A Holy Pursuit

When I was growing up, fall was always my least favorite season. To me it was a depressing end to beautiful, warm summers with all the fun outdoor recreation, and a terrible lead up to the most wonderful time of the year complete with coziness and skiing adventures. Jammed right in between those two fantastic seasons was fall; when the leaves on the trees spoke of death and dying. I just wasn't a fan. However, fall has always been one of my mom's favorite times of the year and she taught me to see the true beauty in it. She has always pointed out the beautiful changing colors of fall leaves, and she taught me to appreciate the sound of crunching leaves underfoot. I also began to have a deep appreciation and love for the feelings of gratitude and thanksgiving that accompanied this season. Then three years ago I started to have a newfound sense of appreciation for the fall season. I know that it's pretty typical to have those feelings and thoughts around Thanksgiving, bu...

Dear little Miles, There were times I wondered if this milestone would ever come, and other times when I wished it wasn't coming quite so quickly. It has been a whirlwind year with you and one I wouldn't trade for anything! You are becoming such a personable little guy, always jabbering and smiling, and so busy! I think you would be super eager to start walking if you didn't crawl so stinking fast. Why walk slow when you can crawl fast, right? We had a wonderful time celebrating your first birthday on Saturday evening, the day after your birthday, with so many family members. It was so fun having so many of them here to celebrate you. You also started getting your fourth tooth on your birthday, which was exciting but caused you to be a little more cranky than normal. It was exciting having Asher here for the first time with Uncle Jordan and Auntie Erica, too. It was fun going to your doctor's appointment this week and seeing how much you've grown and developed...

Dear Miles, How is it possible you are only a month away from being one?! This has been another fun, busy month, and it wraps up mama's first summer off with you. Here's a glimpse at some of your fun this month! Miles[tones]: - Had vacation and visited Columbus and reconnected with so many of our sweet friends. Spent the second part of vacation at the cottage where we enjoyed rides on the pontoon, hiking, visiting Amish country, and relaxing. - Visited Lorain County Fair for the first time and loved all the busy, bustling activity. The Dock Dogs were a favorite, too! - You sprouted your third tooth (top lateral incisor- baby Dracula? haha) on Aug. 11, the day cousin Alexandria moved in with us! - It appears as though teeth number four and five are not far behind! And it seems they may be giving you some soreness and occasional crankiness. Poor little guy. - You love to look at, laugh at, talk to, and kiss your reflection in the mirror. - You are constantly pulling you...

Sometimes being a mom feels like an epic game of "what will keep my kid's attention long enough that I can accomplish this task". Am I right?! It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking of our kids as a distraction from what we really need to do and get done, or even what we want to do to relax. It's also easy to just coast through the day with our list of errands to accomplish and by the end of the day we put the kids to bed and collapse into bed ourselves, wondering what ever happened to our day and kicking ourselves for not listening a little more closely when our little one had something to tell us, rather than brushing it off with a simple "uh-huh". As I stepped into my first summer off with a little one, the Lord impressed on my mind the importance of taking advantage of this time with him and not wasting those precious moments that would soon fade as the school year starts again. So, I made some plans for my summer and the word I adopted to des...

Happy ten months, Miles! You've now been out longer than you were in, and we've had so much fun with you over the past month (and months)! You are continuing to develop such a fun little personality, and you make us laugh all the time. It is so much fun being your mama, and daddy and I love you so much! You had another busy month and here are some of the highlights- [Miles]tones: - You got your second tooth on July 4th - You also got a new cousin, Asher, on July 4th! It was a big day! - You visited the Elkhart County 4-H Fair with mama, grandma, and grandpa, and you loved seeing all the animals, watching dog, beef, and swine shows, watching Brock get grand champion steer, and taking lots of pictures! Oh, and you tried a little bit of mama's gyro, which you also loved! - You've started trying so hard to snap your fingers, and it's the cutest thing to watch! I'm sure you'll get it soon! - You learned to wave, although it sometimes morphs into playing ...

