SNOW!

Ryder's first snow angel

     We had our first snow of the year this week.  It was absolutely beautiful and so fun to be trapped warm inside.  PLUS Jesse got to work from home ALL week!

     We baked cookies, watched movies, and of course took Ryder out to experience snow for the first time.  And Boone, oh how Boone LOVES the snow!  He pretty much sat at the window watching it fall all week. 

     In the end we got about a foot of snow (it was reported it was one of the worst storms to hit the Seattle area since 1940).  Although most of the snow has melted now, we secretly have our fingers crossed another storm will strike again soon. 
 

Umm...help?

PLEEEEAAAAASSSE can we go outside?!?!

A New Song From Katie - "Hold On"

     Today marks the 2 year anniversary since the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti.  I (Katie) wrote the song "Hold On" shortly after, inspired by the story of Kiki, a seven-year old boy who was pulled from the rubble 7 days after the earthquake struck.  To commemorate the 2nd anniversary of this devastating quake, I am giving my song  “Hold On” away for free via Noisetrade.  However, if you choose to leave a tip on my noisetrade page, 100% of the money I receive from your tips will go to UNICEF and it’s Haiti Earthquake Fund.  Or if you don’t want to tip me, just download the song and then head to UNICEF directly to donate.

To learn more about Kiki’s story and the inspiration behind the song, please visit my music blog.

One Year Ago Today...

The night we found out.  Pure JOY!

     One year ago today Jesse and I stood in front of our microwave, watching it's timer count down to zero.  We were all jittery, like we had just had four cups of coffee each.  We paced.  We jumped up and down.  We stood up, then sat back down.  Then we stood up again.  Desperately hoping we wouldn't be disappointed, we were praying, giggling, begging for at least TWO PINK LINES.

     The timer beeped and we looked at each other, half panicked, half thrilled.  This was it!  We walked down the hall slowly, clinging to each other.  We rounded the corner into the bathroom where the two little plastic sticks sat on the counter.  We could not believe our eyes.  Between them there were a total of FOUR pink lines, two a piece.

     Excitement!  Disbelief!  Crazy joy!  Could it really be true?  Yes, it was!  We were going to have a baby!  WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!!!!!!!!!! 

Ryder at 9 weeks.

     One year ago today we found out I was pregnant with Ryder.  Today we get to hold our squirming little guy in our arms.  How did he go from that little nugget in the picture (at 9 weeks) to this breathing, laughing, joy of a little boy?  So much has changed in just twelve months.  Our family has grown not only in numbers, but in joy, laughter, dark circles under the eyes, and love, love, love.  We are grateful beyond words.