Liam's Sixth Month

Make your own scrapbooking design

Mr. Personality

Last weekend we went up to Michigan to celebrate my birthday.  Liam loves visiting Grandma & Grandpa Kusch and Uncle Rick & Aunt AnnaMaria, because they fuss all over him.  I asked Rick & Anna to change Liam before we left on Sunday.  What happened next was an impromptu photo shoot.  Here are the results...

Liam would have made a cute girl.

Oh, this is so silly!

Now that's more like it.  

I'm sure he will wear many more bow-ties in his lifetime.

He sure knows how to be cute.

What a fun time!

(Notice - lunch on his onesie - the reason he needed changed)

So surprised!

Liam where are your toes?  There they are.

Birthday Reflection

This year, as I celebrate my birthday, I have to marvel at how God has directed my steps over the last year.  One year ago today, I was thrilled with the news that a birthmother had chosen us to adopt her child.  Because our social workers do not share news unless they are certain a placement will be made, we were optimistic that we would receive a baby the first week of November.  As I blew out my candles last year, I had one simple prayer, "God please give me a baby."  Later that week we would learn that the birthmother changed her mind after realizing that she had a daughter.  As heartbreaking as it was, to once again have a delay in our plans, I felt peace that the little girl was not meant to be ours.  You see, I felt deep in my heart that God had a son in mind for us.  I would have been thrilled to have a daughter, but I sensed that God was going to give us a son (my Samuel).  I had dreams about a little blue eyed, toe headed boy with a big smile.  Now that Liam has entered our lives, I can't imagine having any other child.  He was worth the wait.  I am not sure why God let us have disappointment last November, after all we had already been through, but I am certain that He worked everything out for our good.  He knew the desires of my heart and fulfilled my dreams.  So, this November I celebrate God's grace and faithfulness.  I will squeeze my little miracle and smother him with kisses.  Thank you God for my present this year!

Spicers Orchard

Liam and I went with my brother Rick and his wife AnnaMaria to Spicers Orchard in Fenton, Michigan.  Spicers is the same farm where we pick strawberries and blueberries.  They grow almost anything you can think of, such as peaches, apples, pumpkins, and raspberries.  They offer hay (straw) rides.  They also have a little store where you can buy their produce already picked.  They have fresh baked goods, such as doughnuts, and have a winery with free wine tasting.  On this trip we rode the hay wagon and visited the children's section of the farm, which has animals that you can feed and pet, and a play area.  Liam was very focused during the hayride and seemed to take everything in.  There was a great deal to look at.  Liam loved the John Deere tractor in the children's farm.  It was a very fun trip and one we will probably take every fall.  

Beautiful Spicers Orchard

Hayride

Liam had so much fun on the John Deere tractor!

How tall is Liam this fall?  This may have to be a tradition.

Liam checking everything out

Our little pumpkin

Liam with Uncle Rick & Aunt Anna

Pumpkin Patch

Today we took a trip to the pumpkin patch.  Liam loved looking at all the different colors of pumpkins and gourds.  He also loved feeling all their textures.  We found a small pumpkin that was perfect for him.  Once he had it he didn't want to let it go.  It was so fun to watch him observe everything and take it all in.  He focuses so hard on things.  It makes me wonder what he is thinking.  He also really loved feeling the grass between his toes.  I will turn his pumpkin into baby food and roast the seeds for myself.  Eating his pumpkin will probably be his favorite part - he loves pumpkin.  It was a beautiful autumn day and a memory I will cherish.

Liam's Fifth Month

Free scrapbook design customized with Smilebox

Kids Against Hunger

This weekend Dave organized an event called Kids Against Hunger.  He raised enough money and got enough volunteers to package about 43,000 meals.  Most of the meals will stay in the community and will be distributed through local food banks.  Dave worked so hard to make this event a success.  He demonstrated a true servant's heart.  I am so proud of him!

Here is Dave mixing up a sample of the food.  This way the volunteers could taste the meal they were packaging.

Here is a bird's eye view of the volunteers in progress.  There were two shifts and a total of about 100 volunteers.

Our nieces and nephew helped out.  I am glad they are learning about service at a young age.