Noah is 3

Once again it is birthday time at our house. Today, Noah turned three. Being that his party was a week and a half ago it feels like this post is really late, but we are right one time. It is hard to believe that he is 3. He started out life wanting all eyes on him, causing me to go on bed rest, followed by being in the NICU for a couple of days after arriving, to now being a delightful bundle of all out energy 100% of the time. He loves, Cars, Toy Story, Nemo, and Incredibles, and of course being outside. He is such a blessing and can be so sweet and loving most of the time, remember he is all boy. We love you Noah and hope you had the happiest of birthdays!
About 32 weeks
6 weeks
1 year
2 years

3 years

Easter

Easter was a wonderful day and the weekend was filled with a lot of activities. We had an egg hunt at church that was amazing. There were kids everyone and it was fun to see the delight on their faces as they raced to find eggs which were all over the church property. Then Sunday the kids got up to see what was in their Easter baskets, and even have a little candy before breakfast! My parents came in because on Saturday we had Noah's birthday party(more on that next monday on his actual birthday) and stayed the night to celebrate with us on Sunday! I am continually amazed at the blessing I have been given in my husband. His sermon Sunday was wonderful and truly a blessing to all who heard the message. His love for the Lord and passion for Him that comes across when he delivers his sermons brings so much pride and joy to me each and every week but especially yesterday! I hope each of you had as amazing of a weekend as we did!

A Day of Rememberance

Today is the day we all take time to celebrate that our Savior Lives and is no long bound by death! I am so thankful for the sacrifice he made so that I might live. We had a wonderful day of celebration and my husband did a fabulous job of sharing that gift with others today in his sermon.
Today was a little bitter sweet though. Normally today, I would send out a mass email, instead I am doing this blog and emailing everyone telling you to check the blog. Today would mark our Jackson's 5th birthday. It is so hard to believe that it has been 5 years. For some reason it seems to have hit me harder this year than others, but I covered those feelings up until tonight when some sweet ladies at church prayed with me. It isn't anger I feel, it is sorrow. I miss him. I only knew him from inside my womb, but I miss him. It is hard to know that my kids will never know their older brother, and as I look at the three wonderful blessing God has given us in Michal Kate, Noah, and Jack, I still miss the one who isn't here. So once again I urge you to take time today to pray for all the families that have lost a child at any stage of pregnancy or infancy. Pray for those that are being told they will loose their babies, pray for healing and comfort as that time is hard. It was only 6 weeks for us, but even looking back on it, it felt a lot longer. I am so thankful for God's love and comfort as we went through that time, and the relationship I built with him during that time. For the first time in my life I felt like I truly had a personal relationship with my Father. We talked and I listened, I told Him exactly what I felt, not holding anything back and He held me. Pray for those who are expecting, even the healthiest of babies that the pregnancy will continue and mommy and baby will be healthy and fine. I am especially mindful of my friends who are expecting, Barie, Stephanie, Tandi, RaeLynn, and Evelyn.
This year we finally bought Jackson's headstone. It was another one of those things I never wanted to do but knew we needed to so I took a picture when we went to visit on Christmas day.

For some reason this saying, from his scrapbook, kept coming to me and these verses that I talked with mom about last night and I don't even think she knew that I was processing them...

Deuteronomy 29:29
29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

and this saying...
Heaven Will Hold You

Your spirit was brought to us from a wish made of love.
We couldn't believe it when we realized we'd been blessed from above

In my womb you were growing slowly, but I found peace knowing you were there.
Then came the tears of loss wand I wanted to know how life could be so unfair.

I had to realize that because you were so special, God needed you more than I.
It helps me when I feel His loving hands wipe away my tears as I cry.

I know that someday we'll be together again, but for now I'll keep you in my heart.
Know that I love you more than words can say and that God will protect you while we're apart.

by wendy silva

Love you all, I hope you had a blessed Easter Sunday.

Spring Visitors

I have a lot of catching up to do and there are a lot of pictures so I hope you enjoy them. I am going to do this in parts and each part will have a paragraph so keep scrolling.

On Friday, some dear friends of ours Sam and Dawn Page came to visit it from Abilene with their daughters, Jaelynn and Addison. It had been almost a year since the kids had seen each other but they got along wonderfully. They even brought their new puppy, which was a huge help since we will be getting one of our own in a few weeks. We went next door to the playground several times and I got some great pictures of the kids playing. We had a wonderful time and it was great to catch up and be around old and dear friends.

Noah on the swing
Noah pushing Jack
Jaelynn on the ropes
Swinging Jack
Michal Kate
Dawn and I
Sam and Dawn Michal Kate and Addison

Then on Monday we went to Longview and picked up Aunt Sandra and Lezli to come stay with us for a couple of days while Randy and Ryne were fishing in Jacksonville. My kids were thrilled and it didn't take long for things to fall back into place with all of us. I didn't think I was going to get to talk to Sandra at all because my daughter was so thrilled to have her best friend back. On Saturday we dyed Easter eggs which the kids thought was great fun.


Also on Saturday I Lezli and I decided to serve my growing hobby of photography and I shot some Senior pictures of her. These are just a couple of my favorites.Sadly enough, Wednesday came, and it was time for them to head back home. We are so greatful for the blessing of friendship that God has givin us all with this precious family. We miss them greatly and will continue to look forward to the times that we are together.


Wednesday was also Jack's 9 month birthday. Here are the copies of his 9 month pictures that I had taken at Kiddie Kandids .
Jack and Noah for their room.





I love this grin. I call it his squished smile. This is when I know he is really happy.
Here he is showing off how he can stand up. In fact on Saturday night he took 2 steps. He hasn't done it since but we are getting there.

And his new hobby. Needless to say we have to keep the bathroom doors shut. Yes the water was clean. In fact I had just cleaned the potty.

One more thing in closing NOAH IS POTTY TRAINED!!!! As of today we have gone 3 days without an accident even at night!
I hope y'all have a blessed week.