I just gotta say...

Aren't they just the cutest little boys in the whole wide world?

They both travel really well, for the most part. Give Josiah his "passy" and a crib and he's out like a light. Elijah will do the same. Hotel rooms, unfamiliar bedrooms, you name it...Who knows, we might be brave enough to take them on a real trip someday!

....and She's Back

Hi all! My month-long hiatus is now officially over. Saying "no" to the computer was as difficult as I thought it would be. Hopefully, I have learned how to better use my time instead of being sucked into the world of the internet!
So, many things have happened this last month. Our oldest son, Elijah, turned 5 years old at the end of October. Yesterday he was a little raisin in my arms who just wanted to eat and sleep. Today he is tall enough to grab onto my shoulders with his feet flat on the ground. I know I will have many more of these "moments" but they do seem to be coming more and more frequently. He had his very first real birthday party, complete with 7 other children. We reserved a party at the coolest place. Eli had so much fun and I think the other kids did, too. The best part about it? We packed up and left the facility and didn't have to worry about all the clean-up.
Anyway, here are some pictures of this momentous occasion...



Elijah was thrilled with the motorcycle bike that he got for his birthday. Of course, Josiah couldn't be left out of the fun so he inherited one of Eli's old bikes.



More of this last month's happenings in the following posts....

So Very Thankful

We ate turkey in Florida. It was beautiful and sunny and we enjoyed every bit of it. Methinks food and family and a big huge yard go together perfectly!This Thanksgiving was so different from the years gone by because of all the screaming children running around. Kids really do know how to fill a room.
Major highlight of the day...We finally got to meet our new little niece, Lana. She was born October 27th and she is a doll! She let me hold her for a very long time.

How can you not fall in love with this little face??


Gianna will be 2 years old in January. She is full of toddler energy, that one. She adores Elijah and tolerates Josiah. She and Josiah are only 3 months apart so there were quite a few tiffs between the two. Hilarious!


Dinner was at Seth's Grandad's house. He lives on 4 1/2 acres with a good size citrus grove in the backyard. Heaven on earth for a 5 year old little boy. We actually got to eat citrus for the first time in years. When I first moved here to Missouri, I tried a couple of oranges from the grocery store. I'll just say, "Eww!"

Good times. Good times.

10 Whole Years

Brace yourselves, people. Now I may look super young but I'm really not. Oh who am I kidding? When I was in high school, I always got the comments that I looked older than I was. When I was in my early 20's, I heard comments of me looking younger. Here I am, now 28 years old, and I get nothing when I tell people how old I am. I guess I finally caught up to myself.
One of the main events of our visit to Florida, besides all the great visiting with family, was our 10 year class reunion. If I sit and think about it too long, it just blows my mind how quickly those 10 years flew by!! To give you a little history, Seth and I were high school sweethearts (insert awwww here). We were in the same class and started dating our junior year. We got engaged the night before graduation and married a little over a year later. Our class was so small due to the tiny Christian school we attended. Our graduating class had like 15 students.
So on Saturday, over 10 years later, we reunited. We couldn't believe how many people actually came. It was a great turnout. What a trippy experience to remember these people when we were teenagers and then fast forward through life to grownups who now have spouses and children and real jobs. It was truly great seeing everyone.
My friend said something that rang very true in me. It was wonderful to see everyone but it was even nicer to realize how grateful we are that we are no longer that same person we once were. I really had quite the battle the week before the reunion. The enemy attacked me with all the old insecurities and self-hatred that I dealt with on a daily basis while I went through high school. The night before we flew down to Orlando, I had such a sweet experience with the Lord. He knew I needed to be rescued from the very intense battle I was facing. And He did it in such a kind and tenderhearted way. He showed me who I am now in Him. My heart is ruined forever because of His love and mercy. He has changed me completely and know He will never stop perfecting that which He has begun.
Seth and I left the party content with each other and with ourselves. We have a good life and we know it is just going to get better and better as long as we are in full pursuit of the One we love!

It's a Small World After All

On Tuesday of our trip, we got to take the boys to Disneyworld. Seth's cousin's husband works for the fire department at Disney so he met us down there and let us in for free. We even parked for free! What a blessing, especially when you see the normal costs of that place.
The boys loved it! Seth and I had such a great time just watching their faces. It brought back many memories of when we went as children. The awe and wonder of that place is just fantastic. As "off" as Disney has become (we have turned off more Disney movies in the last couple of years because of all the junk they throw in!), it helped give us a day of memories that we will never forget.

Cold Reality

So after a week in sunny Florida, we came home to an intense snowstorm. Very, very beautiful to look at from the comfort of your cozy living room. Not so much when you are driving in it!
Friday morning, Elijah woke up and did the snow dance all morning. He was so excited to get out there. We all bundled up and played. The best part? Coming back in from the freezing cold and having a nice cup of hot chocolate.

I would like to do a small comparison. Here are Seth and the boys on Tuesday.

Here are Seth and the boys on Friday. Notice the difference??

Elijah loves him some snow!

Josiah wasn't very sure about it. But he sure stayed toasty in his full body snowsuit =)