Babies Babies

What a wonderful weekend! Hillary's shower was yesterday, and I loved every second. Sadie is one blessed little girl to have Hil as her mom.

Jenny's little boy will be here soon, too. She had no idea when I took this pic. ; ) I can't wait to meet Luke!

Me, Jenny, Hil, Laura, & Sarah

We missed you, Suzanne!

Laura is also pregnant, so it's a fun time to see so many friends prege. These girls are a huge part of my heart. I only wish I could see them more!

The moms

We missed Halita's smiling face, and I know she was there with us.

Hillary received a lot of sweet gifts, and I'm so excited for her. I hope Sadie is sassy like her mama, too. ; )

I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again,

and you...will be rebuilt.

Jeremiah 31:3,4

Winner

The winner of the Lee Lynn Crafts give away is #180!

Congrats, Sheila!

Please email me, and I'll give you the details. ; )

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max:

Result:

180Powered by RANDOM.ORG

The max number will not let me post #224, but I promise I typed it in to get the winning number. ; )

Don't forget about the coupon code! It is good for $10 off a $25 purchase, and the code is katiesave10. You have until Monday at 10 pm to use it.

Thanks everyone for entering!

LORD my GOD, You have done many things-Your wonderful works and Your plans for us; none can compare with You.

Psalm 40:5

Wednesday

We are a mess around here. Jason came home sick from out of town last week. Colson has a sinus infection, and we've been giving him breathing treatments. I'm so thankful Z and I are healthy, but he put a chocolate chip up his nose the other day, and I'm not quite sure I'm over it. ; ) I keep telling myself it's life! I take lots of deep breaths, too. ; )

I've been thinking about Colson's Easter bucket and the boys' outfits. Both Zach and Reese have an Easter bucket, so I'm excited to find one for Cols. Zach will wear a white polo (surprise!) and pants or shorts depending on the weather, but I'm not sure what I want Colson to wear. A cute jon jon maybe? I don't know if a jon jon would go well with his faux hawk. ; )

Z has really gotten into playing with play doh. He has the perfect set up.

He lines up all the animals facing the same direction.

I've been thinking about how "scheduled" I am these days. It's funny because when Z was born I never had him on a strict routine. We did what we wanted to do whenever we wanted until he was about one. That's when he really got into taking good naps.

Colson, on the other hand, was born on a schedule. He's just this kind of baby. He goes to bed at seven, wakes up around six thirty (except the past two nights he's been up several times), and naps at ten and two. It's his personality.

I am enjoying his dependable nature, but I know it may not always be like this!

Z is driving his jeep much better this year. I rode around with him last summer when I was pregnant, and we barely moved. Ha!

Don't forget to enter the Lee Lynn Crafts give away. ; )

Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him,
for He shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders.

Deuteronomy 33:12

Lee Lynn Crafts Give Away

I am excited about this give away!

Christie from Lee Lynn Crafts is offering a

$50 gift certificate towards her personalized jewelry line.

Christie is also providing a coupon code that is good through Monday, February 28th at 10 pm.

The coupon is good for $10 off a $25 purchase, and the code is katiesave10. It is limited to one per customer.

My sister Mandy recently had a little baby boy, and I thought it would be fun for her to have a necklace with both Abby's and Hunter's names or initials on it.

She chose a Build Your Own necklace, including a monogrammed disk and tag with a hammered finish and the cable chain.

Christie did a fabulous job! I love how it turned out. Thanks, Christie. ; )

How to enter:

1. Visit Lee Lynn Crafts online and leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is.

2. "Like" Lee Lynn Crafts on facebook and leave a separate comment letting me know.

This give away ends Friday at noon.

Good luck!

I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

Friday

Yea it's Friday!

Jason has been gone a few days this week, and I'm so glad he is back. We missed him like crazy. I feel like I can't completely relax when he is gone. My heart has been heavy for single moms. How brave they must be!

Z was so ready for his Daddy to be home because he has been wanting to ride the four wheeler. I can't drive both boys around by myself. Ha!

