Micah & Kelly's Wedding!

My brother-in-law, Micah married his best friend, Kelly Bass on Saturday, December 26th at 1pm. The wedding was beautiful! It was at the same church that Shane and I were married in 6 years earlier, and also Shane's sister, Bethany almost 10 years ago.

I loved watching Micah's face when his bride came down the isle. He kept taking deep breaths & saying, 'wow' :). They both held it together while they said their vows, though I must say I did cry! I've known Micah for about 9 years now. He was only 14 when I started coming around The Washam Family. He was 17 when he was Shane's Best Man in our wedding. So, as I sat there watching him say his vows to his bride, I couldn't help but get emotional. I can't believe he's old enough to be a husband! What a great husband he will be!

The reception was a blast! Kelly taught us all a line-dance which was a lot of fun. I got the shock of my life when Shane jumped up there to learn the dance with us...'who is this guy, & what happened to my husband?' It was one of the highlights of my day as my introverted husband was dancing beside me! I loved it!

Ever since Josiah danced with his Aunt Pammy at her wedding in May '09, he has been counting down the weeks until dancing with his Auntie Kelly in her wedding dress. He almost didn't let Kelly breathe! He kept running up to her asking her to dance. She was wonderful & had fun dancing with him.

I wish I had more pictures, but I'll post more when I get some from theiri photographer.

Congrats, Micah & Kelly! Kelly, welcome to the family; we love you!!!

It's been a while!

I haven't blogged in a while. I guess life has been busy (as well as for most people).

Here's a little of great time we've been having...

*We made a Gingerbread House with Josiah again this year. Last year we bought a kit, but this year we decided to give it a try on our own. The house tried caving in a few times, but it held up! Shane started a frosting fight with us, so that was a lot of fun. Josiah of course, was too busy eating the candy to help decorate.

*Visit with Santa Clause. Josiah was uneasy about sitting on his lap, but finally did it when he realized he was giving out lolly pops. Meghan cried :(.

*Meghan is 11 months old now. I can't believe her first birthday is just around the corner. She is precious. I love watching her play so independantely. I love holding her right before I lay her down for her nap. She only allowed me to do so for a few seconds, as she really likes her bed.

*Shane surprised me and took me to Lake Arrowhead for a couple of days. It was so nice to get away, just the two of us. We drove to Big Bear one day & walked around some shops. I had a great time & am so thankful for Shane taking us away!

Just stop...

Yesterday was one of my many 'One of those days' as well. I too stayed up way too late the evening before. My son, due to this awesome (sarcasm) time change, woke up at 5am and would not go back to sleep. When this happens, he ends up being cranky all morning because he is so tired. It begins a battle with him...

As the battle began, I realized what I needed to do...I just stopped. I stopped the list going on in my head of all the things I needed to do...laundry, dishes, etc. I spent time with my son. We threw the football around, read books, and colored. I could tell he was too tired to be a good listener for the time being & that I couldn't ask too much of him the hour before naptime. So, we spent it together instead of me just putting on a show for him to watch while I caught up on cleaning the floors.

What a difference that made. I loved him crawling up on my lap & listening to the stories I was reading him. I loved the questions he asked about the characters even pointing out letters he is learning.

And the football playing...that is always a blast! He has us put on our pretend helmets, then he even throws a few 'fake-outs' to me :). With the ball in his hand, he zig-zags around, as if to be dodging other players, and then throws me an surprisingly very spiral ball for a 3 year old. I catch it, and then he runs to me for me to tackle him. Yes, those times are priceless!

If I would rely on God to help me think through situations instead of trying to tackle it myself, then that would probably happen! I am so glad that I did that yesterday. It ended up being a wonderful day!

I wish more often that I would 'just stop' because this is how fast it goes...

Josiah & I the day he was born..........and Josiah & I 3 years later!

Trick or Treating

Tonight was a lot of fun. My parents came out to spend the evening with us. We started out at a shopping center going to stores. Then we took a break & grabbed some good 'ol In-N-Out Burger :). Then it was off to some neighborhoods to do door-to-door trick-or-treating.

Josiah didn't remember anything from last year's Treat or Treating so it was neat to watch his reaction to things. It took him a while to get into the whole idea of knocking on people's doors. Once he got the hang of it, though he had a great time. After he got the candy from each house, he'd just look into his bucket for about 5-10 seconds, just starring at what he got as if thinking, 'whoa, that's some good candy...can I please eat it all now?' It was quite funny.

Josiah was Buzz Lightyear. He pushed a fake button on his costume & would say, 'To infinity & beyond' and then run! He told us several times through the night that he was having fun & he thanked us for taking him; very sweet! We're glad he got a couple of his favorite candies: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. That brightened his eyes.

