Updates and Pictures

I realize there have been huge delays in posting and I apologize. Our lives have been absolutely crazy. Travis began another semester of school. We enjoyed a few days at the beach with my parents. Caleb celebrated his first birthday and since that point we have been on the go with church, school, and just living life.

Life has been really tough for us lately in many ways. We believe the evil one is attacking us on many fronts. We are both struggling with feelings of doubt, bitterness, loneliness, insecurity, and inadequacy. We know that God is molding us and preparing us to further His kingdom but that Refiners fire can be so painful sometimes.

Caleb is an absolute blessing and brings constant joy to our lives. Every single day, I see the Father's love for us but especially when I look at Caleb Samuel.

It is really, really hard for me to believe that our sweet boy is thirteen months old! We celebrated his first birthday in style with a fiesta themed party for close family. He was so precious getting his first tastes of birthday cake and Mommy had to hold back tears multiple times that day as she thought about her sweet baby growing up.

Caleb loved loved LOVED the beach. At first, he was a little hesitant but then he got going and it was a chore trying to keep him out of the water and from shoving handfuls of sand in his mouth.

He is getting to have such a huge personality and loves to laugh and play. Caleb and his Daddy are bestest buddies -as I am sure you can tell from some of these pictures. He loves to spend time with Daddy and will often stand at the bottom of the stairs and while holding onto the baby gate yell: " Daddy, Daddy!" up the stairs at Travis. The only times he has EVER called for Mommy have been when he is very very sad about something and needs comforting.

Caleb is growing by leaps and bounds and every time I look at him I realize that my sweet baby is turning into a big boy. He is starting to point when he wants something and nod his head "yes". He has the most hilarious expressions and I love the way his eyes light up when he laughs. He is exploring everything and all over the place all the time. He can say "Hey," "Daddy," "Mommy," "Lucy," "Josh," "Fishy's," "Cracker," "Yeah," "Woof," and "Quack." It isn't an extensive vocabulary to be sure but he has his own made up language and has "conversations" with his toys all the time and he often "preaches" to us. One day I will post a video and you will see what I mean. He isn't walking yet but I feel confident that he will when he is ready and then Mommy REALLY will have her hands full.

My absolute favorite time of every day is his bedtime when he is still for one of the few times during the day and I get to snuggle him close in the rocking chair. After Bible Story time and prayers are over, he will lay his head on my shoulder and wrap his little arms around my neck and then I will kiss that sweet little boy head and sing to him for a few minutes before I lay him in his bed to go to sleep. Almost every night, I sing the same worship song, "How He Loves." It might seem like a strange lullaby but it fits so perfectly with the feelings in my heart for the Lord and what He has done for us and continues to do for us in our lives. I don't know if many mommys are like this or if I am the only crazy one but many nights as I hold my sweet boy before bed, I will catch tears falling down my cheeks as I praise the Father for my sweet son. I could never ever fathom that my love would grow to such great heights for such a little human being. It makes me appreciate the Father's sacrifice all the more.

I will conclude this very drawn out post by asking for continued prayers for us as there are many big things going on in our lives. I won't go into detail but just know right now we need prayer more than ever as we are waiting upon the Lord to work in some big ways in our lives.

Here is the first verse to the song, "How He Loves." The lyrics are absolutely beautiful and really probe me to think. I would highly, highly recommend that you download this song right now if you have never heard it.

Blessings,

Travis, Danielle, and Caleb

He is jealous for me

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy

When all of a sudden

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

And I realize just how beautiful you are

and how great Your affections are for me . . . .

Job Update and Caleb Pictures

Well, as you saw in our last post. Last Thursday was Travis last day at his job. We were unsure what the future held but on that following Saturday, due to new circumstances, he was hired back at the same company he worked for before. He was only without work for a day!!! God is so faithful! We appreciate so much your prayers and support. Here are a few pictures of our cute little guy for the grandparents to enjoy.

Update

This is just a very short post with a quick update. Today, we received some very difficult news. Travis is being laid off from his job beginning next week.

Please pray for us in the coming days. Travis has no prospects of finding a job and the beginning of the fall semester is just around the corner. Pray that God will provide something very soon. Also pray that we will have strength and faith as we continue on in seminary and seeking Gods plans for our future. Also pray for my sweet grandmother as she is in the hospital recovering from surgery on her lungs and waiting to hear results from a biopsy.

Long Time No See

It has been a really long time since I have posted anything and assuming there IS anyone out there who still reads our blog, I apologize.

To begin - Travis finished the semester very well and it set to begin classes again in the fall. He is working so hard at work and at helping with the hispanic ministry at church.

I am enjoying being Caleb's mommy so very much. He is a busy little boy and keeps me on my toes but I wouldn't trade my days with him for anything. Here are a few pictures before I share what our guy has been up to:

Okay, so this isn't a very good picture but I had to give you one good shot of the red hair and yes, it IS as red as it looks in this picture. Who are this child's parents?

He loves the swimming pool both big and little. It is like an extended bath time and he has ALWAYS loved bath time.

I love this picture because it captures what our life is like - my smiling, happy little boy, trying to explore and see what he can grab and get into.

Caleb has been one busy little guy. In a matter of just a couple of weeks time, he has learned to pull himself to sitting, pull himself to standing, "scoot" on his bottom across the floor, climb the stairs, and cruise around furniture. Good grief I am tired. I thought those newborn days with middle of the night wakings were rough but that was nothing compared to chasing around a 9 month old to keep him successfully out of outlets, drawers, cabinets, toilets, computers, trash cans, and the list goes on and on. He could be sitting in a room full of toys and spot the diaper pail behind the door and decide that the one thing in the room that he is not allowed to touch is the one he needs to get into. He is so much fun and I love the fun days we spend together. I can't believe he is 9 months old. He has changed SO much! I barely recognize him from that little baby they put in my arms in the hospital.