He has been saying some funny things that I want to remember. I also don't want to forget all the snow we had last week so I've thrown in a few more pics. ; )

"Mom, if I ate wood would it make me sick?"

"Yes, son, it would."

"Ok, then I'll just eat this eraser."

"Dad, can I please have some chips?"

Jason gives Zach some chips and says, "What do you say?"

Zach replies, "Don't take my chips away!"

"Colson is growing so big, right Mom?"

"Yes, Colson is getting big."

"He's growing so big at the doctor's office, right?"

"Colson looks like a zebra!"

"Why?"

"Look at his hair!"

"Mom, can I have some more broccoli, please?"

(My favorite!)

He was looking at Jason's wedding ring, and I told him he will have one when he marries a wonderful woman one day. He said, "And I make her happy?"

Ahh, melts my heart!

I've heard some birds chirping this week, so it must be a sign spring is around the corner, right? Have a wonderful weekend. ; )

The GOD of old is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27

Sledding

It's hard to believe all the snow that surrounded us this past weekend, and now it's almost gone. I'm loving these warmer temps!

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day, and we met some friends to sled. I love watching Jason and Zach together. They are both big risk takers! Z never hesitated to hop on the sled.

Anna Grace & Shelby

This has disaster written all over it.

I'm carrying Z back up the hill. His face tells it all. ; )

Sledding train

Off they go

Colson is saying, "Are we seriously out here sledding down a hill on snow and ice? When is my turn?" Ha!

One of my sweet blog friends Summer and her daughter Kelcee released red balloons in honor of Reese for Valentine's Day.

She told Kelcee that Reese would love playing with them. Such a special and thoughtful thing to do. Thank you, Summer!

We went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

Psalm 66:12

Love love love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Zach

February 14, 2008

Zach

February 14, 2009

Zach

February 14, 2010

Zach & Colson

February 14, 2011

A few funny (but not so much) pics...

Z is thrilled

He's not happy about sharing his train.

Feelin' the love

Ah, there it is!

Are we finished yet?

I'm so over this, Mom & Dad.

This is just where we are! We have a very happy baby and a very dramatic little boy. Life is full. Of hugs, tantrums, diapers, gummy grins, messes, and grace.

Love...always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4, 7

7 Months

Thank you for your sweet sweet words. The 13th day of the month is always significant in our family. Reese went to Heaven on August 13th, and Colson came into our lives July 13th. We are celebrating our baby boy today.

You are 7 months old, Colson!

You continue to bring laughter and joy in our home. You're always smiling. You adore your big brother, and he loves to give you lots of hugs; )

You love to eat, and your favorites right now are rice cereal, sweet potatoes, peaches, and apple sauce. You are so proud of yourself when you clap your hands. You have a gleam in your eyes and like to be heard. ; )

One of my most favorite times of the day is when I rock you to sleep at night. I don't know what we would do without you. We love you, precious one!

Praise the LORD...who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion...

Psalm 103:1, 4

18 months

Happy 18 months, Reese!

I can't believe our daughter was born 18 months ago today.

I think a lot about our two days with her especially as I rock Colson at night. It's so still and quiet. The most peaceful time of my day. The other night my mind was on Reese, and Jesus reminded me to just look in my arms. So simple yet significant.

Thank you, LORD. We miss our little girl like crazy, but You are faithful to restore our loss in ways I never imagined.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Psalm 103:1

the Real Reason

This is why Zach likes Bible study so much...

the donuts!

Can't go wrong with learning about the Bible and eating donuts at the same time, right?

A true sign of brotherly love...

donut sugar in Colson's hair. At least he didn't seem to mind. ; )

And yes, we are always the last ones to leave everything. School, Bible study, MOPS. Unless Jason is there to help us along we just take our time and enjoy ourselves. We usually rush out the door to get somewhere, so why rush back home?

Yesterday after Bible study Zach said, "Where is everybody?" They had all left, but he was still talking and eating. Cute thing.

