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.
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 . . . .
