He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase
To added affliction he addeth his mercy
To multiplied trials, his multiplied peace

His love has no limits his grace has no measure.
His power no boundary known unto men
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded reserves,
Our father's full giving is only begun

So, the fever is yet another ear infection. He must be feeling a little bit better after taking antibiotics last night becaue it's nearing 7:30 and he's still fast asleep.

What a big boy!

These last few days and weeks, Samuel has gone from baby to toddler without a glance back. Here are the pictures to prove it, starting with the most recent.

Last night, Samuel woke up with a fever and it has carried into this morning. Instead of sitting in my arms all day, he has made himself comfortable on the floor with pillows, his blanket, crackers, water, and Sesame Street. So independent!Samuel is officially on the move, walking all over the place. Here's the only one I could find that wasn't blurry or a super-close-up.

He likes to help Mommy out in the kitchen. Here he is with the bag of pasta. After this picture was taken, he proceeded to walk around the house carrying his little bag of pasta everywhere he went.

Finally, he loves to listen to his grandparents talking to him on the phone. He gets very quiet and listens intently. All they hear on the other end is his heavy breathing. Here he is with his own cell phone, trying to call his cousin Autumn, I'm sure.

I love peaches!

Battle

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8.12-13

Sin aims always at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, might it have its own course, it would go out to the utmost sin in that kind. Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could; every covetous desire would be oppression, every thought of unbelief would be atheism, might it grow to its head. Men may come to that, that sin may not be heard speaking a scandalous word in their hearts,--that is, provoking to any great sin with scandal in its mouth; but yet every rise of lust, might it have its course would come to the height of villany: it is like the grave, that is never satisfied.

And herein lies no small share of the deceitfulness of sin, by which it prevails to the hardening of men, and so to their ruin--Heb 3.13--it is modest, as it were, in its first motions and proposals, but having once got footing in the heart by them, it constantly makes good its ground, and presseth on to some farther degrees in the same kind. This new acting and pressing forward makes the soul take little notice of what an entrance to a falling off from God is already made; it thinks all is indifferent well if there be no farther progress; and so far as the soul is made insensible of any sin, --that is, as to such a sense as the gospel requireth,--so far it is hardened: but sin is still pressing forward, and that because it hath no bounds but utter relinquishment of God and opposition to him; that it proceeds towards its height by degrees, making good the ground it hath got by hardness, is not from its nature, but its deceitfulness.

Now nothing can prevent this but mortification; that withers the root and strikes at the head of sin every hour, so that whatever it aims at is crossed in. There is not the best saint in the world but, if he should give over this duty (of fighting sin), would fall into as many cursed sins as ever any did of his kind.

--John Owen

ZZZZZZ

After 4 teeth breaking through all at once; another ear infection, with diarrhea-causing antibiotics; a burning diaper rash; and a coughing, runny nose cold(...please let this image repeat itself through the night tonight!)....


...enough said.

Uh-Oh!

Can "Uh-Oh" be considered a first word? Even if it is just mimicking? (-:

Colorado Safari!

Samuel loves his animal books--but they grow old and tedious. He was ready for the real thing. So, last Saturday we went to the Denver Zoo. It was a good time. First, Samuel got to see how sea lions can wave, jump over rope, and eat A LOT of sardines. He seemed impressed, but after a while grew bored. So we went on to the giraffes. The giraffes were cool and all, but he'd already seen those in his Noah book--so a few times around and he was ready to move on.


The elephants were pretty fun, but the hippos were more exciting--and why wouldn't they be? Samuel was pretty keen on seeing where the next massive hippo would appear. This one seemed to be trained in the fine art of begging for food. To be honest, the hippos were dad's favorite too--as long as I have a 5 foot buffer of rocks!



Mom and dad liked the lions as well--but Samuel wasn't real impressed by the kings of the jungle. "Old hat, dad," I think I heard him mumble once or twice, "I've seen scarier in my bright animals book..." So it goes. There were two little cubs on display too--showing their youth in playing games with each other and nipping at their mother's legs to see her reaction.




