Sitting Up!

Our little man is growing so fast.

We've come a long way, baby...

It's been a long, sweaty, financially creative road for us....But we're nearing the end of the journey.

I've never been so amazed and proud of my husband than I am when I look at him, covered in dust, rubbing his tired eyes, working away at construction. He comes home from long days at work, discipline meetings, teaching, and parent conferences, and puts his work clothes on. He sacrifices time and energy each night. Even though he is physically drained from all the work, his mind is going a mile a minute, figuring out how to save us each penny in each step of our construction. He works tirelessly with dear friends, till late hours of the night, working at things that he has been taught, teaches himself, or figures out along the way. My husband has built this beautiful haven for us. I will walk through those closets, grabbing shoes, walk into my bathroom to wash my face, or jump into bed....all consciously thinking of the hard work that has gone into this beautiful addition. No matter what color the bathroom tile, what loop the rug, what the vanity or cabinets look like, I will forever appreciate the hard work and love that has gone into this room.

Thank you, Cheston Andrew. I love you and respect you with all my heart for being such a hard-working man. I know you will be an amazing example to our son to show him what it is to work heartily as unto the Lord. Thank you for providing for your family so practically.

Three Years

Starbucks, our favorite place to "talk".

My favorite picture of my grandparents. It was so absolutely fitting of who they were.

We played at the organ since I was a little girl.

We were buddies.

They made me laugh; even in those last dark days.

Today marked the third anniversary of the day I lost my dear Grandma Nancy. I can't believe it's been three years. She played such a huge part in my life, seriously molded who I am today and was one of my dearest friends.

As I sat down in bed, ready to write a post for my blog, I began to cry. Bless my husband's heart, he is so understanding. He knew exactly why I was crying even though I have barely breathed a word of my Grandma all day. It's just kind of unspoken. He knows exactly how to comfort me. Both Cheston and Bethanie both know when November rolls around that mid-month, I have my day. It was today.

I miss my grandparents so much. They would be so proud of us right now, three years after their passing. They would have been so proud of the construction on our house, our trip to Europe, the purchase of our Somis home, Cheston's job, our photography business, our life with Owen, my onesie business, all we have accomplished...and would have talked your ear off quite proudly about it all.

They would have held Owen like he is the most fragile little teacup on the shelf, and would have oo'd and awe'd over every little movement. They would have gasped at every little darling thing he does and panicked if he spit up. They would be here, fully supportive, fully backing every decision we make.

That is just who they were.

My Grandma is in me in so many ways. From loving getting dressed up and doing my makeup, to loving all things feminine, being the best shopper that I can be (yes, there's history behind this madness!), enjoying all the things about being a girl, loving music, loving sentimentality as a whole, loving Audrey Hepburn, loving Paris, loving Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelley, and any Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie. I love synchronized swimming because of watching Esther Williams movies with her.

I will never forget my summers with my grandparents. Grandpa would go off to work and Grandma and I would wake up slowly, eat our breakfast (which was always the same three breakfast plans--Guava juice, a grapefruit, cereal, healthy bacon, egg beaters, or frozen pancakes. We would put a snack on a tray, make Grandma's bed, then sit in it for hours. We would literally watch every single sitcom of those days: Andy Griffith, I Love Lucy, Happy Days, Magnum P.I. (she was in love with Tom Selleck, but would always remind me that Grandpa was her real love), Gilligan's Island, I Dream of Jeannie, Leave it To Beaver. I love these cheesy shows because of her. And then we would sit, all day, and play Rummy. Literally, ALL DAY. We'd hit up the malls later if we had time, maybe hit the pools in the middle of all the meals and card games, and tv-- then do it all again the next day.

We often would go out to shop. That is what we did best. It has carried on. On sad days, or even days I have no money, it's still fun for me to hit up Target and walk around. For some reason, in the back of my mind, it's always been a fun past-time and in some odd way, lifts my spirits.

