Dear Jesus,

Ax came home with an envelop from church that read:  "To Jesus  Love, Axel"

We opened it when we got home & he was so excited to show us a letter he decorated.

Halloween.

As you saw, we had the ballerina & monkey for one Halloween party.  We then had Rapunzel & monkey for another.

Happy Halloween!  

Visiting a friend in a nursing home.  

THEN:  Visiting more friends!

Laila could not believe Ingrid ALSO had a side braid!  

It's become tradition to visit the Thorstenson's on Halloween.  The costumes come off, we eat Halloween candy & the trains come out.  

My heart is full.

Our niece, Natalie made this in Sunday-school today (sniff, sniff).  

Happy Easter!

Easter 2010, 9 days before having Ax

Easter 2011

It's become a tradition for us to color eggs on Easter day... Last year a dear friend was in Greece over Easter & told us that they dye all their eggs red for Easter to represent the blood of Christ.  And, she brought back a packet of dye for us to use this year! 

It was timely & beautiful since this is the first Easter we've actually grasped ALL that's in the Atonement.  Yes, Christ died on the cross for our sins, but He also was beaten & whipped for our infirmities before getting the the cross.  By His stripes WE ARE HEALED!  We have come to know this promise to be true in our family this year, 2000 years later.  He took up our infirmities (sickness, disease, injuries) so that we don't have to be sick, have diseases or injuries!  He's paid the price - we don't have to!  Claiming this authority that we have over sickness is real & life changing.  Thank you Jesus for your spiritual, emotional & physical healing that you promise in your Word & thank you for our salvation.  

Dedicated to my man.

As some of you know, I spent the last 5 days in Austin, TX.  (It was a life changing trip that I can't wait to share about - I'll fill y'all in later.)  Anyway, flying home we had a quick lay-over in San Jose.  Before boarding our plane my brother-in-law "lovingly" informed me that my "husband's hero's" were right behind me.  To my amazement the entire Sounds Football Club was getting ready to board OUR plane!  They graciously allowed me to get a photo with them (as they totally mocked my GIANT backpack... note how far behind Brad Evans had to stand to make room for the big pack...)  After the photo I called Jason & Kasey Keller graciously agreed to chat it up for a bit.  K-A-S-E-Y K-E-L-L-E-R!  They talked for awhile & then we all boarded the plane.  This was a great way to end a special time away!

Healing.

I didn't want this day to slide by without acknowledging my 5 year back healing anniversary.  After a slip at work & 2 1/2 years of pain - God healed my back 5 years ago tonight at a prayer meeting.  I've given my testimony at our previous church as well as at a church conference.  If you ever need encouragement or would like to know more about my amazing story - I'd be happy to share.  I love my story.  God is so gracious & good to those that follow.  As a result I was able to carry 2 beautiful kids in my heavy belly for a total of 18 months pain free.  And, I can now carry my heavy son on my hip - pain free.  All the glory goes to Jesus Christ my Savior & Lord!

Baptisms.

Laila & Axel were baptized at our church today.  Jason & I weren't familiar with infant baptisms, but after meeting with our pastor we really felt like it was something we wanted for our family.  I'm still processing the morning, but I can honestly say that it was beyond our expectations.  Our pastor, Neil Trainer did a fabulous job & really took time praying & anointing our kids.  It was a very joyous occasion for our little family & it meant a lot to have such a crowd upfront praying over our kids.  Laila & Axel will never know how much they are prayed over & we are so grateful.  

*Thank you Ann-Krestene & Monique for photographing the baptisms!