cardboard testimony

Cheyenne and I did our “cardboard testimony” at church on Sept. 21. 2008.  These are the actual life stories of people in our congregation.  Not sure what a cardboard testimony is?  There’s no need to explain.  Once you start the video, you’ll figure it out right away.  I want to point out that these are not actors.  The people holding up the signs in this video are telling their story.  Cheyenne and I are near the very end.  It’s a little long, but well worth watching.  You might want to grab a kleenex first.

family circus

               

We took Liam and Nadia to their first circus on Sept. 16. 2008.  It was a Ringling Bros. act… and it was fantastic!  As you can see from the photo, though, Liam was sooo tired.  They both ended up having a meltdown… and we had to leave before the circus was over.  Good times.  Did I mention we paid $10 for a bag of cotton candy?!  TEN DOLLARS for a bag of COTTON CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh, it came in the cool hat I’m wearing, but come on, TEN DOLLARS???!!!

stand up

                             

Photos taken: September 13th, 2008.  Yes, I realize I’m quite behind, but since this is my way of scrapbooking and documenting my children as they grow… I’d rather be late than leave out the moments all together.  This is when Nadia was starting to pull up and stand.  She was 9 months old.  Nadia will turn one next week… and she’s still not walking.  (Thank Goodness!)  Liam started walking at 10 months.  It’s funny… as a first time parent, you encourage your child to walk… holding their hands and teaching them to step.  With Baby #2… you’re pushing them down the moment they start to stand in hopes of holding off on the walking just a bit more.  I’m not ready for my little girl to take over the house just yet!  Liam does enough damage on his own!

happy 2nd birthday, liam!

My baby is 2 years old today!  God answered years of prayers when he brought Liam into our lives.  He has given us so much joy.  Liam may have been born from another woman’s belly… but he was created by God for our family.  There is no doubt about that!  Today I am grateful for his life… that his birth mother chose to carry him to term… and that she was courageous enough to give him a better life than what she felt she could provide.  What an honor it is to be CHOSEN, not only by God, but by Jennifer, to be this child’s mother.  The day Liam was placed in my arms was the most humbling experience of my life.  Thank you, Jesus, for this miracle!

teething bites

Nadia isn’t even 1 yet and she already has 8 teeth (and she’s had all 8 for at least a couple of months)!  This pic was taken back in September when she cut 2 in one day.   Good times.  Good times.

ears pierced!

 

Nadia got her ears pierced!  We had it done at her 9 month “well baby” visit (9.5.08).  There are no shots at that check-up… so we figured we’d have her stuck anyway!  Actually, it’s pretty cool that the procedure is done at the doctor’s office.  Dr. Kelly was at one ear, his nurse, Shontel, was at the other.  At the count of 3, BAM!  It was done!  Both ears at the same time!  Nadia cried for, maybe, 8 seconds… if that.  I was about 5 years old when I got my ears pierced, and I remember it vividly.  It was torture… and I didn’t want that for Nadia.  She’ll never remember the 2 seconds of pain she had to endure for the beautiful diva accessory!

dishwasher

Liam is my big helper.  He loves washing dishes and is constantly pulling the chair up to the sink saying, “wash… i want wash.”  Before it’s all over, he’s usually made a HUGE mess and has “accidently” dumped water on himself and the floor.  Not too long ago, I caught him using the wet, soapy mixing bowl as a hat!  I love this kid!

the 40 year old playhouse

They don’t build things like they used to!  I’m not sure any playhouse these days would last 40+ years… but this one has!  It was built by my grandfather for my sister when she was little.  It was originally built to match the house my parents lived in at the time.  When my parents moved years later, the playhouse went along and was painted to match the new house.  The playhouse (which is so heavy it takes 8-10 strong men to move) was relocated to my brother’s house for his 3 girls… AND NOW… it has been brought to our home for my two little ones to enjoy!  I’m sure when my grandfather built it 4 decades ago… he probably had no idea how many generations would enjoy it.  I have lots of memories playing in this playhouse as a child.  I’m hoping Liam and Nadia will enjoy it as much as I did!  There’s even a little stove inside that my grandfather built!  I’m planning on furnishing it with fun little household items to make it more appealing to them.  And yes… to keep with tradition… we’ll paint it white with black trim to match our home!

flower power

                                        

                                                          Nadia Cathryn Isabella                                                  

                                                           Photo taken: 8.28.08

circus square

 

 

August 23.2008 – We went to Circus Square downtown and met up with my college friend, Kelly Lane, and her 2 kiddos, Katie and Robbie and their cousin, Faith.  Liam is in a faze where he DOES NOT want his picture taken.  Ugh!  Notice in the group shot… I’m sitting on the ground behind the stroller holding Liam on my shoulders so he wouldn’t run out of the shot.  He was not impressed.  Neither was I.  Nadia, on the other hand, is always in the mood to have her picture taken!  That’s my girl!