Josiah is 4 years old!

On Monday, my little boy turned 4! For some reason that feels so big to me. Ages 1, 2 & 3 still felt like Josiah was a little kid, but then 4 came & oh, he just seems so much bigger.

On Sunday we had a Wii Birthday party for him. Him & other kids played video games for a while with a break for Birthday cake & opening presents. He had a wonderful time! Then on his actual Birthday, I took him & 3 of his younger friends who dno't know how to video games, to McDonalds. They played & I brought cake & then got them each an ice cream cone. Later that evening, Josiah opened the gifts from Shane and I. We let him pick where he wanted to go for dessert & he chose Rite Aid...my kind of boy!!! So, we ended our evening with a drive around the corner to get a treat.

A few things Josiah is into these days:

*Video games: Fusion Frenzy on Xbox

*Board games: Kirplunk, Yahtzee Jr., Candy Land, Memory, etc.

*Soccer

*Reading his Bible

*Playing with his friends

The best part of this past year with Josiah is all the questions he's been asking about God. He is very interested in wanting to follow God & do what He says. Shane and I think he is really close to choosing a relationship with God! He has told me a few times that he wants to ask Jesus into his heart. Then he gets a little distracted & I'm not quite sure if he gets it yet. But the fact that he is showing so much interest is the most wonderful thing!

Update on life

Update on our family life after the pictures below... Josiah playing soccer.

Right after he made his first goal!

Fishing

Here we are with the lovely fish...

Playing at Gramps & Grammy's house

Josiah helping me make cookies

His 'kissy' face...

Meghan waking Josiah up from his nap

She said 'cheese' when she saw me with the camer!

"Helping" me with the laundry!

Her cute little hat.

Learning the family instrument already!

What God has been teaching me...

God is teaching me a lot about patience & contentment. What I've discovered is that being patient means to wait without complaining. There have been many times when I think I'm being patient, but at the same time I'm complaining about my current situation. So, God is teaching me to be thankful for the things He's provided for us! He will always take care of us in times of trouble...and in times of joy! This season of our life is tough. Shane's part-time job loss has hit us hard financially. We're having to cut many things out of our budget that are definitely not 'needs'. Each day when I feel myself getting frustrated that I'm having to try & live 'small', I turn my heart towards praise to God. I began thanking Him for everything He has given me & for His promise to take care of me. That He is doing! So, I wait patiently to see when our financial situation will be better. But in the meantime, I am enjoying life & trying to please God with my attitude!

Though finances are tough, I more so am just feeling sad about the part-time job loss. I wish that things could be fixed & go back to how they were. We're waiting for answers from God & trying to be faithful as we move forward in life. I appreciate my husband so much as he seeks God out to try to figure out 'where to go from here'. He has a few things he's praying about pursuing, but still has his love for his old part-time job which weighs a lot on his heart. I'm grateful beyond words for our God. He brings comfort & hope. He's the One we can turn to!

Some fun family times...

We were able to go fishing with some families from church. Josiah was more interested in playing soccer & other fun things they had lying around than he actually was fishing. After a couple of tries, we finally caught a fish! We...I mean, Shane! I thought it was pretty gross, but hey, I never went fishing growing up, so it's new to me. Shane cooked the nice rainbow trout in garlic & butter. I said I wouldn't try it, but I took a bite! I can't believe I thought it was good...who would have thought? Nice job on the cooking, Babe!

Yesterday, Josiah has his first soccer 'game'. I say 'game' because at 3 years old, the kids just learn a little fundamentals of soccer. They did some exercises & a few drills that consisted of kicking the ball to your partner. The last 15 minutes or so, the kids were divided into teams (blue/green). They were then numbered off. If your number was called, you had to run out onto the field & try to score a goal before the other team did. Josiah ran on the field as soon as his number was called & scored both of his goals! That was the highlight of his time! Even at this age he is so competitive. He kept asking which team won :). Of course they didn't keep score outloud, but Josiah's team slaughtered the other guys :). I was so proud of Josiah's attitude. He listened to his couches very well & treated his teammates kindly. He was cheering them on & was being patient for his turn. It's times like that that I know our hard work in raising him how God wants us to is really sinking in for him.

Little Meghan Joy is growing so fast. This morning she said her first phrase: "Hi Daddy". I loved it! She walked into our room where Daddy was just getting up & she clearly said Hi to just him :). There are a few pictures above of some cute things she's doing. She likes to play in the laundry basket of clothes I have just folded...great! :) One day I asked her if she wanted to go get 'Bubba' & she crawled upstairs & went straight to his door. I had to help her open it, but once it was open she walked to his bed & took his covers off. She really was waking him up. She's so funny!

