Trick or Treat

Taylynn and I made treats for her teachers and friends.
She had a fun time helping and she felt proud of what we made.
Taylynn and Preston both helped me make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and they were yummy (thank you Jill for letting me borrow all the ingredients I didn't have)
Taylynn got to take all these treats on Monday and I am sure she loved it and felt special. I really enjoy getting to do things for her teachers and class. I am going to be that room mom that wants to be involved in everything.

Boo at the Zoo

Just like the last three years we have attended boo at the zoo. It was a ZOO of people. Taylynn and Preston really enjoyed it. I think they loved all the costumes just as much as the candy.

It was a beautiful day so Aaron and I had a great time too. It really is so much fun just to watch them and see how excited they get. It really was crazy busy but we are making traditions and memories that the kids will remember, so if the kids are happy we are even happier.

The End!

Taylynn's first trip to the dentist

Last week Taylynn Rae made another big girl step. She had her very first official dentist appointment. She has been going with me for the last year and a half and they attempt to look at her teeth just so she can see there is nothing to be scared of. Well, she was always scared and wouldn't do it. My last visit she was able to get something from the treasure chest and when reminding her about the last time we were there she remembered the bracelet she picked out and went and got it out of her toy box.....good memory!
So she was actually excited to go to the dentist, but I figured it would be a fight to get her to sit in the big chair. When we first got there I had to fill out some paperwork, and then as I was taking Taylynn to the bathroom when she noticed her dentist was cleaning out the treasure chest and he invited her to help him. Needless to say she walked away with at least 15 treasures. What a special treat for her, she loved it and I know this made it easier for him to look at her teeth. She even wanted to go before me! Here are some pictures......
I love how she has her leg in this one!

3 months

ALAYNA JANE BIVENS
What a beautiful baby. Every month I take a picture with her sitting next to the same object so you can see her growth. This is the only one that turned out. I am not sure why she got so wide-eyed, but it's pretty funny.


Alayna is loving life. She sleeps through the night which makes her so happy during the day. I can take her shopping with me without a worry because either she'll sleep or she'll sit in her car seat just watching me. She still loves the car seat.

She watches us and tries to do what we do. One thing is we'll show her our tongue by licking our lips or sticking it in and out and she'll do the same. Also, I'll start to laugh and she copies me, so cute.

I am enjoying every moment with her and I am still very attached. I pretty much take her everywhere. She is attached to me as well, she WILL NOT take a bottle. It's totally fine with me.

She is wearing mainly 3-6 months clothes, but she is out growing them fast. I do have her in a few 6-12 things.

Alayna is going to be a cow for Halloween, and she'll be adorable! Pictures to come.

I love you sweet girl and I am enjoying you learning and growing, but I wish time could just stop and I could live in the moment with you. God has so much planned for you so I'll let you grow up. The best thing in life will be watching you grow in the Lord. I love you!!!!

Life and rest

I haven't had much of a chance to write about me and my life. I have been busy going nonstop up until the last couple weeks. The truth is I have tried to slow down, but I can't do it on my own. God has put his breaks on my life and He is giving me a look at how He wants my life.
Once everything started back up in September I realized I was doing too much. I was in four Bible studies and really trying to get myself out there learning more about God and who He is.........when all along God wanted me to just sit and listen. I have my whole life to learn about Him, and even then I won't know everything. As of this moment in my life God wants me to be still and know that He is God. I have no time to hear Him if I don't stop to listen to Him. I had to let go of one Bible study and possible more if that's what God wants.

Sunday nights are a night I use just for God and I. Aaron has a men's bible study he goes to, so once the kids are in bed it's just me and God. I am participating in the Bloom Book Club and we are reading Sabbath by Wayne Muller. It has taught me it's ok to rest, who knew, ha! I never really used Sundays as just a time to relax, fellowship with family and friends, eat and have fun. I wanted to make my Sundays a day that pleases God, low key.

It's not shocking, but amazing that after God speaks to me He always sends me to text. So many times when I am in need of advice or His wisdom He places it in my hands. This was true for The Love Dare from the movie Fireproof. I went through this book in about 9 months rather than 40 days. I went to it when I felt I needed it and every time it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. To me that is just a reminder for God and His love for each one of us.

O Lord, you have searched me
and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Psalm 139: 1-6

I just feel too blessed to not share what God has been doing in my life. I love how He has complete control over everything I do. I just wish it was easier to give Him all the control 24/7. I guess that's where we fall under imperfect category

Date night for the family!

Taylynn's preschool is across the street from the sports center and they are always asking to go since they see it every other day. We decided to take them while the weather was nice. They had a great time and they still talk about it like it was yesterday.









Alayna was with us, but sleeping so i thought I'd add some pictures of her:

Pumpkin Patch 2010