Independence Day

How fitting that the week of July 4th Soren captured his own independence on his two chubby feet! Here's a look at his progression over the last week...

...Now he just can't get enough of walking EVERYWHERE! (Which makes Mama and Dada very tired, of course:-)

Shout-out to the grandparents

We're living a crazy life right now so blogging will come later. But I couldn't help quickly posting this video of Soren giving a shout-out to his grandparents Pop-pop, Mamae, and Grandma Jojo! He seems to be learning new words every day so more names are coming...

Mr. Personality

Today I make a prediction: Soren will be voted "best personality" in his high school yearbook. From day one he has surprised and delighted us with his charming smile, contagious giggle, and his hilarious antics to make us laugh. Brandon and I are always saying to each other, "Where did he come from?" He is such a ham. Friendly to every person he meets and always wanting to be the center of attention. It is such a delight to see that he is not a little Brandon or mini-Monique, but his very own unique person. So here are some recent videos showcasing Soren's most wonderful personality:-)
Making his best sound effects...

Reading to himself...

And learning to play ball with Dada.

Airplane birthday party!

It's a little late, I know, but I finally gathered all the gorgeous pictures (taken by Kevin & Sonya Kemp) of Soren's birthday party! Click here to check out the festivities...

My big birthday weekend.

I thought it would be fun to have Soren tell about his big weekend:
"Today is my birthday!!!My first gift was a tractor book from Mama and Dada. You can tell I loved it by all my grunting.
For my birthday Mama took me to my favorite park--Liberty Station--to play.Check out what the wind did to my hair! I'm so cool...Later that afternoon the UPS guy brought me a really big box and I helped Dada put my new toy together. (Well, I kind of got distracted by the yummy flavor of Dada's screwdriver.)I love my wagon but I'm not quite sure how to use it yet!
The next day I went to my other favorite place--the beach--with my family (and tractor, of course).Mamae dug me a big hole to sit in and drive my tractor in too.I couldn't believe Mama let me eat my teether biscuit all covered in sand! (She said I had a really sandy poop the next day.)Grandma Jojo surprised me at the beach and I was so excited that I went over and nuzzled with her.The next morning Aunty Yvette read to me about tractors and put tractor stickers on me.Then I had my birthday party. My highlight was being pushed around by my buddy Josiah. (Mama says she'll share more about my party later.)That night Grandpa Gordon fed me dinner. We had a nice chat.I got soooo many cool presents for my birthday. But I really kept wanting more tractors, and so I got super excited when my very last gift was a big fancy tractor from Mamae and Papai!"

Today.

Today is a special day. Today Soren turns ONE. A year ago today I received the most incredible gift of my life--new life. A year ago today I experienced a love far beyond myself. A year ago today I became a mother. A year ago today I met Soren.
He has changed my life forever and I can't imagine life without him. He has inspired me to love selflessly, give tirelessly, and laugh freely. He draws up so much joy from my heart that I sometimes feel my heart will burst. Most amazingly, he has given me glimpses into the father and mother heart of God. I am beginning to embrace God's love for me more deeply because of the way I love my son.
I recently came across the lyrics to a song that brought tears to my eyes. God gave me Soren as a gift--to teach me about his love.

Can't Wait
by Sara Groves

When you reach the proper age
I will teach you to read and you can turn the pages
How to dress and tie your shoesYour one plus ones, and your two times two's
And you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important things
And all that i have lost along the way
And I can't wait
As you grow, I'll show you things
How to ride your bike and kick your legs out on the swings
To fold your hands and bow your head
How to say your prayers before you go to bed
And you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important thingsAnd all that I have lost along the way
And I can't wait

How do you sleep so peacefully?
How do you trust unflinchingly?
How do you love so faithfully?
How do you dance so joyfully?
Oh you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important (essential) things
And all that i have lost along the wayAnd I can't
No I can't
Come teach me
Of love and dreams
And all the most essential thing
And all that I have lost along the way
Cause I can't wait

As I prayed one year ago: "May I give Soren back to you each day, never forgetting the gift he is to me." Amen.

Tractor's the word

Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud...Soren said his first word--tractor!! Well, he's been saying "mama" and "dada" for a little while now, but because those words gradually took on meaning for him they didn't feel so exciting. But when he said "tractor" for the first time it was a totally different sound and he obviously knew what he was saying. And once he said it, it became his new favorite word. He calls all of his trucks "tractor" as well and when we ask him where his tractor is he starts repeating the word and crawling as fast as he can for his closest truck. Being that my dad is a farmer and had actually given Soren his first tractor ride a few weeks ago, he was the first one to find out. We laughed about it together and decided that Soren may look like a Sawyer but he's starting to talk like a Thiesen!