I have found hope in making brownies...
My sweet Hayden Jade has her own understanding of hope.
" Mommy, mommy, mommy!! Can I have a dip on my finger?" Hayden asked as I poured the brownie mix into the pan. "No, but if you can wait, you'll like what I have for you." I say back. "Oh I hope it's more for me to lick!".. "Hope, eh? .. sooo hope is a good thing?"
Hayden answered.. "Yes."
My smile is so big and my heart is filled with joy - the hope I have for my daughters comes from Christ. If she has been listening to me speak of hope.. or pray with hope .. then the hope she understands has branched out from the hope I feel and love. This means that no matter the decisions she makes as a young teen into adulthood.. there is always hope for her to get back too the grace and everlasting peace that God has for her.. There He will be waiting.. with hope.. with love and His open arms. ... <3
A child's hope in the moments of their life, is so full of innocents. No worries, no cares.. only love.
I'm so thankful for the box of brownie mix .. and the moments I got to share with Hayden.
A revelation. Simple but true.
I love you Hayden and the hope you have as a 4 year old. I think God is working wonders in your life and for your future as a Princess of God. I can't wait to encounter the hope you'll have as 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 year old woman.
Love,
Mommy J.
ps.. I can't wait to cut into our warm brownies!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
"Doggie"
I am pleased to announce . . . "Doggie" as Lylabell's first word!!
The second greatest thing about that moment . . . Christopher was holding her <3
10 months and 26 days old.. what a blessing you are LB Grace, we love you!
The second greatest thing about that moment . . . Christopher was holding her <3
10 months and 26 days old.. what a blessing you are LB Grace, we love you!
Grandpa Pratt & Lylabell Shenk - August 15, 2011
Goood morning! <3
My husband is so wonderful. He's so kind and loving... this morning he was summoned to the other side of Oregon to figure out a few issues at Spirit Mountain Casino.. sadly he was up at 3 am .. yes - I was awaken by the light in the hall way.. as I walk into the kitchen to find him walking out the door.. I hear "I'm so sorry I have to get up so early."
My love.. I'm so sorry you have to get up early. And drive hours .. work .. then drive back. You are so strong! Your will to learn and provide just what we need is nothing short of gracious. THANK YOU.
I am so thankful for you.
You are a blessing.
You have courage.
I can't wait to kiss your face when you get home. And if you must stay over night ... I understand.. bitter sweet. That just means more kisses and snuggles later.
I love you so much my Prince.
Your wife,
Jessica Shenk.
My husband is so wonderful. He's so kind and loving... this morning he was summoned to the other side of Oregon to figure out a few issues at Spirit Mountain Casino.. sadly he was up at 3 am .. yes - I was awaken by the light in the hall way.. as I walk into the kitchen to find him walking out the door.. I hear "I'm so sorry I have to get up so early."
My love.. I'm so sorry you have to get up early. And drive hours .. work .. then drive back. You are so strong! Your will to learn and provide just what we need is nothing short of gracious. THANK YOU.
I am so thankful for you.
You are a blessing.
You have courage.
I can't wait to kiss your face when you get home. And if you must stay over night ... I understand.. bitter sweet. That just means more kisses and snuggles later.
I love you so much my Prince.
Your wife,
Jessica Shenk.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
yesterday..
Who knew the wind blew ... ?!!
Yesterday Chris and I took the girls down town to "Family time" Octoberfest 2011!! First.. we couldn't even see the festivities.. they limited it to one block.. Four inflatable bounce around play structures... and one booth for face paints. BORING!! Granted we got their an hour before they were to close AND the wind blew as if there was a tornado!! ... but who takes down their profit early? Needless to say we were disappointed, Hayden was VERY sad!! : (
The best part.. yummy Mexican food ((a date with my loves)) and a nice walk back to the car only to find our selves at the "Spirit Hallowing" store : ) Grandpa Shenk.. YOU WOULD have loved their spooky displays.. The worker thought it would be funny to trick me with a FAST jumping SPIDER! Yes.. I screamed and called the guy a jerk! hehe.. but I laughed and loved it! Hayden got to take home face paint which we'll be doing after breakfast.. she is super excited about it!! ((pictures to come))
NOTE.. I really don't think "Octoberfest" should allow any type of children activities.. The section for adults only was packed with drinkers and party goers.. which is totally awesome!! That's all Octoberfest should be .. Adults.