We appreciate so much those who are still keeping us in your prayers. We are feeling them as we trudge through the seminary grind. We have settled down to life here and are enjoying our church and new friends but it is still a difficult road with lots of financial barriers to cross and lots of uncertainty to the future. Our hearts are still burdened for the hispanic people group around the world and we still don't know what that means - What IS our future? To minister here or abroad? Only the Lord knows and we are asking Him for wisdom and discernment as we face what lies ahead.

Love and Blessings,

Travis, Danielle, and Caleb

Busy Busy

Easter Sunday

We had the priviledge of visiting with my family this weekend to celebrate our risen Savior!

Here are some pictures of our adorable little ham in his Easter outfit that did, suprisingly, fit.

In this picture, my always smiling son is NOT smiling but he wasn't smiling in any of the family pictures we took together - of course.

We pray you all had an amazing Easter remembering what Christ did for us on the cross!

The redheaded stud

This kid, seriously, is a stud. He flirts with anyone, anywhere we are and is a big fan with the ladies. I know, I am obnoxiously smitten with my sweet redhead but if you spent only 2 minutes in his sweet, smiling little presence you would be too. He is growing by leaps and bounds. It has been quite some time since he has had a doctor's visit but I estimate his weight to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 lbs. He is getting very heavy for Mommy to carry around. He still hasn't mastered the art of crawling yet ( why move on your own when someone else - ahem, Mommy- will just take you where you want to go?). He has, however, recently acquired the skill of opening drawers- Mommy and Daddy have to make a special trip to Babies R' Us this weekend for some safety gear for the house. Some pictures by request:

In Mommy and Daddy news:

Travis is working hard both at his job and at school. This semester is coming to a close and Travis is excited to have those 9 hours he worked hard for behind him.

Danielle has been busy being a wife and Mommy and just loving life.

We have both enjoyed becoming involved in our new church here in North Carolina and plan to join later this month. We are looking forward to serving as part of the body of believers in a new place for this new season in our life. This week, Travis met with the missions pastor at our church to discuss the beginnings of Hispanic outreach in our community. We are excited about the ideas that were shared and are praying about how God will allow us to serve Him in this area. God IS moving among the nations - just don't let us forget that the nations are right out our back door. And while we both strongly encourage you to particpate in overseas missions, it is not necessary to take a long trip to minister to the nations. There are an estimated 500,000 Mexicans in North Carolina alone! This doesn't even begin to acknowledge the other Latin American countries represented or those not counted in this number whom have fallen under the radar.

We thank you so much for all of your prayers, support, and encouragement and enjoy hearing from you.

Lots of love,

Travis, Danielle, and Caleb

Caleb's Easter Pictures

Yes, I DO realize that it is not yet Easter. However, since it is highly doubtful that our (ahem) "solid" little guy will be able to wear his Easter "clothing" ( according to my husband the term "outfit" can only be used for girls) on the actual Easter Sunday, he wore it this Sunday and looked so darn cute Mommy just had to get some pictures of him in it. Enjoy.

Too long

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. Time has just gotten away from me. Below are some of the requested pictures of our little guy. I will begin with news of him first.

Caleb can roll over both ways, sit on his own well, scoot just a tad on his belly, and somehow manages to manuever himself into various corners of his bed during the night. Bathtime still remains one of his most favorite activities and he LOVES to eat his bath toys. He has found his feet to be most interesting at this age and loves to suck on his big toe when it isn't covered by socks or underneath his sleepers. He eats a variety of fruits and veggies now and sometimes drinks from a sippy cup. He is getting SO big. At his 6 month appointment he weighed in at right at 17 lbs and was over 26 inches long! Where did my tiny baby go?! Not to mention, what happened to the little guy with dark brown hair? This kiddo sports bright red locks! He is so adorable and I just can't get enough of him. I have said it a thousand times and I will say it again, I never knew being a Mommy could be this wonderful!

In other news, Travis is working so hard at his job and in his classes at school. We thank all of you who were praying about the scholarship we had applied for. We received word today that we did not receive it. It was a little disappointing but we know that God has a plan and that He will provide in his timing. Thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayers, and support. We appreciate you all.

Blessings,

Travis, Danielle, and Caleb (aka cutest kid ever)

News update

I realize it has been some time since I have posted anything. I know the grandparents are wishing for pictures of Caleb and a little news from us as well. We are here in North Carolina. Travis has found a job. He begins work tomorrow. It is a blessing from the Lord that he has provided a source of income. Travis will be working full time during the day and attending class 3 nights a week. Caleb and I will miss him the nights he is away from home but realize it is only for a season.

PLEASE continue to pray for us. We covet your prayers. Please pray for Travis to have strength as he tries to work and take 9 hours of classes. He has lots of reading and studying that he has to do and will be working a physically demanding job. Please pray that we will still be able to find good time to spend as a family in the midst of his hectic schedule.

Pray for Caleb and I as we are at home. Pray that I am the kind of Mommy and Wife that is pleasing to the Lord and that I will not be complaining to the Lord about our struggles but praising Him for all the ways he is providing for us.

Pray also that we will meet friends here in Wake Forest and find a good church home and as well for continued guidance and provision in our finances.

And now . . . for pictures of the cutest kid ever . . . .
Caleb's first time eating cereal. You would have thought I was trying to feed him rotten eggs or something.

Such a happy boy!