right before our eyes

She's growing up right before our eyes. Kaiya learned to ride her bike without training wheels late this summer. This photo is quite funny to me. Luca decided to walk right in her path and Kaiya was inches from running her over. Daddy and Caedmon are frantically watching from behind. Luca is oblivious. Thankfully Kaiya just missed her sister and all was well. :) Thankful to see all smiles instead of tears in this photo. :)I loved how big brother took interest on his own in trying to help his sister that day.




With such a great accomplishment came the reward of an ice cream treat. Kaiya turned five recently. We went out and celebrated as a family on the big day. She chose to see a movie and eat at a burger and fries restaurant. We continued celebrating the next day with a small party. Kaiya ordered a pink cake. Can't believe this girly is five...although at times it seems like she is a mini-teenager. Her interests now are make-up, drawing and making crafts, baking cookies and helping in the kitchen, writing letters and numbers and riding her bike. She doesn't play with her dolls or any toys for that matter.She loves her grandparents.A gift from Grandma B.She loves her daddy.
We discovered recently that she had a loose tooth. She's been waiting for this day for a long time. In fact the very next day after we realized the tooth was loose, she wanted it pulled....so out it came. Within a week or so the one next to it came out too.
I love how eager and willing that Kaiya is to help out when I ask her...with the exception of folding socks. :) I love how she makes friends wherever she goes. She takes me out of my own comfort zone many times because of her boldness and love of people. I love that!I love her giggle, her smile...the brightness and sunshine that she adds to our family. I love her love of learning. She started reading at the end of summer. She's been spelling words, doing math and writes numbers and letters almost every day.Happy 5th Birthday, Sweet Kaiya!

Dancing Baby and Belly Shots

Luca loves to dance. Love how she gets down with her bad self in this video. :)

Six month belly shots per your request. :) Lots of growth over the past month. I'm feeling "big" and more uncomfortable now...especially at night when I'm trying to find that comfortable position to sleep in. Once I do, it's time to get up and use the bathroom though. :) It's going fast...way too fast. Wish I could slow it down. I've loved being pregnant.

baby quinn

On September 9th, we became an aunt and uncle for the thirteenth time. A niece, Quinn Ruthie, was born early that morning to Kevin's sister Joyce. What should have been a joyful day of celebrating a new life born into our family, turned into a day of tears, sadness and questions as to why God would allow her life to come to an end after a few short hours. We left the next morning for Alabama and the next few days were a mixture of joys and painful sadness. It was a comfort and a joy to all be together as a family, but a painful sadness for the reason we were there. Kevin's brother flew in from Costa Rica with their family. We hadn't seen them all since last year. It was a joy to embrace them once again. It was a joy to see the cousins playing together and loving each other...it was a painful sadness to know that one was missing.

This picture was taken the morning of the funeral. We all had breakfast together at Jason and Joyce's home. My nephew Owen put on some praise music and the grand kids started dancing and praising in the living room. It was sweet to see their innocence and joy on such a sad day...it was comforting and made me smile. Kaiya with Aunt Joyce.
Cousin Karis with Luca BellaSarah, Krista and I after the funeralSaying goodbye - Krista, Joyce, Sarah and I Dear Baby Quinn,

We have twelve nieces and nephews. You were to be our thirteenth. We anticipated your arrival with excitement and love just as we did the other twelve. I talked with your mommy a few weeks before your birth. She was on her way to one of the final doctor appointments before your arrival. I had a doctor appointment that same day. What made your arrival extra special for me was that in a few short months after your birth, I would give birth to your cousin and you would only be a few months apart. What a joy to experience this pregnancy...something I thought would never happen. What a joy to experience it together with you and your mommy! I looked forward to you two growing up together so close in age. I also envisioned our little boy picking on and tormenting you and your girly adventures.

Early on September 9th our phone rang. It was early enough that we were still lying in bed. It was also early enough that I questioned Kevin who would be calling at this time. He immediately mentioned your mommy's name and the possibility of news of your arrival. It was Grandma B. on the other line and I listened in on the conversation. I drew the conclusion that you had arrived and excitement filled me. I also sensed that there may have been a complication. After getting off the phone, Kevin shared about your arrival, your beautiful name and the news that your heart rate was low. We prayed right then, and I felt in my heart that you would be ok.

Later on that morning we got another call from Grandma. You were still struggling, but your heart rate had risen a bit. I praised God and continued praying...asking God to open up your lungs so you could breath easily and continue to gain more strength. Another phone call came and this time the news that you probably wouldn't pull through...with tears streaming down my face, I fell to my knees and begged God to touch your little body...This could not be happening...it just couldn't...it wasn't supposed to be this way...God help us.

God swept you up into His arms and as the song was sung by your uncle, you are now "Safe in the Arms of Jesus". The very next Sunday after returning home from Alabama, we sang "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" at our church. I knew it wasn't a coincidence that we had just sang that song at your funeral, but a comforting touch from God for us at that moment.

We will forever miss you...our sweet baby niece, Quinn Ruthie. You are forever in our hearts and we will always remember you in the birth order of our nieces and nephews as number thirteen. Our arms ache to hold you and love on you. We look forward even more now to that glorious day when we will all be together in our forever home. We love you.

Psalm 139:13-16

Oh yes baby Quinn, you were shaped from the inside, then out;

you were formed in your mother's womb.

We thank God--He is amazing!

Body and soul, you were marvelously made!

We worship in adoration--what a creation!

God knows you inside and out,

He knows every bone in your body;

He knows exactly how you were made, bit by bit,

How you were sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, He watched you grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of your life were spread out before Him,

The days of your life all prepared

before you'd even lived one day.

With much love and aching arms,

aunt Sherri