A Journey to Love

Have you ever just wanted to be more ? More kind, more organized, more fit & healthy, more efficient, more fun, more relaxed, more clean, more money savvy, more self-disciplined? Or maybe your adjective isn't more but instead it's better . A better cook, better friend, better mother, better spouse, better Christian, better runner/tennis player/insert-sport-here, better employee, better steward...the list of what I wish I could be more of and better at goes on and on. Yet the other day as I was contemplating that list, I prayed out loud to God, "God, I just want to be ENOUGH." He responded back to me, "Allison, my dear child, you ARE enough for ME. Rest in that." Oh, okay. Done. Well, not really. Because I am a sinner and one of my biggest downfalls-errr, let's say growth areas --is self-criticism. Nobody is harder on me than myself. I have ridiculously high expectations for myself and when I don't meet them, I spiral into a depression that han...

Apparently Brayden thought that since he turned one last week, he needed to learn a few things, like right now . In the span of one week, he has taken his first steps, learned six baby signs, drank milk from a cup, began pointing at items that he wants and refusing things he doesn't (cookies, yes, broccoli, no) , and attempts to put shoes on his feet and hats on his head. Okay, Brayden, I know I said that I would try not to hold on to you too tightly as you left the baby stage and entered toddlerhood, but you gotta meet me halfway here, kid. Slow down on the growing up, already!

Flying to Heaven   Ben: "What does 'dying' mean?" Me: "When your body quits working on Earth and your spirit goes up to Heaven to be with Jesus." Ben: "Does God have a helicoptor?" Me: "I don't know. Why do you ask?" Ben: "Because we can't walk or drive to Heaven!" Cheap Date Ben: "Why aren't you eating dinner with me and Brayden, Mommy?" Me: "Because Mommy and Daddy are going on a dinner date." Ben: "Oh. When I grow up, I'm going to go on a snack date!" Me: "A snack date, huh? What will you eat on your snack date?" Ben: "Peanut butter crackers!"

Dear Brayden, You turn one year old today! If I thought your brother's first year went by fast, then your's positively moved at light speed. Wasn't it just last week that we were meeting you for the first time? I guess it has been a whole year since that day and my, have you grown! 1 week 1 month 2 months 3 months 4 months 5 months 6 months 7 months 8 months 9 months 10 months 11 months 12 months Your first year has brought us joyful days and sleepless nights. You have provided endless entertainment for your big brother and sweet snuggles for your Mommy and Daddy. You love to be held and while at times it has been a bit inconvenient to do so (such as dinner time or 11:00 at night), I treasure the fact that my touch can calm and console you. I call you my little woodpecker, because when you are in a silly mood, you will peck at my shoulder like a little bird. You are a ticklish little boy and laugh so hard when we give you rasberries on your tummy. You h...

Where did the rest of December go? We are already well into January and I still haven't posted Christmas pictures or even taken down the Christmas lights! So please pardon my tardiness and enjoy our holiday photos. Although, I admit there aren't too many because I was trying to simply be a part of the experience rather than viewing it through a tiny camera lens. I discovered it's a trade-off: you either get to really enjoy the moment and not have very many photos or you have a plethora of 4 by 6 prints to look back on, but miss out on the joy of experiencing those moments live. Benjamin was so excited that Santa had a gift for him, a whole week early! Hmm, I'm not too sure about this guy with the funny suit and crazy facial hair... Brayden finally discovered the tree and was putting his own personal touch on it. Even when we have a small Christmas (i.e. less gifts), we still end up with a full tree! Christmas Eve at the Fisher Family brought the boys two great gif...

Like most families, our month of December is always filled with parties, activities, outings, and special events. Here are a few snapshots of what the first half of the month has brought us this season. We don't hang ornaments on our Christmas tree...we hang memories. Everything on our tree is tied either to a special person or to a special memory and I enjoyed sharing the stories of where each ornament came from with Benjamin and Weston as they hung them up on the branches. Benjamin performed in the church Christmas Pageant this year...he stole the show with his dancing and his antics. :) It wouldn't be Christmas without some baking. Grandma Barbi taught Benjamin how to roll out the dough, just as she taught me many years ago. Brayden did his part by sampling the baked cookies. He took the job very seriously, demanding more and more. :) Sprinkles, frosting, and candy galore! Our Gingerbread Family Benjamin's finished product. I made this ad...

We went camping up in Big Sur for the first time this week. What a beautiful area...truly, some of God's best work can be seen from the Pacific Coast Highway. It's a perfect spot for Nathan and I, since he loves the redwoods and I love the ocean. It may have been our first time, but it won't be our last. Headed for the trails! Brayden had the best seat in the house. Less than 5 minutes in and Benjamin already needed a break. We did both trails and no, we did not see any mountain lions. Ben loved going over the bridges. Hiking is exhausting work, you know. We made it to the falls. It was a very pretty spot. We snacked and rested here for a bit before continuing on to the Valley View trail. I highly recommend going to Pfeiffer Beach...beautiful! After I snapped this picture, I realized what I was seeing...Ben walking through the water with his shoes and pants still on! He wasn't pleased when I pointed that out to him! The rock formations in the water were j...