Let's go riding in the Burley!!!. Thanks to Lori and Robert King for giving us their Burley that was too small for their growing kids. Patrick will love it for many years to come.

"Aw, Mom. I was just playing with my friends!"

We are enjoying adventurous days with Patrick in our house! Today I put him down for his morning nap, started the colorful animal mobile that we use to help Patrick go down during naps, and bid my little boy "night-night." I went downstairs and started my morning task list, and I heard a "bang" that came from upstairs. I assumed that the breeze from the ceiling fan had closed Patrick's door, since that happens quite often. Since Patrick cannot yet sit up on his own or stand in the crib, I didn't think much about the sound. I went on about my business, showered, etc. I happened to walk by Patrick's room about an hour later and I noticed that his door was not completely closed. "Well, then," I thought, "what could that sound have been?" I walked into his room and saw what you are seeing in the attached photos: Our "he-man" son decided that he wanted to play with the animals on his mobile, so he yanked the whole contraption down (it was bolted to the top of the crib,) probably played a bit, and promptly went to sleep. Patrick knew that the animals would be there when he woke up, so he could relax and take his nap in peace.

Our little crawling wonder continues to surprise us with his strength, his determination, and his resourcefulness! But sometimes you've just gotta have your animal friends close by!

Thanks for reading.

Patrick's First Hair Cut

Patrick thoroughly enjoyed his first hair cut, much to the amazement of his parents. It was so much fun he didn't want to leave. Happy times at the hair salon!!!

Child Dedication

For a while I have wondered what about the purpose of child dedication? Then I realized that it is really parent dedication and a chance to show your child to the entire church family. In our case there were many people in our church who went through the journey of adoption with us, prayed for us and rejoiced with us at the beginning of Patrick's life. It is to those people that we affirm our commitment to raise Patrick by the guidelines given to use from God's word, the Bible. I also realized that just because there is not a commandment to do something does not mean that it is not a worthwhile idea. Thank you to Chris, Tressa, Katie, and James from our small group who joined us tonight as we dedicated our parenting of Patrick to God.

Yosemite

This was Patrick's favorite stop on the whirlwind 4 state (NV, UT, ID, CA) tour for Jim's Ironman 70.3 in Boise, Idaho. Patrick always enjoys the outdoors so it comes as no surprise that Yosemite was his spot!!! We spent time in Hetch Hetchy area on the west side which was very beautiful and devoid of tourists, my favorite part!