Josiah turns two!

Just a few pictures of Josiah's birthday - a normal Thursday but we enjoyed each others company.

End of the Year

As I look back at my blog I realize it's been 2 months since I've updated! Here are some pictures of the end of 2008. Enjoy!

Yo yo, sup' B

Ravinia's Baby Shower

Grilled Cheese and apples on Ama's porch. Doesn't get much better than that!Happy Girls

Christmas Tree hunting with Papa

Graeson, Josiah and Ava taming a log horse

Aunt Rose and Uncle Buzz

All 3 of them wanted to help cut down the tree.Good job Josiah.

Merry Christmas from the Peoples

Merry Christmas (the green way - a.k.a. the easy way!) Since so many of our favorite people are bloggers or emailers we decided to send our Christmas greeting via the internet. The great thing about this is that you can actually scroll through pictures of the happenings of our year.

Here are a few of the stats from 2008:

31: people who celebrated Josiah's first birthday - a happy and healthy milestone for him

22: team members Mike took on a mission trip to Panama

12: hours driving in the car to our family vacation to Gold Beach, Oregon

5: the age of our social and self-assured Kindergartner, Maicee Anne

11: minutes Brianne (7) spends showering each morning before heading off to 1st grade

6: times, minimum, I get into my car each day

12: units Mike has completed towards his Masters of Ministry

1: goal scored by Brianne in her last soccer game of the season for under 8's

14: consecutive fighters followed by 5 simultaneously for Mike to obtain his Black Belt in karate

3: times a week I escape to my "happy place", jazzercise ;)

2: unfortunate bucks, taken by bow, made us the fortunate recipients of a freezer full of venison

365: days a year we thank God for his grace and mercy and for the blessing of family and friends

With Love, Michael, Kaitlin, Brianne, Maicee and Josiah

Photography by Torrey James - for bookings go to torreyjamesphotography.blogspot.com

Thank you Torrey!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

The 1st graders and Kindergarteners took a field trip to a local pumpkin patch. I went along so Josiah could be apart of the fun. It's just a simple farm where hay wagons drive out to the patch and you pick your pumpkin. The kids loved it!

Soccer

Brianne, Nash and Carter - Blue Broncos


Brianne and Nash going for the goal


Coach Gillette presenting Brianne with her trophy

Brianne and Nash Wylie

Brianne enjoyed soccer this season and just started getting the hang of it at the end. She gathered her courage and attempted to score the last 3 games. She was finally successful in the last quarter in her last game. Yea!

October

Family Fall Festival


Birthday lunch


Birthday with mom and dad

Birthday kiss

my birthday

What? It's November? Where did October go? We've been so busy...but I did manage to snap a few pics of the past month.

one year ago...

josiah battling Botulism last year

today, happy and healed

josiah and "sisi" - his word for maicee

climbing

sweet kids

Today I rejoice in the healing hand of God! September 30, 2007 Josiah was in the PICU at Sutter Memorial Hospital battling Botulism and today, September 30, 2008 he is a healthy happy boy. Josiah brings such joy and completion to our family. My heart overflows with love for him. We spent time today enjoying the sunshine and breeze. I was humbled as I looked back at my journal of those days and at the Word that sustained us.


"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!" The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." Psalm 116:1-7


I continue to pray this prayer for Josiah; one that we clung to a year ago...


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13