Catching Up...

I think I have forgotten about this blog...probably because our lives are not lacking in things to do.  :)

We said goodbye to summer and Brian and I got to take our very first trip alone since having children.  It was wonderful to go and it was wonderful to come back.  Soon later we helped my parents celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  Samuel turned one in early October.  I had that strange feeling of "He's already one year?!?" accompanied by "He's only been with us one year?!?"  Funny how that happens.  We had a simple little party with family and (most importantly to Benjamin) cake.

Along with is first birthday was also his first haircut.  Uncle Harold was right - everyone should attempt to cut the hair of a young child at some point in their life...maybe it should be an Olympic sport.

Before we knew it, it was the end of October.  The boys did dress up even though colds kept Tigger and Piglet home from making any visits.  (Thanks to aunt Jenny for loaning us the costumes.)

Thanksgiving has come and gone, reminding us how very grateful we are for all of the blessings God has given us - grace, mercy, family, two healthy boys, friends, health, and purpose.

Now it is the Christmas season where we celebrate John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever believes in Him will not parish, but have everlasting life."  We are starting to decorate and Benjamin is so excited to get a tree tomorrow.

Benjamin is doing very well.  He started back to preschool in September, and everyone pretty much agrees that he won't qualify next year, meaning that he has caught up with his peers enough to be in a standard preschool.  That is of course great news.  He is has been going through a growth spurt and grew almost an inch last month!  His vocabulary increases every day.  He can say his ABCs and cound to 14+ on his own.  Our current prayer for him is for his ears as he had a report today that wasn't so good.  He is getting over a cold, so we are praying that when we have a follow-up in January that the issues have resolved.

Samuel has started to walk.  He is at an age that I absolutely love regarding how much personality he has and how playful he is, but also a phase that makes me a little crazy with opening cupboards and pulling everything out.  I currently have most of my cupboards rubber-banded together to help keep them shut.  I very much remember this phase with Benjamin. :)