It's A New Day...

Today marks a new day, a new ministry, a new "new" for our family. Today, David officially began his new role as Lead Pastor at our church, Daybreak Community Church. Although this day has almost felt surreal as we have walked through it, we are so extremely excited about this new ministry we have begun together. This is what God has been calling us to do & it is so exciting to now be doing it! The passion that David has for God and his willingness to do whatever....wherever God takes him is exactly what attracted me to him even in high school. I admired from afar at that point, but even then I knew that God had amazing things planned for David. The best part...is that I have been able to walk along this incredible journey with him for almost 10 years now & get to continue down this new path right by his side. I am so excited! I am so excited to see how God is going to work in-and-through us in this new role. My prayer is that I will be the encourager, the supporter & the shoulder that David needs. At times I can't even try to comprehend this new journey God has called us to, as I get overwhelmed and begin to put so much pressure on myself. I constantly have to stop myself from that thinking and pray that God will use me in the moment that I am in....whether it is those teachable moments with my kids, conversations with friends, or simply talking with my husband. I am so excited, honey, to be with you through every moment of this journey! I love you!

Aidan's 6 Mth Appointment!!!

I know, I am once again very behind in my blogging! It drives me crazy that I have so much to update, and not enough time to get it done!

Aidan is growing so fast! It really is unbelievable that he is already 6 months old, and he is a very big boy! I took him for his 6 month well-check last week and he just keeps growing like a weed!

Here are his stats:

Height: 28.25 in. long (up from 25.25 in. @ 4 mth) - 90th percentile
Weight: 17 lbs. (up from 15 lbs. 7 oz) - 50th percentile
Head: 44.75 cm (up from 42.5 cm)

The doctor was really amazed by how tall he is for his age. I think he is definitely taking after his Daddy! She said he was very strong, as he does really well sitting up on his own and standing on his feet. He can also roll both ways! The doctor always thinks it is so funny that he just giggles and smiles at her when she is talking to me. She said she never gets smiles and giggles like that - normally the kids are crying because they are scared to get their shots!

Aidan continues to enjoy life! He adores his big sisters and his Daddy! If Daddy or one of the girls walk in the room, he just smiles & giggles with his whole body...he just can't stay still! He wouldn't know what to do if they weren't around. The girls love Aidan just as much. Abby says, almost every day, "Mom...Aidan is just the best brother ever!" Abby is a great little babysitter. She loves to have him sit between her legs on the floor and play. Ally is Aidan's entertainer. She is always standing over him or jumping up and down making him laugh.

Fall Celebration @ Preschool

Abby had a fall celebration at preschool last Thursday. It started with a costume parade where the kids dressed up in their costumes and paraded them for the parents. Abby was proud to be Princess Liana from the new Barbie & the Diamond Castle movie.


Abby then spent the day playing games and doing fun things. Ally, Aidan & I then joined her for lunch. The kids sang a couple songs for us and then said a prayer together for lunch. It was really cute. After lunch, I helped Abby make a scarecrow. We traced around her body and then we painted it. Abby did such a great job! I was impressed with how she had to have both arms, legs, and feet the same color. I just thought she'd paint every one of them a different color. This was fun to do together.

A Big Weekend for Our Little Ally!

This was a big weekend for our little Miss Ally! While Daddy was away at Men's Retreat Thursday night thru Saturday, Ally gave up her pacifier! I never thought we would accomplish this with Allyson. She's always been so attached to her 'paci' and her blanky. For some reason, though, we couldn't find her 'paci' on Thursday night as we got ready for bed, so I told her she'll probably need to go to bed without it. She was all psyched. We went upstairs to bed and as I pulled her covers down, her 'paci' appears from under her pillow. I quickly snatched it and stuck it in my pocket before she saw it. There was no way I was going to give it to her after talking her into sleeping without it. I wanted to at least try it and see, so we did it & Ally did great! She's been napping & sleeping at night ever since with no problems! What a big girl!

The second big event in Ally's weekend has been her decision to start using the potty! Yes, that's right! Of course, with my girls, this has always seemed to click at bedtime, but that's the way it's gone, so I'll take it. Last night, I had given the girls a bath and was drying Ally off when she said "diaper, diaper" rather urgently. I asked her if she needed to go potty...she said, "yes"...and I asked her if she could sit on the potty and she was all excited about it...so off we went. I sat her down on the potty & she went potty just like that! She went twice before she went to sleep last night and then has been doing really quite well today. I didn't push it today with church this morning & then we had a birthday party this afternoon, but she's done quite well this afternoon and actually while we were at the party. I am so proud of her & and am so excited that she has decided it's time. It's the moment I've been waiting for! So....for those of you reading, please pray with us that she will continue to be a "big girl" and use the potty!

YEAH ALLY! MOMMY IS SO PROUD OF YOU!

Pumpkin Cookies

At playgroup on Wednesday, we decorated some pumpkin cookies. This was right up Abby's ally as she decorated quite a few. Ally really enjoyed it more than I thought she would as well...or she at least enjoyed eating the frosting off as she put it on!

Apple Picking

Last Friday, we went apple picking with a couple of friends from church. It was a great day and the kid's enjoyed eating the apples as we picked them. We then got together on Tuesday and made applesauce. We've really enjoyed the homemade applesauce this week!

Field Trip with Abby

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to go with Abby's preschool class to Evansburg State Park to participate in their Fall Leaves program. It was fun to spend some quality time with Abby. Here are some pictures I took of her class...