My Big One Year Old!

Sloppy Joes are simmering on the stove for Gospel Community tonight. The boy is sleeping soundly. And I finally have a moment to catch up my blog!

We had a whirlwind birthday celebration for Noah this year. On Wednesday the 12th we celebrated our little boy as a family with our GC at home. It was a modest celebration to say the least. Chris got some free balloons from Smiths and I baked lemon cupcakes. We sang Happy Birthday to Noah and he went at that cupcake with some serious fervor. It was super cute for us to watch!

The next day we drove to Idaho Falls and flew into Long Beach to spend a week with family in California. Amalia and Dad picked us up and my family was so sweet to throw Noah a birthday party on the 14th. Mom got pizzas and an ice cream cake and Heather decorated with Toy Story stuff. Again, Noah had some serious fun with that cake! He got lots of special gifts from Nana and Papa, Brad, Heather and the kids, Paula, Aubrey and Carol and Ryanne. So sweet! We had to leave some of them in CA because I couldn't fit them in my bag... but we are driving home at Christmas and can get them then.

As for life with a one year old... it is fantastic! Noah is getting more and more fun and entertaining. Just yesterday he started signing "drink." He's definitely in to everything now that he can pull himself up. He loves to pull down the books, the recipes, the candles, and anything else he can get his little sticky hands on. Some new words that he says: "Baba" when I get the bottle out, "Noah!" (though I'm not sure that he knows what it means), and "Nana" when he sees her picture. He does really well with other people and in the nursery at church and I'm super thankful for that! This month he experienced his first time at the beach and he absolutely loved it. Everyday when Chris leaves for work he gives Dada kisses, high fives, and then we stand at the door and wave bye bye and blow kisses. It's probably my favorite time of day.

11 Months

This post is coming a little late, but we have been busy! I was planning our women's conference with Martha Peace and now we are heading into another busy season...hunting and firewood. I don't hunt or go out and chop down trees. Being a helper suitable, I try to do what I can so that Chris can do those things. But, I digress. Let's get to the cutest member of the family...

Noah is fast approaching his first birthday! What happened? Have a really almost changed his diapers for 365 days? Was it almost twelve months ago that I told my midwife to "please stop talking"? Unbelievable.

Currently, Noah does these death defying acts of wonder:

Holds the cell phone to his ear (why does this feel like a milestone?)...

He weighs about 19 pounds

We have a CRAWLER!

He says All Done!, Hi, Dada, Nana, Mama

He signs please, more and all done

He sits by Frazier's dog bowl and shakes his hand and says, "no, no, no, no, no..."

Noah is such a joy to us! I know that I say that every month, but he truly is. He is inquisitive, affectionate, easy going, and content to sit and play by himself. We praise God for our baby boy!

My Noah Love

This is the little face that I get to see everyday. He is such a sweet boy! I am amazed at how teachable he is right now. I'm sure that his will will get stronger one day and he won't be so easily shapeable, but I pray that he is always so willing to learn!

I love Noah's adventurous spirit! I may not always love it when he comes home with scrapes and bruises, but I do love that he is a rough and tumble boy who has no fear.

Answered Prayer

Then He said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed ; I cannot get up and give you anything.' "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

Luke 11:5-13

I have had a hard time with this text in the past. Doesn't it seem weird to anyone that God wants us to be so persistent in asking Him for things that we begin to annoy Him? The Word of God even specifies that it's not because the guy was his friend that he got up and gave his bread, but because of the incessant knocking. He was persistent. "It conveys the ideas of urgency, audacity, earnestness, boldness, and relentlessness--like the persistent asking of a relentless beggar" (MacArthur). But, there it is. Plain and simple in the text. When you want something, ask for it... a lot.

