Winans family

Catching up... Fall and Holidays

2010-01-05T20:56:00.000-08:00

Well its been since the first day of school since I have updated this so I have to cram in a few words to cover the months. We have had some great times the past few months. We had Grandpa and Nana up this Fall and spent a Saturday at Apple Hill in Placerville. Very fun! Thanksgiving on the Central Coast was great as well... a few different visits with Winans cousins, a few days at Grandpa and Nana's and a family reunion at Aunt Teresa's. Hope Erin sends me pictures from that. What a packed and fulfilling few days! Most of my pictures are from that trip. Then..... we actually had a bunch of Winans family visit for New Years to celebrate Christmas. It was a few days of great fun!! We can't express how thankful we are that everyone drove all the way up here. Thank you everyone! We absolutely loved it! Unfortunately I totally spaced out with my camera and only took one picture of cousins Claire and Emily with my boys at our house. I'm hoping to get copies from the Winans of those group shots we took on New Years... Aimme? Madison? send me picture pleease :)

School started back up today and Tayven and Dax were ready to go... coming home with stories. I get a lump in my throat watching them go... not only because I miss them, but also because I wonder what steps their independent minds are taking. I think of how there's no one there that loves them like we do... and how I want to hold them close, freeze time, and hide them safely at home. However, I know God has much more for them... and some how I am still very excited for how God is growing them in the midst of my emotions. Watching them learn and grow is such an amazing privilege.

I have to add, that Josh and I have been pretty amazed at a series of questions that our son Harper has been asking lately. His little 3 1/2 year old mind is pretty curious about God... and not only are his questions pretty cute, but they are also pretty amazing. For example,

"mom, is God everywhere? does that mean He's on my elbow? and in that building? and in the sky?"
"mom, is God a man?"
"mom, how did God make the wind?"
"mom- God is sooo strong, I cannot WAIT to see his muscles"
"how old is God?"
"Does God hold the world so that it doesn't fall and that we don't fall?"
"Does God live in the sky?"

Not only do these questions make me pause and think before I speak, but often times I am left with, "Harper, I am not sure, its just that God is amazing"

Grandpa, Nana and Danielle at Apple Hill with boys

Thanksgiving with cousins Cal and Rye

2nd Thanksgiving with family- Grandpa, Nana, Danielle, Aunt Erin & Uncle David, Chris & Hien

Hanging with cousins Cheyenne, James, Kailynn, and Chelsea

More fun with cousins AJ, Brian, Christian and Ana

I stole this picture of the Winans women from Madison's facebook :) Happy New Year to us!

Evidence that cousins were at our house... here are Emily and Claire- so fun!

Daddy to the rescue!

2009-09-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well... I'm a few weeks behind, but here is the first day of school. Dax was so excited to start Kindergarten. We talked about it all day, every day the last week of summer... and he loved his orientation! Then the first day came... and in typical Dax style, he became very nervous about venturing out into a new experience. I'm a sappy mom to begin with, so to have a sad child when I'm already fighting a huge lump in my throat was hard! If it wasn't for Josh we would have all sat there bawling all day and Dax would never have made it in. Fortunately Josh gave him a pep talk and reminded him to "trust in the Lord with all his heart..." Then off Dax went, tears disappearing, into one of the happiest places of his little life. As they grow, I get emotional about their new stages... but am trying to see my role and be the mom I am supposed to be! I sure love our boys and thank God that Dax loves Kindergarten so much! The pictures below summarize our day...

Tayven and Dax and their friends on the first day. Notice Dax's nervous face?

Look how happy he is! He loves his new backpack and new cubbie :-D

The reality set in as he stood at the back of the line... the tears started
(if you click on this picture you can see his sad face up close)

Josh gives Dax the pep talk he needs...

...and off he goes. What a cutie!!

Summer 09!

