Happy First Birthday to Isaac!

While Isaac's birthday day is today, we celebrated his first birthday this past weekend at our house. We enjoyed having our family over to celebrate with us for lunch. It was a difficult meal to prepare, let me tell you, since all Jason had to do was drive to Subway to pick up the Giant 6 foot sub. We have done this before and like this alternative to the prep work of making our own food. The price difference is negligible also.

Isaac's birthday cake was a real treat for him. It was his first taste of non-fruit sugar. Once he realized what sweetness was out there, he gobbled up his slice and proceeded to scream and cry for more! It was quite humorous!

We had a little Easter egg hunt as part of Isaac's party, too. The kiddos had lots of fun finding the eggs that were hidden around our house. Isaac actually did a great job for a one year old of finding his own eggs. He would pick them up and shake them to hear the jelly beans rattle inside. Cute! (Like our nice yellow wildflowers? ha....Jason is working on ridding our yard of them but there they are!)

As most little kids, Isaac was very happy to play with the paper of his birthday presents more than the actual presents. He did get some great birthday gifts. Clearly he is a loved baby. :)

house project: the back door

A few weeks ago Jason and Gary worked on wrapping our back door in aluminum. This is how it looked at first. The wood around the door was warped and rotting or something.

The garage is Grandpa Gary and Noah's workshop. Several hours of work on the house, and Noah just must participate!!

Finished product. Not only did it solve the problem and save us from replacing a door, but it actually just looks SO much better!

running + melody

Since she was in town for the weekend, Melody and I went for a training run on Saturday morning. Can I just say, this girl amazes me! Could I have ever imagined even just one year ago that Melody and I would be running together? Neither Melody nor I has ever been the athletic "type" but here we are training for a half marathon. This will be Melody's first half marathon and my second.

We posed before our run with my bib wall in the garage. I love posting my bibs after each race. I don't have many, but I'd imagine I'll have a few more before too long.

I also love my favorite running verse, which you can't really see (in orange): For physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, both in the present life and in the life to come. 1 Tim 4:8.

It reminds me that while running is great for now, my real purpose in life is to run after God! It keeps it all in perspective for me.

April

What a busy month it has been for us around here!!! Noah is in a big boy bed and working on potty training (hooray!). Isaac is done nursing and got a real crib, and he is turning one year old! We celebrated Isaac's first birthday and Easter this past weekend with our families, and Jason and I are continuing to train for the mini marathon that is taking place in less than two weeks. This past month we finished up our marriage class at church (wonderful!) and have increased our service involvement with The O'Connor House. Jason continues to tutor one of the moms in math for her GED test. Next weekend it will be time for Jason's youth group retreat. We have a list of house and yard projects we're chipping away at (slowly!), and honestly, I'd love to post more about each one of these things.

But right now I am behind on just posting pictures of the boys. And taking pictures, for that matter!! April is nearly over and I have yet to post even once! But alas, the laundry buzzer beckons me once again...

To be continued. Someday! :)