A post of many posts

I was reviewing the posts from this year, and there was so much not captured. We have had some memorable times. I'm so exhausted most nights that sleep wins vs. blogging. But I went to bed at 8 last night, and and my Christmas shopping is done before December :) I'm feeling pretty good, so here's some things I missed...

Our Bethany Beach trip is always a highlight especially when the Averills join in. It felt like deja vu seeing Grace on the rides for the first time. Just a few years ago, this was Noah and Chloe.

  

And speaking of Grace, she's getting cuter and more fierce!

Father-Son camping trip

Hershey park with the Devries!

Daddy did his first sprint triathlon with Dave Devries. This was an adventure for all of us. Dad had no idea that we were doing our own little race on public transportation at the same time.  Ms. Hannah and I thought we would bless the dads by taking all 8 of you down to D.C. for the finish.  (This homebody really loves your dad.)  If only we knew (or paid closer attention to one additional sign instead of 8 needy children), before we hopped on the metro that it was out of service for 5 stops, this story could have had a happier ending.  However, we went for the more memorable story.  So after our car ride to the metro, the metro to Twinbrook, the bus to Friendship Heights, and back on the metro to Smithsonian, we arrived about 30 minutes late just in time to grab a quick bite and hop back on the metro to do it all over again, this time heading home.

 They had an outstanding finish! 

 And so did we!

 

A special date with Dad. Eli looks forward to joining next year.

It's been a long time, but our entire family camped both nights this time around! It was the first time in a long time that the weather cooperated, and I wasn't pregnant or with a newborn. So yes, I still like to camp under comfortable conditions, but your dad put us all to work...

We made it to the top of the falls

Gaver Farm...

 First apple cider donut

Go Alexa! 

Then my little cousin, your Auntie Lema, got married

Chloe Helen is named after my grandmother. She went rejoicing at the Saviors feet before I got married, but I still keep in touch with her sister who always reminds me of how much she loved me. I miss her so much!

 Church Hayride! Thanks to Ying who takes better picture of my family than I ever will. We are so grateful and love our neighbors who have become such dear friends! Grace had the largest apple, and by the end of our 45 minute ride, she had devoured it.

I love our church and I love how hands on it is for everyone. It just couldn't be done with out the many faithful servants who show up every week. We are so blessed! This past Sunday Noah & Chloe helped with greeting and collecting the offering. When both Dad and I serve the same Sunday, you all like to play with Grace and help her get adjusted. Then she cries when you leave, even though I'm still there!

 

Eli started pre school, had his first field trip and had his first school picture taken that melts my heart...

More Fall fun...

And then there's just every day life...

And your love for selfies :)

A night to remember (A post from Daddy)

Saturday, September 30^th was shaping up to be a relaxing day around the house with mom and all you guys. I actually wasn’t too surprised that Mom-mom and Grandpa showed up in the afternoon, and mom mentioned that she had planned a surprise date night.  We casually decided to head up to Frederick for the evening. Although I was interested in checking out a French restaurant, Mom suggested we go back to one of our favorites up there, the Wine Kitchen.

When we arrived they first told us that there were no tables available Then the host did a quick check, and said they would actually be able to squeeze us in the back of the restaurant.  As we headed towards the back I noticed a good friend of mine, Devon Kauflin, sitting with his wife Kristine at a long table.  When I panned to the right, next to Kristine was Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Kevin.  It turned out that this evening was a surprise 40^th birthday celebration with some of my closest friends.

These folks were gathered together to celebrate my life, 40 years on this earth.  Each of them I’ve learned much from- how to be a better son, a better husband, a better father and a better friend.  They have poured themselves out into my life and served my family in ways that I just didn’t think were possible.  They’ve walked with us through various seasons of life from the time we got married up until now- through marital bliss and conflicts, through the joy of having 4 kids and the pain of losing one, and all of life’s ups and downs in between...

Through all of this,they have been faithful to point us back to our Savior, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Proverb 27:17 states, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”  They have kept us sharp through wise counsel and have compelled us to learn and love God's word more. 

Hebrews 13:8- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

They’ve reminded us repetitively that though our feelings and circumstances fluctuate, Jesus Christ our rock never changes .

