October is flying by

I have a lot to catch up on. October has been a busy month and it doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. In early October, I was thrilled to be able go up to BC to visit a friend that I've had since kindergarten and share in the joy of her brand new baby. She had her baby a couple weeks early. I had been planning to go there for her baby shower, but what better way to have a baby shower than with the actual baby! It was great to be able to go there and visit with my friends. Another friend from high school was there visiting her too. The three of us had all swam and played soccer together in high school!

The one thing I was very frustrated about, though, was the fact that I had FINALLY finished getting all the stuff together for my passport application to be renewed. It's been looming over me for about 2 years. I got everything assembled and photos taken for the special Canadian specifications and then sent it through the mail. I was excited to answer and sign for the passport document that came to my front door a couple weeks later, just before my trip to BC, but when I opened it I was really mad. It had been damaged by water. Seriously!? How often does mail get water damaged? I don't often send things like photos or even letters by mail anymore, but when I did, they never seemed to get damaged. Of all things, my PASSPORT documents had to be damaged, making me get new photos taken, and having to get all my documents prepared again. The last time, about a year ago, I had sent my application and then it was returned to me too because I hadn't checked the box about living in another country before 1977, even though I wasn't born before 1977. Apparently everyone needs to check that box and now I know!

Over the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday, my parents came for a visit. We celebrated Micah's birthday while they were here. We had one family over to celebrate with us, close family friends of ours that my parents have enjoyed getting to know whenever they come here for a visit. We had a very nice evening with them! The whole visit with my parents was great. Micah loved having Grandma and Grandpa here, especially with Grandpa keeping him entertained in the back seat of the car and being silly with the purple balloon.

Birthday cake!



A good night hug to Grandpa!





He loved Grandma's story time and playing with blocks and playdoh with her. I loved it, too!

We went out the pumpkin patch and got a couple pictures, but unfortunately there weren't too many pumpkins there.

Soon to come, I'll fill you in on our Canadian Thanksgiving celebration. We did it a couple weeks late because of everything going on during the actual holiday. I have a feeling we're going to be doing it like that for many years to come since Micah's birthday is so close to it.

Two Years

Happy Birthday Micah!

Two years ago today you were barely breathing and confined to an oxygen tent. Now you run circles around the kitchen, living room and dining room. You say 1, 2, 3 GO and race up and down the hallway. You run to the garage door when Daddy comes home. You walk to the park and push the stroller without help. You kick and throw balls with incredible accuracy and coordination. You can jump higher than Daddy! You are tons of fun because you have so much energy.

Two years ago you could barely see me and now you know who your family is living in Canada. You get excited to see your friends at church. You know all your body parts, you know your alphabet, you can count to somewhere in the teens.

Two years ago you had to learn to swallow and had trouble getting enough food to fill your little belly and now you help me make dinner and you eat everything that is put in front of you.

How was I to know how much I would love you? You have grown so much and learned so much over the past two years. Two years ago today I was scared and excited and unsure of what my life would be like with a new baby to take care of. I realize now that I have learned so much from you, a tiny little person, and I have grown in ways I could never have imagined.

You have taught me to have joy in the little things. You have taught me to appreciate spider webs and bugs. You have taught me to laugh at silly things. You have taught me to have patience when I think I need to hurry. Your little mind soaks everything up and it inspires me to teach more than what I think you're capable of because you continually astound me. You have taught me that I don't always need to say no. We can drive with the windows partway down, we can fudge a little on nap time to play a little longer with the blocks, we can eat a few more animal crackers or a little bit of cookie batter just because.

You make me proud when you kick or throw or hit a ball. You make me laugh when you laugh. You make my heart swell when you give me a hug and a kiss. I love it when you remind me to pray. I love it when you sing the last words of every line in Rock a Bye Baby and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I love hearing you try to say new words. I love spending time with you. You are a cool little guy and I'm so glad you're mine!

I love you, Micah! Happy Birthday dear boy.