I recently saw the kind hand of our loving Father who loves to give good gifts to his children. I have been wanting a DSLR camera. Since I have the most adorable child with the bluest of eyes who makes the most fantastic faces, I want a camera that will at least do the kid some justice. I looked at the Canon Rebel and thought it seemed reasonable but when I started adding it up it was going to be close to $800 for everything I would need. In light of the fact that our money is not our own but belongs to the Lord, I didn't feel like it would be a faithful way to be a steward of God's money. I started praying that God would give me a camera. Weird? Maybe. But, in light of Luke 11, I think it was appropriate! If God wants to give me a camera, He can do that. And if He doesn't want to, then I don't need it. Well, I wouldn't be writing this post if there wasn't an answer to my prayer. After months of praying and entering contests on the Pioneer Woman's blog, I get an email from Chris' aunt saying that they are going to buy a new camera and wanted to know if I would like to have their old Canon Rebel. Yes, really. What a kind Father we have who wants to give good gifts to His children (being evil as we are).

Answered prayer is a great motivator to keep praying.

10 Months is So Fun!

Noah's sitting on the ground in a mess of Cheerios, toys and dog hair chatting and clapping away. I just had to rescue him from the clutches of the evil book shelf. His transmission only slips into reverse and not drive so he tends to back himself into some precarious places these days. He is just too entertaining!

Every stage of life has been fun and every new stage I think, "This is my favorite!" He is suddenly doing so many things and it's so exciting to watch him experience life.

A few highlights...

Noah can sign "more," "please," and "all done."

He scoots backwards

He brushes his hair and knows that a hat goes on his head.

He weighs 16 pounds... just a string bean.

He went swimming at the rec center for the first time and had a blast.

Noah loves kids, puppies and snacks.

My Favorite Birthday!

Chris banned me from blogging intimate details of our life, especially the ones that involved him. As much as I want to tell the world all the wonderful little things Chris says and does, in honor of his birthday I won't do that. But I will say a few things...

A few weeks ago I asked him what his favorite breakfast would be and he said the following:

One egg, over easy. One piece of wonder bread toasted, buttered, and cut diagonally (so I can more efficiently dip it in the toast), two pieces of bacon, one sausage patty, three crepes. One crepe with butter and maple and syrup and the other two with some kind of delicious fruits and whipped cream.

He couldn't finish it all this morning.

Chris occasionally accidentally undresses in inappropriate places.

I will never understand his deep love of a good song, a profound thought, and a rare magic card.

If he could have dinner with any living person it would probably be John MacArthur and Maynard James Keenan at the same time.

They would eat ribeye and garlic mashed potatoes and drink Moose Drool.

The worst thing you could do on his birthday is sing to him or make a big deal in any way. He hates awkwardness.

There are so many things about Chris that I am thankful for! I never could have imagined what a joy it would be to be married to my very best friend. I will stop myself before I start gushing about his handsome face and nice legs (see photo above). Or before I say that he's my very best friend and I look up to him in so many ways. Okay, I'm done. Oh, and Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my Mom!!

Mom! I have so been looking forward to your birthday post. I just love you so much and I'm so thankful for you. It has been so beautiful to see how God has brought you through trials in the last couple years and you have learned to love Him and depend on Him like you never have before. I love that we have the relationship we do... open, honest, fun and Christ-centered.

So in honor of your fifty... er...fourty...something... birthday, I'm going old school and making a Barbara acronym!

B: Well, B has to be for Beautiful!

What I love about your beauty is not only do you have a fantastic smile and you still haven't seemed to lose your youth, but more importantly than that, you have biblical beauty. The Bible says that charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised. I have seen you grow more and more in your fear of the Lord. You have grown to take His instruction seriously and hold your own plans with an open hand. You have stood for what is true and you have humbled yourself in several situations to make more of Jesus. That is so beautiful! It's a beauty that the world won't see, but that God delights in.

A: Adventurous

You are not like other moms.. and you are certainly not like other Grandmas! You do crazy stuff. You take the kids hiking up a mountain looking for a geo-cache. You ride four-wheelers. You get dirty. You do wild stuff with flour and sugar in the kitchen. We had an adventurous childhood because of that fun and outgoing spirit in you, and I cannot wait for Noah to get older and enjoy the adventures that I know Nana and Papa will bring him on!