2009-09-06T21:29:00.000-07:00

Our summer flew by soooo fast that I forgot I even had a blog! We had a great time with lots of adventure. We started off the summer heading home down to the coast (pictures in my previous entry). For most of the summer, staying in Auburn allowed me to teach my private swim lessons... and even bring the boys along a few times. They were so proud of that responsibility and loved getting "lessons" from me as well. Harper finally became fully confident in the water! We enjoyed our church family camp to Donner Lake, some time in Tahoe, and quick trips to see family. We are looking forward to seeing the rest of the family in the next few months. Many of our days at home were spent at the river... we are so thankful to live minutes away from a beautiful adventurous area. I enjoy summer way too much and have a hard time adjusting back to the school year. I am learning to take each day at a time and be thankful for what God has given to me :)

Day trip to visit Great Grandma Millie

Josh takes the boys fishing at the end of our church family camp

Tayven and me at Moons Dunes Beach in Tahoe

Harper practicing his new swimming skills at the Truckee River

Our boys posing with the DeNeui kids... I told them to make a funny face :)

We got to see Uncle David and Aunt Erin in Santa Cruz

On the trail to our favorite river spot 5 minutes from home. We went there throughout the summer... and I took them there every single day the last week before school started :-o

A Spring Glimpse

2009-06-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Welp... figure if I update this every season then I'm right on track with 4 posts a year :-D. This is a glimpse of our spring... but only a glimpse. I took the boys down to the coast for part of spring break. We saw a lot of our extended family, some friends, and went to the beach. The highlight for the boys was "surfing" down a windy slide on the sand of Pismo. This first picture is of them in the midst of their hours of beach fun. Last weekend we went to watch Danielle graduate from Junior High. She is sooo special to us and we are so glad we were able to help her celebrate. I don't think my boys could possibly love her any more!

This picture was 100% Tayven's idea. I didn't have to beg them to sit and smile ;)

We even had one day with one of my dearest friends ever, Cindy, and her girls. See our cuties behind us?

A picture with cousins and Grandma!

Token family picture on Easter Sunday ;)

My sister graduated from Junior High! Isn't she so pretty? Dad and Angi are proud!

Sisters picture!

In Honor of Harper...

2009-03-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

It's crazy how it happens, but our little Harper turned 3. It's been so long since I've acknowledge the existence of this blog, that I thought it'd be fun to give a glimpse of our lives these past few months through Harper's eyes...

At our epiphany party with Aunt Erin and Uncle David back in January, Harper is sportin his home made crown

It snowed in Auburn in Februrary! They closed school and the boys were sure to be outside in all the necessary hardcore snow gear by 7:15 a.m. woo!

One of my favorite things... Harper curls up into a little ball like a rollie pollie when he get's out of the shower. Something I'll miss when he stops...

Hot chocolate with Hadley!

Harper is 3! We love you little man and we pray that you grow up to love God with all your heart!

Happy Birthday Jesus

2009-01-04T21:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas was relaxing and enjoyable. We never felt the busy chaos this season... and there seemed to be more time to reflect on the birth of Jesus- who came to bring peace between us and God. What an amazing truth to begin to teach our children. We also had an amazing time with Josh's extended family enjoying our "Christmas" on New Year's. The season continues as my sister and David come next weekend and my Dad, Angi and Danielle a few weeks from now. We are looking forward to more time to embrace those we love.

JOY! Dax and his preschool buddies

Harper and Dax in the angel choir as part of the Christmas program. I wonder when they'll start fighting over that cutie in between them?

Christmas Day!

Happy Birthday dear Jesus....

Birthdays and such...

2008-11-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

There are so many things that have filled our lives lately... Tayven turned 6 and Dax turned 4! At this stage of life, it seems more fulfilling to celebrate their birthdays then our own. I had a nice talk with each of them about how much I love them... and what I felt the day they were born. They were both very engaged in the conversation and enjoyed hearing about themselves. I know, I'll be a total goober mom if I do that every year, but for now, it was pretty cute to hear their questions. We are loving Tayven's life questions and creative energy as he makes up new games, trys out sarcasm on us, makes signs for our front door, writes books etc. Lately with Dax I've had some awesome conversations where he drills me with questions. Most recently, he dissected the praise song "Jesus Thank You" and wanted to know what each word meant. As I explained to Dax what the words "wrath, satisfied & enemy" meant... and what it meant to "sit at His table", I found myself sharing the gospel with him in a way that captivated him more than ever. I can get a little weepy now thinking of the glimpse of hope and interest in our Savior that Dax may have. Harper keeps busy following his brothers around being suuuper crazy cute one minute and a total punk the next... you know that stage? I can't imagine life without these boys.

We also had our friends, the Jensens, from Ecuador come visit us. We really miss them! We spent 11 New Years with them up in Lake Almanor, including our engagement... and now they're our missionary friends home from Ecuador. Crazy how life brings changes.

