I'm a Baller!

I think it's pretty funny that at 19 months Isaiah knows that basketball pictures are supposed to look serious and tough. No smiles here. His Papa Jon and Grammy got him this jersey for Easter and he absolutely loves it. He likes to get the jersey on and go to play "backetball" with Daddy at the rec. It's hilarious to see him maneuvering his way around the court with a ball that takes up at least half of his body saying, "I shoot, I do it." Even when Ramin or I lift him up by his ankles to shoot he still doesn't get close enough to make a basket (sorry bud, your parents will never do much for you in the height department).

Isaiah is at the age where he's enthusiastic about almost everything. We're loving the incredible opportunity we have to help him navigate his ever growing world. What a treasure our children are.

A Wonderful Weekend...

Over President's Day Ramin and Isaiah had a guys weekend in Colorado while I went to Oxford, OH (the home of our alma mater, Miami University) to spend time with nine of my dear friends from college. We were graciously invited to stay in the home of Win and Nancy Clark (Win was the pastor of a church most of us attended in college and they are the in laws of my best friend, Erin who was also on the trip). It was so nice to be in a home during that time and not stuffed into a hotel room. We spent most of our time talking and catching up, but we did make it out for a walk around campus, a couple of stops at our favorite bagel place in town and to UDF for ice cream. My favorite part of the weekend, besides cracking up, was our time on Sunday night when we each talked about what's going on in our lives and prayed for each other. It was truly remarkable to feel that deeply connected after almost 8 years of living apart.

Here's a snap shot of a few of my friends who were there. They are, from the left: Kari, Kristin, Katie and Kate.

This is a picture of another one of my joys of the weekend. I flew into Indianapolis and was able to spend the night and the first part of the next morning with Erin, her husband Brian and their little man, Brett. He is nearly two and is such a precious boy. He was showing me his dinosaur. How cute is he?!

I got a lot done while I was in the midwest! I also got to spend most of the day Monday with my parents, my sister, and brother (I forgot to take a picture when we were all together, so Jordan got left out...sorry brother!). We had a nice lunch together and just enjoyed being in the same space for a few hours. It's always so good to be with them.

And, last but not least, it's impossible for me to post a blog without including a current picture of my favorite little man. This particular day he couldn't get enough of pulling around a circus train that his great Aunt Bruni got for him. The smile is an authentic outpouring of how pleased he was with his life at that moment. This was taken a couple of days after his 18 month appointment where we learned that he had crossed the threshold and made it to 20 lbs! He is so overjoyed to be facing the front in his car seat. There's much more to talk about when it comes to this 30 inch toddler, but I'll save some for another day.

...we like to rock...

hello friends. the title says it all. Sonny and I love to rock. here we are busting out our own version of "Born in the USA". Every man should be required to stand and scream that song at least once a week! It is impossible to be a wuss when you have just belted it out with the Boss. He gets Isaiah and I all fired up and ready to roll. Here are some images Natalie captured while Isaiah and I got our Rock on......

Amazed!

I'm in a little bit of shock right now because I was able to upload a picture to our blog from the cottage. This is usually impossible because our signal isn't strong enough. It must be because even the internet is tired of supporting a blog that hasn't changed since Halloween. I'll stick to the one picture tonight. I don't want to push my luck.

This is a photo of our big boy after he played hard in one of our many snow storms of the season. It doesn't quite capture the true Einstein nature of his hair, but it'll have to do. That is definitely one of my favorite things about Isaiah right now....his beautiful blond fro! It grows by the day and he's starting to recognize it. Now and again he'll reach up and look shocked at its girth as he feels around.

I have so many pictures to share from, well, the last 3 months and I will do that soon. I hope for now you'll just enjoy that Isaiah has not in fact frozen in time as Spiderman.

Spiderman saves the day

we shall prevail!! Good will Triumph!