R: Ready to clean at all times

I think it's hilarious that you will say, "The house is a disaster!" and any other person would look at your house and think, "This place is spic and span." You just love to clean. I don't think I know of anyone that is more determined to have a tidy home than you... and Brad and I were just discussing how we have taken after you in this. What I appreciate too is that you are always up for cleaning my house when you come over!

B: Big heart

You love to give. You love to hear a touching story. You love your grandkids. You love your family. You just love.

A: Asking for trouble

Okay, maybe not asking for it, per se, but you definitely always seem to get in to it. I love telling my friends your stories. You would punch someone in the face if they came at you. I think you probably have done that actually. You chased a drunk driver down the freeway going 100 MPH. You have punched multiple dogs in the face, including a police dog. You got your skirt pulled down when you tried to fight with some crazy guy who was beating up his mom. You got sprayed with poop from the trailer on a camping trip. If someone is going to fall down, fall in, crash, tip over, get caught, or pee their pants, it's going to be you. And you are going to do it all laughing.

R: Recalls God's grace

You give credit where credit is due. God is the one at work in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Phil 2:13) . In all these things, you give praise to God who is bringing you from glory to glory (1 Cor 3:18). It has been encouraging to see you encounter various trials and in your weakness, you are able to see that even the hard things come from the God who is working to make you more like His Son.

A: Attractive

You attract people to yourself. It's so funny how many people have wanted to be part of our family. You make people feel comfortable. You are outgoing and that serves people. People want to be around you. Even our neighbors who we have had a hard time growing a friendship with, seem to come around when you and dad are here. This a great quality to have.

So, cheers to you Mom! I'm thankful for the person that you are. You are dynamic. You are a huge blessing to Chris, Noah and me. We have been the recipient of much of your generosity and we are super thankful for that. It's fun to celebrate the fun and wonderful things that we love about you on your birthday!

8 Months

Well, it is definitely time for a new post! Two months have flown by since I last updated on little Noah Andrew. Every new stage feels like my favorite, but this one is my favorite again. Some events in the life of Noah...

Noah says "Dada"... he has said "Mama" a few times...and I think he is trying to say "hat" but it comes out "at."

Baby boy sleeps like a champ! He usually doesn't even cry when I put him down for naps (except for right this minute of course).

He LOVES puppies and babies... but who doesn't really?

He is eating oatmeal, blueberries, bananas, nectarines, chicken, peaches, cottage cheese, yogurt and starting to pick up finger foods.

He Claps!!

Noah is just shy of 16 pounds.

He really loves his Daddy. He always screams and squeals when Chris gets home. Sometimes I put the phone up to his ear and he stops... stares... then starts smiling when Daddy talks.

I think there are lots more things I could update on, but time is limited! Life is good in the Buczinski house these days. Noah is a pretty easy baby who brings us lots of joy. We can really see his personality developing... pretty easy going, but a little bit of a wild streak.

Mike's Birthday!

If Chris had a horrible family that hated me, I would probably still be happy to marry him. But, praise the Lord, I have been blessed with pretty incredible in-laws... Chris' dad, Mike, is one in particular. Mike is a great example of Christ-like humility and service. He has a hunger for the truth and a desire to be in the Word of God that is inspiring and convicting. Mike always blesses us when he comes to visit... cleaning my car, fixing stuff around the house and buying us steak dinners are just a few examples.

Two years ago for Christmas we did a family gift exchange where we drew a name and a letter and we had to get a gift for that person, starting with that letter for under $10. I drew Mike and the letter "x" and I was clever enough to get him an "Xtra Large" t-shirt. Well, Mike drew my name and the letter "N" and he made me the "Newbold Cottonwood." Mike got copper wire from the phone company that has been in use in KS for several decades and a spent countless hours fashioning a cottonwood tree out of the wire that looks like the one in my parent's front yard. He told me to think of the hundreds of conversations that have gone through that wire. I get choked up just thinking about it! What a thoughtful father in-law the Lord has blessed me with.

So, Happy Birthday Mike! I hope it's a happy one!

Happy Birthday Heather!

