Piersen is Turning 1!!!

 

Before you begin: Please note there is an excess of pictures to capture these special moments for family who can't be here with us.

Although Piersen's birthday is March 12, we decided to celebrate with cake today (we will be travelling on Wednesday). As you can see, "rubber ducky" was our party theme. Pierce loves to be in his bath and so it was appropriate to honor him with a tubby type of party. And...his big brothers (and Daddy) are crazy about jell-o, so everyone was happy! The little duckies were a big hit for all the kids as each one took theirs outside to "play".

He was a funny little boy today. You will see from the progression of pictures how his emotions went up & down. I think everyone looking at him and singing to him kind of freaked him out - he cried a little - then calmed down when the cake arrived...and dug right in. But...all that ooey, gooey icing on his hand made him cry again...until he got a taste! The boy ate almost the entire piece and had a lot of fun playing with his yellow balloons.

 

 

 

"you think all of that is for me?!?"

 

"oh boy, why is everyone looking at me??"

 

"enough already...I am feeling a little overwhelmed!"

 

"what is this gooey stuff?"

 

"okay, nevermind...it is pretty tasty!"

 

"good stuff!"

 

full to the top with sugar...

 

...and happy about it!!

 

traditional family birthday picture!

 

 

the Happy Birthday Boy - oh what a little nap won't do!!!


We are so thankful for our little Piersen. He is special in so many ways - we love his fun personality and the brightness he brings to every day. As a Mom of three little boys, I am very thankful for how easy-going he is. He has made a smooth transition into our family and has blessed us tremendously. It has been a wonderful year! Reece and Chase are much better boys because of the presence of their little brother...and we are better too. His little life has changed us all. Piersen Benjamin, we love you so much. Happy birthday "handsome bandsome"!

And if you still haven't had enough - ha,ha - and want to see even more pics, click to this link:

Piersen's 1st Birthday

Cute Reece Story

A few months ago, our very good friends, Scott & Melissa Smith, gifted us their college car so that we could save on gas, wear & tear from Mexican streets, etc.. It has been a HUGE blessing to us and also to Reece! Reece LOVES this car and thinks it is the coolest thing in the world. The first time Benjy gave him a ride to school in it he said, "Daaaad, this car is AWESOME! This is gonna be my school car and you can use the van for work!" A few weeks later, I rode in the car with Reece. With extreme excitement he said to me, "Moooommmmm - you've never been in this car. Look at this! If you wanna roll the window down, look, look, you hafta turn this thing around and round!" (translation: there isn't power windows so it is the "old-fashioned" way!!!) It made me realize that maybe I am getting older when my little kid has never seen the things I grew up with as normal!

Ladies Morning Out

We decided that us women needed some fun time together and so the planning began... We began to talk about going out for breakfast and heading to the movies while the kids were in school. The inviting began and, I must say, I thought the reponses were so entertaining. Every friend or neighbor I spoke to had this look of - are you serious, of course I am coming! I think that it is a much needed thing for all of us as Mom's...but maybe especially moreso for Mexican women. They generally stay tied to their domestic duties quite tightly and it almost seemed like they needed the invite from someone outside of their own culture to even consider doing something like this!! I wish you could have seen their excitement - it was like a group of little schoolgirls! 14 of us enjoyed a great chick flick "P.S. I Love You" I cried some good tears and had a great time. Please pray that God might use this little idea to create some new relationships amongst Mexican women and that in His timing God might create a hunger for spiritual things amongst this group.

Close Ups

I love to take close up pics of my boys...capturing certain expressions or smiles that show who they are. I also like to record the little things that communicate what stage they are in. I haven't done this in a long time and so it is long overdue...

Piersen 11 months

 