Anyhow.. the sky is filled with gray and the sun is no where in sight. I must run off to fulfill my motherly duties as well as hit the store!
Ps. My love let me do a little shopping.. I got a new LC Lauren Conrad .. "light knit" sweater .. I bought it for the up coming winter months AND I'M SUPER EXCITED that I get to wear it today!! : )
GOD IS LOVE.
Mrs. Shenk <3
Yesterday Chris and I took the girls down town to "Family time" Octoberfest 2011!! First.. we couldn't even see the festivities.. they limited it to one block.. Four inflatable bounce around play structures... and one booth for face paints. BORING!! Granted we got their an hour before they were to close AND the wind blew as if there was a tornado!! ... but who takes down their profit early? Needless to say we were disappointed, Hayden was VERY sad!! : (
The best part.. yummy Mexican food ((a date with my loves)) and a nice walk back to the car only to find our selves at the "Spirit Hallowing" store : ) Grandpa Shenk.. YOU WOULD have loved their spooky displays.. The worker thought it would be funny to trick me with a FAST jumping SPIDER! Yes.. I screamed and called the guy a jerk! hehe.. but I laughed and loved it! Hayden got to take home face paint which we'll be doing after breakfast.. she is super excited about it!! ((pictures to come))
NOTE.. I really don't think "Octoberfest" should allow any type of children activities.. The section for adults only was packed with drinkers and party goers.. which is totally awesome!! That's all Octoberfest should be .. Adults.
Anyhow.. the sky is filled with gray and the sun is no where in sight. I must run off to fulfill my motherly duties as well as hit the store!
Ps. My love let me do a little shopping.. I got a new LC Lauren Conrad .. "light knit" sweater .. I bought it for the up coming winter months AND I'M SUPER EXCITED that I get to wear it today!! : )
GOD IS LOVE.
Mrs. Shenk <3
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Christopher Allan Shenk
My sweet Prince.
If ever there was love at first sight.. Chris and I would be the very image staring back at the world. I can't even describe the rooted connection the two of us share. It's impossible with words .. our actions speak louder - and that.. is true friendship. I love him so much .. that yes ... I would die for him. And I know he'd do the same for me.
Tragic you could ponder.. But so was Romeo and Juliet ... "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night." - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 1.5
Chris is my everlasting soul mate. I truly believe he was created for me. The Lord knew my life and knows my heart- therefore Christopher was prepared by two loving parents for the role of a life time.. A husband and father. A father whom has never let his girls down.. ever. <3 What a sweet love story we're still writing..
I love you Christopher Allan Shenk.. I will always put you second.. right under my Father in Heaven.. that's a pretty great spot on my list!
Kisses,
Jessi
If ever there was love at first sight.. Chris and I would be the very image staring back at the world. I can't even describe the rooted connection the two of us share. It's impossible with words .. our actions speak louder - and that.. is true friendship. I love him so much .. that yes ... I would die for him. And I know he'd do the same for me.
Tragic you could ponder.. But so was Romeo and Juliet ... "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night." - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 1.5
Chris is my everlasting soul mate. I truly believe he was created for me. The Lord knew my life and knows my heart- therefore Christopher was prepared by two loving parents for the role of a life time.. A husband and father. A father whom has never let his girls down.. ever. <3 What a sweet love story we're still writing..
I love you Christopher Allan Shenk.. I will always put you second.. right under my Father in Heaven.. that's a pretty great spot on my list!
