Happy 5th Birthday, Matthew!!!!!

This year for Matthew's birthday we were blessed to celebrate with my brother and his family while also having Tim's parents and his brother Barrett and family all in town. We had much fun with our family throughout the weekend which carried into the week as Tim and Barrett shingled our roof while Michelle and girls had local doctor appointments.

On the morning of Matthew's birthday some of us stayed home to get final preparations ready for the party, and a group went to a local park to enjoy the fresh air, walk, and look for wildlife.

Later in the afternoon it was time to put our antlers on and party. Yeah, I know, it's not your average party hat... For months Matthew had been asking for a race car birthday party with a race track cake. That's all fine with me, except I couldn't figure out why he wanted that since he hardly ever plays with his cars or his track. Meanwhile this year he has become somewhat obsessed with antlered animals. Several times I'd find him with pipe cleaners wrapped around his stuffed animals heads to resemble antlers or playing with his little animal figurines so much that the antlers would break from "head-butting" each other. So finally I brought this discrepancy up with him and he really had no reason for wanting the race cars. I suggested an elk party and his face lit up... now we're on to something.

So we dug out the Christmas bins to find our reindeer antlers, cut up a cake to make an elk head (with peanut butter rice crispy treat antlers), and the elk party was born. Games included "Pin the Antlers on the Elk" and "The Great Bugle Off" (where, after hearing an example, the kids had to take turns giving their best elk bugle. They were scored by a panel of judges). We asked all the family to bring their antlers, and of course "Pop-pop" had the coolest set of antlers - real ones screwed onto the bill of a hat! Hee-haw! :) I have so many fun memories of the day; I hope a good time was had by all.

I was happy to see both Matthew's excitement over each gift he received as well as his sincere grattitude he expressed to each giver. I can't believe our little guy is five already, growing and changing in so many ways!

During their visit, Uncle Barrett even took time to play "antlers" with Matthew in the back yard. And we also enjoyed a visit to the zoo together before they all headed home.

What a great weekend! So many fond memories! Now I feel a bit like this little guy ... I think I'm going to need to sleep awhile to catch up on rest after all this celebrating. :)

Great Suprise, Great Escape!

Well, amidst all of our illness this winter & spring, we had a wonderful suprise. Both boys and I were not feeling well at the time. On the first Friday of March, I took the kids to their doctor's office: one had bronchitis, the other a double ear infection. Super. I myself was not feeling well, so we all went back to see my doctor that same afternoon. As we discussed symptoms, possible causes, and treatment I mentioned that for some reason I was a few days "late" and I wanted to be sure any medication would be safe just in case. "No problem, we have a test right here," replied the doctor. A trip to the ladies room and a few minues later, the nurse poked her head in the room with a smile and this little bag in hand ... "It's positive!" she said. "Really?! You're kidding! Oh my goodness! This is a big suprise!"

So driving home, feeling as sick as a dog with 2 sick boys in the back seat, I felt pretty void of creativity. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but smile as I picked up my cell to call Tim, "Guess what, honey! ..."
What a GREAT surprise! After all we've been through, to have this happen "by accident" is truly just a miracle of God. We've gone from years of "unexplained infertility" to a full house! Our family is being perfectly put together by our Heavenly Father. We are praising Him for this precious new life! We are so grateful for His perfect timing and perfect plan for our family. To God be the glory and all the praise!!!

Several weeks before all of this, Tim and I had planned a little getaway in honor of our 10th anniversary which was last July. (Yikes! We're trying to celebrate the 10th before it's our 11th in a few months!) After a great visit with Tim's family in April, we left the boys there as planned and flew off to Nevada & Arizona for a few days of quality alone time. At 10 weeks into my pregnancy, I wasn't feeling the greatest, but we still managed to see many sights and make several fun memories. It is beautiful out west - so wide and open; but I must say there aren't nearly enough rest areas or even gas stations for this pregnant lady! :)

I am so grateful for the wonderful husband God has given me. There's nothing better than spending time with him whether it's just a quiet evening at home or a vacation near the Grand Canyon. I wasn't up for as much hiking around as we would've liked to do, but even so we really enjoyed this opportunity to take in some of the beautiful world God has created.

We spent most of our time in Arizona, but then stayed the last 2 days in Las Vegas before flying home.

While we were off enjoying ourselves in the wild west, our sons were having the time of their life with "nana & pop-pop." Matthew's favorite memories involve working with Pop-pop, tractors, hitches, and playing with antlers, not to mention a special trip to a museum with his oldest cousins. Nathan had fun playing & reading with Nana, going outside to explore, and watching squirrels & other wild life. I don't have many photos to post from their adventures, but I know it was a special time for them. We are so grateful for parents and family who are willing to not only care for our little guys, but invest in them with love and many memories while we took the opportunity to have some time away. What a blessing it was to come home and see our sons; I swear they grew over the time we were away!!

Here is a short video with photos from our trip. Tim memorized and quoted I Corinthians 13 when he proposed to me over 11 years ago now, so I thought it fitting to use Brandon Heath's song "Love Never Fails." There is much to praise God for in our first decade of marriage. I pray we'll seek and honor Him through the years to come.

Wrapping Paper & Colored Eggs

We always look forward to April and a visit with Tim's family celebrating many birthdays. We are so blessed with family that both gets along and enjoys being together at every opportunity - thank you, God, for that!! And maybe it's just me getting old, but I can't help but look at all these photos and think about how all the kids are growing up so fast! Its a good reminder to me - not take a single moment for granted.

I enjoyed another visit to Matthew's preschool this April and brought the kids a fun spring snack.

We've struggled so much to be healthy this year. I thought winter was going pretty well for us - just a few sniffles - and then February hit. It seems at least one or more of us has come down sick repeatedly since mid-February. After we came home from Michigan in April, both boys came down with a stomach flu. Each one processed it slightly differently. Nathan's was the worst, with repeated vomitting. The poor guy had no idea what was happening. He would just be walking and then all of a sudden ... well, you know. What a challenge keeping them cared for and keeping the messes contained! I just keep hoping spring will come and save us from all these germs!! :) Despite how we were feeling, we rallied to color eggs and at least 2 of us were well enough to attend church on Easter. We are so grateful for Jesus' sacrifical death on the cross and that he rose again victorious! Even if we're feeling crummy, there's still much to celebrate this Resurrection Sunday!!

(We took these photos of the boys in their Sunday best later, when everyone was feeling better.)

Winter & all that it brings

'Tis the season for heart-shaped breakfasts in honor of Valentine's day, beautiful ice storms, and, sadly, illness. Nathan had his first introduction to the nebulizer; poor little guy! Also, this February, Tim and I were able to go on the Winter Retreat with our church's youth group while "Nana & Pop-pop" came to stay with the boys. We were grateful to have this extended time with the teens knowing our little guys were having such fun at home. Tim was fighting a cold during the long weekend, and shortly after we got back, we all came down sick. Oh the joys of winter!

Matthew had another "special day" at school. It's so fun to see him learning, playing, and interacting well with others. If only ALL school could be as fun as preschool! :)

Wrestle time with Daddy is a great way to get the winter wiggles out. I'm so suprised at how much my 17 month old gets into it ... I fear this may be only the beginning of boys being boys in our house!