An attempt at walking

Here is Raelyn trying to learn how to take those first few steps. In the first video she forgets how to move her feet but by the second video she was getting the hang of it. Enjoy!

Manipulation?

Recently while we were out to eat....

Eliana: "Mommy, why can't I have soda?"
Me: "Because I am a mean mommy and I don't want you to have that much sugar"
Eliana: "You are not a mean mommy and I love you (with a big hug)"

aaahhh - the girl knows how to sweet talk her mommy but she still didn't get to have soda :)

Ellie funnies...

Eliana: "I want a kitty-cat comb"
me: "a what?"
Eliana: "a kitty-cat comb"
Darren (wiser than me): "a kiddie ice cream cone?"
Eliana: "yes!"

I guess we have some work to do on phonics!

A fall(ish) Northern Michigan Trip!

For those of you who have never experienced a Northern Michigan fall... you are missing out on one of the most beautiful things I can imagine. When Abbie was in the hospital and I just needed to get away, I would always take myself on a little mind vacation to Northern Michigan.
Sometimes I would imagine being there during the summer when I could sit out on the deck with the sun naturally shaded by a large tree. I would take my book out there and do some "reading"... which really means read one sentence about 20 times and then just give in to the sounds of the water lapping at the edge of the lake and the breeze rustling the leaves above me and go off into a deep sleep.
Sometimes, I would imagine being there in the fall taking a hike in one of the nature areas. The air would be crisp, the fallen leaves would rustle under my feet and falling leaves would float gently down from the trees. I would breathe in the crisp clean air and remember God's provision for every part of His creation. I thank God for these visual reminders of His beauty and provision in creation as they made my small hospital room seem less claustrophobic.

Below are some pictures from our weekend get-away to Northern Michigan. It was 75-80 degrees everyday so it wasn't exactly fall weather but we had a great time!

Darren hiking the trail at Rugg pond

the girls "hiking"... I think if I go on another mind vacation, I am going hiking in a stroller too!

Rugg pond... it has looked the same since I was a little girl but as those pictures aren't digital you will just have to trust me!

You know you are old when....

You jump for joy at the fact you got gas for 2.89 a gallon and then promptly remind yourself that when you started driving, gas was only $0.69 a gallon!!!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Rae!

To my beautiful baby girl who just turned one -
You are a joy in my life. Even when you wake up in the middle of the night crying, it is a joy to snuggle with you. I love your smile, your laugh, and the way you crinkle your nose. I love how you try to imitate sounds and are trying to learn sign language but you just don't have it right yet. I love that you light up when Daddy is on the phone (in fact you kiss it, grab at it, and try to find out how Daddy is in it). I love that you get excited when you sister walks in the room. I love that you give me a huge smile whenever you see me. I love you and you are God's blessing to me.
I hope you never know the pain of losing a child but that loss has made me treasure you more. You will never meet your sister Abigail face to face this side of heaven but you have heard her voice (although it was probably a little muffled as you were tucked away in mom's womb). In fact, you used to kick mommy furiously every time Abbie was on my lap "talking" to me. It was as if you knew she was there and you were saying hi. In fact, that is how you got your middle name, Elizabeth. In the Bible, Elizabeth's baby John kicked the first time he was in the presence of Mary (who was pregnant with Jesus). One day while Abbie was snuggling with me and you were kicking me, I remembered that story and thought it would be a great middle name for you. I pray, like baby John, you would know Jesus from an early age. I pray that you would grow in faith as you grow in statue. I pray that you would grow to be a woman who above all things loves the Lord. I pray that you would know how much your Mommy loves you.
You are a precious gift from the Lord and I thank God that in His wisdom, He gave us you.

It's an Ohio thing

Yes, they did this voluntarily (well... except the dog).

Yes, they were having fun (well.... except the dog).

Aren't they adorable????