I love Starbucks. Just ask Cheston, my idea of a dream day is to hit Starbucks to sit and "talk". Now, yes, we can talk at home over a cup of tea or coffee just the same, but the ambience... Who can top Starbucks? Grandma and Grandpa had their Starbucks and their baristas knew them inside and out.

I wish I could do this post justice by being super eloquent and writing some kind of poem, like I write for my beautiful son, but today, I am just sad.

I miss my Grandma,

I miss our friendship.

I miss calling them.

I miss receiving cards for EVERY holiday.

I miss getting those unannounced Starbucks cards

in the mail that showed us they were thinking of us.

I miss those letters that told me the little things they were up to in their life.

I miss my Grandma calling me "punkin"

and warning me to be careful everywhere I went,

I miss my Grandpa defending me to the death over anything,

I miss his supportive words,

and I miss her tender, gentle voice. I miss them so much, it hurts tonight.

I'll be okay.

I'll wake up in the morning,

I will greet the day,

I will greet my precious Savior,

see my amazing husband off to work,

wake up to the most incredible son,

and think to myself,

'They would have been so happy.'

Five months

Owen fast asleep, even after walking home from the Leamans.

Excited about Sunday!

Stroking Mommy's hair as he drinks his bottle

Love the winter weather!

Hanging with Daddy watching the Grace Brethren football game in the announcer's box.

Just chillin'

Five months old!

Happy five months (last week) to our little man who has come into our lives, deepened our love, made our life so rich and overflowing, swept us off our feet and given us a joy that is indescribable. We cannot imagine our lives without our beloved Owen. His talking and squealing in the car make us laugh, his smile turns many people's days around (I have been told that by many people), who is the most easy going, jolly little man around, can fall asleep at Auntie Chris' house, and not even wake when I carry him home, who is completely surprised when I walk into a room and he's deep in thought in his jumper, who laughs hysterically when I dance around the house to Christmas music, who coos and strokes my hair as I feed him his bottle, who listens intently when I read the Bible in the morning, who can't wait to see Daddy wake up--and keeps peeking to see if Daddy's awake, who looks baffled at his reflection in the mirror, who kicks joyfully when we go in to get him out of his crib, who holds on tight to my arm as I carry him, who falls asleep in my arms, him holding my hand against my chest, who watches Charlie Brown and Snoopy Holiday movies with me, who delights in making us smile. I'll steal the words from the Carpenters song when I say..."We've only just begun...."

Belated Pumpkin Patch Pics

I am a little late putting these pictures up, but enjoy! We search for a pumpkin and tree every year, but how much more fun it is to pick one out with our beloved Owen! May the cheesy holiday pics begin!

Skinny Jeans

Reformation Day...and the Great Pumpkin.

Buddies: Landon the Fish and Owen the Lobster. Buddy match made in heaven.

Owen the Lobster and Avila the Monkey. Another match made in heaven.

Our family

So today began like most other weekends, relaxing, hitting up our favorite local coffee shop "Element", and doing a little work on the addition. But, being that today is Reformation Day/Halloween, we decided to celebrate and begin traditions with Owen that we can modify eventually.

This morning, as construction went on in the addition, we (Owen and I) watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown". Owen was absolutely enraptured. He kept staring and smiling at the screen. The Charlie Brown series' are so enjoyable and very darling, I am enjoying working on the collection. As of right now, I have the three fall holidays. I especially enjoy Christmas, because they present the full-blown Gospel, no holds barred. That's the way we roll around here.

We then decided that eventually we will watch both Charlie Brown and Luther. Because all of you who know us, know that we are very passionate about our Reformed Fathers, who paved the way for freedom in our faith, as we know it.

We spent part of the day playing Rummy, shooting portraits for our business, and fellowshiping with dear friends.

At the end of our day, we walked casually around Somis, from door to door of our dear neighbors, showing Owen off to them. The small streets were FILLED with trick-or-treaters, and everyone saying hi by name. Love Somis. Then we hit the Edwards' for a little bit of celebration. A great night.

Enjoy the pics.