Ramin checking in. This is my maiden voyage on the family blog. my personal ramblings can be found on our Roots Church blog at www.rootschurch.wordpress.com

Wanted to fire a couple of halloween images up as we had a grand old time in the Park. Living in Chautauqua Park compels a restful adventure ready lifestyle with friends. we are incredibly grateful for the other families who are living in the Park over the winter. It makes for incredible community and great times for the kids. here are some sweet shots of the crew on a trick our treat rampage. We've got the fairy princess-Cecelia, Curious George-Peakay, Big Spiderman-Gordon, Lil' Spidey-Isaiah james and Tiger-Nathan. The neighbors went all out and really made the little crew feel welcome at each house. In the process of collecting candy we managed to save the day at least 8 times while ending global hunger, protecting orphans, reforesting the Amazon and finally getting George Bush out of office. Enjoy and just remember Spiderman can save your day too. all you have to do is believe.




Quick Rally the Team.

we all need mentors

Not so fast! Your villainous plans will never succeed on my watch!

POW! WHAM! BOOF! I have trapped Dr. Evil in a pile of leaves....
Quick-rush the porch Chuck Norris style, they'll never know what hit them

Take my hand Princess, I will Save YOU
saving the world makes me hungry
Let Peace prevail

Fall has hit Chautauqua (and cute Isaiah pics)

Fall has come to Chautauqua Park and although it's a far cry from the vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges of the Indiana tree line, it's beautiful and we're trying to drink it all in before the foothills are white for 5 months. The bright jewel tones of the trees have reminded me lately of the great and glorious mystery of God. The reality of Him creating a process that turns leaves from green to incredible colors that paint our landscape with beauty fills my heart with a sense of how much there is to discover and how little I know.

Because I'm not an expert blogger these pictures are a little out of order, but I'm thinking you'll be able to enjoy them just the same :)

Isaiah and I went out to the "yard (a big plot of grass at the end of our street)" today to take fall pictures and it didn't go so well. I either got pictures like the one below where he's grasping for the camera or ones of his back as he was running away from me.

Here's a fun one of him playing with the leaves. What a fun thing to discover! They're pretty colors AND they crunch!

Pretty trees over our front porch.

Pictures like this make me ask for the 10,000th time, "I live here?!"

Here are Isaiah and his good buddy John working hard in their overalls. Being a toddler and having a whole world to discover is a lot of work!

I love this hat! It probably wasn't cold enough for it, but it's one of those items of clothing that you pull out as soon as you feel a little nip in the air. He was learning how to play piano with our friend Daniel and clearly loving it.

He looks like he belongs in a Louis & Clark expedition. He was pointing at the flag pole in the middle of the yard. He loves the flag pole and makes sure that Ramin and I see it everytime we pass by. I think it's a one year old thing, but he loves his pointer finger. He points all day long and very apparently feels empowered by his ability to direct people's attention towards things he's interested in.

What a Special Weekend!

It was a special weekend...awhile ago :) The little Internet access we do have at the cottage on occasion is not strong enough to support updates on the blog, so I wanted to share these pictures with you even though it was mid September when it happened. Heidi, one of my dearest friends from college had business in Denver so she came up to Boulder to visit for the weekend. It was so great to catch up and to experience that although our lives and circumstances have changed our hearts are still so connected. In addition to Heidi visiting, my Mom decided to take a spontaneous trip so that she could hang out with Isaiah. It was kind of fun pretending that she doesn't live over 1000 miles away, "sure Mom, come for the weekend." The cutest part was that in the morning when we all woke up, I brought Isaiah into the living room to see Grammy and he knew her right away! He gave her big snuggles and acted like he'd just seen her the day before. It was truly priceless. This picture is Isaiah and Grammy together at the Walnut Cafe, a fun place to get breakfast in town.

Very opposite what this picture may lead you to believe, Isaiah LOVED Heidi. The minute I introduced them, he leaned her direction with his arms outstretched and gave her a huge hug. I'd never seen him do that before with someone he'd just met. Again, another priceless moment. He was just too squirmy to sit still for a picture :)

Here are Karin, Heidi and I posing for probably the 15,000th picture of our lives knowing each other. We shook our heads in amazement as we remembered what it was like to meet for the first time when we were 18! And that is why we feel so blessed. We still love, encourage and give life to each other after 11 years...beautiful!