Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween!

We had such a great halloween! We had friends and family all together for dinner and then took the kids around while the grandparents handed out candy. Our friends Tim and Staci and their kids came to T or T with us and Staci and I took a lot of pics... Kira was wide awake during dinner, so we snuck out and took some of her as a daisy! She looked so stinkin' cute! In some of them she looks like she's saying, "I'm so bored mom!"- I love it!! :)
Kaden really had fun too! At each house he would say, "Trick or Treat-Arrr" It was so funny! His pirate costume was great and he'll also wear it for his party on Sat.
Kenzie continued the Kitty tradition... each year she just becomes an older cuter kitty! Papa took Kenzie and Kenzie Landis around and they did speed trick or treating. They hit every home in both neighborhoods! The girls had so much fun~Thanks Papa!!

So enjoy the pics! Happy Halloween!



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This is my favorite halloween pic... I think Kira looks so much older though... she could pass for a one year old in this pic.




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Sunday, October 28, 2007

October 29th

I've copied my post from our Caringbridge site. I wasn't going to, but just maybe somehow our story can be helpful to someone else... if you have no idea what I'm referring to, our site was www.caringbridge.org/visit/monicamangin


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2007 10:35 PM, CDT
2 years... Tomorrow is Jackson and Carter's second birthday and anniversary of going to be with the Lord. It's different this year. Last year we just couldn't believe that a whole year had passed and that we'd made it through. This year is different because I just can't help but think what two little toddlers running around would be like... If you know me well, you know I'm a big birthday party planner and as I've been getting ready for Kaden's 3rd birthday party which is next Saturday, I just keep thinking of what it would be like to have been able to plan even just one party for Jackson and Carter. Last year Kenzie asked me if we could make them a cake on their birthday, so we did, but I'm not too sure what tomorrow will bring.
I think God has given me a really special gift in Makenzie and her remembrance of her brothers... She talks about them all the time and is always including them in her drawings of our family etc. We really did not talk to her too much about Jackson and Carter after they were born, we just explained that they were too small and that they went to be with Jesus, but she has never forgotten them. Sometimes when I feel like no one remembers (and I know they do, I just sometimes feel that way) she is always making some comment about them and it is amazing how a talkative little 5 1/2 year old can be such a source of encouragement to me. So, I truly belive that God has given her such a vivid grasp of her brothers so that she can lift my spirits and remind me that at least she is thinking of them.
We feel so blessed by Kira joining our family and we love her so much, so we are just trying to be thankful for the wonderful family that God has given us to enjoy here on earth, and we wait with anticipation for the day that we will be united with our other children and will be able to hold them in our arms again.
Below are the words to a song that we sing at church... It's one that I have a hard time getting through without lots of tears, most times I have to leave the sanctuary because I'm not a public emotion kind of person, but the words are something that I truly believe and something that I am still striving to make true everyday of my life, not just the easy days. "Some days I can say, Blessed Be Your Name" and other days my eyes are too focused on life here on earth (or under the sun, as we've been talking about at church) and I can't get myself to utter those words, but deep in my heart I know that God can see so much more than my little earthly perspective and he knows what he's doing, so I say, "You give and take away. You give and take away. My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name"
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord,blessed be Your name

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

APPLE PICKING IN NEW ENGLAND

We were thrilled when some of our cousins invited us to visit for the weekend! We drove to MA on a Friday and came home on Sunday. We planned on making it a longer trip and visiting thr grandparents and other family, but Kenzie came home from school sick during the week and we didn't even think we'd be able to go at all... But on Friday morning she was fever free and begging to go apple picking! So we loaded the car and headed to MA. On Sat. we went to Honey Pot Farms in Stowe, MA. It's a huge orchard with apples, pears, hayrides, and more. The kids had an awesome time! Our only complaint was that it was too hot!


Megan, Lauren, Kenzie and Isaac
Isaac and Kaden

Jacqui and Kaden enjoying the view from the hayride.
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The hayride was definitely Kaden's favorite part of the day! He was in heaven watching the tractor and driver!

Jacqui and Silly Boy Kaden
Yes, Kira came on the bumpy ride too! It doesn't seem like the bumps interupted her sleep at all.
Aunti Didi joined us for the fun too! It was her FIRST time going picking ever!!
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