Little Pierce is now crawling! He has been at it for a few weeks and it is amazing how quickly, once he figured it all out, he has advanced. There is no place safe for him - he hasn't figured out stairs or how to maneuver down them (and since we have one step in our living room it is trouble!) He also likes holding your fingers and walking (grandma taught him this) and is not interested in sitting down until HE is ready - he just stiffens his entire body. He likes to feel like a big boy - sitting on Chaser's tricycle or swinging outside in the swing. He loves to be outside. He loves to close and open doors or drawers and has discovered the tv cabinent - and most especially the DVD's. He has pinched his fingers in the drawer and has bumped his head several times on the floor after slipping on the slippery tile (or receiving a little encouragement from big brother Chase to move a bit faster!). He still has NO teeth but is continually sucking on his upper or lower lip (maybe they are on their way...who knows with this boy!). Pierce almost always has a huge smile on his face - he is a very happy little guy and his smile fills his entire face and lights up the whole room. It is really easy to make him laugh - especially with even the slightest of tickles. He is fun! He is discovering how to bang things and throw stuff and he spends much of his play time doing just that. He is enamored with his big brothers and watches their every move. He is beginning, though, to get a bit bugged if someone takes away something he wants. Pierce is still a good sleeper - although now that he is more mobile he is beginning to fight that second nap. I often find him playing in his crib to delay his sleep. He is a good eater but if he doesn't want something, he will let ya know you - quick to spit it out and quiver his whole body! He is also into spitting out his milk or juice and making a nice big mess by tipping the sippy cup everywhere. You can't keep a bib dry on this boy. I love it that now he pats my back when I pick him up or cuddle him. He is the sweetest and most content little baby - I can't believe he is nearly 1 year old. Where has the time gone?

Chase 3 years, 3 months

 

Chase is really growing up. He talks a lot now and really sounds like a big boy. He loves to jump and climb and play in dirt. He likes to make a mess and is not quite as quick about cleaning it up. Water is a joy to him. He spends hours in his little bath tub - but just to play - getting his hair and body washed isn't important to him! He hates to get out of the tub because it is cold. He also likes to play in the sink, or with the faucets outside. He is into imaginative play and can entertain himself for a long time. Cars are often his toys of choice, although he likes animals and balls too. He continues to get a thrill from throwing things in the air (and then taking the broom outside to shake the item out of the tree or bush). If you ever need to find this kid - he is probably standing in front of the refrigerator. Chaser wants to eat non-stop and usually eats well. He is really enjoying books these days - and usually says, "read it again". He also is taking more and more of an interest in coloring and drawing. He does not want to go to school though. Lately, he wants to do everything at his own pace....he does not understand "hurry" and he doesn't always stay on task with the instructions he is given. He is mischieveious and if ever left alone for a short while, you can be certain he is into something. He has a mind of his own and responds much better to reason and logic than direct orders (there is a bit of resistence to much in this boy these days). In the area of discipline - he keeps his parents on their toes and forces us to be creative. He sleeps pretty good but is not a stranger to wandering into our bed at night with his little voice of "i just want you to seep with me for a yittle bit". He has trouble pronouncing his "s"'s when they are followed by a consanant - so we hear lots of "downtairs" and "top" it and "tand up". The first goal of Chase's day is to check if little Pierce is awake - he is impatient for him to wake from naps and loves to play with him. He gets along well with big brother Reece too - they are either best of friends or on each others nerves, but they do well to exchange lots of apologies and hugs in a day. Chaser likes to be outside and is eager to move up to a real bicycle. Chase likes blue. Chase likes to help do things around the house (if there isn't more fun to be had elsewhere!)He can be very sweet and is free with his expressions of "i love you so much". He is a great hugger and has a smile and a twinkle in his eyes that can melt your heart. He is a really good kid - active and fun and has a deep, warm laugh.

Reece 4 years, 11 months

 

Reece is a helper my nature. He helps around the house and with his little brothers so much that at times I have to remind myself that he is only 4. He loves to be involved in what is going on at home. He is a very, very good big brother to both Chase and Pierce. He often willingly sacrifices things (like the blue cup, or the last yoghurt, etc..) to keep peace. He plays super well with Pierce and is very gentle and patient with him (although now that Pierce is moving a bit more both of the older boys think he should be ready to wrestle soon!). Reece is a good teacher - he likes to show his brothers how to do things and what things mean. I love to listen in on conversations he has with Chase. They play well together most of the time but Reece sometimes struggles with being too nice. Chase has a stronger personality and is still in toddler mode - so Reece is often too quick to give in and let Chase have the control or the power. Reece is protective of Chaser and is always looking out for him when they are out playing with the neighborhood kids. Reece has grown leaps and bounds in his self confidence and his outgoing-ness. He is quick to make friends and is really speaking spanish with ease. He likes school and has changed a lot in that environment as well - he is a lot more comfortable and not as shy as he was at the start of the year. He likes to learn and is quite creative. He loves to draw and is good at it. He is learning to read and write and takes pride in his work. He is outgrowing his bike and has put many a mile on that thing. He loves to be outside too and spends lots of time out there. Reece is struggling with "tummy troubles" these days so we are investigating a possible milk allergy or lactose intolerance. He has been cooperative and I think it is helping. The boy loves to eat too - always wanting to snack. Reece is a sensitive and compassionate little boy and just seems aware of others around him and what they need. He is dependable and gets himself ready (which has been such a blessing!) He is mature and such a good kid.