All in all, it was a great day--a beautiful Colorado winter day (for once), lots of animals, and lots of fun. Judging by Samuel's enjoyment of the hippos in the water, zoology may not be too far into his future:)

It would be fun to try the aquarium next time--maybe he'll like the hammerhead sharks too. I always thought they were the neatest...

Here's the latest video we have of Samuel. It's his newest game, at least before he got sick:( Happy vacuuming!

Home

"God is the highest good of the reasonable creature; and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God , is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Father and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops; but God is the ocean. Therefore it becomes us to spend this life only as a journey towards heaven, as it becomes us to make the seeking of our highest end and proper good, the whole work of our lives; to which we should subordinate all other concerns of life. Why should we labour for, or set our hearts on, anything else, but that which is our proper end, and true happiness?"


--Jonathan Edwards

Happy Valentine's Day

HE touched me, so I live to know
That such a day, permitted so,
I groped upon his breast.
It was a boundless place to me,
And silenced, as the awful sea
Puts minor streams to rest.

And now, I ’m different from before,
As if I breathed superior air,
Or brushed a royal gown;
My feet, too, that had wandered so,
My gypsy face transfigured now
To tenderer renown.
Emily Dickinson

"The prayer preceding all prayers is 'May it be the real I who speaks. May it be the real Thou that I speak to.'" C.S. Lewis

These boots are made for walkin'...

Well, Samuel decided he was ready to disclose his newest trick to the world. Naturally, we agreed to do our part. He's been truly amazing his mom and dad with how much he is growing and maturing right before our eyes--even in the small things. It's amazing he's almost 10 1/2 months! It seems like just yesterday that we were hanging out between contractions, awaiting his arrival on the scene.

We thought we'd take a walk to the ol' DQ (Dairy Queen, for those with little knowledge of Hot Eats AND Cool Treats) today since it was so nice--midwesterners, skip this next line--IT WAS 65 DEGREES TODAY! So we took advantage of it, and got the big guy some fresh air.

He really enjoyed the few bites of blizzard he received, but we had to leave him wanting. It's tough being tough parents! Gotta hold the line, even when Samuel gestures(i.e. kicking the legs, waving the arms, arching the back, whining...) for more. FYI, we're still working on the clear method of baby talk. But it was a fun trip, and Samuel came home pretty wiped out. Mission accomplished!;)

Well, we'll write more details about our lives in later blogs. Without further ado--hhhheeeeerrrreee'sss Samuel! Enjoy!

Celebrate!

Two celebrations: First, Samuel didn't cry when Aaron dropped him off at day care today. Second, he is no longer afraid of the vacuum cleaner. Now, he chases it around the room!

Laughing!

There is no better way to improve a bad day than listening to Samuel laugh!

Oh so Cute!

I think one of the best parts about being a mom is watching Samuel as he discovers the world around him. Just yesterday I noticed that when he goes from the diningroom to the kitchen he gets up off his knees and walks over the metal bar that separates the carpet and the linoleum on his hands and feet. I think the bar must hurt his knees. How smart! It's pretty cute to watch. I told Aaron that it reminded me of baseball players jumping over the lines so they don't sabatoge the game-- not that Samuel is superstitious!

Samuel has been adjusting to day care better and better, probably faster than I am. When Aaron picked him up yesterday they asked if they could take a video of Samuel so we could see how well he is adjusting and playing with his new friends. I was thrilled! I can't wait to see what our little boy does on the days he isn't at home. Please continue to pray for the adjustment for both us as parents and for Samuel. We are blessed that Samuel has adjusted so quickly, but it is hard on us as we would both love to have money fall off of trees and we could just play all day with him!

Here are some of our latest pictures (well, of Samuel that is) detailing Samuel's exploration into the world of malls, packing box forts, and food. Enjoy!

After we bought Samuel's new carseat, he decided that the box it came in was fun to play in the "fort." We cut out a little window in the side of the box.

Who wants to play in the exersaucer seat anyway? Not only is it another fun place to play, there are sometime stale Cheerios to snack on in the bottom!

We took Samuel to the Cherry Creek Mall where they have a Breakfast Play Place for kids. Most of the kids ran right by Samuel, but he ventured out to climb on the strawberry, when he could get there before a kid would jump on it or run right by him. A little scary at times, but he had a good time, crawling around and charming the other parents.