Heather is my brother's wife. She came into the family in 2002 (I think) before I became a believer. It was fun to have a new sister, but I was self-consumed at the time and wasn't thinking much about it. When I unexpectedly got pregnant with Aubrey, Heather was a huge support. She faithfully came to my birthing classes with me and stood by me during labor. She was there when Aubs was born and a deeper friendship was made at that time.

After God saved me in 2003 our relationship took a turn as now we weren't just sisters by law, but we were both a part of the family of God and sisters in Christ. Heather is a dear friend. She was with me when I moved in to my college dorm at Masters, she gave me cooking lessons in her apartment in Northridge, and she stood with me when I married Chris.

Some things I love about Heather...

She has a big laugh.

She is a fantastic listener.

She heartily encouraged me to date Chris.

She has beautiful, fun, funny children that I adore.

Heather is real about her relationship with Jesus.

She has loved and served my brother very well. She is a steadfast and enduring wife.

Heather, I love you so much! I wish I could be with you as you celebrate your birthday this year. It's hard to be so far away from you and your kids, but God's purposes are very good in it. Lord willing, we will live close one day soon! I hope you enjoy your birthday a ton.

8 Years Ago

I know Mother's Day is silly. I know it's a Hallmark holiday. I know it's one day to celebrate something that we ought to thank God for daily. Nonetheless, after my daughter was born in February 2003 that first Mother's Day was tough.

I felt like a mom in some ways, but in other ways I wasn't a mom at all. Did birthing a child qualify me to celebrate Mother's Day? Or did I have to wake up in the night and rock a baby to sleep to qualify? Every Mother's Day has been a little weird and a little sad for me. I kind of want to get flowers and a card and a big Thank You!

Chris reminded me of something really important last night. Every day, Mother's Day or not, is an opportunity to be thankful to God and to praise Him. If I am being self-focused on a random Tuesday or on my first "Kind of Mother's Day," then I'm not praising Him and there is no joy there.

This year I celebrate my FIRST and my EIGTH Mother's Day! And for that I'm so super thankful. I'm thankful to God that everyday for the past 7 months I get to hold Noah, get up with him in the night, rock him to sleep and nurse him. I'm thankful for a baby boy that brings me so much joy and constantly causes me to run to God for grace.

I'm also thankful that for the past 8 years I have gotten to call Aubrey my daughter. I'm thankful for her friendship and that God is growing her into such a beautiful and kind girl. I don't get to hold her and hug her and laugh with her often, but I do get to pray for her and thank Jesus that she is in my life.

God's plan is so very good! His way is perfect and He is wise in how handles each of our lives. After I had Aubrey the Lord opened my eyes and heart to Jesus and granted me repentance. I am adopted into His eternal family now. He blessed me with a relationship with my sweet daughter. He blessed me with my husband and now my precious son. They are all stewardships given to me for his glory and not my own. On my first/eighth Mother's Day I will praise God for His work in my life.

Noah

I love this boy.

My Big Boy

Yesterday we went to lunch with Auntie Melissa and you sat in a high chair at the Merry Piglets AND you held a sippy cup.

I lay you in your crib and you grab your blankie and just babble yourself to sleep like some kid I've never met before.

You see Daddy and get so excited that you can't even finish eating.

I've always heard that before you know it your baby is all grown up and I'm starting to really understand that now. I know he's not all grown up yet, but I can't believe how fast the last 6 months has flown by!

Six Months Old

My handsome Noah is already SIX MONTHS old! I get a lump in my throat when I think about what a wonderful family God has given me. Three years ago I would never have imagined the life that God had planned for Chris and I. Noah is such a huge blessing to us.

Here are some random updates...

I started picking up shifts waiting tables at Sidewinders again and it is SOOO fun for Daddy and Noah to have time together!

Noah has eaten sweet potatoes, butternut squash, peaches, green beans, bananas and a little bit of avocado. I think he likes the sweet potatoes and squash the best.

Last Sunday he stayed in the nursery the WHOLE time and only cried for the last 10 minutes!

He is still sleeping a straight 12 hours every night. He is down to two naps a day now.

