I thought I was going to begin 2013 with a new blog; Blogger would not let me upload anymore photos because it said I had exhausted my photo storage--how could I have a blog without photos?! Luckily, while mentioning this to a friend, she told me that I could upload photos to my blog if I uploaded them to Photobucket first. It worked--Life Written Down survived 2012!
Christmas Break came and went. We had a busy but fun Christmas Break as a family. My favorite part of Christmas this year was watching the cousins play together.
Carter & Brody keeping an eye on the neighbors
The cousins playing a serious game of Chinese checkers
Since having Caden and Carter, giving has become more important to me. It breaks my heart that there are kids who are lacking the basic necessities: food, clothing, and shelter. When our boys grow up, I want them to be givers. In order for them to become givers, they need to see us give. This Christmas season, I have been trying to find ways to include Caden in the giving process. I know that a lot of families are struggling financially, but there are a lot of ways to give without spending a lot of money. Here are some affordable ideas for getting young kids involved in the giving process this Christmas season: 1. Donate clothes and toys: Usually, before Christmas and birthdays, I go through the boys' toys and clothes and either give them to someone who I know needs them or donate them. This year, I decided to include Caden in the process. I am so proud of him; he donated two large bags of toys that he no longer plays with. 2. Donate food: You do not have to donate a lot of food. Caden picked out two items at the grocery store to put in the food barrel at church. Again, I do not think it is the amount that matters; it is the process of teaching our kids about the importance of giving. 3.Operation Christmas Child: For under $20, you can fill a shoe box for a child who lives somewhere around the world who has very little. Caden enjoyed shopping for a boy his own age and understood that the things we were buying were not for him. 4. Angel Tree: Since Caden was born, he has picked out a gift for a boy on the Angel Tree his own age. This year, I talked him in to picking a 3-month-old girl who wants car seat toys--how precious! In the past, I have been frustrated by the Angel Tree because of the requests for $100-$200 items. This year, there seemed to be a lot of requests for affordable gifts, which was nice to see. 5. Donate a new toy: During the Christmas season, many businesses collect new toys for kids. We have not donated a new toy yet, but plan on finding something for the RiverBend Pediatrics Drive. When you donate a new toy, it does not have to be an expensive toy. Both Ross and TJ Maxx are excellent places to find a nice toy for an affordable price. Caden loves searching the toy sections in both stores to look for "treasures." It has been so much fun helping Caden pick things out for others. He has always had a giving heart, but I think he is beginning to understand that there are kids who have very little and he is blessed to have what he has.
Sometimes I read blogs and wish I was able to be as honest and open as other people are on their blogs. Because of my job, I am very careful about what I post about our family. I am continuously inspired by people who are honest and open about the struggles and trials they go through in this life. What I do know is that in all of the struggles and trials our family has been through, is going through, and will go through, God has not and will not forsake us.
Vertical Church Band's song, "Not for a Moment," has been my comfort lately reminding me that God is constant, God is good, God is sovereign, and He will never forsake us.
In September, I did something I have not done in a long time--I photographed a wedding. From time to time, I get asked to photograph a wedding, but I usually politely decline. Weddings make me nervous; if something goes wrong, you cannot re-shoot them. One of my good friends from high school asked me to photograph her wedding and I tried to say no, but she would not let me. To make me a little less nervous, I took my brother along as my second shooter. My brother and I worked really well together and it made us ponder possibly shooting more weddings together in the future.
Thank you again Heather & Macin for letting us be a part of your special day!
(I found this post from October in my "drafts" and am not sure why I didn't post it.) Caden: "Mom, guess who's student of the week?!" Me: "Who?" Caden: "I am!"
And, in case you can't read it. . . he still wants to be a rock star!
Rapping with his Dollar Tree mic
When we're in the car, he always wants to listen to Colby's music. He usually sings the choruses, but today I heard him starting to rap. Like father, like son! (He now raps the entire song Colby wrote me for our wedding. I need to videotape it.)
Today was a gorgeous fall day. I took the boys to Dorris Ranch to let them run off some energy. I wasn't going to take my camera, but I'm glad I did. This photo makes me smile.
I have been in the "fall mood" lately. Trader Joe's must love to see me coming because so far I have left with pumpkin bagels, pumpkin pancake mix, spiced apple cider, and pumpkin pie. I think it is the changing leaves-I love the changing leaves in Oregon this time of year. I need to get out there, brave the rain, and snap a few photos before winter arrives all too soon.
We braved the rain today and headed to the pumpkin patch. When you tell a four-year-old that you are going to the pumpkin patch on Saturday, you go to the pumpkin patch on Saturday. . .rain or shine. It was beautiful when we left, but by the time we arrived to the pumpkin patch, it was pouring. Caden and Brody did not seem to mind the rain, but Carter was not happy about it! We quickly found pumpkins and returned home. Caden and Carter were so excited that they got to take cousin Brody to the pumpkin patch and spend the day with him. It is so much fun watching the cousins play together!
Relaxing in the hay before the hayride.
Curls! Carter loved the hayride.
Carter with a pumpkin as big as him.
Our handsome four-year-old.
I love this photo. He has made this face since he was a baby.
