Cowboy Jackson

Grace was a cowgirl for Halloween. Ever since, Jackson has been attached to her cowboy hat. He wears it all around the house, even to the table. Isn't he cute?

I have to share this video of our dinnertime. We couldn't have two different kiddos when it comes to food. Jackson the carnivore. Grace the herbivore.
In case you are wondering what in the world they're eating, it's fajitas. Jackson devours the meat while Grace begs to have the peppers and onions! It's a recipe I will soon be sharing since it's one of our favorite once-a-month cooking recipes (the ones you make in a large batch and freeze for quick meals later).

Let it Snow!

We were blessed with a major dose of snow today. It was that pretty, stick to the trees type of snow. Call me crazy, but I love snow. I was so excited that we finally got a nice good snow that we could go play in. Jackson didn't really get a chance to play in the snow last year and I was curious what his reaction would be this year.

To say it was a hit would be an understatement. Daddy would make snowballs and Jackson would throw them. Then Jackson would say "I nee ball" until daddy or mommy made him another. Repeat 100 times (at which point I had to leave for choir practice).

Grace had a lot of fun as well. She was so excited to get ski gloves this year that will keep her hands dry! Mom, after I took this picture I put her hood on to cover those ears :)

After I left they made a snow man. When I got home Grace told me they made a snow kitty. Daddy said he didn't realize this when he made it and her telling me was the first he'd heard of it referred to as a kitty. Apparently there isn't much of a difference between snow men and snow kitties.

six years.

Six years ago Heaven welcomed our little Micah. I remember it as if it was yesterday and yet it feels like such a distant time for me.

Six years.

What would it be like to have a six year old? How would our lives be different if he would have lived?

Would he be helping daddy fix cars already?
Would we have been watching him play soccer this fall?
What would he look like now?
Would he have curls like Grace and Jackson?
Blue eyes like his brother or brown like his sister?

The cemetary where he is burried is located right across from an elementary school. As we stood there today it was so hard to believe that if things had been different he would be going there now.

As I was taking the moment in, I looked over to where Jordan was holding Grace. As I have many times since she was born, I thought about the fact that she would likely not be in our lives had Micah lived. My sweet Grace.

I also thought about all that God taught me through losing Micah. I now possess a deeper understanding of trusting in God and knowing Him as my provider. I am closer to God, my husband and my children as a result. Looking back, I can see how far He has brought me from those lonely November days.

There is still a part of my heart that will always remain empty - no number of children could ever fill that void. But the pain has lessened and I have grown. I find comfort and hope in knowing that I will see him again.

Enjoying Fall

"And even when the trees have just surrendered

To the harvest time

Forfeiting their leaves in late September

And sending us inside

Still I notice You when change begins

And I am braced for colder winds

I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come

You are autumn "

- Nicole Nordeman

Mellow. Crisp. Vibrant. Change. Fall is in the air and we're taking advantage of every minute of it.

I made a mega batch of this applesauce today. Delicious (and easy)! I'm putting most in the freezer, so when all the leaves are gone we can still have a taste of fall. Next on my list is caramel apples. I didn't have much luck with them last year - anyone have any tips? They were tasty, but they looked awful...

I took the kiddos to Spring Grove Park the other day and they had a blast going on a nature walk with me. Luckily, I had my camera along and managed to get some cute photos. I love this one of Grace. She has been WAY into The Sound of Music lately and listens to her CD all.the.time. Here she is singing "Sixteen Going on Seventeen". I just love this smile!

I can hardly believe Jackson is almost 18 months old! He is growing up so much these days! He continues to be my little cuddler and I'm just trying to embrace every fleeting moment of this stage. He is such a little "engineer" - always trying to figure out how everything works (child locks and door knobs as well as toys)!

(I'm having issues uploading photos right now, so I'll have to post more later - I got quite a few cute ones)!

Our Summer

1. Swim Lessons: Grace discovered that she LOVES swimming. Had you seen her on her last day you would not have known she started out apprehensive. She did an awesome job and was so brave jumping off the diving board at the end of each day!

2. First Haircuts: Jackson got his first haircut at the end of June. I struggled with wanting to let it stay long and curly, but in the end decided I was sick of him being mistaken for a girl. I wasn't prepared for how much different it would make him look. What a big boy!

3. Saying Goodbye: We said goodbye to Baker Book House at the end of July. Here is a picture of Grace with "Miss S" who worked in the children's area. We are really going to miss her!

4. Jackson and Emma: Emma (my good friend Erin's daughter) is in love with Jackson. I really should have put the picture in where she is touching his hair, because that better describes their relationship! This one was cuter though! Emma really does love Jackson's hair for some reason and is always pulling or patting it. He just sits there and takes it - they are just too cute together!

5. Making Music at the Children's Museum: We took the kiddos to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum in early August and they had a blast. On Thusday nights they have $1 admission which is such a great deal. Highlights were the grocery area, music area and the giant bubbles. We will definately be going back!

6. Jackson & His Papa: We had our annual church picnic earlier this month and I managed to capture this great photo of Jackson and his Papa (Jordan's dad). Our kids are so blessed to have such awesome grandparents who love to be a part of their lives (and we are so blessed to have such wonderful parents)!

7. Checking out the Angora Rabbits: We frequented the farmer's market a lot this summer (mostly because we didn't manage to get a garden in). One Wednesday they had the Critter Barn there with Angora Rabbits, Sheep and Goats. It was cool to see a sampling of what they have at their farm. We need to check out the Critter Barn - we have SUCH animal lovers in this house!

8. Pavement: Last, but certainly not least, our road was paved earlier this month. As much as we've anticipated it, it was very bittersweet for me to actually see the change. We still have a quarter mile dirt driveway to make us feel "away from it all" I suppose!


We've had a great summer, at times relaxing and other times quite busy. We've enjoyed trips to the zoo, Vacation Bible School, lots of relaxing on the deck, playing outdoors and much more which didn't manage to get captured with the camera. As always, there are so many things we didn't get a chance to do before summer slips away. How is it that it always goes so fast?! We are cherishing these last days of summer and looking forward to all that fall brings, especially football games and apple picking. Grace starts ballet again next week and then preschool a week later. I imagine that the routine will feel nice again.