Our little one is One!

Our little boy is 1 year old!

He's a friendly guy, who knows no stranger. He still gives smiles pretty freely. He has learned to wave the cutest little wave. And clap. And play peek-a-boo. He's learning to touch his nose, and the nose of another person. He loves to be on the move, but still can't quite go on his own! He's starting to hold onto the furniture, but hasn't quite worked up the balance or bravery to move from his static spot yet. He's so close!

He's proving to be quite musical. He dances now...to just about any music, from sing-along-Bible songs, to grandma's humming, to daddy singing Michael Jackson, and more. He catches the beat quite well...and if you put anything resembling a drum stick in his hand...he'll start pounding to the rhythm! He has a few dance move characterized by bobbing up and down, twisting left and right....and a little jiggle move. We love it! He dances a good part of the day it seems!

He also loves to be outside. As soon as that outside door opens...he's ready to go. He knows what getting his sandals on means. Since our house is attached to a Doctor's office...he likes to go around back to see if they are out on the patio. He hungers for a fresh face! He is ready for new people all the time! He reaches out for anyone to take him in his hands.

He's also quite directional in where he wants to go when you are walking with him. He turns you to the destination he has in mind. He really likes tackling going up steps. Going down is still a little tough,...but he's ready to take that on as well! Sometimes he thinks he can do more than he really can!

His play is quite...well, active and enthusiastic!! He beats, pounds, crashes, shakes, chews on, and sometimes throws his toys. I think this has to do with the fact that he is a boy?! He really likes to be given a basket full of toys so that he can empty them one by one. We're still working on getting him to put them back in place...sometimes he does. We'll keep encouraging that!

He also really likes toys that have doors that open, or musical buttons. He's starting to catch on to stacking blocks, and he has discovered that he can put the cap on his own bottle.

We give him a spoon while he eats...and sometimes He puts it to his mouth in the feeding motion. Most of the time he uses the spoon for an instrument,...banging it on his high chair. Once it was a little too close to the table...and our table now has its' first scars of child's play. UH OH!

I figure that we'll work more on Bennett feeding himself as it gets hotter. This way he can have his meals just in his diaper, and make as much mess as is needed for him to learn master his aim and get the food into his mouth!

Bennett is still quite the noise maker. He makes such enthusiastic noises sometimes that his face goes completely red in the process! He's definitely what I would call a yeller...but at least they're joyful happy sounds most of the time!

When you chase him or pretend to get him, he has the cutest bubbly laugh. He also makes some laughing sounds that Toshe and I can't figure out how to repeat! :) He's already stumping us.

Lately I've been wanting to get him around kids more often. He likes the company...he reaches out to touch them, holds their hand, etc. I've found that having him play with kids has brought up opportunities to begin the process of teaching him that it is good to share :). He likes his toys.

I haven't shared about bath times. Watch out! Toshe often stands at the very edge of the bathroom, for if you stand any closer you'll get ALL WET! I can't imagine a more avid splasher!!

Bennett's bedtime routine is very simple. He doesn't drag it out. When he's sleepy, he's sleepy! Once he gets a glimpse of his milk bottle...there is nothing else! No hugging, no cuddling...nope, he does all he can to position himself to get into that crib! On the decent...he gets a big smile on his face! He knows that what follows is the milk and blanky combination. He really likes his blanket with the silky edges. He likes to have it right up around his face and in his hands. So the formula is: milk+blanket and we like to add in music+prayers too. He's a simple guy, who knows what he wants. Even though Bennett still doesn't really understand,...I love our prayer times. Our tradition is to pray for everyone we have come into contact during the day. I'm glad we're starting now, and hope it will be a meaningful part of his childhood and encourages a sincere heart for God.

Surely we could go on and on. He has changed so much in this first year. Our lives are so fun with our little one around!!

We love him, we still ooh and ahh at almost everything he does!

We're thankful that he is growing and developing well...and see God's hand all over his and our lives! We're a very happy family!

SURPRISE!

This has been a most delightful Spring. There is one thing in particular that makes this Spring stand out from all others. This is an amazing story that I just must share!

You may have seen pictures of a radient bride in the last grouping that I posted! That is my freshmen roommate college, Fanchon. This winter her fiance', Trever, contacted me. He asked me if I would like to come to their wedding, and shared that he was willing to cover my trip in order for this to take place! He wanted to do this all as a surprise and wedding gift to Fanchon! My response? Well, I was completely dumbfounded - and said I can't believe you even have to ask! OF COURSE! Ever since that moment I have been completely humbled that I was on the receiving end of such an incredible gift. You see it is extra meaningful to me as in being so far away from friends and family in the US there are lots of special moments like this that I miss. But because of the extreme kindness and thoughtfulness of another, I didn't have to miss this extra special moment.

The story gets even better. Not only did Trevor pay for my way, but he ended up paying for Bennett's way as well! Now the great significance of this is that Bennett got to spend 4 days bonding with Grandma and Grandpa while I was in SC for the wedding. Raising Bennett overseas, one of the most difficult things is being far from my side of the family - but here I saw in an incredible way that God cares about that concern; and provided through Trevor a wonderful opportunity to make sure we stay closely connected!

Overall, our director gave me (and Bennett) the freedom to stay in the US three weeks. We spent Bennett's 1st Birthday there, Easter...and got to see all of the beautiful blooms of Spring in Ohio!! Bennett loved being with his Grandma and Grandpa! He was learning all kinds of new things with them, to play peek-a-boo, to wave, to clap...and during our stay there was when he really began to get into walking! (This meaning assisted walking, where someone is holding on to either hand as he goes!) Ever since then he definitely has being on the move on his mind...practically ALL the time!!! It was a really rich and treasured time!

Back to the wedding,...it turns out that not only did I get to attend the wedding, but I got to be in it! When Fanchon's mom and dad caught wind of Trevor's idea, they came up with the plan to ask me on Fanchon's behalf to be a bridesmaid! When Fanchon's mom contacted me with this proposition, it was like the icing on top of the cake...and again my response was an immediate and humbled YES! This too was so neat as Fanchon was a bridesmaid in our wedding, and so now I was being given the chance to to get to stand beside her in hers too!

Well, all Trevor and Fanhon's mom's work to keep the surprise secret paid off, as Fanchon was indeed completely surprise! We had 2 full days to spend together before the wedding...and then the wedding day itself. I loved getting to be with her again after 3.5 years had past since last seeing her at our wedding. I also was so glad to get to reconnect with her family...see her and Trevor together...and to get to know her other best friends (the other bridesmaids) better! It was an amazing time that I will never forget. And I will never get over the size of this gift that was given to myself, Bennett...and my parents! I think we were the ones who received the most from the whole deal!! Thanks again Trevor, Chip, and Dorsey! And thank the Lord for using this opportunity to bless us so much!! And thanks honey, for supporting Bennett and I in going on this trip!