Meghan was a strawberry for her first Halloween. She did great at keeping the hat on. I must admit taking her up to the doors to get candy felt weird, but what can I say...I wanted candy :). She did great out with us...being in her stroller or being held. It looked like she enjoyed the time. Next year will be fun when she'll be walking.

I think my favorite out of the shops vs. neighborhoods is the neighborhoods...for now. We ran into a couple scary houses that we passed by. We didn't encounter any scary people who were out to just be creepy & scare kids. We'll see as the years go on if the kids get scared or not. There was just something about being in a neighborhood that felt more like real trick-or-treating. Plus it was quieter & the candy was way better :).

Hope you all had an enjoyable evening!

Sleep...or the lack of...

I do not react well when my kids wake up early (in the morning, or from naps). Something about feeling like I 'deserve' more sleep, or more time alone :). Shane reminded me this morning that they don't do it on purpose. They don't know it's early & are certainly not doing it to irritate me. I really have to watch my attitude when it happens, though. I get so frustrated & feel ripped off. What is true: They are watching how I respond to them, especially Josiah. He knows that God wants him to make the right choice. He knows that God wants him to be kind to others & treat them with love. So, when I react wrong to him, it is not a good example. I want to respond the way God wants me too! More than anything, I want them to see the kindness & love God shows me, through the way I relate to them. Oh boy, is it hard at 5:45 in the morning to just be ok with getting up for the day & entertaining a 9 month old. What to do with her at that time...I have no idea :). But, the more important thing is how I treat her. I can't get frustrated with her when she has not done anything wrong. The heart issue: I want what I want! But if I can't choose the right response in a little circumstance, such as being woken up when I don't want to be, then how am I going to respond in a real issue that happens that I don't like? I should respond right! So, ideas for what to do when the baby won't go back to sleep that early? *First and foremost for me: Pray for the right attitude...for God to be pleased by the response I've chosen. *Read scripture *Read a book *Watch a movie Any other ideas?

The kids are growing up!

Josiah is now 3 1/2. The "1/2"...whoa, that means he's on his way to being 4!!! His favorite things right now are... *playing the 'Fusion Frenzy' game on xbox *making up songs to tunes he already knows, based on events in his life :) *puzzles! He's amazing at these. His favorite is the 63 piece Mickey one. *playing with his cousins! *reading his Bible (well, we read it to him, but he LOVES the stories). He is still testing boundaries, of course :). When I raise my voice at him in frustration of his disobedience, he has started asking, "Mommy, do you still love me?" In which I respond, "What do you think?" He in return says, "Yes!". Though it can feel sad that he's even asking me that question, I use it as a great way to relate it to God. "Mommy loves you & will always love you, even when you choose wrong things...just like how God treats us. God loves you so much, no matter what you do!" Here are a few pictures of Josiah: Josiah playing 'Rock Band'.

Josiah & I took a "Little Chef's" class through the city. We made food together.

He doesn't fall asleep places very often, but this time he did while watching a show.

He likes to hold his baby sister. Look how big she's getting!

Meghan is 9 months old now. She is growing up too fast! Something with the second child. I blink & she's almost a year! Where did the last 9 months go? They were spent taking care of 2 children :). With much fun, laughter, and frustration at times.

Some things Meghan likes: *playing. She does great at playing by herself.

*getting into things. She's more destructive than Josiah was!

*making a break for the stairs! I have to keep that gate up!

*snacks! Food, not so much. Crackers or pretzels make her happy.

Here are a few pictures of Meghan:

Getting into the cubboard, chewing on a pack of gum!

There's just something' about bath towel pictures :)! Our big girl at Chuck E . Cheese. She liked the rides...even though they weren't moving! She pulls herself up in her crib now :).

What God is teaching me...

