Happy Halloween from Joe Dirt, Taylor Swift, and Nemo

You can visit Isaac's web site to view all our Halloween pictures!

http://isaachiggins.shutterfly.com/

Thanks Gramzie Higgins for making Isaac's Nemo costume. He was the cutest fish we've ever seen!

Just Life...

I'll have to admit that this is the first time I don't want to post something new. Not because I don't have anything to share (never the case) but because the last post on our blog was so special to me! Shaun was gone when I found it and I was shocked. It brought tears to my eyes! I strive to be a good wife (and mother) but I've realized Shaun makes it pretty easy for me. Little Isaac and I are so blessed to have him!

Here are some pictures from this week's events. Now that Isaac is walking he is trying to walk up and down the stairs. It's pretty scary!

Yes, I'm already trying to run!

Teasing Cloi with Gold Fish!

This is his "I'm reading, so don't bother me" face!

"Hello! Can I help you?"

We bought a swing for the porch because Isaac loves the one his grandparents have in Phoenix.

Enjoying lunch with Uncle Matt and Auntie Adriana. We surprised her this week at school with flowers and Taco Bell! Adriana was my partner in crime (AKA: fellow 3rd grade teacher now teaching 4th) at Adams Elementary. I don't miss teaching that much but I sure miss Adriana.

Oh no no.... I have the BRAGGING RIGHTS!

Don't listen to what she says. The things that I do are easy to do for Erica! She has done so much for me over the years, serving her and Isaac is the least I can do. Oh yes... that's right everybody, I'm ending my blog silence! I knew there was something about that beautiful Freshman girl that sat in the row in front of me, four seats to the right in my British Literature class my sophomore year @ Cal Baptist. Erica has been the biggest blessing in my life just behind the sacrifice that my Savior made for me on the cross so long ago. My love for her has continued to grow day by day. I am where I am today and who I am today because Erica said yes. She has been my support through the best times and the worst times. She has laughed with me, cried with me, planned with me, and pushed me to continue growing every day. We recently saw the movie "Fireproof" and loved it. There was a line in it that said getting to know your spouse is like earning a college degree in that woman and it is required to a have successful marriage. The seven years that we have spent together thus far is only the beginning of our life long journey together. It has been amazing to see Erica go from being my wife, to the mother of Isaac. She never ceases to amaze me at how much of a natural she is. Her parents raised her in a way that has prepared her for every challenge that we have already encountered and those that are to come. I don't want to embarrass her too much and be too gushy, but she did put a picture on our blog of me ironing.... IRONING! I think she deserves a little embarrassment :)

All this being said. ERICA... I LOVE YOU!!! I will iron for you anytime.... but don't push it!

Hair Cut

Today I tortured my son... I gave him a hair cut! NOT the curly golden locks in the back but just the bangs that were falling in his eyes. Shaun was pretty sad himself. He wants Isaac to have crazy, punk-rock, surfer hair - I informed him that I don't do split ends. We put Isaac in his high chair on the porch and he flipped out as soon as I sprayed his head with water. It probably didn't help that the bottle was 1/3 vinegar though. Oops! I used the water bottle that I use on the cats when they're clawing something... I forgot to rinse it out! Anyway, Shaun had to do some MAJOR entertaining for me to even be able to touch Isaac's hair. I didn't get to cut as much as I wanted but it was a start. It's also a little longer on the left side but it works with his comb over! I'll have to admit that it's a much better job than the hair cut I gave him right before Mother's Day. Hoooorrrrrrrrible!

Before...

After...

He was still mad at us for about 10 minutes after the hair cut!

Golden Locks!

Bragging Rights!

So, I think it's safe to say that I have the best husband EVER! He is beyond perfect for me! There are many reasons, but for the sake of time and space, let me give you one...

I'm a part of a group called MOPS, which stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. I joined last year, before Isaac was born, and can't imagine life without this group of women/moms. We meet every Thursday morning for 2 1/2 hours for breakfast, prayer, support and encouragement, to swap stories, etc. Some days we have guest speakers, games, and even crafts... That's where I come in. I'm on the leadership team this year and I'm in charge of crafts (no surprise to many of you) for all 90 women! I am given a budget then I get to go shopping for all the supplies. Let's just say that I'm enjoying spending someone else's money and earning all the flying points with our credit card (Isaac gets to meet all his Michigan family next summer)! Anyway, this Thursday the craft is Adventure Bags. Each lady gets to decorate a tote bag for her child. The bags came in packages of three and definitely needed to be ironed, which I had been putting off 'til tomorrow night. Well, this afternoon while Isaac and I were napping, Shaun spent two hours ironing the bags for me! Did you get that? TWO HOURS!! 130 BAGS (some women buy extra bags 'cause they have more that one kid)!! JUST FOR ME!! WOW!!

