Some Christmas Photos...

Hey all,

Just an update for you. In reading through SHeila's post form yesterday, I am continually amazed by His grace. I am grateful to God for how blessed we are as a family to have a wife and mom like Sheila who supports us unconditionally, cares for us regardless of how tired she may be, and prays for us incessantly. As a result of her support and care, we have been blessed with a job with the United States Fencing Association. All of the abilities, strengths, weaknesses, expereiences and opportunities that I have had up to this point have been designed by God so that I may be prepared for what's before me. Please continue to pray for us that I may serve Him for His glory, and His glory alone.

Over the last week we've been able to put up some o the CHristmas decorations...and we've had some help...take a look.

Much to be Thankful for.....

I'm finding it hard to believe that it is Thanksgiving already! I'm not sure where the fall went! I guess that is what happens with a newborn. Anyways, as I reflect, I'm just amazed at God's grace and mercy on us as a family with the many blessings he's poured out on us! Here are just some reflections.


We have two healthy and wonderful boys that amaze me everyday. Silas is growing and changing by the moment. He repeats all kinds of stuff and is responding very well to being disciplined, which isn't always easy. Nathan, well he is definitely growing. He is constantly smiling and still very cuddly. He's starting to hold his head up and sleeping a good 6 hours at night!


I have a wonderful husband who has now become a morning person (ok, maybe not by choice!). A husband that desires to serve me not just in the big things like helping with Silas and Nathan (which he does whenever he's home), but in the little things, like making me chai this morning when I didn't ask, but definitely needed it. I could go on and on with blessings of Kurt to me.


We have a very nice home that fits our needs in a neighborhood perfect for children. A wondeful view out our window which constantly reminds us of God's beauty. We couldn't ask for anything better.


Kurt has two job offers (we should know more this week) which is such a blessing in this economy. They both appear to be able to meet our needs in abundance and in perfect timing. This shouldn't surprise us, because that is God's grace.


I have the ability to stay at home and raise my children, which I absolutely love. Yes, it is the most challenging job I've ever had, yet most rewarding. There are days when I tell Kurt I'd like to quit my day job (ha, ha!), but I know in the end it is all worth it.


A wonderful church that continues to amaze us with their willingness to serve one another. We have been the recipient of this and I feel so blessed! We have a "diaper fairy" (thank you Lynn) that drops diapers and wipes off at our front porch every other week. What a blessing that is. We have amazing friends like the Swasey's that allow us to use their vehicle and watch Silas for us when we are in a bind. We've had so many people bring us meals when both Nathan and Silas were born that blessed us beyond what we can imagine. And the Dontanville's who continue to encourage us and who are allowing us to crash their Thanksgiving and be a part of it with many other church families.


We have amazing families that constantly are calling and checking in on us. We had wonderful visits with both Kurt's mom and my family. We were blessed with meals and with them helping me with the kids while Kurt worked.


We feel very blessed by Miss Sandy who has provided care for Silas and continues to be willing to watch him when we need her. It is nice to know he is taken care of when we need someone to watch him and soon to be Nathan.


I could go on, but Nathan is ready to be fed and Silas is wanting to read, so off I go. I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving and also takes some time to reflect on this past year and the many blessings you have this year!

Here are some pictures of some of my blessings!

bunch of pictures

OK - so it's taken me a while to get these up... but at least they're up here...

With Grandma "uck-ee" at the zoo...and aquarium...







with "shippy" and ama at the zoo...















and in the cockpit of a plane at a local restaurant...

75 Degrees in November???

Yup, the weather has been amazing this week and looks like the rest of the week will be nice also. Yesterday was mid 60's and today was upper 70's. I'm not complaining at all. We went to a local park with a friend and her son to feed the fish and throw many rocks into the lake. We had such a nice time and now everyone is exhausted.

What melts a mommy's heart....

Nathan has this way about being so smiley at the 3 or 4:00 am feeding. I look down when he stops feeding and here is this huge grin! It is hard to be tired or dreaming about bed after that. Well, that is not the time that I'm going to get the camera out to take a picture, so I was very thankful that yesterday he decided to give me some great smiles during the day so I could capture them. Enjoy!

Aichele update

I thought I'd put some updates up while I have a few seconds. Things are going really well here. We just had Grandma Aichele out here and it was a very nice visit. Hopefully Kurt will post pictures, as he has more on his camera.

Silas is doing really well being a big brother, however he still likes to know that he can cuddle by himself with daddy as you can see by the picture.Silas is starting to do many things, including walking up and down the stairs by himself. He use to scoot up and down the stairs and now he holds on to the railing and goes up and down by himself. I must admit, it does scare me at times, but he hasn't fallen yet!

Nathan, well....here is a normal day for Nathan. He hangs out in his bouncer quite a bit and lounges. He is not real fond of the swing yet, but I'm hoping that will change soon. He's still pretty cuddly, so I take advantage of times when Silas is down for a nap or quiet time when I can cuddle with him. He's a pretty easy baby for the most part, but does have some fussy moments at night. He's still eating like crazy and growing way too quickly for me. I can hardly believe it has been a month already!

Well, we survived Halloween. The weather was beautiful during the day (70's) so I decided to try trick or treating with Silas and Nathan. Kurt had to work at the YMCA for their family fun night, so I went with the Swasey's in their neighborhood. They had an extra costume for Silas (a shark) and Nathan went as a bundled baby!! Silas had a pretty good time, but ended up in the stroller for a lot of the night as he realized how tiring it can be. Thankfully he has no idea what candy is yet, so we have hidden his bag and we've had a few pieces of candy and the rest is going to Kurt's work!!!!

Here are some pictures from last night. Elijah is the pirate and Silas is the shark.