Chloe is 2!

Chloe,

What fun and laughter you have brought to our family the past two years.  You are so fun to watch and talk to.  You love to be acknowledged for every little thing you do, and you need verbal affirmation that we are watching.  You love to jump everywhere, hence why you broke your arm somewhere along the line. You are fearless and way too adventurous, just like your daddy. You have given me several palpitations. You can talk so much!  (Also, just like you're daddy).  Anytime it's quiet in the car,  you yell, "mommy!, and I say "yes, Chloe", and you respond with a simple, "hey."  You are very persistent and demanding when you want something.  You are so friendly and affectionate. You love babies, and you love to kiss them, especially when they are crying.  Some are afraid of you because you knock them over with your hugs :)   You love to play with Noah, and you actually follow his instructions.  You love to read books with him and learn from him. You love to jump on him and laugh with him. You are super social and love-able.  But you are most loved by daddy, Noah and I.  Happy Birthday my sweet, pretty girl!

have I mentioned how beautiful I think you are!

                                                   

birthday morning

 loving our buddies

 your favorite gift, Esme's picture :)

summer wrap

Here in pictures are our summer highlights...

Volleyball tournaments, they did so well this year!

 mowing our yard

 mowing the neighbors yard

 a monkey jumping on mommy's bed

 Free wine for daddy's at Sugarloaf Winery. Happy Father's Day!

 many evenings at the Rio

 snacks on the steps

blueberry picking, 50 lbs this summer!

these 2 :)

 beach time begins!

 zoo

This is after Chloe's first, and probably not last, visit to the ER.
She broke her ulna & her radius :(

 beach time round 2

our family's favorite place to nap

 

another great friend, Caleb.
We miss the Devries and love having the Loftness's in our home!

 

 just how I pictured my little girl, i guess

getting into trouble (this is under Danny's supervision :)

playdates,  boys being boys!

and finally, our answered prayer due in February :)

5 years ago today...

began the best days of our lives.  Happy Anniversary to us!

glory baby's due date

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

the things they say

Danny and I have laughed so much recently at the things our kids say.  This is why I started a blog and I have done a terrible job at recording them, but here's a few I remembered..

We were walking in Target, and a man with a heavy beard is walking towards us. Noah excitedly,  points his finger at him and shouts, "Look mom, it's John the Baptist!"

Noah is so affectionate and is verbalizing more and more his love for us.  Yesterday on our walk, he randomly pauses, looks at me and says, "Mom, I love you, I love daddy, and I love Chloe."

My sweet husband blessed me today with a planned trip to go so our dear friends, the Kauflin's. He failed to inform me that I would be traveling solo on the way there.  (I am still struggling with this). So he looks at Noah and says, "Noah, tell mommy she can fly by herself. She'll be okay."  My wise son responds, "She can't! She needs you!"

And then there's little Chloe who recently picked up on my name and calls me, "Meema" sometimes. Well today she picked up on what Danny calls me, and when she needed my attention called, "babe, babe, babe!"

We were expecting our newborn this week, and my heart is sad and still grieving.  But we have learned to be content with where our family is now and are grateful for the two precious lives that the Lord has placed in our life at this time.  I was so grateful for these joyful moments today that reminded me of how undeserved I am to have all that He has given me, and how I have no reason to doubt the faithful hand of our Sovereign God, who in His timing, works all things together for our good.

an hour in the life of Chloe

We had a lovely breakfast at the Rio's Corner Bakery. Noah, Chloe and I headed to the gazebo to watch the ducks while Danny took our trash in.  A few minutes into watching, I walked away for a quick second to see if Danny knew where we were.  I think about 2 steps later I hear Chloe, "Oh no, boot (her word for shoe) bye-bye, boot bye-bye!" I looked down and Chloe has one shoe on, and sure enough Noah informs me that Chloe's croc is swimming. I had to laugh (I think I knew Danny would find a way to rescue her shoe).  Danny arrives and the croc slowly kept drifting to the center.  

This croc is an important investment to us. Our kids were crocs, and only crocs, 3 out of the 4 seasons a year.  We still had 2 seasons to go. We thought we could just wait & do the paddle boats which didn't open for another 2 hours. On our way to the boats we ran into maintenance people, and they had a genius and probably illegal idea. He through these massive rocks past the shoe, and the ripples they created drew the croc to shore-15 rocks later.  Ahhhh.

 drifting away

 rescuers at the scene

                                      

Cinderella's shoe finds it's rightful owner :)