Tayven getting his birthday hat at Chevy's

Dax loving his cheddar cheese bagel from Flour Garden on his birthday

Harper next to Macoy, and Dax next to Hadley. They came to celebrate- such awesome friends!

Dax, Nick Jensen, Tayven and Harper

Kings Beach in Tahoe

2008-09-04T22:19:00.000-07:00

This was a trip we took the last week before school started and it was sooo much fun! We relaxed, ate tons, and played on the sand all day long. I put a few pictures up that highlight the Deneui family since I know many people wish they had a blog. I still feel a little depressed about school being back in... but when I see these pictures I feel so thankful that I had this week with my family. Yep, there's my nice generic family vacation paragraph :)

Dax with a split lip and Harper in the bike trailer.

I think I took at least 20 pictures of Tayven with Taylor Deneui- they were cute buddies

Harper with Josh

First day of 1st Grade!

2008-08-17T00:42:00.000-07:00

Oooh this picture makes me smile. I've had way too much fun with these little guys this summer... and can't believe my first born is now in first grade! I feel like the total goober mom for crying again this year about dropping him off at school. Last year I had a full blown whale/bawl session in the car on the way home... but at least this time I was able to stick with the more feminine style tear up. Life is happening so fast! As a mom it almost feels like you go through life a second time as you watch your child... and it's so weird to be on this side of it. I totally remember my first grade teacher and how excited I was. I loved watching Tayven wave to us with an anticipation and excitement about what was ahead. I will continue to pray and plead with the Lord to protect his little heart... and draw Tayven to Himself.

summer fun

2008-07-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

This is been one busy summer for us with me teaching swim lessons again. We've managed to really enjoy family time and are sadly counting down the days until school starts. We got a hot tub from some friends who have a spa business... and that has provided some of the greatest families times and conversations. We also took a spontaneous camping trip to Tahoe where we hiked, biked, and I even taught Tayven 5 new card games. The last picture is a few days ago when the boys decided that helping me clean sounded fun... for a couple hours! It was a definitely a kiss from heaven... and so much fun. I love my little cuties!

Tahoe Trip!

Harper chomping on chips

Tayven loves cards

This picture is not posed. My boys are obsessed with clorox wipes :)
I know it wont last

In the summertime!

2008-06-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

Tayven graduating from Kindergarten, friends coming over, and a week with cousins are some of the fun things we've done this summer...

Tagged (i gave in)

2008-06-16T21:54:00.001-07:00

ok ok so I haven't been in love with the idea of promoting myself in this "tagged" thing... but in all honesty I've loved reading the quirks from everyone else. In fact, several of you people have made me laugh out loud. I'm pretty sure my quirks are much less interesting but to avoid being called a "party pooper" or "too cool" any longer, I'm gonna give it a shot... don't fall asleep.

Here are the rules:
Mention the rules on your blog.
Tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours.
Tag six bloggers by linking them.

1. Not sure how to word this one appropriately... but if someone "passes gas" anywhere near me when I am drinking water, I will immediately cover my water glass. I have this instant fear that the odor will seep into my drink and ruin the taste forever. Those who know me best have probably witnessed this... its definitely become a quirk for me.

2. I don't like having cold feet at night... and sometimes I can act a little O.C.D. about getting a pair of socks on my feet. One time when on a trip, I bugged everyone who was trying to sleep as I pilfered through my bag looking for some cozy socks. It's a mental thing, I'm sure.

3. I like hot drinks (coffees) extra hot. If I don't order it "extra hot" it wont last me more than 5 minutes before I pretty much wanna throw it away. Wow, I sound snobby. haha, its just the truth, I no longer enjoy it if it's not real hot. Julie pointed this out to me the other day... thanks.

4. When it comes to a job (teaching, coaching soccer, teaching swim lessons) I can be really organized and want things done a specific way. I spend a lot of time thoroughly preparing and can border on seeming like a perfectionist. At the same time, I am that girl that can be totally scatter brained and not know where her keys are for 10 minutes...

5. I have this issue with misspelled words. I notice them a lot when other people do it and I have a hard time not pointing it out. Is that a quirk? One time my friend wrote the word "tomorrow" wrong about 10 times before I finally said something. She wrote "tomarrow" and after a day of prayer, I got the courage to let her know her issue. Ok... maybe not prayer but we had a good laugh. Wow, I'm boring even myself with this post, sorry everyone. haha. The funny thing is, I'll probublee spellde sevrall wurds wrong on dis post, wright?

