Coffee CubBuster

When did Silas become a big boy instead of a baby. I think it officially happened this past week. He's not potty trained yet, nor is he forming complete sentences, but a few monumental moments seemed to change his appearance altogether. He's rocking a new pair of size 5 sneakers! It's amazing what some Elmo shoes will do for your stance. I begrudgingly gave Silas his first haircut. He really needed to get his straight bangs out of his eyes. And I couldn't just do the front or he'd have a mullet. We had to turn on Curious George to keep him from squirming. Although he squirmed anyway I hope your sweet baby curls come back big boy! You're cute no matter what Si-man! Pre-haircut: we also gave him his first set of wheels this week. This 20$ car was on us Silas, but you pay for the next one! Great rainy-day tactile activity. Found it on Pinterest (of course), and all you need is corn starch, water, and sugar! It

Silas still LOVES to take out the trash, which I find stinkingly adorable. Couldn't help but snap this shot. His future wife will love knowing he liked to help keep the house clean. Matthew found his old height yard stick, and Silas just loves pointing out how tall he's becoming- such a baby genius! (not really, he just loves the animals on it) My mom really wants me to cut Silas' hair, and I understand there's a little hair in his eyes as well as the occasional mullet look, but I just love his curls! I can't bring myself to take scissors to his sweet blonde locks. (Don't worry mom, I won't let him get too girly) As much as he likes to "help" mommy, he's also becoming quite mischievous. I heart you Silas Cary Smith! ~HelperBuster

Two things I love more than anything in the summer.... well except maybe a good berry crisp or some juicy watermelon... but two great joys are Cicadas and Fireflies. After a year in our home, I still look around sometimes and think, wow. I can't believe I have a home to call my own. God is so good, and when we take time to purposely neglect the to-do list for better time being still, we see His handy work all around. Nature is alive and well in our neck of the burbs, and as cicadas serenade throughout the morning, the crickets and fireflies light up the evenings. It truly looks like FernGully as we watch the magical twinkle lights dance through our backyard trees. Okay.... I'm getting a little poetic, but I just love it here. While we love to travel, there's just something about coming Home. Home together during a time when we all come together to wish our great country Happy Birthday and thank every man woman and child who has had their own hand in maintaining many f

That's "do you speak English" in French for those of you who aren't keeping up with your high school foreign language credit. This was essential when Matthew, Silas and I ventured off on our own through the southern french countryside. We stayed in some of the most remote places that could only be found through the art of google. Literally... these places came right out of a side table travel book. It was spectacular. We loved our first family adventure, and what's more, we continued to see God work time and time again. Whether it was our car running on fumes and no gas station accepting our credit card, or learning to master the 5-speed in European traffic, or having one-percent battery left on our iPhone that was providing us directions to our bed and breakfast, God always came through, and we managed to make it to every destination on our itinerary. No matter where we are or what we are doing, it's amazing how often we can view God's faithfulness if we