puddle

they melt me...

piggy tails

bea's hair is getting LONG!

i have been waiting for this day and it finally came.

the day for piggy tails.

christmas wonder

Matt above, 1976...

Beatrix below, 2009
see any similarities?
i love this time of year....
full of wonder, full of grace, full of beauty

now that's the way to celebrate

Can you feel his excitement??

The fam, getting ready for a night of hockey!

We were in row 22 section 133! Amazing seats!!!

This is how Micah spent the first period.

I love the blur of the skaters. Beautiful!

Micah can make a friend anywhere. He ended up sitting next to this little boy in front of us. They were yelling at the hockey players and having a grand old time. It was both of their first time at a game.

Daddy at a hockey game.

The leafs won! Which made Matt's night complete.

Walking down to take a close look at the ice after the game was over.

Matt's birthday fell on a Sunday this year though we spent Friday celebrating it. I was able to get him hockey tickets to see the Florida Panthers play the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have been Matt's favorite team since he was a little boy living in Detroit. This was only his third time seeing them in person. I asked him if he wanted me to get a babysitter and the answer was "nope, I want to go as a family."
And so we did. And what fun we had! The kids were amazing!! Micah was in utter awe when we walked into the arena. The face he made was priceless. Bea just sat on my lap the whole first period taking it all in. It was a wonderful night together sharing an amazing memory.
Happy Birthday my love!
So glad we were able to experience it all together!

one

Beatrix has been one for a month now and as evidenced by my lack of blogging about her birthday, time has flown. My baby is one! I feel like the last year has flown by in a constant state of delirium. She started walking at 11 months and talking soon after. She has such a beautiful personality and it has been wonderful watching how she has blended right in with our family. Her smile is magnetic and her laugh is like a hearing a million little tinkerbells. Micah is amazing with her. I call him second mother.

How does it happen?? A year ago she wasn't even here and now I can't imagine her not being a part of our family. I have to admit that I found the baby stage much more difficult with a toddler around, but looking back on this last year I realize that there really wouldn't have been any other time to spend with just her. Those late night feedings and rockings are what bonded us. It made me fall in love with her. The stillness of the house and the only sound being her breathing slowly as she drifted off to sleep. I pray I never forget those times...

Beatrix was a surprise! A girl when we were expecting a boy. She is just what this family needed. A femine Matt! I know it and I knew it from the time she was 3 months. She is determined, stubborn, and has a bit of the Harrison temper. But she is giving, and loving and silly and soft.

Thank you Lord for our treasure wrapped in the image of Beatrix Sparrow. A little bird baby that has brought nothing but songs to our family! Thank you for her life and watch over her as we attempt to raise this little one, mindful of You.