1 Cor 6:20, 10:31- “for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body…So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  Our goal in life is to glorify God and they have modeled this well for us.

I would be remiss if I didn’t call out what an amazing job my bride did in organizing and planning this special evening.  The food and drinks were excellent! (How can you go wrong with a ribeye, and mom would point out that it was local and grassfed).  Most importantly the friends and family that were present completed the night.  Reema – thank you for this special night.  Every day with you is a gift and I can’t thank God enough for bringing us together 9 years ago.  I’m a better son, husband, father and friend because of you. I love you.

Every once in a while an event takes place that you know that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.  For me, this was a night to remember.

our baby girl is 6

Chloe, 

Right now it is 8 pm and you are whistling in your bed. You are so excited tomorrow is your birthday that you can't sleep. You want to to know when I am going to put the streamers on your door, and I am waiting for you to fall asleep! 

This past year you have matured into a little girl that it's hard to believe you aren't a little toddler or preschooler anymore. You lost your training wheels off your bike, went to your first Orioles's game with dad, lost your 2 front teeth, and you finally started Kindergarten.  You have been so ready, but your September birthday held you back. You have been reading and reading and reading hoping to surpass Noah's grade level. You get frustrated when you don't sound the word right, but my goodness, you are so persistent! You are even already trying to teach Eli how to read and you have prepared him well for all that he has to experience in Mrs. Ellis's class. You have grown so much in loving kindness towards your siblings and have been a really good helper for me, especially with Eli and Grace. You (most times) are quick to share and like to bless your friends with your things when they come over. You also have a drawer full of card and pictures you want to give to people. You love arts and crafts and making things for people. 

You are a very happy and ENERGETIC child. You honestly sometimes seem like more than I can handle. And while you deplete me of all my energy, your joyful personality is uplifting to my soul. You can talk for very long times and ask a lot of questions because you are very curious about things and want to know everything about everything. For your birthday we got you a trampoline to help you exert some of the wiggles out. You also love gymnastics and are working on learning how to do a cartwheel. I can't wait to see your face in the morning when you discover your gift, daddy's flowers and some chapstick of course! We love you so much Chloe and are grateful for the daughter and sister that you are! Happy birthday my little love!

I'm thinking that might have been the last time you will fall asleep a the table :(

 She's starting to warm up to a big sister

 You were so excited you lost your tooth at school, so you get a special tooth necklace.

 A little camping celebration, family celebration at Chik-Fil-a to follow!

And you love all your cousins

special gifts

This week Daddy was gone and it was a bit crazy with you guys.  But when Dad came home, you guys were really excited to give a special gift to Dad and myself.  You guys often do this and it brings us so much joy. It's a pretty big deal. You guys have us come together and take turns opening the stuff inside a box. Sometimes you wrap every item with tissue paper. I personally enjoy this time, because I don't have to sneak in your rooms and steal the crap you hoard as it's freely given to me :) (Hopefully you are old enough to understand when you are reading this.) Thank you and we are really grateful!

So here's what we get...

A box of crayons for Dad!

 2 bracelets, a golden egg with stickers and jewels, 2 organic! lollipops,  2 homemade candy cane ornaments, and of course a few pictures and your love notes...

Here was my personal favorite from Chloe this time. We've been working on self-control but perhaps we should start talking about greed :) At least you started the card off right!

I love you too, Chloe.

Chloe says, "Mom, that's a really pretty necklace you're wearing." (pause) "When you die it will be mine!"

my boy

Noah comes in after being outside playing basketball all evening, and I told him to go shower and get ready for bed. And he responds, "What?! Mom, why do I need to shower?" 

"Because I can't tell if you look or smell worse..."

Happy Rainy July 4th

Who needs fireworks when you have great dads and great friends? And the rain didn't stop them...

Mr. Dave & Daddy putting on a firework show for you guys. I can't say I or my ears were overly happy about it, but it went really well and you guys had a ton of fun.  

sparklers were a favorite 

Noah, still my most cautious kid standing in the back (with the mommies and the babies). How grown and handsome you are!