We love our boys and thank God for each of them... Father, thank You for the beautiful children you have placed in our lives. We ask for wisdom to raise them well - in You - with patience and grace and with discernment to know what each of them need. Heighten our perceptions as parents - that we would be aware of their strengths and weaknesses - that we would discipline and nurture them according to their uniqueness. Thank You for creating them each so wonderfully - they are a blessing in every way. Give me, as a Mom, tenderness, firmness, gentleness and so much graciousness. I entrust each of them to Your protection and care. Help me to enjoy each day with them and the true gift it is to be at home with them each day. In Jesus name, Amen

An Outpouring

In the silence of this moment I sit and reflect on these past two weeks. We have felt an outpouring of love and support from family and friends and we are so thankul for the good people God has placed in our lives. Good, good people - sharing homemade ice cream, hugs, prayers, sending flowers, email after email with kind words and thoughts, prayers and more prayers. Thank you. We have felt lifted up and encouraged by all of you. The little life of our small child has changed us forever as this simple poem communicates...

.. how very softly you entered our world, only a moment you stayed, but your footprints shall be forever etched upon our hearts .........

 

A Double Dare from Pierce to Kate

Little Cousin Kate,

I have been hearing all this fuss about you and how much hair you have. So what if it takes me nearly 12 months to grow half as much as you have in 12 days. I guarantee I have more hair than my big brothers did at this age. So - check out this picture below and I dare you....double dare you to see if your fancy hair can do what mine can! C'mon - girls can have mohawks too - can't they? Huh? Huh?

I guess I'll see you soon. Get ready for lots of fun and action all around you because I am crawlin' now. No one is safe. Nothing is safe. And just between me and you...I think I have found the secret to keeping everyone on their toes....I just crawl a little close to the stairs and everyone gets worked up. I love it...even though I have a few bumps since this all started too. Oh well. Don't get too competitive with me just yet - take in a little time of just lazin' around - it is the life! Oh, and one more piece of advice to ya...about now start sticking your tongue out at your parents and coo a little...fake a smile - they absolutely go crazy!!! The simplest things capture their hearts. I dunno?!

Love ya,
Pierce

 

Thanks Mom!

 

My Mom is an amazing woman. She went behind my back and planned, with Benjy's help, a suprise birthday gift for me - showing up on my front door. I was so suprised and so happy! She planned to stay 2 weeks....I convinced her (and it wasn't very hard!) to let us extend her ticket for one more week so that we could take her to see the ocean. She has never seen it (other than from an airplane) and since we are just 4 hours from Acapulco..... She loved it!!! And so did we!

Little did I know what an incredible blessing it would be for me that her ticket was extended. The day she was originally scheduled to leave, I spent the morning and part of the afternoon at the hospital. We had found out on Tuesday that we had lost the baby and it really helped us to have my Mom here - yes, to help with taking care of the boys, etc.. - but to be a comfort to us as well. I am thankful she was with us - she has been with us at the births of each of our children, I am grateful she was here with us at this time of loss too.

My Mom has more energy than I do on my best of days. She has been so much help to me - cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and baking me apple pies! She quickly connects with my boys and is such a fun grandma to them. She has spoiled Pierce - she does whatever he wants her to (poor guy will face reality again when she heads home). Piersen has begun to crawl since her arrival and already cares more about using her fingers to guide him around as he walks and walks. If he fusses she walks him more. She is so good to my boys and I have loved watching them bond with her these past 3 weeks. We have had lots of laughs together and it is really special to me that she has shared this time with us.

Thank you Mom for every kind gesture you have shown our family - whether big or small - we know how much you love us and we appreciate you very much. We are so very thankful for this visit! We love you and will miss you incredibly.

