It is hard to believe that 1 year ago today your daddy and I welcomed you into the world! You were formed so perfectly, we used to just look at you in complete awe of the precious miracle of new life. We couldn't believe that God had entrusted you to us! You didn't have such an easy time in the beginning. You cried a lot and we just couldn't figure out why, but after a few months you quieted down and your personality started to shine through. You became so happy and you loved to laugh. You seem to get funnier and funnier as the days go on, you keep your daddy and me laughing and smiling. You have wowed us with your determination in trying to do everything early, and most of the time you succeeded. You rolled over, crawled, cruised and walked a little earlier than mommy and daddy would have liked, but at the same time we were thrilled with your new abilities. You never seem to stop, you are always super busy. We are sure you are going to be a sports star some day!

We feel so blessed when we take you out and people stop and talk to you. We think your wispy blonde hair, your big blue eyes and your sweet, charming smile are so irresistible that people just have to stop to say "hi". You love the attention and are only too happy to greet them back.

This year we have lived in 4 different houses/apartments, not so easy for mommy and daddy, but your easy going nature just rolled with it. Each new place we lived in was like a new adventure for you, so many more things to discover! 

You have lots of favorites. Your favorite foods are avocado, cheese, banana's, mommy's milk (you are not about to give that up any time soon either), chicken, potatoes, kiwi's, mangoes and baked ziti. You have had some ice cream and you LOVE it! Your favorite activities are having a bath, being outside in the yard, "kicking" the ball with mommy, playing with daddy when he comes home from work and on the weekends, eating, "reading" your books and being read to, and playing with other children. You can say "mama", "dada" and "eat" and you can sign "please", "milk" and "more". You can also clap and wave. You are growing by leaps and bounds. 

Aiden we love you little buddy!! You fill our lives with so much joy!! It is with sadness and excitement that we see you turn one. Sad because you are not a little baby anymore, but excitement, to watch you bloom into such a sweet, active little boy. Your daddy and I pray for you each night that as you grow older you would come to understand the forgiveness that is only found in Christ and that you would trust Him as your Lord and Savior and serve Him all the days of your life.

Happy First Birthday, Aiden!!!
We love you,
Mommy & Daddy

See what a difference a year has made

I saw this on a friends blog and it left me sobbing. May we never take those we love for granted, and may we thank the Lord for each day that He gives us with them!

video here

We enjoyed a quiet Easter. On Saturday we took Aiden to an Easter egg hunt that a local church was putting on in a nearby park. We figured since he is walking, it would be fun for him to have his first "hunt". He actually did a pretty good job and got a couple eggs. Obviously he didn't eat what was inside, but he liked to play with the plastic eggs ;)
Sunday morning we enjoyed our service at church and then had a relaxing afternoon, we Skyped my mom in England and then Skyped Carl's family in Illinois. I made a yummy meal for us for dinner and then we took a little walk around the neighborhood.
Easter also brings back memories for me. Last Easter Sunday (April 8th) we welcomed our little Aiden into the world... a perfect Easter gift. Sadly, though, Easter Sunday 4 years ago (April 11th) my father passed away. In one sense it makes it a bittersweet day, but in the other, Easter is truly a day for rejoicing because our Savior rose from the grave and conquered death, and because of that we can have eternal life if confess our sins and accept Him as our Savior! I pray that each one of you reading this blog would know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

Check out some pictures from this past weekend!

I sound annoying, but I think Aiden sounds so cute... his first word :)

Aiden is walking so well, he tootles around the whole house. Here is a little video just after we moved in (ie. messy house ;))