and needed to set up. As I sat watching the guys and holding Cayden in my lap he looked up at me and gave me a smile. Ahhh.....I quickly called Ben over so he can catch these first moments. Nothing like it in the world when you child smiles at you for the first time! Love it!!!

3 weeks

precious moments

I am enjoying every minute with my son. I can't believe he is almost 3 weeks old already. We are working on a "schedule", and he is getting a little better. He is such a good eater, and learning to sleep in other places besides my arms. I am not complaining, I could hold him all day long (it does make it hard to go to the bathroom, or find time for a shower when he won't let me put him down however). Mercie is adjusting well, and is a very big helper to me. She loves her little brother, and when he cries she comes running to his rescue. I look forward to the weekend when the whole family is together, and we can continue creating memories.