On A Lighter Note...

Teagan shut herself in the entryway closet today to poop (in her diaper). Knowing that she obviously prefers privacy when doing this (and yes, we've been working on the potty training), I left her alone for awhile but started to get suspicious of what was taking so long and what was making some ruckus in there (there were no lights on). I opened the door to find her pouring out piles of Bailey's dog food on the ground. Actually, not just pouring it out, but EATING it too. :) Yes, my child was sucking on a large kernal of dog food and didn't seem phased by it until I told her to spit it out because it was icky.

Silly girl.

Haiti

Almost 10 years ago, I had the privilege of spending one week in Haiti (including Port-au-Prince), a country that had captured my heart even during the years prior...and still does. It was truly a life changing experience, one that had forever altered the longings of my heart, my perception of this world, and the meaning of life. My heart has been heavy over the past 10 days for the devastation and suffering that the people of Haiti are going through. Many tears have been shed as I think of the level of anguish that fathers and mothers are facing as they search for their children and the scared children forever alone now without their mother or father's arms to hold them. I strongly believe in the power of prayer and will continue to lift up this country and the faces of those I met during my time there. I believe God cries with us and that His glory will continue to be revealed even in the midst of such tragedy.

Evidence of God and His glory can be seen in this video http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/W-Mich-parents-unite-with-Haitian-kids, - my favorite is the 3rd video in the "click to watch video" stream - capturing the first moments that children were united with their forever families (the government expedited the adoptions after the earthquake). These children came from the orphanage in Haiti called God's Littlest Angels, an orphanage that Bethany Christian Services has been working with for many years (thankfully, though the orphanage was affected, no one was hurt, though they are still in dire need of food and supplies). I recognize some of the children and one of the families in the video from my past work as an inter country adoption social worker at Bethany. I love love love watching the kids and parents embrace one another. Praise God!

Here are some pictures from my time in Haiti in 2000:

Port-au-Prince




La Jeune (a village just outside Port-au-Prince where we stayed)





“Sometimes I’d like to ask God why He allowed poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it……but I’m afraid God might ask me the same question.”—Anonymous

Check out http://www.cwomissions.org/ for more ways to make a difference!

Happy Birthday!!

Our one and only Teagie Bear,

Two years ago today, we received a gift that has changed us forever. You. Our Teagan Alise. It’s difficult to put into words the way we felt when we first saw your face and the way we continue to feel each day as we watch you grow into the beautiful, vibrant, strong, sensitive, empathetic, nurturing, risk-taking, imaginative, smart, adorable, innocent, silly, loving, sweet soul that you’ve become. Your enthusiasm for life…a constant joy that just naturally pours out into everything you do…has rejuvenated our spirits and made us view each day with a newfound sense of wakefulness and purpose. Our love for you exceeds that which we are able to articulate with words. You are a piece of our heart walking in the flesh. We thank God each day for trusting us with you, His daughter, His precious gift to us.

In two years, you've moved from being a baby to being a such a big girl. We continue to bask in each day we get with you, secretly wishing that we could just stop time once in awhile, as we know these days are slipping by so quickly. Nonetheless, we wait in anticipation and excitement for the all of the continued journeys ahead, knowing that you’ll always be our lil’ girl.

We love you and celebrate your two years of life today!

Love Always,

~ Mommy and Daddy (and your best buds, Wyatt and Bailey)

Here is a collection of our favorite pictures of our lil' girl over the last year!

Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful first Christmas as a family of four, celebrating our Savior's birth. We really enjoyed sharing the Christmas story with Teagan this year and seeing her begin to grasp a beginning understanding of who Jesus is. Simply beautiful!

Here are some snapshots of our holiday season this year!

Our family Christmas picture.

After years of trying different Christmas tree farms, we finally found one that we want to continue going back to. KC Christmas Tree Farm in Allegan was a perfect lil' fit for us. They had a barn with hot chocolate, sleigh horse drawn wagon rides, and great,reasonably priced Christmas trees to choose from. We had a fun time bearing the cold and cutting down a beauty. Seriously, it was the best tree we've every had! :)





We enjoyed a special night in downtown Holland at the Parade of Lights:




One of our lil' reindeer thought the whole Christmas thing was pretty cool. She was especially enamored with all of the Christmas lights outside...often saying with much enthusiasm, "Look, Mommy...lights!! PRETTY!" when we would pass a house that was lit up with lights. Too cute.

Decorating the tree:
Teagan putting on her "1st Christmas" ornament that was made from last year's Christmas tree (we cut off a slice of her first Christmas tree and hung it with ribbon. We did this for Wyatt this year too).

We had a wonderful time being with and celebrating the season with our families, however, due to the craziness that can sometimes ensue around the holidays (in a span of one week we traveled to one different country and 3 different cities), it was nice to be able to spend a quiet Christmas morning at home with just the four of us.

Christmas Morning!

Our lil' elves in their Christmas jammies. Can they get much cuter than this?! (though it appears that Teagan has Wyatt in a choke hold, we assure you he was okay). :)

Don't you just want to eat him up?!

Teagan was very excited about her "Fridge Phonics" gift.

Putting up her new window stickers.

Reading her new Elmo book.

Riding one of her new horsies. She LOVES horses!

This picture just makes me smile!

Tim reading the Christmas story from the kid's Bible after Wyatt woke up from his nap.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! May 2010 be a year of rejuvenation and blessings for you as you embrace each day that God gives you!