Kisses,
Jessi
Lylabell Grace Shenk
Lylabell Grace was born on November 2nd 2010. She is such a fun little baby and quite different from her big sister when it comes to taking care of her!! She has taken it upon her self and has claimed the the red, green and while polka dotted blanket for her own.. for those of you who do not know of this blanket.. her big sister Hayden picked it out Christmas 2009 and couldn't sleep without it!! Now .. Lyla will hobble over to it as it lay on the floor get down and rest her little head. She is now the rightful own of one very special blanket.. one very special piece of Shenk history!
Lylabell loves to meow like a kitty.. and smiles big when mommy barks like a puppy!
She tries.. but can't quite get it.. : )
She loves watermelon and snuggling on daddy's chest.
Lylabell loves to follow her sister Hayden around and is starting to make sounds when she's holding a stuffed animal as if she's playing pretend.. super cute!
We were so blessed when Hayden came into our lives.. Lylabell Grace Shenk is the icing on the cake! It's twice as much work.. yet greater the reward!!
We love you Lylabell Grace Shenk.. the world is even sweeter with you... God has so much grace and love for your parents because we have you.
hugs.
Mommy
Lylabell loves to meow like a kitty.. and smiles big when mommy barks like a puppy!
She tries.. but can't quite get it.. : )
She loves watermelon and snuggling on daddy's chest.
Lylabell loves to follow her sister Hayden around and is starting to make sounds when she's holding a stuffed animal as if she's playing pretend.. super cute!
We were so blessed when Hayden came into our lives.. Lylabell Grace Shenk is the icing on the cake! It's twice as much work.. yet greater the reward!!
We love you Lylabell Grace Shenk.. the world is even sweeter with you... God has so much grace and love for your parents because we have you.
hugs.
Mommy
Hayden Jade Shenk
Hayden Jade Shenk, was born September 8th 2008. We found out she would be an extra special little babe while Dr. Rogers was searching around her ultrasound.. She would be born with Cleft-Lip and Palate... Little did we know- the first year of her life would be the most hectic of ours! BUT.. I'm so thankful she wasn't born "normal" because my lover and I were gently forced into working together, which helped us become even more close and even more in love.
We live in Oregon, Portland has a facility called OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University).. They do wonderful things for children with many aspects of need. One month after Hayden was born she was fitted with a nose stent and palate retainer.. The Specialist for Cleft-lip had just moved from New York to Portland and was introducing this new cutting edge product for the first time September 2008!! Amazing God's time-line for His children!! For the first five months of Hayden's life every two weeks we would drive from Florence Oregon (a boring coastal town, south) to Portland, so the Specialist could tighten Hayden's mouth piece... EVERY TWO WEEKS! At our six month mark.. she was scheduled to have her fist surgery.. "repair her lips" For four hours .. Grandma Pratt, Aunt Katie, Daddy and I sat and waited for her to come out of surgery.. Grandpa and Grandma Shenk was also there to support her little grand-baby!!
After she was rolled out and placed into her room, we finally got to see Hayden for the first time with a normal upper lip!! She was BEAUTIFUL!!
Her favorite thing waking up from surgery .. a very big transparent pink butterfly balloon!
My favorite thing... Her smile!! : )
At one year old, Hayden was scheduled for her palate surgery!! The day before this surgery, Uncle Don reserved us an extravagant hotel room AND Hayden got to visit the Portland Zoo!! There wasn't much of a facial feature change seeing as the palate is the roof of your mouth.. BUT.. We were able to switch from a special bottle AND introduce her to solid foods!! That was an awesome mile stone for our family!! : )
((Mommy and Daddy grew together and even more in love))
. . . . <3 . . . .
4 years and 15 days later... Hayden Jade Shenk loves to draw and color, play dress up, dance and watch Olivia on nickjr .. She also loves writing and numbers. She's very interested in the earth, space and L O V E S ... Jesus. She is a kind soul ... I can't believe the Lord wanted us to be her earthly guardians .. How amazing love can be!! She needed us and we most certainly need her.
I love you Hayden Jade Shenk..
you are my Northern star.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)