Life and Loss

Its been a week for the record book. Up and down emotions....Most of all we reflect on the blessings God has given us and I am so grateful. Beyond belief.

How do we make sure circumstances don't define us? Wake up and choose to be in control over it. Choose to have faith. Pray for peace and comfort. Know that the plan is way bigger than we see.

There aren't any lessons learned here. Just loss. Emptiness. Only can be filled with the focus of all positive blessings in our lives. Helping others. Blessing others. Redirecting the grief and using it constructively to make a difference. Waking up every morning to a new day with a toddler who's very existence is completely miraculous. The love we feel for him is incomparable. unconditional. irreplaceable.

Prayer for full peace and recovery and the gratitude of what the creation of life meant to us. Possibilities and incredible life fulfillment are in our future. What does our commitment to God cost us? Sometimes having faith in the Will of God is so difficult to reconcile with our emotions and our fleshly desires. He never said it would be easy but he will bear our burden if we confide in him. Matthew 5:4. Having faith in Him and his Will means we never have to be alone.

catching u up on your developments

Favorite things are airplane, motorcycle, trucks, tractors. Although motorcycle is not clear we know what you are saying because you freak out when you see it. Mommy plays a mean joke and if you are starting to fall asleep in the car and I don't want you to, I say I see a motorcyle and you jerk awake. Such a mean trick, but its funny to us.

other new words: pool, ni ni (night night), ou si (outside), bub bles. Mommy and daddy are faces instead of words.

You have been able to put your whole alphabet puzzle together.

Celebrated 4th of July, and you like to say "boom".

You are fascinated with your nostrils and mommy's.

You play ring around the rosie.

And you love to swim!

You are keeping us so busy, but we love every minute of it. You give us something new to look forward to everyday.

in other news....

Monkey knows where his head, ears, tongue, hands, fingers and toes are. We are working on nose. Nose. Nose. Nose. And eyes and mouth. Oh, he also knows where his belly button is. So sweet. Also, when he reads the word "clap" he claps. Yes, reads. :)

new word - "ook"

Book. :) You love books, little monkey. And it thrills me. Its going to be fun when you can really talk, because I have a feeling that you have so much to say!!

New Development - mommy must close the door!

So, the little stinker, figured out how to open the screen door to our garage and without much ado, I might add. When I take a 3 minute potty break, I will now be closing the bathroom door so you, little monkey, cannot get out. When I got done with my quick private moment, you were in the driveway. I really can't believe that I am typing this - mother of the year award right here. But I never dreamed you would be able to do that. So, latches on screen doors... and any other safety precautions will be taken from here on out. Just can't trust your curious and intelligent mind...one more word to describe your actions, "stealth - like" ! :)

Bu Bu

Monkey says Bye Bye on cue now... says not just shows it. So cute. We went to the zoo with friends today. Its February and it was 65 in the a.m. So nice to be out in the refreshing warm air. It does so much good for the soul. Fitting, that at the zoo, monkey's favorite animal were the monkeys. Well, those and the swimming penguines were fun too! :)

Blowing Kisses

So, yesterday, monkey, you started blowing kisses.... I am pretty sure its my favorite thing you do so far. Other than your dancing style. :)

Happy Valentine's Day

I am so blessed to have my guys as Valentine's. Thank you Lord. We started the day with a sugar cookie.... Got some valentines. A balloon from Granny and Pa. Grandma and Grandpa gave you a new book and a stuffed teddy that reads back to you. Daddy got mommy some flowers and chocolates. It was a day filled of love... every day is. I heart you both....my favorite and funny valentines. :)

February Developments

Complete with tooth number 8.

Safety first for the cabinets since you like to eat floor cleaner.

First official hair cut.

Layden, you love to spin around in circles and then stand there and look at us like, "whoa" and then do it again.

The cutest thing that you are doing is giving kisses with sound affects and all!

And, you are starting to take instruction... "layden, go get your green ball". You do!! You are so smart.

February 2011- Blizzard

We got 14 inches of snow. Layden looks completely overwhelmed at first but then completely settles into the idea. He loves to be outside. (period).

Beginning Messages from Mommy

So, I have decided to start blogging again. I have been keeping a note book of the past year that I might use to catch up here. Per the suggestion of a friend of mine, I want to leave messages for Layden to read later and for us to remember these times better. As I remember them too, I will post about stories that I remember from my mom and dad. :)