The Crazy of September...

And, suddenly- it is October.  September has been one of our most jam packed month.  It has been good, but it has also been a ton of work, or so it feels like.  We've been to Colorado Springs, helped with a jumbo crazy garage sale, had company for a weekend, drove to Sioux Falls for the weekend and completely re-built the railings on our deck and porch.  It was crammed full of goodness but not much down time.  That good however.... here's some of the crazy good this past month-

First stop... Colorado Springs which included garden of the gods.  Beautiful place indeed! 

Followed by the wedding... why we came in the first place ;)

 Precious fun indeed :) 

Because we were near-ish by, we stopped in Greeley to catch up with the cousins and family.  

 This is why kid gates are well... pointless in multiple regards ;) 

 We got home and it was the first day of preschool for the year...

Kaleb requested...pancakes for breakfast.  

Of course.
Grandpa Robert should be quite pleased, I am sure ;) 

 Literally bouncing with excitement!

 Preschool has been great!  They've already had field trips to the library, the fire department and apple picking is just around the corner.  So fun to watch his enthusiasm to learn things.  

That Friday, we crazily chopped off large sections of deck railing. 

The beginning of a really, really long process....

Fast forward 3-ish weeks and we have replaced the deck railing building it from scratch, primed it and painted it.

Today, it looks like this...

(cap rail and touch-ups still to do but...lots of progress)

The next Saturday was awesome- we helped out our really good friends with their adoption yard sale.  It was fun to see how God provides and multiples in just the perfect way :) 

 That next weekend, Wes' parents were in town.
Oh, the fun times!!!

Because the grandparents were near- we figured it was a great time to dedicate Elsie to God.
It was a precious time to stand with our church which has helped us so much in the building of our family.  So grateful to have our church in which to raise our kids so that they know the love of Christ, are discipled in His truth and to fellowship with fellow believers.  Thankful indeed!!

After a week of building deck railings, priming deck spindles .... there were cupcakes to bake. 

 SURPRISE!!!!

Happy Birthday Auntie Ashley :) 

We love you!! 

 Good work, Justin!  

So thankful for you in our Ashley's life :) 

 Then, we headed for the water fun! 

Kaleb stepped up his game and headed for the big slide.  

It was a wild adventure indeed!! 

 Happy Golden Birthday, Ashley :) 

And, we worked full time. 

Traveled for work, ate a lot of pizza and DQ, Played with kids, did daycare and a few other random adventures along the way too.
It was good and fun and busy. 

And, it explains why I'm tired ;)  

September was good and so very full of life.  

Thankful, indeed!!

Our Little Star... Happy 2nd Birthday!

Yesterday, was one of my favorite days of all time.  It was of joy and fun and family and friends and laughter and comical moments and good food and precious memories.  And, it was a miracle.  We celebrated our Elsie's 2nd birthday.  What an honor to bless this sweet little girl with her first birthday party!  These past few weeks have been crazy busy.  Prep for a work conference, more work travel, hiding from the rally which involved a trip to the ranch for the kids and some RBC fun add in a little Kids Bible Time prep for this fall/winter plus ninja classes, a bit of allergies+a cold and most importantly... planning our little girl's first birthday party.  We barely pulled it off but it was a blast and totally worth it!! :) Here's a peak into the fun of our day....our day of all things Elsie!

 Twinkle, twinkle our little star. 

What a wonder that you are, 

You've grown so much and come so far

Let's celebrate how loved you are! 

 Her favorite foods... fruit salad and lo mein and star shaped watermelon and corn on the cob- the girl has good taste :) 

 We're so big, we just eat with the big kids.  

 Oh, the presents.... 

 Followed by cake of course....

 And, then we sang Happy Birthday.  

 And, it was the most happy, joyous, exciting rendition of Happy Birthday you've heard!!! 

 So, of course.. she wanted more singing of the Happy Birthday! 

So we did :) 

 "More" "More" "More"

It was precious indeed.  So, incredibly precious.  

Pictures say a lot but a video tells even more.  

This my friends, is what adoption is all about: 

Because every little two year old deserves joy.  

Squeals of arm waving boundless joy.  

In reality, the video doesn't even come close to capturing the feeling and excitement everyone felt standing there in our cramped little dining room.  It was loud and for a moment while we sang it a 2nd time I thought... this is why you adopt.  

It isn't a mission.

It isn't a crusade to save the world. 

It isn't about rescuing or saving or trying to make yourself feel better. 

It's not about t-shirts with James 1:27 plastered all over them.

It's about being surrounded and smothered in love by family and friends.  

It's about being a daughter who is loved and cherished.  

Families need kids and kids need families.  

Simple as that.

And, to those that helped bring her home...

that little video above is thanks to- YOU. 

God used so many of you to help us bring home our daughter home.  

And, for that- we are profoundly grateful!

In comparison, I doubt anyone even recognized or knew that a year and two days ago was her very first birthday.  I am thankful beyond words that a year ago today, they started preparing her paperwork.  Praise the Lord she will never live what could have been.  

Happy 2nd Birthday our Elsie girl :) 

We love you!!!  

And, every day I praise the Lord He chose me to be your Mama.