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Tiny Z is 6 months old today. How did that happen? Half a year already! He's not only cute but he's pretty cool, too.

on the move

Does lunging come before crawling, technically speaking?

why i love freecycle

thoughts on zeke's baptism day

1. After a combined a 50-years of Anabaptist tradition, and with respect to all our loved ones who still follow it, we have come to realize that we completely embrace Reformed tradition and are in awe of infant baptism and the sacrament it truly is.

2. We were so thankful that our parents were able to come be a part of today. And help.

3. We have an amazing church and island family. Amazing. The fact that they are sharing this journey of raising Zeke with us is mind boggling.

4. After seeing the pictures of myself from today, I now know where Zeke gets his double chins.

5. Chocolate fountains are awesome.

6. Shiraz, Holly, Lindsey, Monty, Michelle, Andrea, Erin, Jenice and Heidi are also awesome. They know why. Let me just say that the brunch wouldn't have happened without them.

7. Cooking a brunch for 80+ people (is that how many really came?) was actually fun. Really.

8. Even though the chocolate-chocolate chip waffles were not the hit we thought they would be, they were totally worth it just to see how excited Matthew was about them.

9. We are overwhelmed with the knowledge and faith that God has marked and claimed Zeke as His own. Wow.


James + water = baptism.


Centerpieces + donuts = yum.


Long day + donuts = crazy kids.

baptism day

Today is the 6th anniversary of Annie's baptism. I surprised her by taking her out of school early and we took the ferry over to the city for lunch with Joel - which was another surprise to her when he walked in. She was thrilled about the trip and it was obvious that she loved having us all to herself.


Being silly on the ferry ride over. We played "Would You Rather?" the whole way. She came up with some good ones.


She was excited that she got to order a fancy lemonade in a fancy grownup glass.


Being silly with daddy.


The highlight of the lunch was when the waitress offered her a second bowl of mac & cheese after she polished off her first one.

Her baptism verses were Ephesians 3:14-20 and it's still our prayer for her:

"My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us."

sleep deprivation

Who knew it was possible to be this tired? We have had the longest week...Joel was in Toronto from Monday until Thursday. The 3-hour difference in time zones wiped him out. The kids were on spring break which meant that I didn't get one this week. Jonah has been waking up at 5:30 - and not going back to sleep. Zeke has a double ear infection and is getting a tooth which makes for a very unhappy baby. Oh yeah, he's been waking up at 4:30.

Whine, whine, whine.

We were supposed to go to Portland this weekend but at this point are very happy to just be staying home. And hopefully sleeping.

new tricks

He's still not very steady and topples easily, but he's been working on those abs.


This, combined with this, means we have to actually vacuum our floors and keep the smaller toys picked up because he's now completely mobile. (And, p.s., is that really what my voice sounds like?)

As if this isn't enough, he's very close to getting his first tooth. His 5th month is turning out to be quite event filled.