 

The Loves Of My Life

The pictures say it all. I am a very blessed girl! Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

 

 

 

Thirty Days

Well, thirty days can seem like a very short time to experience all of the ups and downs that we have had over these past weeks and days. Although some of you may have heard about this - many of you more than likely have not. On January 12, 2008 - just one short month ago, we received a shocking but extremely delightful suprise....news of another addition to our family! It took us several days to realize it was true but after picking our mouths up off the floor - our excitement and joy took over! We shared the news of our pregnancy with our family and some close friends after going to the doctor for a confirming ultrasound. Much to our suprise the baby already measured in at 8 weeks and 3 days of development - well on its way to moving into our hearts and becoming a part of our sweet family. After a few days of living with the reality - Benjy and I shared the news with the boys. They were all excited in their own ways - Reece expressing happiness and a strong desire to have another brother only...because he does not like girls...they cry too much (ha! but quite a change from the last pregnancy when his prayer was that Piersen would be a little sister). Chase, with his three year old attention span was much more intrigued with the coin he found on the floor - but did stop his pursuit long enough to declare that my tummy would get big and big and big again. Piersen....ya - he had no idea what would be coming his way! Sweet moment for our family. The people we did share our news with all seemed very happy for us and at the same time had that look of "how crazy is life going to be for you" look in their eyes. We received the typical collection of predictions that God must be giving us a little girl this time around. We think that would be a really nice suprise - but probably not likely. My heart began connecting immedietly with this little one - girl or boy - as it has done with all of my pregnancies. Benjy and I shared many smiles together over the reality of another special person to fill our lives and our home. We were humbly thankful to God for His goodness. That statement continues - we are humbly thankful to God for His goodness - even in the shadow of our sadness - the reality that we became aware of yesterday, February 12, 2008. Our little one is gone. He or she has been gone for an uncertain amount of time...maybe even days after that first ultrasound. I had no idea - had been feeling wonderfully great. Even when I began to lightly spot, I was confident and sure that all was okay (it had happened in my pregnancy with Pierce and all progressed smoothly). The doctor suggested I come in for a checkup - I was planning to come in later this week anyway. He could not find a heartbeat. I remained confident and calm (perhaps it was denial?) but he sent us for an ultrasound. I could see the reality the instant he placed the wand on my tummy. No heartbeat. No movement. No life. Just a very small image of an undeveloped baby. His or her body measuring only 8 weeks and 6 days. We are sad. We are hurting. We are as suprised to learn of this baby's death as we were to learn of his/her life. All this in thirty days. What a roller coaster. I had a D&C today and I feel empty and strange - to have been carrying the body of my tiny baby - anticipating life - and yet his or her life already in the safe and perfect arms of God. We have shed tears and received the prayers and comfort of family and good friends. We trust in God's wisdom and His eternal grace. We are confident in where our baby is and we take peace in that. Our little one is in a much more perfect environment than my womb or our home could have ever provided, yet we grieve and mourn our loss. I take comfort in this hymn that I have loved since childhood...

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
safe on his gentle breast,
there by His love o'er shaded,
sweetly my soul shall rest.

Thank you for your friendship and prayers.

Welcome Baby Kate!!

My sweet little niece Kate Elizabeth was born on Friday, February 8th. Congrats to Betsy and Jared - we are so happy for you! Little Kate is the first baby girl to be born on both sides of her family and so with a bunch of big boy cousins (5 on her mommy's side and 2 on her daddy's side)she should be well protected...and will have to be a tough one to take all of their loving affection!

I am dying - not being able to be there to see her but am being somewhat pacified by phone conversations and sweet picutres. She is beautiful and such a blessing. We are excited to see you Kate in just a few weeks. Get ready because March is just around the corner and....here we come!!!

I think I see a little resemblence between her and my boys - check out this picture below of baby Kate and then baby Piersen (okay - not the hair - Kate wins in that department!!!)

Inspirational....

Yesterday was my brother-in-laws' 30th birthday. Brig decided to set a personal goal to run 50 miles on his 30th birthday - I am not exactly sure of all of his motivations for this goal....but I think he just wanted to prove to himself and the world that he could do it! He plotted out his own course and did it! I couldn't believe the distance he ran but it especially impacted me when I heard that he began running at 5am and was finishing around 5 pm!!! Yes, that is 12 hours of running! I was inspired to talk to him near the end of his race to congratulate and give him birthday wishes (he was carrying his cell phone so family could check in with him every now and then to cheer him on!!!)

Brig - I kind of doubt you read my blog - but just know we are proud of you. Benjy was bragging on you to all of his friends last night at the super-bowl party.

Way to go!!!!!

I am still here!

I haven't posted in awhile but wanted to tell the world I am still alive and doing well. Here's our latest family photo. We are having so much fun as a family. These little boys make every day an adventure! They are pretty good buddies (most of the time) and can think of something to get into on a regular basis. Can you tell they are brothers in the pic below?!?!