6. I can't think of anymore. I know have a million more. Feel free to tell me what you think my quirks are... and honestly... if you've made it this far I'll give you five bucks

I am gonna tag....

Jamie Hill
Wendy Penburthy
Nicole Pickard (she's been tagged tons like me and has avoided it)
Sara Molton (don't know if she'll see this?)
Christina Leaman (awesome blog writer)
Chrisy Myers (do you ever get online?)

Limo ride!

2008-05-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

At Tayven's school they have a reading program with many prizes to motivate the students. There were many prizes along the way throughout the school year... but the final prize after reading 15,000 pages was a limo ride to Round Table Pizza! Tayven couldn't have been more extactic about this event, as I am sure you can imagine. The night before he couldn't sleep... he came in to tell us, "ummm tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life". haha! It was pretty close, I must say! He enjoyed this event with his buddy Drew making it that much more amazing ;)

Feeling Lost

2008-05-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

I was going to write this email to my friend Sara today but decided to write it here... thinking that maybe someone else is battling and growing in a similar way. I'm not "gifted at" being vulnerable on a blog but my heart is heavy today.

She and I had a great conversation this morning about how lost we often feel in life. How do you balance out what God has for you each day? How much time should we spend investing in our children... and how do we balance that out with time spent pouring into the lives of unbelievers in our neighborhood and communities? How radical should we be about these things? Or is it... that we are to be open and ready for what God does bring in our lives each day? Who knows what will happen when I go to the store, or a wedding or to the park. Am I ready with a humble heart for what may come? Am I soft and open to what God may put in my path? Whether that be a teaching opportunity with my children or an amazing conversation with someone I meet at the park... OR... is it how I respond to seemingly tragic situations? It seems that every day lately I am hearing stories of "awful" situations- death, chronic illness, natural disasters, loss of children, health issues... disappointments all around... even in my life. Yet I know God is behind all of this and in His holy perfection.. it is what He sees as perfect at this time.

I would hope that this would do nothing more than bring me to my knees with a heart of humility and a heart that desires to worship the Lord. Here is where I am left with more questions. How do my prayers really affect God? Am I really making a difference? Is prayer merely changing my perspective or it part of God's ultimate plan? Does He really want me to cast my anxieties on Him... is it really true that he cares for the sparrow that has fallen from the tree?

Are you tired of my question marks? These are questions I have asked myself years ago and felt I knew the answers too... yet God continues to challenge me and expose my pride. My head has been spinning for weeks thinking through of all this and I have been deeply affected by a few different books. In hopes of making a little more sense and stopping myself from babbling with a thousand questions... I want to quote them. The first is from, A Call to Spiritual Reformation" by D.A. Carson:

"Two truths that must be held together if we are to think biblically about rayer:
1. God is absolutely sovereign, but this sovereignty never functions to reduce human responsibility.
2. Human beings are responsible creatures- that is, the choose, they believe, they disobey, they respond, and there is moral significance in their choices; but human responsibility never functions in Scripture to diminish God's sovereign or to make God absolutely contingent." (page 148)

I'm tempted to quote the rest of the chapter :) -but I will leave it as a strong recommendation to read! Another quote out of Piper's, "Battling Unbelief:

"When something drops into your life that seems to threaten your future, remember this: The first shockwaves of the bomb are not sin. The real danger is yielding to them. Giving in. Putting up no spiritual fight. And the root of that surrender is unbelief- a failure to fight for faith in future grace. A failure to cherish all that God promises to be for us in Jesus.

Jesus shows us another way. Not painless, and not passive. Follow him. Find your trusted spiritual friends. Open your soul to them. Ask them to watch with you and pray. Pour out your soul to the Father. Rest in His sovereign wisdom. And fix your eyes on the joy set before you in the precious and magnificent promises of God." (page 130-131)

I am blessed by and have learned from friends who pray with me.

I feel that all I have written is jumbled and chaotic-- which would match up with how I feel. Yet I find a peace in feeling "lost" before the Lord. What a sweet thing it is to come before the thrown of God in prayer. How could a just, holy, supreme God actually want a relationship with us? Yet, He does... and I find my hope there. I put one foot in front of the other... tell God how lost I feel... and rest in His mercy and lovingkindness. I pray He is pleased with my little life.