Enjoy the pictures! I pray God is teaching you a lot of things too!

Meghan's 1st Birthday!

On January 16th, Meghan turned 1!!! The year went by way too fast. I remember back to the day of her arrival. I was laying in a room waiting to go in for my c-section. Shane had given me his ipod to listen to music & try to relax, as I was very nervous. I layed there crying for a few reasons...I was sad that it was my last few moments being pregnant. I loved being pregnant & feeling Meghan move inside of me. Another reason for the tears was fear. I was nervous about the giant needle going in my back & was praying that Meghan and I would be okay.

At 2:05pm I heard the most beautiful cry. My daughter was here!

She cried a lot while they cleaned her up. Then they brought her to me so I could see her for a few minutes. As soon as my lips touched her cheek when I gave her her first kiss, she stopped crying. She knew me already :).

Then about an hour later, she was placed in my arms. Tears began again as I held my baby girl. She was beautiful!

I'd always wanted a daughter but really wasn't sure if God would choose to give me one. I had set my heart to being fine with all boys. Then, the ultrasound day arrived & much to my surprise (and extreme happiness), the ultrasound technician said 'It's a Girl'!

And now, that girl celebrated her 1st Birthday!

Her Birthday was a lot of fun. Shane, Josiah & I went into her room when she woke up that morning & sang her 'Happy Birthday'. We gave her the presents we got her & the started getting ready for her party.

We had our families over & a few friends for teh big day. Our home was filled with pink, purple & green balloons, flowers & banners. Josiah loved it!

The guests arrived & we got started with a few games for the kids...pin the cupcake in the little girl's hand, baby bottle bowling & beanbag toss. Trying to get around 10 kids to patiently await their turn was very challenging :).

Then came Meghan's first taste of cake. She gently stuck her fingers in the icing & tasted it. I could tell she liked it. I then put some of the chocolate cake on her hand & let her eat that. She definitely likes cake :). She was pretty dainty about the whole thing; didn't go crazy, although she still managed to get very messy.

A few minutes later, Meghan opened her presents. She had fun opening her toys and began playing with them right away.

It was a very memorable day.

Some things I love about her:

*how she darts for the stairs as soon as she sees the gate is not up

*that she lights up when Daddy comes home

*she wants whatever we're eating

*her smile & cute laugh

*how she stands up whenever I put her in a cart or high-chair

*how she plays so independantly with toys

*that she gives her babies kisses & feeds them a bottle

*her beautiful blue eyes & gorgeous blonde hair

*how she likes to help me push the shopping cart

*she recognizes her big brother & says 'Bubba'

*when I say, 'Can I have a kiss?', she leans in & lets me kiss her

*how she knows how to hold her bottle but would rather me do it for her

*her way of playing is dumping things out & putting them back into a bucket

*she laughs so hard when you chase her

*she can give high-five's (that of course, Daddy taught her)

What a wonderful 1st year we've had with Meghan. We're so grateful for her & the joy she has brought to our lives.

Happy 1st Birthday, Meghan Joy! Shane and Meghan when she was born!Shane and Meghan on her 1st Birthday!Meghan and I when she was born!Meghan and I on her 1st Birthday!Getting ready to eat her first cake ever!She definitely liked it!She was such a cutie!

Josiah enjoying helping Meghan with her presents!

She loves this toy!

Meghan at 11 months old...

Though Meghan is turning one tomorrow!!!...I thought I'd share pictures of her at 11 months. She's had a month full of great times, which included her First Christmas and her first steps (on Christmas Day even)! We celebrated Christmas 3 different times with wonderful family. She did great at all of them & liked opening the gifts. On Christmas Day at Shane's parents house, Meghan took her first steps! It was so exciting watching her do that. Since then she will walk a little if I stand her up, but she gets lazy & sits down after 4 or 5 steps. I think it will be soon that she'll walk more. Josiah's doing great with her. He's a big help. He loves to help put her pajamas in the hamper & her diaper in the trash. He likes making her laugh by singing songs & making funny noises. He likes bath time with her...although I have to work on him not pouring water in her face. We're pretty sure that whole milk is not doing good in her system. It seemed to clog her up. So, for now, she's just getting formula. I'll check with her Dr. at her 1 year appointment to see what I can do. Here are some pictures from this past month... Josiah giving her a bottle.

Josiah feeding her yogurt.

First steps! So glad I had the camera ready.

Good job, Meghan!

Mommy & Meghan in Christmas pajamas.

Meghan's first stocking!

Playing with Josiah' light saber.

She has a lot of fun with it. You can't tell in the picture, but the light is on it & she loves that.

She thinks she's so big when she climbs up on Josiah's bed!

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!