He's a string bean... tall and skinny!

He is laughing lots and lots these days. He loves to fly around the house with Dad. He loves kisses all over his face. He likes when Mom sings silly songs.

Once again, we are just so thankful and amazed at this gift from God! Noah is a joy. The Lord has used him so much to grow me as a person. I have learned to be more flexible, more patient, and more selfless...lessons that I'm sure will continue!

Two Birthdays!

My nephew William and my niece Amalia have birthdays two days apart. Friday Liam turned TWO and today Ami turns FIVE! I love these kids SO much. They are completely adorable and make my heart melt every time I get to see them.

I have a couple really special memories of Amalia. Christmas 2007, my future husband came up and spent Christmas with my family even though I didn't know him super well and he had never met my family. He slept in the living room on a blow up bed. My brother's family was living with my parents at the time while their house was being built next door and early in the morning Amalia started exploring Chris and jumping all over him. Seeing as I didn't know him super well, it could have been awkward--him in his underwear, waking up to the family of the girl he likes all sitting around staring at him--but he handled it with such grace. I think all the women in my family were immediately drawn to him because of how great he was with my niece.

Another funny memory of Amalia is when we went on family vacation to Oregon this past summer. Again, we crawled up in bed with Chris while he was sleeping. His shoulder was propped up on the pillow instead of his head and when Amalia pulled the covers down slowly to wake him up and scare him, she saw his shoulder and said, "What kind of head is this?"

Seeing as Liam doesn't talk much and he was born while Chris and I were already living in WY, I haven't had nearly as many special moments with him. But I can tell you a few things... William is ALL boy. He wants to jump, run, explore, be a cowboy and be loud. He loves his family very much. When my brother's family came out to visit and Liam was put in the nursery at our church one of my friends said, "Becky, all I can think when I look at him is that you might have a child this cute." It's true, we have great genes.

Thankful

Some of you might know that Chris' time at the school district here in Jackson has been pretty rough. The schedule was super demanding and often took away from ministry. His boss was just down right mean to him. He was really flexible and humble with all of it, but it was hard.

Today the Lord provided a new job for Chris!! I'm soooo thankful. He is going to be working at 3 Creek Golf Club...one of the best golf courses in the country. Tiger Woods has home there. He will be doing facility maintenance. The schedule is Monday-Friday either 7-3pm or 8-4pm... it's up to him. He may have to work some Saturdays during tournaments, but he won't have to work Sundays ever. The boss seems really nice. The work will be a lot more fun than what he was doing before. I'm just so so so excited for him. It's seasonal with the potential to be part time from November until next April. He would have to get another part time job. It's a little less income than he made at the school and they don't provide benefits...but we are sure that God will provide.

So excited!

And Suddenly He's 5 Months Old!

I think I just did my 4 month post the other day, but sure enough, he is five months old! Time really does fly. He doesn't do many new things... but he does do many wonderful things that I love so much! Some memories from this month...

Mommy and Daddy sneaking in to your room at night to watch you sleep. You sleep on your side now and it's ADORABLE.

When dad gets home late from work he says he always hears you chatting to yourself in your crib.

We have hard a very difficult week, but every time you smile at us it is hard to stay upset.

You sleep 12 straight hours now with no eating! Mommy is a new woman.

You are not a fan of the nursery at church.

Our dear friend Melissa babysat you and you had lots of fun with her.

You and Frazier are starting to take an interest in each other.

Winter Ready!

Hanging out on his tummy
Oh hi, bald spot
Sort of obsessed with these rosy cheeks
Right before he flipped over!

Happy Birthday Bradley!

Today my brother turns THIRTY! I'm tempted to say I can't believe that he's 30, but that's not entirely true. He has had a productive 30 years. He has been married for almost a decade and has three amazing kids (one who I have never met, but I hear she's amazing). He even has a house! God has been so kind to Bradley in his 30 years of life. I'm very thankful to have him as my brother! Some things that I love about having him for my brother....

Brad and I have inside jokes that no one else would appreciate... "I'm covered in oil!"