Trip to the Coast

2008-05-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time on the coast visiting family and celebrating my Grandma's 90th a few weekends ago. The boys rarely see the ocean and it makes me sooo happy when I see their sandy faces after a day there. Having grown up going to the beach I want them to have as many chances as possible to enjoy time there. Celebrating my still "very with it" grandma's 90th was so great... way to go Grandma!... and seeing family is always a blessing. A special congrats to my awesome sister Erin who just graduated with her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology! I wanted to put up more pictures of the boys in the sprinklers b/c my sister and I were in tears from laughter at their attempts to eat the water. Hopefully the one will make her smile :) We are so blessed to have such a great and loving family! I was so thankful to have lunch with my old friend Jamie Hill on the way home too :)

happy moments

2008-04-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

I love this picture. It was one of those moments where I said, "hey look up here" and this was what I got. Pretty good huh? Usually decent pictures require 20 minutes of me bribing them to pleeeease just pretend they love smiling for a camera. Slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. This picture just captures pure happiness on a spring evening with friends. Would you believe that the two in the middle were actually asked if they were twins at one point? nope, not a joke.

Life has been filled with some reality checks for our family lately... and for others around us. I'm thankful for the moments God gives us to look at pictures like these and remember His abundant blessings in our lives.

Spring Break

2008-04-16T22:37:00.001-07:00

Having Tayven home for 12 days straight brought back some exciting energy to the dynamics of our house. We loved Spring Break! Celebrating Harper turning 2, a St Patty's day at the park, hanging with friends and Easter are a few of the things that have made this Spring so fun. We can't wait for summer!

The Ringbearers

2008-03-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, Tayven, Daxon, and myself were able to be a part of a wedding for a close friend of ours, Lauren. It was fun to see old faces and reconnect... including some of the bridesmaids who were former students of mine. This was most definitely a busy day for 2 ring bearers and a bridesmaid, but an honor for us to help celebrate Lauren and Austin's special day. We were so sad to not have Josh and Harper with us this weekend, but still managed to enjoy ourselves. The boys were pretty excited to wear their tuxedos and "walk down the aisle" but it took a lot out of them (as you can tell from the 2nd picture below).

waiting...

Exhausted from perfecting his ring bearing skills

We love Lo Lo

Hanging with Ensley at the reception

A little late...

2008-03-04T14:22:00.000-08:00

Grandpa, Nana, and Danielle came to visit and we exchanged Christmas gifts finally! It was a fun weekend for us all. It was perfect weather for a hike along the canyon too!

Overwhelmed With Love

2008-02-13T13:30:00.001-08:00

I am truly overwhelmed with how much I love my boys! I'm looking out the window at them playing and feel blessed in a way I can't even describe. Earlier today, I did "preschool" with Dax and some of his friends. Since then, he's been walking around proudly with his little bag of 6 valentine's that were given to him. In the car ride home from picking up Tayven from Kindergarten, Tayven went through and read all of Dax's valentines to him, telling him who they were from. Then there's Harper who's up for whatever his crazy older brothers will let him do. A few minutes ago they were pouring cups of ice water on his head. Before you call CPS, note that Harper was laughing so hard, he could hardly breathe. Maybe that makes you want to dial it faster? Now they're riding in circles on bikes outside singing endless, cute, made-up songs. Another moment of cuteness that I want to hold on to forever. I suppose today is an extra "giddy" day for me as Tayven gets his cast off in an hour! Celebrate good times! We're having a family dinner celebration tonight. I think I'll be smiling all day. The other day Josh and I were reflecting on an awesome day of playing and hiking with our boys. I feel so blessed by these days in our lives. I love my boys and want to freeze these moments. I still see the look of amazement and wonder in Tayven's eyes when we tell him new things about life... as he holds on to our words as absolute truth. I know those days won't last and that it won't be long before he has a mind of his own. What a huge resposibility we have to instill truth in these boys while they are still actively listening! These days are precious, I don't want them to end. Most of all, I wan't to be found faithful to the Lord in how I use them. I know these little ones are a gift from God that are an opportunity to bring Him more glory with. I get emotional thinking of how much I want to hold them close, love them, and enjoy them... but as I take a step back and remember my purpose in this short life, I can only cling to God's grace and pray He is pleased.

