faithful

one year ago today, Arie took his first steps.

 there was a time when we didn't know if he could or would do it.

now we wonder the same about his language and ability to communicate.

we still don't know exactly what's going on in his brain and body that makes 

what comes naturally to some extra challenging for him.  

we've doctored, we've researched, we've observed, we've questioned,

 we've cried (tears of frustration and tears of joy!), 

we've listened, we've prayed.  

oh, how we've prayed.  

what we know is simple but true.  

God is faithful even when we are lost.  

God was and is and will forever be intentional with our Arie in every single way,

 for every single minute.  

he is precious in His sight.

texas safari

after school let out, we took a little texas road trip.  with all the recent flooding, it didn't quite go as planned, but it was still great to get away.  made a spontaneous stop at the texas safari animal park and the kids loved feeding the animals out the car window.

tulip time!

this was the 2nd trip that eden and i have taken to the orange city tulip festival.  

just the two of us.

i have loved doing this with her.  

and even though my sweet nieces are all through tulip court,

 i'm sure this won't be our last trip to celebrate our dutch heritage!

 looking through old jewelry with grandma v

 dutch girl!

 our tulip court girl, jennie!

 beautiful girls

street scrubbing before the parade

on being a mother

it's an honor to be their mama.

wimberley

dan was honored to be asked to officiate the wedding of our sweet friends matt and jess.  

we stole away for a 24 trip to wimberley, leaving our children in the care of kind and generous friends. 

 we had fun exploring hill country, and it was the prettiest night for a wedding,

millenial gardens

a sunday in the park.

play ball!

spring nights at the ball field watching our little red sox slugger.

father and son

date

we don't get nights out to ourselves very often, 

so when we do, it's nice.

this was from a lovely evening with friends at the arboretum gala. 

it was pouring rain and it was beautiful.

rodeo with g&g

we went to the rodeo with dan's parents while they were visiting. 

 it was all fun and games until arie threw up on the girl sitting in front of us. 

 apparently cotton candy and popcorn do not agree with his two year old belly. 

  who knew? (the picture is moments before the incident.  afterwards, 

we took a loooong walk so i didn't have to face the victim who had vomit down her back)