I just celebrated 33 years of life and must say that I feel pretty blessed. God has given me so many good things that I try to recognize and appreciate more than take for granted. For my birthday, my Mom completely suprised me by showing up on my doorstep! I couldn't believe it!!! She had been planning the suprise visit for weeks and I was absolutely stunned. She will be with us for several weeks and just 2 days into her visit I don't know if I will let her go. She is an amazing woman and grandmother to my boys!

That's all for now - I will look for more time to post again soon...

Happy New Year!

Here is a shot of my blue-eyed boys on the first day of 2008!



I trust that this year has amazing things in store for us and I am excited about the newness and the sense of renewal and fresh perspective that a new year always holds. All the best to you this year. May our great God be exalted higher in our lives and around our world than He has ever been!

I posted a bunch of stuff today - to get caught up on all of the crazy Christmas happenings! Enjoy!!! It has been a wild December with a lot on the go.

Let It Snow....But Pay $$ To Touch It?!

Call me crazy but Christmas and snow are two words that are supposed to go together. Reece had been asking us if we would receive snow on Christmas Day and it was sad to have to tell him no..... So - on the 26th we hunted down this spot in Mexico City - albeit in a mall parking lot - but nevertheless, we let our kids see some snow. Sure, it was manmade and more like ice than nice soft, fluff...and we had to pay money - but it was a memory anyway....and fun too. All of you who are enjoying a white winter, don't take it for granted! We waited in line a long time and paid nearly $10 for Reece and Chase to have an alloted 15 minutes to build a snowman on a fold-out table!





My personal highlight of the experience was to sled down the fake mountain! It was really fun and worth the money. I wanted to go again and again but the lines were quite lengthy and so I just took what I could get! Oh how I miss my childhood wintery fun!

Christmas Morning, Afternoon, and Evening!

We had a really slow going and peaceful day - due to the late, late night the boys didn't awake until about 8:30. We exchanged our gifts and played and stayed in our pajamas the whole day! It was awesome. We took a family nap in the afternoon - all 5 sleeping at the same time - now who says miracles don't occur today?!!! We also talked on the phone to all of our family so that was really fun. It was a very Merry Christmas for us, with much more profound blessings than our material gifts (but those were fun too!) I hope your day was really special also.

Noche Buena or Christmas Eve

We invited several families to eat a traditional Christmas dinner and share the evening with us on Christmas eve. It is hard to be away from family at such a family oriented time of the year, so we felt very blessed to have a house full of good friends and happy children! We ate well, celebrated with sparklers and Christmas carols, and enjoyed the annual reading of Christ's birth and Twas the Night Before Christmas. The kids stayed up really late - and us parents even later - as we prepared everything for the next morning. It was a special time for me - with all the kids tucked into bed and the Christmas lights and music, wrapping gifts and realizing how good my life is! I am thankful for Jesus - in so many ways!

Goodbye AIMers

Beth, Josh, and Michelle have been a part of our team, work and families for the past year-and-a-half. They served as apprentice missionaries through the AIM program and have become very special people to us. Their time of service has ended and we have been richly blessed by their lives and will miss their presence here. They are headed back to their homes to pursue college and future plans. All the best to you - we love you and miss you already!

Reece's Christmas Performance!

We were so proud of Reece and his performance at his school Christmas Festival. His school developed a theme and each class performed a different song representing the value of children and their growth. Although it wasn't a direct Christmas theme (more like jungle animals), it was absolutely adorable and I fought back tears a number of times...and then finally gave in when our shy little son confidently came on stage with a smile on his face - oh how he has changed!



Reece's class dressed as monkeys and they had coreographed an entire dance to the Son of Man song from the Jungle Book. At one point in the song they all turn their bums to the audience and do this little wiggle - it was so funny! He banged his drum and knew his place on the stage and most importantly, had a great time! It is a day I will never forget. We are thankful for Redlands School and all that it is teaching our boy!

Christmas Baking

There is nothing like Christmas baking to get you in the spirit of Christmas! We had our annual bake-a-thon again and enjoyed hours, and hours, and hours of preparing pumpkin bread, sugar cookies, squares, fudge and anything sweet! It is fun to pull out the recipe box and remember the good people in my life who have shared some of their favorite recipes with me. The kids, of course, had fun helping too!



I personally think it was a bit of an accomplishment to teach Josh how to roll out cookie dough!