Dear Miles, Happy nine months on the outside, buddy! You've been out almost as long as you were in! I think this has been your busiest month of "firsts" so far. You are becoming quite the busy little guy, and you're just becoming more fun each day. We have so loved watching you grow and continue developing. We have heard many comments recently about how much you've changed in the last nine months, from a little dark-haired, red-toned baby, to a bleach-blonde, fair-skinned little boy. Time is just flying by and we are so blessed by your presence in our lives. Here are some of this month's highlights! [Miles]tones: -You popped your first tooth on June 9th (Grandma and Grandpa's wedding anniversary)! -You got your first haircut, carefully crafted by great aunt Marilyn. -You started crawling, and now nothing is safe! Riggins is convinced you're out to get him, and let's face it, you are. -You are consistently pulling yourself up onto your knee...

Dear Miles, We get to celebrate your eighth month on Memorial Day, and with a long weekend! Today we pause to remember everyone who has served our country so selflessly and so well, and with thankful hearts we think of their families who have faced their own hardships because of loved ones’ service. From the bottom of our hearts we thank them.   You’ve had another busy and fun month, Milan! Honestly, you are already creating fun wherever you go with your big, bright, easy smile and your belly laugh! So many have remarked about what a good boy you are, and how fun you are to have around. We absolutely couldn’t agree more! You are becoming such a little ham, more and more each day and it is our greatest pleasure to be your parents. Here are some of the highlights from this month- [Miles]tones: - You are just starting to get up on all fours and rock back and forth, getting ready to crawl. It won’t be long now!   - You are constantly jabbering to yourself...

Dear Miles, Happy seven months on the outside, buddy! Being your mama just keeps getting better and better! Daddy and I love you so much and you are just such a cheerful, wonderful, sweet boy! Here are some of the highlights from this month with you- [Miles]tones You celebrated your first Easter! You often scrunch up your nose now when you smile, and you’re making all kinds of hilarious faces and expressions You started eating purees and now eat them twice a day. You’re a big fan of oatmeal, avocado, and sweet potato, but not a huge fan of carrots and peas although you try your best to eat some You are sitting unsupported much better, although you prefer to play on your belly and roll everywhere you want to go You found your feet/toes and love playing with them You spent a weekend in Pittsburgh and loved going up the Duquesne Incline and visiting the zoo You love to scream and yell for no apparent reason, except that you like to hear yourself You just started a...

Dear Miles, Happy half birthday!! We celebrated your big day by staying up most of the night together (not on purpose), visiting the chiropractor together, and going on a walk with Riggins. You've been fighting a bit of a cold, but you've been so cheerful in the midst of it, always finishing a cough with a big, bright smile! You've had another busy month and here are some of the highlights- Miles[tones]: - Celebrated your cousin, Magnolia's, first birthday (I hope you can be a ring-bearer and flower girl together with her some day. You two are the cutest and love each other so much!) - Attended your first wedding for cousins Kevin and Kayla. - Visited the cottage for the first time, and met up with Jeff and Amy there. We had a lot of fun exploring Amish Country, hiking, playing with Riggins and Barley, and swinging the day away! - No teeth yet, but it seems inevitable that you will be getting one soon. -You are generous with your giggles and smiles! T...

Dear Miles, You’re five months old! This last month has been an absolute blast! You are becoming so much more predictable in your schedule and that helps us out so much. You are developing a wonderful, sweet personality and seeing you continue to grow and change has been our greatest delight. Here are some of your top achievements and memories from your fifth month of life- Miles[tones]: -           Giggling so much more and at the silliest things -           Enthralled and entertained by Riggins -           Went to your first student ministry Winter Retreat -           Traveled to Indiana with mama for your buddy, Baby O’s, baby shower -           Visited a new state, Michigan, and met your new buddy Derek -   ...