I am deeply touched when anyone shares with me how Reese has affected their life. A sweet woman from Murrieta, California, emailed to tell me she has started donating hair bows to her local NICU. She is also wanting to donate something for baby boys. GOD's work never ceases to amaze me!

We woke up to at least 18 inches of snow this morning! We may be snowed in for a few days.

Another pajama day for Colson. ; ) As ready as I am for spring, I love when Jason gets to stay home from work, too.

Stay warm and go clean out a closet or two. That's my plan!

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5:14-15

Thoughts

1. Zach's backpack is from Target (one of his favorite places). He was too cute walking around the airports with it. He would tell me it was too heavy, and I told him everyone has to carry his own luggage. Mean momma. ; )

2. It was fun hearing from some skiers out there! Wonderful and hilarious memories can be made on a ski trip. Some of my best times were on trips to Colorado with Jason and our friends in high school. We were so care-free and clueless. ; )

3. It's wonderful having Colson back home! His smile, his laugh, his rolls. He completes our family on earth.

4. Z is thrilled to have his little brother back, too. It may be because he gets away with more things when Colson is around. Ha! All he wants to do is entertain him. ; )

5. Several friends have received devastating news about their babies inside of them or lost babies recently. My heart aches for them.

6. I am so thankful for friends I have met through my computer. The LORD has brought amazing women into my life, some I consider close friends. He brings you to mind throughout my day. Many of you have walked faithfully by my side for 18 months. Thank you.

7. It's hard to go back to the gym after having a week off! I had to pry myself out of bed this morning.

8. This snowman makes me smile.

9. We are throwing Hillary a shower for Sadie in a few weeks, and I'm so excited!

10. Z and I were looking out the window, and I said, "Zach, look at all the beautiful snow." He said, "I'm ready to see green grasses."

He brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery.

Deuteronomy 7:8

a First

We have been so excited this winter to take Zach skiing for the first time. Even though cold weather is not my favorite thing, when it comes to skiing it's a whole other story. ; )

We just returned from Snowmass, Colorado. Some days we skied in the sunshine, others we skied in negative temperatures! Crazy. We were bundled up from head to toe and drank lots of hot chocolate along the way. My mom stayed with Mandy since Hunter is brand new. We missed ya'll so so much!

First day of ski school

A few hours after we dropped Z off we got "the call." Z was a bit overwhelmed in his class, so we changed him to a different one. He did well the rest of the week. Yea! I was very nervous. We knew we were pushing it taking him skiing at three years old, but we couldn't wait any longer. ; )

Jason & Z on the magic carpet

Skiing for the first time!

Z loved the "skittles" gondola. It's especially for kids in the colors of skittles.

Mary & Allie

Z & me

(we had to label everything for ski school)

Monday we skied in this! It really wasn't as cold as it looks, I promise. Just lots of snow. ; )

My dad, Jason, & Faber

Us

Meredith, Faber & Allie

Lots of sweet cousin time

Love this!

Every time my family goes skiing we do devotions together. This is one of my favorite memories of the entire trip. I can't help but think about previous trips and what the LORD has done. Just four years ago I was struggling to get pregnant and now Z is here with us. The last ski trip two years ago I was pregnant with Reese and now we have Colson in our lives as well.

This year the "theme" was family. What a wonderful, difficult topic! I love talking about family, but it's also a tender subject because of Reese. We talked about our family on earth, our family in Heaven, and families in the Bible. GOD does restore and has purpose for each of us in our families!

Mere & Z

Last day of ski school

We're so proud of him and can't wait to take Colson!

This is the life...Z's instructors pulled him and his friends in wagons from the door of the ski school building to the bottom of the bunny slope. Nice!

It was wonderful to focus on Z for a week, but we missed Colson so much! I am so ready to get him back in my arms. Jason's parents and grands got lots of sugar and kept him well entertained. Thank you, Gran & G-Dad!

Shannon also took some precious pics of Westin and Colson from their week together. This picture just melts my heart. They look like good buddies. ; )

For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 117:2