Catching up...

Life has been good. Crazy and good. Crazy good. Diana, Ella, & the Beckett (a.k.a. "the brother") came stateside to visit on April 4th...so we have been busy catching up with our Moroccan family and neglecting our blog. Here is a peace offering and a little glimpse into our happenings from the past few weeks.

Warning: This will wear you out.

Lindey to the rescue with fresh haircuts all around.

Thanks Lindey!


The Easter Bunny. Ella turned on us at the last second and got scared so we had to get in the picture.


The brother is happy!

Charlotte too!

Ella got some new games from Papi & Lulu.

Easter egg hunt complete.

Ella & Zoe.

Insert trip to California to see Papa. Just the girls. Beckett stayed home with his grandparents. Three hour flight, projectile vomit in rental car, clean up, and baby nap...we were ready to see Papa.

Finally we got to see Papa.

Ella & Papa.

Surprise trip to the happiest place on earth!

Ahhhh...Mary Poppins. Practically perfect in every way. Ella's favorite.

The only picture of the 4 of us...kind of...on the tea cups.

Haven't quite worked through the nose picking issue.

Ella's favorite ride: Buzz Light Year.


She even got a Jesse doll afterwards.

It's a Small World.

Pure joy for Charlotte, in fact I am convinced that I could have let her ride that around the rest of the day and she would have been quite satisfied.

Alice in Wonderland.

Charlotte spent most of the day like this...

And this...

Back with Papa.

Did I mention Charlotte can be very laid back?

Ferris Wheel.

And done.

Scott finally got in town. Hooray! More to come...

Charlotte's Dedication and Blessing

Yesterday we had Charlotte's dedication and blessing. Charlotte's close friends and family celebrated with us as we dedicated Charlotte to the Lord...

Here is the blessing that Aina and I read over her:

Father in Heaven,

We thank you for our daughter Charlotte. It is our desire to daily acknowledge that Charlotte belongs first and foremost to You Lord. And so today, we give Charlotte back to You and acknowledge your Sovereignty over her life.

We pray a blessing over Charlotte today:

And so through the power of Your Holy Spirit:

We bless her with a growing faith and belief in the power of your resurrection over her life through faith in Christ Jesus.
We bless her with a constant hope in your sovereignty over all things, even her soul.
We bless her with wisdom and understanding of your scripture at an early age, that it would forever be on her lips.
We bless her with a servant's heart that loves others more than herself, because you are Love and bore our sins on the cross that all men might come to know you.
We bless her with compassion for people, because you are compassionate, showing us mercy daily.
We bless her with protection from the evil one, because you are our shield.
We ask you to chase after Charlotte, because you are our good shepherd.

We pray for ourselves as her parents and for those believing witnesses here today, that we would stand with her through her life to offer spiritual wisdom, council, direction, protection, instruction and love - that she would come to know you at an early age. We pray that our love would be like yours Lord, unconditional and full of grace. We commit to teaching her your commandments, the truth of your word, to place your scripture in her hands at an early age, and to be her teachers. We commit to teaching Charlotte your Truth in a way that leads to awe, worship and praise of Your name.

Thank you Lord that you are Faithful to us, and that your promises lead to our salvation through Christ Jesus.

Some pictures from the day...

Cupcake Butterfly Fountain.

Many friends and family were gathered.

The dedication.

Blessing Charlotte.

Yum.

Johnathan makes balloon animals!

Happy Birthday Charlotte.

Good manners.

Cupcake eaten.  Proud parents.

Freaking out over her new lamb pillow.

Freaking out over her new baby doll.

Loving her Baby Doll.

Thanks to everyone who was there (and those who wanted to be but couldn't!).  We are so grateful for all of you!

Oh the places you'll go.

Dear Charlotte,

It's hard to believe that it has been 1 year since you entered our life.  You've already lived so much!  Your mother and I love you dearly and thank God everyday for you.  Here are a few pictures of you over the last year - in no particular order - look how you've grown!

Keep smiling dear.

Love, Da and Mammmma

Visiting Cali with Mommy.

Disneyland.

Mommy takes you for a ride at Disneyland.

First ride in a car.

First iPod (baby hearing test).

Tiny.

Small Paul.

Just arrived.

First Sun tan.

Daddy takes you everywhere.

Grandpa.

So happy it hurts.

Real first birthday cake.

Playing around the house.

Declaration.

First wagon ride.

Where it all began.

Morroco.

You guys want some cookies?

Happy Birthday Beckett!

Dear Beckett,

Happy first birthday! It is technically your birthday since you are 6 hours ahead in Casablanca. We wanted to be the first to wish a happy birthday. We wish we could be with you today to eat a cupcake and watch you blow out your candle. But not to worry, we will have plenty of celebrating to do when you come to visit. Here are some special pictures for you.

Did you know that you and Charlotte are exactly 3 weeks apart? This is you two together after she was born.

You both touched your feet to the sand for the first in California on the same day.

You and Charlotte love to play.

Sometimes you make funny faces when you think daddy may eat you.

You make us laugh all the time.

This was the day you taught Charlotte to clap.

Thanks for the fun brother. We love you! Aina, Cub Cub, & Charlucci