Snow!

2008-02-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, you can barely see the snow... but to us Auburn folk, this was a great day! Doesn't it make you want to come visit? on your way to Tahoe? C'mon, we've got plenty of room :) I'm hoping some snow will come when Dad, Angi and Danielle come to visit!

Dax loved the way snow felt on his belly and got lots of smiles outside the grocery store.

Playing in our front yard...

Anything to disguise their identity...

2008-01-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

Aunt Erin (tia loca!) and Uncle David came to visit bearing gifts. The most supreme gift of all was definitely the horse costume. This treasure not only makes galloping noises when you lift your feet, but it makes 4 different horse "naaay" sounds depending on how you move your head. Yea, who wouldn't want that? Me and Josh even fight over it... but Harper was lucky enough to sport it in the picture above. We had such a great time with Erin and David!

Tayven had a "Soc Hop" at his school so we had to dress the boys in 50's attire. Are we creative with our costumes or what? Here are the boys flexing with their slicked back 50's hair right before we left.

The boys with the Vincent kids at the Soc Hop. It was a really fun night!

The holidays were hard...

2008-01-01T22:13:00.000-08:00

This is a long one, but there is much to say... and there are some fun pictures at the end :)

This has been an interesting week to say the least. We've been anticipating our next baby, enjoying making plans, and even announced our "baby news" on our Christmas cards. I had no idea that this would all suddenly change. On Christmas Day, I miscarried and we lost our baby. It was an emotional, awful, and heart-breaking experience that was absolutely devastating for us. I was definitely not expecting this and felt very blindsided. I had past all the common miscarriage weeks as I was heading into my 2nd trimester. I was also growing, having nausea and preparing myself for a 4th. With complications several hours after the miscarriage, I ended up in the ER Christmas night from 10pm to 5am. What a night. The Lord softened me and broke me. I felt a peaceful sadness... with much weeping.

There was no incident to bring this on, and was merely a "genetic failure" as the doctors like to put it. I'm not sure if that makes me feel better or worse? I know that it was out of my control... yet that brings a new fear that I can't prevent this from happening again. I have to continue to learn that I am not in control of my life and that I can't have such an agenda in my head. We have so much to be thankful for... I hope to live more in the present and be grateful for all the blessings in my life. I can't remember the last time I have cried this much. Going through this without the Lord would feel so empty. It is a sweet thing to cling to a relationship with Him in a time like this. We have a peace and hope in His perfect plan for our lives. When I saw the tiny creation He had made, it absolutely crushed me and broke my heart... but in the midst of it all, I was amazed at the miracle of creation. I am awed by this verse now more than ever, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works and my soul knows it well" (Ps 139:14b)

It is so hard to write because it is all so fresh and vivid. I praise God for His grace and peace. I am thankful for family and friends who love us and encourage us. I have heard so many miscarriage stories and have found a new empathy for women who go though this and much worse situations. I pray for comfort and humility through this.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deut 33:27)

We are continuing to learn and be reminded of God's truth from the encouragement of others. I was reminded today that this is all for the glory of God. Even if I never see what "good" comes out of this in respect to my little life, I know with confidence that God is to be glorified. We are taking it one day at a time.

On another note... our life got even more "interesting" a few days later when Tayven was dancing around and fell. He cried, went into shock and couldn't walk. When we took him to get x-rays, they found a fracture and he was put in a cast yesterday afternoon. He was pretty pumped to pick out the color (light blue) and was giddy when he came home. When friends stop by, Tayven asks them to sign it. Everything is pretty cool in his world. Hmmmm.... but I'm guessing that will last for a day? Maybe two? I'm trying to anticipate the hard days and think of creative things to do with him. I am sad for him to go back to school and sit during recess. He is still very independent and still likes to do things himself. He tries to crawl everywhere- bathroom, to his bed, and even races his brothers. What have we learned? We've learned through this that dancing = wrong = consequences = broken legs. Naaah, he'll be dancing again happily in 4-6 weeks. We've also learned to find humor as Josh has him limp or crawl up to people when they come by to visit and say "God bless us everyone" in a Tiny Tim voice. Truthfully, we hope this spurs on much conversation in Tayven's life about God's plans verses Tayven's, sympathy for others, and opportunities to talk in general as his life has slowed down quite a bit! I know this month or two will be a time to look back on someday. For now, we'll take it slow.

