Landon's Story

Most of you don't know the entire story of our newest baby. His story begins long before we even dreamed of him. It begins on December 25, 2007, when actually, I was pregnant with Hannah! That very evening my dad asked my sister and I to come upstairs with him to his bedroom where he told us the horrific news that his doctor found a mass in his lung and they were suspecting cancer. I'll never forget that devastating night. Lo and behold, my dad passed away on August 17, 2008.
The following Christmas season was very dreary for me. I wasn't looking forward to it at all because just one year prior it was when we found out my dad was sick, and now, I had to celebrate my first Christmas without him. God intervened on my behalf. It was Christmas day 2008 that we discovered we were expecting again! Boy, did that ever change the dreary season for me! I was super excited and Christmas now had a different feeling...it wasn't a sad memory anymore, but a happy and exciting memory that replaced the old feeling I had just one year prior! There's more...I was due to have the baby at the beginning of September, right between my dad's death anniversary, August 17, and my dad's Birthday, September 18. Once again, we chose not to find out the gender of the baby. We picked out a girl's name, but still had "Landon Joseph" as our boy's name from when we first found out my dad was sick. ("Joseph" after my dad, Joseph Lashomb.)
I was 41+1 weeks pregnant when my water broke on September 17, and finally, after a few obstacles we stumbled upon throughout labor, Landon, was born via emergency C-Section on September 18...yes, my dad's Birthday!!! How exciting it was that we had a baby boy who was to be named after my dad, but just so happened to be born on my dad's Birthday as well!!! God is so good! The story doesn't end here.
When we arrived home after our hospital stay, there was a congratulations card in the mailbox from my grandfather, whom I hadn't spoken to since shortly after my dad's passing. Needless to say, my grandfather and I are now on speaking terms again, all because of the miracle of Landon.
I don't believe in irony or coincidence. I believe all things happen for a reason in God's perfect timing. God blessed me with Landon to heal my broken heart and boy, did he ever! All three of my children are very special to me, each in their own way. They all hold a very dear place in my heart; Landon holds my broken heart in one piece!:)

Long Over-due!

Here are some of my favorite pictures taken over the past two months! Enjoy!

A few pics of Hannah's 1st Birthday:

She LOVED the homemade spaghetti and meatballs that my mom and I made!

Yes, we had yet ANOTHER Elmo party at our house!

Frosting would make a GREAT hair gel, believe me!

Caleb posing for a quick pic!

Easter 2009:

Running around during the Egg Hunt.

Hannah even found a few eggs!

They really enjoyed their Easter baskets!

Cousins!

Mommy's little man

Daddy's boy

Our little princess!

Family photo- April 12, 2009

Caleb and Uncle Justin

And now for a couple videos:

Caleb singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

Hannah Obeying Commands

Happy 1st Birthday, Hannah!

Hannah Orinda-Marie, My Little Love Bug

-has the most kissable cheeks a baby could ever have
-is always happy to see a familiar face
-has the most beautiful smile that will melt your heart
-blows the sweetest kisses, usually with just her index finger
-pats your back while giving the tightest hug possible
-loves to cuddle up close, especially with Mommy
-adores her Daddy and big brother, Caleb
-completes our little family of four!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, HANNAH!!! WE LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!

Love always,
Mommy, Daddy, and Caleb

A heavy heart

Lately, I've felt like such a failure...as a wife, as a mom, as a homemaker. The list could go on, but those are the things I strive to be the best at because they mean so much to me. These feelings arose when I reflected back on past circumstances...like when I should have spoke in a nicer manner to my husband, like when I shouldn't have hollered at Caleb, like when I should have swept the floors instead of putting if off until tomorrow. I know God doesn't want me feeling this way and I'm not a failure in His eyes. I've had this heavy burden on my heart that I just need more of Him and that's been my heart's cry all week. I've been singing this song over and over as my constant prayer and reminder that He's my strength and rock, and with Him, I'm not a failure. He's all I need to succeed at everything He's called me to do. I need You more than anything, Jesus...more of You and less of me.

I Need You More- Lindell Cooley
I need You more
More than yesterday
I need You Lord
More than words can say
I need You more
Than ever before
I need You Lord
I need You Lord

More than the air I breathe
More than the song I sing
More than the next heartbeat
More than anything
And Lord as time goes by
I'll be by Your side
Cause I never want to go back
To my old life

Drum roll, please!

We're proud to announce that we're...

Christmas 2008

Our Christmas 2008 Family Photo

Hannah's First Christmas

Anxiously opening presents

Dressed up and ready to go!

Sweet cousins

Playing with family
Hannah with Grandma

Christmas pose taken by my cousin at her house (Thanks Heather!)

Another great picture taken by Heather! She should definitely be a photographer, don't ya think???

And last but not least:

My surprise Christmas present made by my husband! (And just so you know, these pictures do not do it any justice to how beautiful it actually is!!!)

That's right! My very own VANITY!!! (Thanks, Babe!;-))

What We've Been Up To This Christmas Season

We've thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas season thus far and look forward to the upcoming things we have planned for Christmas and the New Year. Below are some pictures of our most recent happenings. Hope you enjoy!

12/12/08 at our Church's Winter Wonderland Party:

My mom, sister and niece on the horse-drawn sleigh ride


On the sleigh ride

12/13/08:

Excited to decorate our Christmas tree

Contently playing while we're decorating


Handing Daddy ornaments


Placing the angel on top


Helping with the decorations

Miscellaneous Pictures:

12/10/08
Eight Months Old


Happily Playing Patty Cake Together