Thank you Shaun for having such a servant's heart! You never cease to amaze me!

I do have to add though that when he was done he said, "Man, I pretty much do everything but nurse our son!"

I caught him finishing the last few bags!

Of course Isaac was in heaven when he saw the pile of boxes!

Finished product!

Top 10 Weekly Highlights...

10. Shaun took Isaac to the tracks to watch dirt bikes race and I got to clean my whole house.

9. Shaun and I went and saw the movie Fireproof. We gave it two thumbs up... It's a must see! I can't tell you how nice it was to walk out of the theater and feel refreshed.

8. After Isaac went to bed one night, Shaun put in my favorite movie, Ever After, and gave me a back rub!

7. I've had dessert every night this week.

6. We got Isaac naked for a bath and while the water was warming up he pooped all over the carpet in our bedroom! Not the best highlight but it definitely made the list.

5. I'm doing a study on the life of Moses and I'm learning that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things!

4. Isaac walked across the living room, crawled up the stairs, and then walked down the hall. He's getting it!

3. Shaun no longer has to wear his boot. He starts therapy soon and hopes to be back to work sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. He's been off work since July 30th (the date of his injury) and is sad that he's missing fire season.

2. Every third Friday of the month our young marrieds bible study group has a game night. This month it was at our house. We always have so much fun!

and the number one highlight of the week....

1. We went to Riley's Farm. Isaac enjoyed drumming on the pumpkins, playing in the dirt, yelling at a donkey, and hanging out with his buddy Austin. Mommy and daddy realized that this was the same place they had their first date seven years ago! So special!

September 2001

October 2008

Isaac's Dedication

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." I Samuel 1:27-28

Today we had Isaac dedicated at church. It was, like always, all about Isaac, but in this case not for Isaac. This was a day for Shaun and me to realize that we have been given a gift, a very fragile gift that needs to be handled with the greatest love and care. Today, in front of our whole church family, we made a promise to God that we will raise Isaac with Christian discipline and instruction. Children grow in steps and stages and we acknowledg that their spiritual growth is a part of that process. Shaun and I don't believe there was anything magical about the ceremony that took place today. It didn't reserve a place for Isaac in heaven, that is his decision to make someday. However, we did commit to teaching Isaac about God's love so that one day, by the grace of God, he will understand what it means to become a follower of Christ.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

There were probably ten people standing behind the camera trying to get Isaac to smile. No wonder he's not looking at the camera, he thinks they're all crazy!

The Higgins family on this grand day! We love your shirt Papa!

Isaac enjoyed sitting in the front row before he made his debut on stage. He clapped and sang right along with the music! As well as entertained all who were watching!

Pastor Montia praying over us (Isaac wanted the microphone).

Look! Isaac WAS wearing shoes...

Giving Pastor Montia a high five!

Why God Made Little Boys

God made a world out of His dreams,

of magic mountains, oceans and streams,

Prairies and plains and wooded land.

Then paused and thought

I need someone to stand, on top of the mountains,

to conquer the seas, explore the plains

and climb the trees.

Someone to start out small and grow,

sturdy and strong like a tree and so

He created boys, full of spirit and fun

To explore and conquer, to romp and run

With dirty faces, and banged up chins

With courageous hearts and boyish grins.

And when He had completed the task He'd begun,

He surely said, "That's a job well done."

Thank you God for our precious little Isaac! Amen

Almost got it...

This week Isaac started standing on his own (for long periods of time) and he's just as proud of himself as we are! He will bounce up and down over and over, with his tongue out as far as possible, but is still wobbly with his steps. Isaac walks (even runs) if he is holding on to the couch, table, or someone's hands, but if he's on his own then he's realized he gets places much faster if he just crawls. We went shoe shopping today and he hated it! He cried every time we put a shoe on his foot. However, as soon as we took it off and handed it to him, he was fine! He LOVES shoes... Just as long as they're not on his feet!

I have no idea what's up with the sound!