Oops! Is it a problem, Mom, to dump my crackers all over the floor?

"Sooo Big!" With Italian flowing through his blood, he is obviously a huge fan of spaghetti. Plus anything tastes better than the pureed stuff we feed him!

"Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life." Psalms 119:49-50

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Here are some of the pictures detailing our whirlwind trip through Minnesota and Wisconsin to celebrate Christmas this year. Enjoy!




















Samuel with Aunt Jolene up at our cabin in MN. We celebrated with my family the day before Christmas Eve.




















Samuel with his Great-Grandma Jo in WI. We drove over to Wisconsin on Christmas Day to celebrate with the Bryants.



















Samuel received lots of great books for Christmas and, as in this picture, really liked the taste of them!















Samuel with his all-time favorite (and only) cousin, Autumn. He had a great time watching her, getting close, and even a swat or two at her face. He liked to take her toys.





















Taking a walk with Grandpa. We headed back to MN to visit some more relatives and see my parents again.




















Samuel with Aunt Miriam.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2

Here are the second half of the pictures.





















Samuel hanging out with Nana after breakfast of buckwheat pancakes.


















With the little snow that fell, we took Samuel out on the sled down the street a ways. I don't think he knew exactly what to think, although he started to enjoy it after he got used to riding along in the snow.















Papa and Samuel



















Samuel sitting with Great-Grandpa Head. He loved Great-Grandpa and would rush over to whenever he heard his voice.















... and finally, the 14 hour drive back to Denver. This is Samuel in one of his good moods. He was a real trooper though and did much better than expected!

SNOW!

If you've been listening to the national news, Denver made the headlines with the crazy amount of snow we have had the last day and a half. Starting Tuesday night we have had non-stop snow until about noon today, Thursday. At our place we have had around 22 inches of snow (that was from the last newscast I listened to). We decided that we should take Samuel out to experience his first large snowfall. And how could we not on this record-breaking occasion? He would be very disappointed later in life to know his parents didn't let him experience the city-stopping snow. Denver is basically shut down, no buses, no public works, no malls, nothing. Only the snowplows are working overtime to clear the roads. The north-south interstate was closed throughout the entire state and it is still closed outside of Denver.

Aaron spent part of this afternoon shoveling out our car from the parking lot and he was able to make it out onto the snowpacked roads. Only the main highways have been plowed.

We have had two snow days from school and we won't have any school tomorrow either. It has been nice to start break early but it gets a little claustrophic being inside this long!!

Moving Around

Samuel is an expert crawler now and I thought I should put a little video of his new skills. He's quite fast when he sees something that he really shouldn't have (such as the glass in the picture).

He's had a cold the last two days and has been sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and just feeling under the weather. I stayed home from work yesterday and today I normally I have off so I've been spending my days reading stories and rocking Samuel. Poor little guy!



Christmas is just around the corner. We plan on heading back to MN/WI for the festivities and try to see as many friends and family in a short period of time as is possible! We look forward to catching up with all of you in MN/WI and I know Samuel will enjoy getting to know some of our friends and relatives better.

I'll leave you with my new favorite Christmas verses. It's from Mary's song after she arrives at Elizabeth's house. They are both pregnant by miraculous means and Mary bursts out in a song of praise and thanksgiving.

"And Mary said,
'My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all
generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done greate things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with is arm;
he has scattered the proud in the
thoughts of their hearts;
he has brough down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.'"
Luke 1:46-55 ESV

Be encouraged by Mary's unwavering faith and trust in the plan of God in her life and in the promises to Israel. Merry Christmas! B.

Blueberry Kid

Samuel's new favorite snack is blueberries. They make quite a mess, but he is so intent in finding each blueberry on his tray. He knows which pieces are blueberries and which pieces are other foods. Pretty smart.

He has also been on the move! Samuel is officially a "crawler." He loves exploring the world that has opened up to him now that he is mobile. He never knew that such places as the kitchen and bathroom existed until he ventured through the doorways. I love the look in his eyes when he keys in on an object he wants. The intensity in his eyes and he zeroes in and then heads for the object is so fun to watch. B.