"All the animals in the zoo are jumping up and down for you!"

{that title is for you, Aunt Carol and Dad =) }

For Christmas last year, were given passes to the Zoo by some sweet family friends. We've been waiting for just the right day to take a family trip there. In early August, we found ourselves with sunshine and nothing on the calendar, so off we went!

Checking out a Tiger...

...this was the first animal we saw that day, and we spent like 10 minutes watching him. Luke and Abbey were totally enamored!

Daddy assisting in the Zebra watching...

Best. Daddy. Ever! 

We had packed snacks, but we are also total suckers for the smell of hot, buttery popcorn...and since the trip to the Zoo was free, we figured we could splurge on some =). 

As soon as this guy came out, Luke began reciting "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?"

 

We are so grateful for a fabulous day at the Zoo! Thanks Yost Family!! We love you guys!!

August

It's been a crazy month...

We took a family trip to the Zoo.

I had a procedure for my back/neck injury (from the car accident).

We had a slumber party with friends.

We ate popcorn and watched movies.

Dave and I went away for a night alone.

We attended two funerals.

We took a family trip to the Beach for three nights. 

 We played outside in the sunshine.

And I so want to blog about all of it. Or, most of it. This space? This is where I document our life. This is where I attempt to capture our memories. It's where I journal. It's how I update our families and loved ones. 

It's so special to me. 

And I must make time for it again...soon. 

In Memory...

Today we said Good-bye to my Grandfather.

I could attempt to write about him, but nothing would come close to being as eloquent as my sister and my aunt have been.

Instead, I'll just post this picture taken in February, at his 94th birthday party. It's a picture of me, my Grandpa, my husband, and our children - sitting in the adorable chairs my Grandpa made for them for their 1st birthday...

...see you again someday.

Things our kids say...

Abbey and Luke have been cracking us up around here lately, and I know if I don't take a moment to write some of these things down I'll regret it...

 

Lately, Abbey has taken to saying "My..." before everything. Like, EVERYTHING. She'll say "oh, my Daddy is here" or "my Momma is home!" or the cutest one is "My Lucas". Perhaps what makes it the most adorable is the way she says her brothers name...it's more like "Loo-Kiss"..."Look Momma, my Loo-Kiss is playing with his bear!" it just melts us.

And Luke has taken to calling all of us "Honey". The other night I had to work late, and came home to Dave giving the kids a bath after dinner. I came into the bathroom to greet my family and Luke says to me "Hi Honey, how about a kiss?"

So fun.

Sunday Smiles

Summer fun...

More cousin fun!

Later in the week we met up at OMSI!

(if you look closely, you can see Cadence in the foreground, Luke in the middle and Ab's in the background!)

 

Abbey was quite intrigued with this...

Luke showing Auntie Amanda his favorite part of the whole museum...

Cooking up somethin' good, I'm sure...

And this is the best one I got of all 3 of them actually looking the general direction of the camera...

All Aboard!

Last week my older sister Amanda and her sweet family came to visit! 

The cousins wasted no time making a mess having fun playing together. 

Auntie Amanda (and her son in her belly!) reading to Luke...

Later in the afternoon, we stopped at a grocery store to get picnic goodies before heading to our destination. The cousins made good use of the open space by spinning around together...

With picnic supplies in hand, we headed off to go ride some trains!

It was such a fun experience! The kids had a blast, and the adults did too = ). Abbey and Luke kept saying "we ride trains!" over and over again.

Three Amigos...

Saturday Morning Scene...

The Twinadoes touched down this morning...

It was the second time I'd been on the other end of such a phone call.

In 2009, when Monica called, I was stunned. Devastated. Broken.

And this week, I stood there, stunned, as another cherished friend explained to me that she was  calling from a hospital bed to share with me that she was about to be induced, as she had learned that morning that the daughter inside her was no longer alive.

I just don't get it.

I do not know why this happens. 

We just saw that baby move! We were just at their house for a playdate the very day prior, listening to Jennifer proudly talk about how busy Haddie was. I don't understand. She is due in 2 weeks! She just got checked on Monday...she was already 2 centimeters dilated and 20% efaced...Haddie was on her way!

And then that night she stopped moving. And the next morning she remained still. And Jennifer knew. 

A trip to the doctor confirmed what her sinking heart felt. 

Oh, how my heart breaks anew just writing this. 

Monica lived in another state. I was never able to hug her, or sit on her hospital bed and cry with her. But I was honored she shared with me. I was touched she allowed me to be apart of Duncan's birth, via prayer. It's a story I've only told a few people, but Duncan's birth was one of the most Spiritual experiences I have ever had. I'll leave it at this: if you do not believe God will allow you to share in someone elses moment...carry some of their burden...feel a supernatural connection to an experience you are no where near - you are wrong. 

 Jennifer lives in my state. In fact, she lives very near. The twins are five days older than her first born daughter. We see each other at least once a week.

So, in this case...with this friend...with this birth...I got to hug my sweet friend. I got to weep with her. I got to put my hand on her swollen, beautiful belly as I prayed for her family and thanked God for the gift of 9 and 1/2 months with Haddie.

And just like Duncan, Haddie had weight in this world. She matters. She may have gone straight from her mothers womb to our Fathers arms,  but she touched my life. Because of Haddie, I came home from the hospital that night, marched into our nursery, picked up my sleeping babies and held them. I whispered to them that I love them. I cherish them. I thanked God for the gift of them. For the miracle that they are. 

Life is so precious. 

A Gift.

I do not know why God allows such things to happen.

It's all I can do to walk in the Faith I choose to look to, and believe that God will bring good from this. All of it. 

Romans 8:26-28 (The Message)

^26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."