Elise Hope

Today I've been thinking a lot about our baby girl who is in heaven. My friend in PA, Jen, and her family are grieving the loss of her oldest brother's and his wife's baby. She was about 5 months along and today found out at a scheduled ultrasound that their baby had died. She will have to deliver the baby just like I did. Our hearts go out to them and their entire family which I've always felt were like a second family to me. I've been thinking about them and praying for them all day. This has brought back the terrible memories of the day we found out our baby had died and being induced later that night and then delivering her the next morning. Feeling the grief that will never completely go away as there will always be someone missing in our family. I wish she was here with us. Sometimes when I look at our two boys, I think to myself that she should be here with us too. I know someday we will be all together and the hope is what I cling to. This verse was true and was a great comfort to us especially during the first weeks after losing Elise:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2

We miss you Elise and look forward to our reunion in perfect joy.

More pictures from Owen's dedication

Owen's Dedication to the Lord

Today was a very special day for our family. Today we dedicated Owen to the Lord at church. Our families were kind enough to celebrate Owen with us. As our pastor was praying for Owen and for us, we were overwhelmed with thanks to God for the precious gift little Owen is. David and Owen are truly precious and wonderful gifts to us and we are so grateful. Our prayer is that they would grow up to love the Lord with all their hearts and to love others. Owie, we love you so very much!!! Our sweet boy.

Kaylynn's 3rd Birthday!

Yesterday, we had a blast at the Baiocco's in PA for our niece, Kaylynn's, 3rd birthday. All of Dave's family was there and all the aunts and uncles got to meet our little Owen. David had the time of his life with all the little girls playing on the moon bounce and the slide and riding on Kaylynn's cars. All the kids would climb up the slide together and at the same time tumble down in a big pile!!! They were all laughing hysterically the whole time and it was so funny to watch. They also had a snow cone machine and it was the cutest thing seeing all the little kids getting their treats. It was so wonderful to see all of our family and it was such a special day. We love Kaylynn!!!

Owen Time

We had a special time with Owen last weekend. While David was at Mommom and Poppop's, we were able to have plenty of one on one time with Owen! We took him out to dinner (well, that was really Dave and Sarah one on one date time :) ), we took him to the annual peach festival and we just stayed home playing and having fun. Owen is smiling all the time now, so we really loved getting him to smile. I can't believe he's almost two months already. Time is going by so quickly!

Sunday Afternoon Relaxing With the Boys

Beach Trip

With the beautiful weather we had, we made the trip to the beach in Lewes. It was Owen's first time to the beach. Our friends, the Jacksons, VanBerkoms, and the Goodsells came and it really was one of the most fun days we've had all summer. The boys had an absolute blast together and It was so much fun enjoying the gorgeous day and our friends. We're so grateful for memories like this, our friends, the beach, beautiful weather and our family. Here are some of the memories... "Well...I can't really take a picture, Mom..."

David had no fear this time...I went with him first and then Dave took him in. He LOVED it and was very proud of himself that he was going in "the deep part all by myself!"

Owie's first trip to the beach. He is the cutest!!! Our little beach baby.

The three friends...they were playing under the life guard stand and we caught some cute pics...

The dads and their boys...All having fun together.

We ended the day at Grotto's pizza and enjoyed some delicous food before driving home, tired and happy.

David's First Baseball Game...the Blue Rocks!

Last night we went to a Blue Rocks baseball game. It was David's (and Owen's) first baseball game. He wasn't feeling well, so we had to leave early and we missed the fireworks, but it was a fun time anyway. I'm not sure David really understood what was going on with the players and he was more interested in climbing on and off the chairs and playing with Isaac!

Pool Fun!

Owen and Abby, Isaac and David

Our Weekend

This past weekend was a lot of fun. It started off with care group and we had it at Billy and Lindsay's beautiful new home. We all couldn't believe how much they had already finished!!! Lindsay is so creative and does such a wonderful job at decorating. We even got to have some Rita's water ice!

On Saturday, we visited our great friends, the Jackson family! David got to meet Abby and he was so overjoyed to see Isaac. He has been asking to see Isaac every day for several weeks. I think he missed him just a little... :) Baby Abby is so adorable and we got some really sweet pictures of Owen and Abby together. It was fun.

On Sunday since the weather was a little cooler, we got to go to the pool as a family and we went to Grotto's for pizza afterwards. It was such a fun time and so fun to have an outing with all four of us! Being a family of four has really been so much fun and I know it's just going to get better.