He loves to talk theology with my husband.

He is a fun dad.

He likes good music...but is open to even not so good music if it's lovely to him.

He is a true Goonies connoisseur and will give dirty looks when someone says the obvious quote, "Hey you guys!"

He used to be a rockstar.

He married a really wonderful woman that I love a lot.

He loves Jesus.

4 Months

I was playing Monopoly Deal with Chris on Tuesday night and just started laughing because of the funny things that Noah did that day. Having a four month old is such a sweet blessing! We do lots of smiling, giggling, and dancing around. And now for the monthly NOAH FACT SHEET:

Noah LOVES his mommy.

He is soooo close to rolling over, but can't quite get there yet.

He is a string bean... 27 inches long and 13 pounds at his last appointment.

He wore two SIX MONTH outfits this week! As sad as i was to pack away all his 3 month clothes, it is super fun to put him in new things.

The main disappointment of not having a girl was not being able to dress her up, but I have way more fun dressing up a boy than I would have anticipated!

He is doing lots of exploring with his hands. Everything is a new experience.

Noah brings his dad and I so much joy! Anyone who is on the fence about whether or not they should have kids right now should just go ahead and do it. It's too much fun to pass up. I know that we are soon entering a new phase of not just providing food and sleep and clothing for this little one, but he will need shepherding as well. I'm praying that God will give us lots of grace to shepherd this little heart well. I find myself second guessing myself and confused as to what he needs almost daily, but this causes me to run to Jesus and ask for his grace, comfort and patience.

And now what you really came here to see...

Noah is SO tall!

Bath time with Grandma

Noah's favorite girl friend... Charlotte

tiny tiny teeth...

Look what I got...

TEETH!!!

I love several things about this picture...

...Noah's lip that looks just like Chris' lip when he was little

...his rosy cheeks

...holding him in my amazing Ergo Carrier

...walking on a sunny day in the snow with his oldest friends, Mommy and Tiffany

....he is dressed like a little bear {thanks Auntie Ryanne!!}

My Local Church

There's a little place in downtown Wilson, Wy at the end of Main Street where the Buczinskis like to go on Sunday nights to hear the WORD OF GOD taught faithfully and to have dinner with our spiritual family.

I'm thankful to have a community of believers to fellowship with.

I'm thankful that someone is always offering to cook, clean or babysit.

I'm thankful that I have sisters in Christ at Cornerstone Church who encourage me in the Word and help me to hate sin and love JESUS.

I'm thankful for my pastor and his family who have sacrificed a lot to serve this body instead of pursuing the "American Dream".

I'm thankful for discipleship.

Chris and I have been in Jackson almost 3 years and our time at Cornerstone church has been immeasurably profitable. Our church home is growing in numbers and also in maturity. People are eager to serve and love. People are being affected by the truth found in God's Word that is being taught faithfully. We may not be in Jackson for many more years to come, but we are so thankful for this time with our church family!

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

Can you believe my dad is only 51?? In 51 years Dad has accomplished quite a lot! "Well, what has he ever done?" you ask? Take a peak...

My Dad has FOUR grandkids... one on the way... and two honorary. That makes seven kiddos who lovingly call him Papa and yearn for his attention.

He has been married to his "Lovely Bride" {as he affectionately calls her} for 31 years. He is a better husband now than he has ever been. Thank you Jesus!

He has cleaned the mean streets of Los Angeles of countless criminals.

He has saved lives.

His own life has been saved by Jesus for several decades now.

He has ran from the eastern to the western Sierra Nevadas in one morning approximately eight times now.

He lovingly joined me in the production of The Nutcracker and Peter Pan. And he danced. And when he got fired from the latter play, he was willing to come on as Tinker Bell. Not joking here.

Wow, I am so thankful for my Dad. I have too many good memories of him. My husband claims he spoiled me growing up, but I think it was just selfless love he demonstrated. One time my dad told me that if something happened to Mom, he would just move in with me because we get along so well. He is welcome anytime.

Thank you for being such a fantastic Dad. I love you. Happy Birthday!!