Halloween 2011

Kenzie's 3 year pictures

Anniversary

August 28...We celebrated our 12 year anniversary! It truly does not seem possible that we have been married for 12 years. What a blessing Kermit has been in my life. I know I may complain about the little things at times but he is an amazing man, husband and father! We have been through a lot in our marriage...some marriages do not last after losing a child and I now understand the strain it can put on a marriage. We continue to face struggles and worries but I believe God will provide for every need we face. I pray that we will continue to grow with each other and that we can be blessed with many more years together. I love you Kermie :)

Cool Sunset

Sunset through the leaves of the wisteria... pretty cool.

Kenzie Turns "3"

After the party....

Kenzie's castle cake...

I can't believe my baby girl is already three. Kenzie has definitely been the one to keep me on my toes and I still love her dearly!!! She has an amazing "WILL" that she must have inherited from her father because I know that I am not stubborn at all...and I never expect things to go MY way :) She really wants to do things for herself...like getting dressed and buckling up in the car. Sometimes it takes a lot longer to get places but I've learned it's better to let her do it because if you try to help she will re-do it anyway (get undressed and also unbuckle) Kenzie definitely likes things to be on HER terms. She finally decided that since she's 3 she will use the potty ALL of the time....thank goodness. She was definitely the most challenging in this area! We had a nice quiet day on her birthday and then had a party with family and friends over the weekend at Grammie's pool. Kenzie you are a special girl and mommy and daddy love you to the moon and back!

Happy 11th Birthday Kaeli

Build A Bear

Kaeli and Lindsay asleep on the couch...

Cakeballs


Kaeli turned 11... where does the time go? My sister and nieces and nephew were here from Kansas so we had a little party with my family in Lynden. Kaeli's best friend Lindsay came over and helped her celebrate on her actual birthday. They went to Build A Bear and were able to spend a few days together. Kaeli is turning into quite the young lady. She does very well in school, she enjoys playing soccer year round and is showing a lot of responsibility in helping with Kenzie. We love you so much Kaeli and we are so proud of you. It's exciting to think of the places you will go in this world.

Remembering Grumpy

It is so hard to believe that it has been one year since my Grandpa went to heaven. I still find myself looking for him at family gatherings even though I know he won't be there. I feel so blessed to have had him in my life for over 34 years. I am so thankful that he was able to meet and love all of my children. The memories I have are a gift and always put a smile on my face. I love how when I was a child my Grandpa would show us how he could "blow up" his muscle through his thumb. I love that my children have some of the same memories and have apparently inherited this trait :) (at least one of them). I love you Grumpy and I love you Grandma too! We miss you so much yet we know you are in a far better place and rejoice in the fact that we will all be together again one day!

"I LOVE YOU" By Kenzie Rose Houck

This is what happens when mom is away!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Kaleb

Our sweet Kaleb would be 4 years old today...we miss him everyday! There are some days it feels like he was just with us and other days it feels like it was so long ago. One of the things I'm working on is remembering to Always be joyful and to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). It is difficult to be joyful and thankful through losing a child but as I look back I am very thankful. I am so thankful that God gave us the opportunity to be parents to such a special little boy. He opened my eyes to many things and even though we only had him with us for a short time he changed our lives forever. We could not have walked this path alone and I would never have wanted to. We had family and friends who walked it with us but most of all we know that Jesus was always there giving us strength, peace and a will to move forward without an important part of us. I know the impact Kaleb made on our lives I probably don't know the full impact his life has had on others. I know there is a purpose and I know God is still working on me. We love you Kaleb! Happy 4th Birthday! XOXO