Life has been hard the past few months. A couple months back, Shane got a pay decrease at his full-time job. Though this was hard, we knew that by cutting back in our budget, we would be ok. Then about a month ago, he lost his part-time job. My first reaction: Fear. I thought, "What are we supposed to do now?" I ran all the worst case scenerios in my head of what life is now going to look like...'How are we supposed to make it?"..."Where are we going to have to move to?", etc. When life throws a curve ball, your thoughts are the first to go downhill. Thankfully, the fear didn't last long!... What has helped take away this fear? God! As I dug into His word, The Bible, I was reminded of His complete love for me...and His promise to take care of me... *Matthew 6:24-33. Talks about how God takes care of the birds...how much more does He love me? I do not have to worry that He won't take care of me! *Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." *Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid." *Psalm 25:3 "No one whose hope is in You will eve be put to shame." *Psalm 26:3 "For Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in Your truth." *Psalm 10:17 "You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them & You listen to their cry." *2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 "May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself & God our Father, who loved us & by His grace gave us eternal encouragment & good hope, encourage your hearts & strengthen you in every good deed & word." The emotion I've been feeling the most lately: Sadness. I am really sad that Shane lost his part-time job. It was one he had for 4 years & enjoyed watching him in that role. Of course it is natural to be sad & perfectly fine! But, I also have to move towards being okay & trusting God to help us through it. God has reminded me that He has a perfect plan for our lives and it might not line up with the plan We thought was perfect for us. A fear that can creep up about God's plan: What if it's not a plan that I like? In reality, that may happen. But He created us, He knows what's best for us & will do only what is best for us. He will not rip us off, He will provide enormous blessing to His children! I can be confident in that! So, what to do now? I have a choice. I either complain & live in fear of the unknown, or I choose to trust God and Pray!!! *1 Thessalonians. 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." *Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers & requests. With this in mind, be alert & always keep on praying for all the saints." It does not mean that all my fear & sadness are gone & will never come back. There are going to be days when I feel those creeping back into my mind & heart. But I have God's word to hold onto & remind me that I can trust in the God of the universe who Created Me and loves me so much. Because I am His child, He will provide! So, Shane and I will continue to pray. Looking back over our marriage & the life God has given us, we have seen His hand work in His perfect timing. There have been many times where we haven't understood why situtations were happening or why it was taking so long, but God was faithful! Through it, we've learned to trust Him more & handle things the way He wants us to. This is just one more way we can say to God, "I trust You!" I know You love us & will take care of us. Thank You, God for being loving & faithful.

Josiah's Waterslide Fun!

For Labor Day, we went to a friends house for the day. They have one of the most fun homes. Josiah was able to play pin-ball, air hockey, video games and best of all...go down their waterslide! He was a little nervous at first & wanted me to go down with him, but after that he just went for it. I love that he is not scared of things like this (at least not now). We had a great time spending the day with friends.

Meghan's crawling!

Meghan is now crawling! She's 7 months old & loves to get into everything!!! She crawls to all those things I would never want her to have...shoes, trashcans, etc. So I have to make sure I 'baby proof' the house now...the time has come :(. I love seeing her grow up, though. She recognizes Shane, Josiah and I. She lights up when Shane comes home & when he & Josiah play with her. She's also gotten into this oh so wonderful phase of crying when I leave the room. It is sweet that she wants her mom, but is tough at the same time. Since she's figured out how to crawl now, she has also discovered she can pull herself up on things. Josiah used to sit on his little couch eating snacks & now he has to sit up higher as Meghan wants to grab anything he has. She is determined to sneak some of his snacks :). Here are a few pictures of Meghan the first time she started to crawl. We were at my parents house & she looked like she was about to do it, so I grabbed the camera. The timing was perfect.

Yeah, Meghan! You finally did it!

She often gets stuck places now...

Here she is crawling up Josiah's couch!

Meghan's pictures: 6 months!

Our good friend, Shannon, took Meghan's 6 month pictures for us. It was a very fun morning as she played with Meghan and got some great shots.

This one's my favorite...

Meghan is 6 months old!

Our little girl is 6 months old now! She eats all kinds of baby food now...applesauce, peas, etc. She likes everything she's tried so far & it helps keep her tummy full to sleep through the night. She crawls backwards now & turns around in circles to get where she wants. She still gets mad though because the toys are in front of her & she just can't reach them! She can sit up now, which she loves to do. She's growing up so fast! Here are some pictures of Meghan... She sure loves her Daddy... Not close to walking yet, but has fun when Daddy helps her...

This is what she's like when mommy leaves the room...

Her first time sitting in the shopping cart by herself...

Our 'Staycation'!

Last week was our family vacation, well a 'staycation' really. We stayed at our home & did fun things throughout the day. We had a blast! I thought it would be hard for me being at home & having that urge to clean & do laundry, etc. Instead, I found it very relaxing and enjoyable. Some things we did included a Quakes baseball game, bounce house, 'John's Incredible Pizza', attempting to take Josiah rollerskating (he didn't quite understand it & it scared him), Josiah's first horse back riding experience...he loved it! Then, Shane and I dropped the kids off at my parents house (where Meghan had her first sleep over). We went to Newport Beach and kayaked for the first time. Our vacation was so nice as we spent time together! Here are some pictures from it. At a Quakes baseball game! Playing drums at 'John's Incredible Pizza'. Attempting roller skating...no such luck! Josiah's first time on a horse!