Robert Loves Kendalyn

Our little bundle of joy has turned a year old! Where has the time gone? We celebrated her birthday in several stages…the first being with Josh & Ale Guido and Mr. Fagala when they came to visit!

Then on her actual birthday, we Skyped with Nana & Dido Kowalchuk and Aunty Aleita. We miss them so much!

Sauntina’s big party was held down in West Virginia a few days later with the Staddon family and relatives who gathered to celebrate this little blessing. Aunt Esther and the uncles made decorative animal cupcakes for the jungle themed party, and Sauntina enjoyed eating her very first cupcake and sorbet!

Sauntina decided to push off from Daddy and stand by herself like a big girl!

Happy Birthday, Sauntina LaVerle! We love you!

Where has the year gone? It seems like you’ve been with us forever, Sauntina, and yet the newness of having you has never worn off. I see you every morning and watch you change from my first baby girl to an adorable, fun-loving little tyke who loves to make your daddy laugh, loves the outdoors, squints your eyes in joyful smile when I come get you from your nap, and blesses everyone who has met you both here, visits to Daddy’s work, and in stores. May your sweetness ever be an example of the love of Jesus and may He continually bless your growth as you learn more about our precious Savior. Your Daddy and I love you so much, sweet baby daughter!

A glimpse of the past year:

The first day you arrived in this world and Daddy learned how to put on a diaper!

Everyone couldn’t wait to meet you so we had your baby shower when you were just 2 days old!

We were even able to have BOTH sets of grandparents here during your first month! I was able to celebrate my first Mother’s Day with both my mother and my mother-in-law!

You grew in so many ways this year and we have enjoyed each day the Lord has given you to us so far. You are a treasure beyond words, Sauntina LaVerle!

Happy 1st Birthday!

The Lord blessed us with a wonderful trip to Texas last week to visit friends, work at the Big Sandy Regional Conference, and see my dear and wonderful friend, Corrie, and her family!

David, Priscilla, their little man, Paul, and the three of us left early Sunday morning and did the entire 15 hour trip in one day! It was a long day, but oh! How nice to be done all the traveling and on to visiting! We had snow in Chicago on Friday but there wasn’t a spec of snow at all in the south ~ and I was a typical Northern and burned myself the first day in the sun!

The children have grown up so much since I last saw them a year ago. Where does the time go? We were also able to see Responder Jonathan ~ our very own ALERT man!

Jonathan was part of the Alert group opening the first conference evening. Connor & Clayton, and their friend David proudly saluted during the national anthem, following all the Alert guys (and their daddy’s) example. Robert played a beautiful piano solo Thursday evening, sang in a quartet, and Keon sang in the Alert quartet a couple times. I love these regional conferences for all the inspiring music and fantastic messages!

Katy was Sauntina’s “big sister” for the week and helped me push the stroller, hold her, and play with her. Sauntina loved having so many other children around!

When I used to work at Alert in 2010, I used to take the kids out to a Christian bookstore to look around, then enjoy a treat at the nearby frozen yogurt place before heading back home…and this trip was so exception. They’ve expanded a little from their tastes since I last saw them! Instead of gummy bears, they chose sour gummy worms!

It was so wonderful to see those special friends who used to help me in the kitchen. I miss working there and seeing the girls often, and oh what a treat to catch up a little!

…And it was a success! Sauntina loved the strawberry/banana/yogurt smoothie and proudly sported her smoothie mustache! Ah, how I love this little girl. <heart>

We’ve enjoyed the company of part of the Stelzl family for  two weekends, fitting as much as we could into the few days they were here! During the first weekend, Mr. & Mrs. Stelzl, Sarah, and the three of us toured downtown Chicago and they treated us to a ride on the lake/architectural riverboat tour! Finished the day with a tasty supper at Giordano’s!

The following weekend, Mrs. Stelzl and Sarah joined us for a busy weekend visiting friends, going back to Chicago to see Navy Pier, and a very fun activity…shopping! The Stelzls bough Sauntina a new, light blue summer dress. She looked like a little princess! We also visited Pacific Garden Mission and listened to a live performance of “Unshakled!”

Last weekend, Mom, Dad, and David Staddon drove 10 hours to surprise Daniel for his birthday! We played many ROOK card games, enjoyed laughter around the table, and a rousing game of mini golf…in the rain!

We’re starting to see a little bump from our second sweet baby! 15 weeks along and I’m feeling so much better now that the morning sickness is over! Happy spring!

Happy Resurrection Day and may we remember His sacrifice all throughout the year! This was Sauntina’s first Easter and we enjoyed spending the morning in church listening to the story of Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for Christians. How blessed we are live with hope and JOY!

Here’s a glimpse of our first Easter all together…and what a range of emotions Sauntina had!

The Olson family invited us for a delicious meal and fellowship for the afternoon…what a blessing to have new friends. Robert enjoyed a hearty game of hockey with their son and a friend!

Later that day, Sauntina had her first egg hunt with her neighbor, Claire! She was thrilled with the brightly colored plastic eggs, but she was not so excited about her first experience with grass (thus the tears in some pictures). It was a lovely day!

After 26 hours of labor, David and Priscilla met their little son, Paul, last Saturday, March 16th. We were blessed to meet Paul when he was just hours old – what a precious baby!

Less than a week later, we held a baby shower for Paul and everyone enjoyed meeting the newest addition to the staff! Thank you, Lydia Waller, for taking the pictures!

We have battled the stomach flu and cold in our home this past week…and come out victorious! Due to our illness, we haven’t done much lately but here are some extra glimpses into different activities we’ve enjoyed this new year!

Heartbeat

(This is a sneak preview of version 2.0. The full release is scheduled for September 30, 2013!)