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November 18, 2015

Darren is 1. . .

Well guys, I blinked..... now Darren is one and growing like a bean. Time is such a funny thing, you think the days will never end and then all of a sudden years pass. What I'm learning in this season with my kids is this, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." [Psalm 90:12]. May God grant us the grace to say no to tasks and cherish even more the days of mess and toys and dirt and cheerios everywhere and laundry piling high. It's all okay. Because man, Darren is one and I feel like I was just visiting him in the NICU yesterday.

THANKFULLY, with being one, he has grown into such a tender, easy-going, fun kid. He makes me laugh in new ways and makes my heart melt as he crawls straight to me and climbs on my lap, may that never end. He's my boy. I love him so much!!

Here are some favorite pictures from this year.



































Darren's Monthly Pictures

1 month old 

2 months old

3 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

7 months old

8 months old

9 months old

10 months old

11 months old

12 months old 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARREN!! MOMMY, DADDY AND WINNIE LOVE YOU!! XOXO

November 13, 2015

Darren's First Birthday Party. . .

This past weekend we celebrated Darren turning ONE!!! My sweet boy has grown way too fast.



The theme I went for with his birthday party was an outdoorsy/woodland theme. I knew I wanted a lot of wood/twigs and nature-like decorations.

I made a yellow cake covered in chocolate frosting with chocolate shavings around the sides to make it look like tree bark. I also made dirt cups with gummy worms instead of cupcakes and birch tree pretzel sticks. We had veggie cups, fruit cups, bear-shaped graham cookies, meatballs, and a trail mix bar as a thank-you-for-coming goodie bag. We served water, hot chocolate, and coffee. Simple and delicious.





Darren's 1-11 month pictures

thank you Jeni for your beautiful art work! 

Darren had a blast and loved the attention. He also LOVED his cake. I knew he would... something about him told me that he would enjoy messing the cake up... and did he ever.





















I found so much joy in planning and setting up his party. I absolutely LOVED how it turned out and was glad I was able to enjoy myself with Darren and our guests during his party.

I couldn't have done it without Taylor, mom, and dad. Thank you thank you thank you!! You were so patient as I said no to multiple suggestions because I wanted something so specific. You were fun entertainment when the hour was too late and you helped so much in just getting things done. Collecting twigs, hanging branches, chopping veggies. You guys rock!

And thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated with us. Darren is one lucky boy to be surrounded by such wonderful people.