Taylor-Made Family

Aren't bathing babies just the cutest??  Aiden loves, loves, loves splashing around in the bath....  And daddy loves giving him a bath......

It's been a busy week and Aiden and I are leaving early tomorrow to drive to Chicago to have a reunion of sorts with my sister, Holly, and brother-in-law, Dan, my mom and grandma.  My mom and grandma are driving up from Indiana, and we'll all meet at my sister's house in Chicago for a "girl's weekend" (well, plus Aiden and Dan).  God recently blessed my sister and brother-in-law with the purchase of their first home and we're all eager to see it.    Brandon is leaving tomorrow morning as well to take the youth up to Owen Sound for the annual Word of Life Snow Camp!  They always have a fun time.  Since Brandon is going to be at Snow Camp until Sunday evening, we decided it was a good opportunity for me to get together with my family, so that's how it all came together.  I'm so excited to see everyone!  This past weekend, we had a great Valentine's weekend.  Brandon has this tradition of calling me and leaving a sweet voice-mail message for V

Today I am filled with sadness for a family that I have never met.  Tim and Jane and their 6 young children were missionaries to Trinidad that our church supports.   But..... Jane (only 39 years old) passed away suddenly yesterday.  They found out only weeks ago that stage 4 cancer had taken over her body, and she passed away very suddenly after going into a coma just 2 nights ago.   Oh.. how it's hard to see the good in this, even though we know our God is good!  Please, please pray for Tim and his 6 (yes, six!) young children that are now left without their dear wife/mommy .  Pray that they'll receive comfort and grace to meet them in their desperate time of need.  Praise God that, though her family and friends mourn deeply, Jane right now is in glory, where there is no more pain, only joy in the presence of the Lord. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" Psalm 116:15

Aiden has been trying out a sippy cup this week..... it's so fun to watch him grow, learn and discover how things work..... "I'm sucking but nothing's coming out... what's wrong with this thing, mommy?" "Oh..... so THIS is how it works..... hmmm...you mean I can give myself a drink whenever I want to?  Cool"

I initially tried this recipe after Canadian Thanksgiving because I had leftover cranberries I didn't know what to do with.  Since then, it's become a favorite of Brandon and mine, and I've taken them to women's Bible study, and served them when having someone over.  They're so yummy, and go great with coffee or tea, or even just as a snack by themselves..... Cranberry Scones: 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup sugar 2 and 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 3/4 cup butter (no substitutes) 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries 3/4 cup buttermilk (I just add 1 Tbsp. lemon juice to regular milk and let it sit for 10 mins) Directions:  Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Add cranberries.  Stir in buttermilk just until moistened.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface; gently knead 6-8 times.  Divide in half.  Pat each into an 8-in. circle.  Cut into eight wedges.  Place 1 in. apart

I've decided to start blogging again because alot has happened in our lives over the past couple years.  As I don't live near my side of the family, this is a good way to share what's going on in our lives.  Yesterday was the Superbowl, and though the Colts didn't win :(, Superbowl weekend will always share special memories for me, because Brandon proposed on a Superbowl weekend three years ago (not during the Superbowl, but on the ice rink where we had our first date.. very special!).  We've been married for 2 and 1/2 years, and though that's not long, it sure has flown by.  Since then, Aiden entered our lives on June 2nd, 2009, and changed our lives completely. He was in the NICU for almost a month as a newborn, and that time is something I have yet to write about completely.  It was definitely one of the most difficult times (if not the most difficult time) in our lives, but also a time where we watched God carry the three of us so faithfully. Becoming a momm