Elijah - 4 Year's Old

My sweet boy has changed so much in the last four years. Here are a few pictures to remind you what he was like as an infant and who he has become now. Just the other day it dawned on Ben and I that he is one p-o-p-u-l-a-r kid. It surprised us because we most definitely have not raised our kids to be focused on that. Elijah's fun loving nature makes him a magnet for kids. He loves to pretend like dinosaurs, isn't afraid to sing and shout at the top of his lungs and loves to make others laugh.

Dinosaur Ridge

Summer Vacation - Part 2

Pictures - Summer Vacation Part 1

Pictures for Grandmas

So Busy

Life has been pretty hectic at our place. We have been preparing to move while finishing a basement. In the mean time, a gentleman hit both of our vehicles while they were parked on the side of the street. Our garage is being rented by our buyer and our parking space is being used for a trailer while we pack. Because of the lack of parking, we have been forced to use the street. We are grateful that a police officer happened to come across the scene and save us from a possible hit and run. The sedan is drivable and will be getting a face lift next week while the van was declared a total loss. We would be down to one car save the fact that family has come through with a loaner car. We won't be looking for the minivan's replacement until after the close on our new property.

Kindergarten Graduation

Amazing how quickly time goes. It seems as though we just started kindergarten last week, dropping off my shy little girl at school for lots of first time experiences. Now she is an experienced student, able to read and write, count and study. She had a good first year of school, overcoming some pretty big obstacles. The Lord was very good to us!

Here she is with some of her classmates (Madelyne, Jack, Mya and Cody).
Cousins and brother celebrating with the new graduate.

Chloe and Mrs. Johnsen

Micah at the graduation

Speaking of Micah, he had his first plane ride to Grandma and Grandpa's house at 6 months old. He is such an easy going baby, the plane rides were a breeze. He slept on the way out and then played on the way back.

Here we are coming home.

My boys!

Speaking of firsts, Micah also starting eating food at 6 months old. He loves it. He hasn't turned down a single thing. He loves sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, pears, apples, rice cereal, and bananas. We are keeping with the gluten free diet and he is thriving. I have been gluten free as well so that he is getting no wheat protein from breastmilk either.

While we are driving in the car to Grammie's house

Elijah: "I am the sweetest boy ever!"

Chloe (in a very know-it-all voice):"No you are not. God is."

Easter, 2010

He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Another Easter and Passover has come and gone. We are reminded of the great love our Father has for us. I love the preclude of Passover before Easter. The weeks before Passover begins, Jews clean their homes and remove any leaven. Leaven doesn't just mean the packets of yeast you have lying around in your cupboard. It means anything that increases in size from corn to wheat. The Jewish people clean out all of their cupboards, shelves and even pocket linings in their clothes. Can you imagine all of the preparation that goes into the time of Passover? Then, they are not allowed to eat any of those things for 8 days. Our family did not participate in the entire season of Pesach but we did do some of the cleaning. I love the reminder of cleaning leaven from your home as a reminder to clean sin from your life. We can't just do a quick sweep of sin but we must inspect ourselves thoroughly and if their be any hint of sin, take it to the Father and ask Him to forgive and remove it. Just as you burn the last of the leaven as the sun goes down on Passover, so let the last of sin before the Easter season be far removed from my heart.

Elijah hunting for eggs.

Ethan and Chloe

Chloe delighted with her find.

Isn't he adorable?

Most definitely!

Our precious growing family

Cousins!

They are supposed to be kissing their brother. Almost looks like Elijah is licking Micah.

There you have it!