A few fun pictures during Christmas time...

This was taken right before Tayven's Christmas performance at school

Waiting to go in to a bouncy house place. A taste of heaven for Dax and Harper

Christmas morning

Tayven's broken leg and awesome cast!

Christmastime

2007-12-20T13:27:00.000-08:00

I love being in Auburn where the light parade brings the whole town together. Every year we go, we wish we would have participated. All we'd have to do is jump on our scooters with a string of lights attached. Hmmmm, maybe next year (we always say). These are a few pictures from that night of festivities... which later included decorating gingerbread houses with the Garates. They have more pictures from this night on their blog if you want to see more...

Thanksgiving

2007-12-05T16:02:00.000-08:00

The days surrounding Thanksgiving were eventful and fun for our family. We miss everyone throughout the year. It is always exciting to see the extended family that we rarely see. It is especially exciting when there is news to share. This year we were blessed to be able to tell our family that we are expecting another baby! We are thanking God already for the exciting potential of having a 4th child added to our family. Will we have a family of boys? Or will we have a girl with 3 older protectors? It's exciting to see what God has in store... as we patiently wait until July. Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Family picture with cousin Cal at the Santa Barbara zoo

Fun day with Cal and Rye at the zoo

Cousins

Family photo at Colleen's parents house the day after Thanksgiving. Top row is David, Erin (tia loca), Danielle, Missy, and Chris... awesome aunts and uncles to our boys!

Friends

2007-11-04T16:26:00.001-08:00

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17
(try not to be jealous of the film quality in these pictures)

Two of Tayven's soccer buddies, Charity and Drew. It's crazy to be at the "soccer mom" stage of life. Soccer season has been so much fun for Tayven and our whole family

Even Dax has a soccer buddy, Aiden, to hang out with on the sidelines

After some inside rainy day games, candy, art, and cartoons, we got our crew to pretend to love posing for pictures. We always have so much fun when the Andersons come! We miss you guys...

Tayven's dear friend Gwen. They are getting older and going to different schools, but continue to have a sweet dynamic when they do get the opportunities to hang out.

Costumes!

2007-11-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

A day set aside to dress up has to be the best day ever for our boys. We loved getting together with friends from church and school and making more contact with our community. An eventful day, to say the least

So much fun!

2007-09-20T23:44:00.000-07:00

Harper is catching up to Tayven and Dax lately... trying to keep up with the big boys! These pictures make me smile... some of our fun times lately. It's amazing how much joy they can bring to our lives. We feel so blessed!

Tayven and Dax flexing

Harper can do it too!

4th of July with their buddy Macoy

Tayven Started Kindergarten

2007-08-28T17:55:00.001-07:00

Tayven started Kindergarten a week ago. In the parking lot on the way to class, he whispered to me nervously, "mom... I am so excited". Dax had a hard time moving away from the class as we waved good-bye. We fought back tears as he stood in line and walked into the room. I managed to keep myself together... but only until I got to the car and cried hard... really hard. I can't believe this day is here! It is a blessing to know he has been happily enjoying his class, his teacher Mrs. Hyatt and his buddy Drew ever since. We are excited and sad all at once. We pray that the Lord finds us faithful as we parent him through the public school system. This is a great opportunity for us to be plugged into our community- something we've been craving for a long time. Although its a temptation to want to keep Tayven close and protected, we are loving and anticipating more opportunity to talk to him about the world around him; teaching him how to grow, respond to others, learn with distractions around him, inneract with other children, submit to new authorities, etc. We hope pray that this is all done to the glory of God!

Father's Day with Grandpa

2007-08-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad! I had to put this cutest picture of you with the boys up. This was taken on Father's Day!

Two families in Tahoe

2007-08-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

The Winans and Deneuis up at Kings Beach in Tahoe. We ate dinner every night right here. So beautiful. So fun!

Family in Tahoe

2007-08-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

A family picture during our time up in Tahoe early August

Simple and Fun

2007-08-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

We thought it would be easier and more convenient to have a place where our family (and a few friends!) could see pictures of the boys. They are changing everyday! With pictures and a few brief updates, we thought we'd keep this simple and fun. Hope you agree. We love you guys!