A Special Weekend

Before all the snow melts up here we wanted to take the boys sledding one last time. My parents were so kind to watch Grady for the weekend so we could play all day and spend some quality time with our big boys. We packed them up and headed up north. Not much snow was to be seen along the way so we weren't so sure if sledding was going to happen. We had lunch downtown Flagstaff- such a fun city! Can't wait to go back and explore more. Then we drove about 30 more minutes until we found the white stuff! BUT everywhere that looked good for sledding was off limits!! So daddy came to the rescue- we pulled to the side of the road where we were allowed :) and he hiked until he found a snow covered hill! We worked about 30 minutes and built and awesome sled run! Whoohoo! And the best part we were totally alone- just our little family in the pines to play as long as we wanted. SO. MUCH.FUN.

After sledding we dropped our stuff at a motel and jumped right into the little indoor pool. Dinner was delicious- dessert from a local candy shop to be enjoyed in bed with a movie was the ending to our fabulous day. We asked the boys what their favorite part of the trip was and Weston said multiple times that eating dinner out in the restaurant was his fav. We asked him why and he said " because we were all together". His heart is becoming so soft and he really values time with eachother. That made this trip worth it :)

Getting out and seeing God's beautiful creation is always refreshing. It made me think of this portion of the Belgic Confession that I read recently in a devotional:

" We know Him by two means: First, by creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to see clearly the invisible things of God, even His everlasting power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says (Rom 1:20). All which things are sufficient to convince men and leave them without excuse. Second, He makes Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy and divine Word, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to His glory and our salvation."

Family photos

Oh these babes. Sometimes I wake up and look in wonder at their little faces and can't believe that I have 3 boys! We haven't had pictures taken of us since Grady was a few days old and we thought it would be fun to have them taken right after our move to remember this special time. It was quite easy to find this location- right behind our house!

It's amazing to think that a few short years ago these little people didn't exist, and now their souls will live forever. It is a heavy responsibility and a joy at the same time to have been entrusted by the Lord with their lives for this time. Andrew reminded us today of the priority of evangelism, especially to our own children. I am freshly encouraged once again to make Christ the center of all that we do and say inside our home and out and pray that one day these seeds will take root in the hearts of our little men.

Goodbye 2014!

 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1

I think this may be one of my verses for this year! What a year it's been and what a year it will be! So much growth and change to be thankful for for all of us this year. These pics were taken on a walk near our  new home- It has been spiritually and physically refreshing for me to be removed for a bit from the busy city of Van Nuys. After this weekend things will pick back up but now I feel ready. The quiet country has provided for deep sleep and calm days. Weston starts school on Monday and the routine is actually looked forward to. How kind of God to give us this time of quiet and rest.  I am also thankful that we were able to move during this season of Joy- it helped my heart to be continually reminded of our Savior and all that He did for us! 

 We have been making some sweet new friends and had them over to decorate sugar cookies

 Grady has become so much more playful- I just love that he thinks you talk on the phone behind your head

 The boys were thrilled to make their own gingerbread trains. I loved watching their concentration and little fingers carefully placing the candies (and they aren't completely naked I promise)

 And then we had our first meeting with the folks coming to the church plant at a cozy Christmas party. It was so much fun to meet all the smiling faces that we will soon know very well.

 Christmas Eve Grady sprouted a fever so just the big boys and Daddy headed off to church

All squeaky clean and ready for bed in new jammies

We had a quiet Christmas morning and then headed to my parents after breakfast and presents- Grady slept until 11am!

Playing with the nativity at Omie and Grandpas

 Grady wasn't so sure about the singing hat though

Omie and Grandpa spoiled us all rotten!

 So much fun to be with Ryder, Auntie Leah and Uncle Bryan! Wish we could be together all the time

Now to New Year's Eve! It has been snowing and snowing all day much to all of our delight! The whole place has been transformed under a blanket of white and the boys spent the entire morning playing outside in their rain boots and new winter coats.

So a night in was in order. I made a pot of chili and then we had a dance party and silly photo booth :)

Happy New Year and God Bless !

A new home

We can't believe it has almost been a month since we moved to Prescott Valley! It was a whirlwind at the end- tearful good bye gatherings, movers, strep throat and sweet new friends and family waiting for us at the other end. We took a couple days to drive slowly from Cali to Az. We won't ever forget first turning down our little street we had never driven on and opening the door to our home we had never seen- an adventure for sure! The movers didn't come with our goods until five days after we arrived so we had fun camping out in our rental...running around, eating all our meals on the floor, sleeping bags and time to explore. The boys have had fun with all the new sights. For one our back yard backs up to state property with miles of land and mountains, it's breathtaking! Almost every night the boys say "look mommy, the mountains! " as they turn all hues of pink and orangey purple at sunset. The best surprise so far was the 10 minutes of snow we had a couple weeks ago! The boys ran outside in their rainbows (california boys still) and caught snowflakes and threw snow at each other until they were frozen. 

We have enjoyed being a part of Canyon Bible Prescott Valley the last few weeks, our sister church. Next week is our first official Sunday as Canyon Bible Prescott! We have "boot camp" this month preparing everything and then Lord willing the doors will officially open middle of February.

Prescott is Arizona's Christmas city and it definitely is! We have loved being here for all the lights and small town festivities.

This is a sunrise view from our back yard

I have had my moments of sadness, missing friends and wondering what exactly we are doing in this beautiful place that feels so far away from the familiar. But then I have had many more moments of excitement and wonder. What a privilege and joy to be in a position of uncertainty knowing that God is with us and His plan is already under way. I'm thankful for the growing in faith that is happening in our little family and that we can share this new beginning with our children as well.

Birthdays

It has been a little busy and I have been meaning to post these sweet birthday boys! My brother in law captured our big one year old- isn't he the cutest little bug?! He LOVED being the center of attention and LOVED his birthday cake. How this year has flown with our youngest. He has been such a joy and has been the easiest and happiest baby. His smile and giggles brighten our lives and his big brothers adore him. What a gift he is

 Next was our Gabriel- I had to share these of Gabe playing with water outside our old garage. He has loved to do this all this year and I love it because he still seems little when he plays like this. He is growing up so fast these days and I just want to freeze time! He chose to have a batman themed birthday even though he hasn't seen batman...So batman it was.

 My sweet sweet friend offered to have Gabe's party at her home and she went all out! It was such a cozy night and our kids loved playing together for one of the last times. 

 All into the super fun tool set!

The next present was the absolute sweetest- dear Abbey's gift to Gabe was her allowing him to brush her hair! honestly- Gabriel loves her hair and always wanted to brush it and she thought she would let him on his birthday :) Love this girl so much and Gabe was in heaven

And it was time for him to keep up with his brother with a big boy bike- love this fun loving boy!

Thank you to the Graumans!