Zoo Day

Okay. I will now post many of our events as of late...because I'm late. I'm late in blogging and our life is speeding by. AJ is sleeping and Sophie is watching a movie. It's raining outside, so settle in and let's catch up!

A few weeks ago, the kids and I drove to Salem to meet my friend Crystal and her boys Jayden and Joel! We hadn't seen them in a long while so we were excited. We picked them up and kept driving. We drove to the Zoo in Portland! It was raining on our way up, but we kept telling ourselves it would be perfect once we got there. Once there, we met our friend Katie and her little man Alexander. SO fun.

Perfect it was!! We got to walk around the whole zoo and the only time it rained was when we were inside for lunch. All the animals were out and we had SO much fun! I can't wait to go back. I think next time Daddy wants to come too!

AJ and the Horse

AJ loves riding the horse. I'm amazed at how big he's getting! He can mostly hold himself up on the horse while he's riding...I just stand there to make sure! Please ignore "Mommy wet hair," as I was trying to make sure we captured the moment...I didn't have time to get camera ready! Just focus completely on the little man; who in my totally-biased opinion is adorable!!

Sophie's Haircut

I took Sophie to see my friend Christi at Bello yesterday. She such a great friend and she's so good with the kids. Bonus...Jenni was working too. She even spoiled Sophie with a sucker, for being so good during the cut.

Sophie and I talked about the special chair and seeing Miss Christi the whole way there...in hopes that Sophie wouldn't throw a fit because someone was touching her hair!

She was so good and held still...for the most part. It looks so cute on her. The last picture was from today. Her hair is a little messy from playing but we love the new look. I think Sophie had a really fun time too, as she hasn't stopped telling everybody all about it!!

Thanks Miss Christi!

Little Man too

I couldn't leave AJ out of the updates! He's getting so big. He's always been big, but he's getting tall too! I am so proud of him. He is crawling all over the place and walking along furniture too. He is starting to talk a lot more. He has always been a verbal baby, but now we're starting to understand him. Today he has said "hi" and "Dada" switched to "Daddy" a couple of times.

Although sometimes it can be overwhelming, I love how much he wants me. He's a momma's boy and he'll often crawl to me just for a hug or a slobbery kiss. He's my sidekick and wants me to take him wherever I go. As much as I don't like a night with getting up a lot or short naps...I love chances to snuggle him or when I hear him calling me from his crib. I know it won't last forever. His smile melts my heart and his teeth make him look like such a big boy.

There was a time that I thought I needed two girls, but God knew that my life needed some spice. My little man truly completes our family. I wouldn't trade having him for anything. We pray for both of our kids, but I pray especially that I will have guidance to raise Aaron as a man who loves the LORD his GOD with his heart, soul, mind, and strength. For his whole life.

Being A Mom

Means that sometimes you let your laundry piles topple and you are willing to refold them later...to protect the precious feelings of your little helper!

She's growing up...

Maybe it's the increased vocabulary or maybe it's because I've held my sister's brand-new, precious baby this week. Whatever the reason, I've been feeling like my baby is growing so fast these days. When she wakes in the morning, she always looks a little taller. At night, I sneak into her room so I can tuck her back in and look at my sleeping, little lady.

I love that she can do so much more these days; we have a lot of fun together. Or, "all gether," as she would say. She is learning her letters and to count. She also loves to color and work on stickers. My favorite part of this stage, by far, is listening to her learn Bible verses and songs. Her favorite song right now is "My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty." It's quickly becoming my favorite too. I love watching her sing to AJ. The motions are so cute!

After we got dressed and fixed hair...I just needed some pictures. I hope you enjoy them too!

Today

Selling a house



can be



so tiring



We showed our house today and we have an open house on Saturday. Please be praying that the perfect client will contact their Realtor and make an offer!

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live. Acts 17:26

...Trust yourself to the GOD who made you, for He will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:19

Happy Resurrection Day!!

I hope that each of you is enjoying your Sunday! May you experience God's gift to you in a very real and redemptive way this year. We pray that you deepen your relationship with the Heavenly Father. Maybe, for you that is beginning a relationship. If that is true, I hope that you will not get distracted as He pursues you.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (English Standard Version)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Because God sent Jesus to earth to live a perfect life and die a horrible death, taking on our sin, we can have a relationship with Him. We can go to heaven. We can know GOD. This is possible not because he died, but because on the third day HE ROSE AGAIN, paying the price for our sins. My Redeemer Lives!!

My God is SO Big

Tonight as we were tucking Sophie into bed, the song "My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty" came on her music. She surprised us by knowing ALL the hand motions that went along with the song and she did them at the appropriate time! Tonight, I saw, why it is so important to be consistent about taking your child to church. Not only just to church, but to a church where they are passionate about teaching children, even at 2, the important foundation of loving GOD. Thank you to all who volunteer in a child's Sunday school class. We appreciate your efforts; I hope you take it seriously...my daughter is blessed and we are so thankful.

{You will have to excuse the wild hair...she's been sick}

A First Haircut for Little Man

This past weekend, my mom gave Aaron his first haircut. His spikes had become 2 inches long! It was time. Now, he's a big boy!

My Daughter Sushi

We've been trying to teach Sophie how to say her name. Every time she says it, her name comes out "Sushi!" She can say all the sounds separately, but when it gets put together...we have a daughter named "Sushi."

Right now, our sweet little girl is drawing "Sushi" on her doodle-pro and talking about what she is wearing!

I could laugh so hard I could cry, I love this little Sushi so so much.

Here is Sushi after she put on her own jacket to play outside...

A favorite Toy

We got this toy for Christmas from the kids' Great-Grandma Jean, and they LOVE it. I especially like it because it's such great quality and they play well TOGETHER with it! AJ has a great time and it's perfect for him and the milestones he's achieving right now.



The little man showing off! Don't mind sister's diaper crack in the background of the picture.



These are little doors that open and close. When they are open they have pictures of little animals! AJ, of course, has conversations with them.

Friends...

My dear friend Betsy and I have been wanting to be more consistent about exercise, which can be so tough with little ones! We have been trying to meet in the mornings to run/walk with our jogging strollers. Brooklyn and Sophie are becoming sweet friends who love playing together!

This is for you Mommac!

After I fixed Sophie's hair with a single clip, she apparently decided it was a little too plain. When in doubt, add a headband! She then excitedly exclaimed, "Show Mommac." So, here are the pictures of Sophie fixing her own hair!