Over the weekend, our family visited Santa’s Cottage at The Grove in LA. Katelyn was very excited to see Santa, and Ethan tolerated the long wait. Papa and Grandma joined us for a lovely evening. The Christmas lights were beautiful, the weather was brisk, and we even enjoyed ”snow” at several points throughout the night.
Katelyn celebrated her 3rd birthday this past week. The girliest of girls, she wanted a princess party this year, which gave her another opportunity to be Cinderella. We invited a few of her friends for the first time, which she thought was just the neatest thing. After a simple activity, the kids played freely for a time of very manageable chaos. 
Daddy, Grandma, Aunt Suzi, Grams, and cousins Coby & Corrine were in attendance, which added to her delightful morning.
In the evening, the rest of the family gathered for a little more cake and gift opening time. In true 3-year-old fashion, Katelyn flew through her presents, pausing only once to marvel at a musical princess card. Once all of the gifts were opened, she started the playing phase, and is still working her way through. She ended the evening dressed in her new Belle gown and light-up shoes, utterly exhausted from her very special, very full day.
Katelyn had been looking forward to Halloween for quite a while this year. She absolutely adores all Disney princesses, and was just so excited about wearing her Cinderella dress for Halloween. Ethan was a little less enthused about his Batman costume, but looked pretty cute nonetheless. We started our evening trick-or-treating at the stores in our mall, and finished up around the neighborhood. Katelyn now has more candy than she knows what to do with, though she has been required to “share” with Mommy & Daddy (I raided her stash when she wasn’t looking).
I look forward to visiting our local pumpkin farm every year. It’s an annual event for our family… an outdoor excursion my husband doesn’t mind and an excuse to take a few pictures. My only complaint is that Fall never arrives when it’s supposed to in Southern California. I would really like to wear a sweater for the very “fallish” activity of pumpkin picking.
Despite the lack of autumn briskness, we had a lovely time and are excited about carving Katelyn’s first pumpkin. This was Ethan’s first trip, so I was pleased to get a picture of him amidst the orange.
A nice day, and a fun tradition. Now, bring on Fall!
What a time it’s been! After a very busy six weeks of packing, we finally moved in with Matt’s family in mid-September… 2 weeks later than we originally planned. We’ve spent the last 2 1/2 weeks getting settled and working into our new routine. We are enjoying a full house (and I mean FULL). Katelyn has finally learned to use the pedals on her “big wheel,” and Ethan is still immobile (thankfully!!). He’ll be crawling before too long, and then I’ll really have my hands full. Fortunately, there are a few extra hands around.
We continue trusting the Lord with our needs and growing in faith through this financially dry season. No matter what, God is faithful. We love Him, we love each other, and we’re still smiling. God is faithful.
Alex & Bryan with Katelyn & Ethan
A kiss for brother
We recently had a lovely visit from our good friends Alex & Bryan Tahmisian, home after nine months in Russia. They’ll be going back in September, so these brief moments will have to last us a while. It was fun to catch up, even if just for a couple of hours, hearing about their adventures and telling them of ours.
Speaking of adventures, the Lord continues to lead us through this season of unemployment and uncertainty. We are currently packing up our home, preparing to move in with Matt’s sweet family until we find work and get back on our feet. We are eagerly anticipating some fun times and expect to make some memories (and build some character). I plan to have plenty of blog-worthy moments about which to write, so check back in the weeks ahead! Seriously though, I have been blessed to marry into the most precious family and am continually overwhelmed by their warmth, hospitality, and love. They have welcomed us with open arms, and we are grateful.
The kids are happy and well, though drowning a bit in a sea of boxes. Ethan’s newest trick is the ability to sit up unassisted. Katelyn seems to learn a new trick just about every day, however her main talents are still jumping, dancing, singing, and TALKING.
I just love having two kids. I’d rather be home with them than anywhere else. They certainly keep me busy, but the joys far outweigh the hardships of parenthood. I love the little moments… when Katelyn tells me how much she loves her brother, or when Ethan chuckles at Katelyn bopping a balloon around the room. Katelyn can soothe her brother with a dance or a song, and he delights her with a grin or a grip on her hand. For this moment they are buddies… they genuinely like each other. And it’s fun. Really, really fun.
I come from a long line of worriers. It’s in my blood, and in my weakest moments I can worry with the best of them. Recently, I have (again) found myself in the position of having things to worry about. And I am (again) learning that times of uncertainty bring a bitter-sweetness to life that is good. When does a season of wanting feel like a season of plenty? When my eyes are opened to the subtle hand of God’s provision.
A number of years ago, I spent two weeks in the wilderness, enduring physical challenges unique to such a setting. I learned something important as I begged God for the strength to climb a mountain or the courage to scale down the other side. As I contemplated the days stretched before me and the hardships that most certainly lay ahead, I was overwhelmed by my inability to endure. But, lo and behold, the sun rose and set, and I had made it through another day. I discovered in the wilderness that God’s sufficient grace is allotted moment by moment, day by day. I don’t need next Tuesday’s grace; I just need grace to make it through today. It’s not a new or profound concept, but it is quickly forgotten in times of ease. Until we really feel our need, our inability, our desperation, it’s difficult to truly see the all-sufficient, perfectly capable, endlessly loving hand of God’s provision.
And Scripture’s mandate to be “anxious for nothing?” I had previously experienced this as a sort of burden to make myself relinquish my worries as I turned them over to God in prayer. What I now experience is the sweet freedom that comes from absolute uncertainty regarding future circumstances coupled with my absolute certainty of God’s care and provision. What a joyous thing to look to the future with hope and excitement simply because God holds it!
The season doesn’t change–it’s still a time of want. But my perspective on it does… as I learn to depend fully on God’s complete faithfulness, new mercies, and perfect plan.
| View Show | Create Your Own
After hours of scanning, cropping, and adjusting, I am happy to say that my entire wedding album is now digital. It’s one of those projects that’s been on my list for months, (and I started months ago), and it was truly satisfying to cross it off. Enjoy the slide show! These are a few of my favorites.
(We were married January 3, 2003 in Canoga Park, CA.)
