July 25- two years with Jesus

Tomorrow we leave for Vacation! And I must say this is one we've been looking forward to for a long time. Wanna know why?.....

Well first we have the opp to bless our kiddos by surprising them tomorrow morning with a trip to Hershey Park (I know - fun =) don't tell them!) and from there we will travel to a beach in Maine. I know as if that weren't reason enough to be jazzed about this trip- but it gets better. We will be spending this trip with our dear friends Katie & Adam, they're getting Married! And both Cianne and Braeton have the honor of being in their wedding (no only do we have the privilege of being quests- but we also get to shoot the wedding)! For those of you who don't know about Katie and Adam...

Katie worked as the Volunteer & Events Coordinator at Children's Hospital (she's now studying to be a nurse). She's one of those cheerleader types (but without the froo froo fuss =) bubbly, high energy and tons of heart. I still remember the day we meet Katie, we were "In House" at Children's (Mikes was being treated) and Katie had scheduled the Dogs to preform in the playroom for the kids. It was a great day and God had just blessed us with a great new friend. Katie came to visit us each and every day she worked (and since we were there ALOT, we spent much time together). She took Braet on coffee/tea dates, to lunch and he even pal'd around with her and the DC United boys. She brought gifts for B-days and Christmas, coloring books, play dough, finger paint. She was there for many surgeries, she even beat us to the recovery room for his second brain surgery. We didn't know where they had moved him but when we found him Katie was already there reading to him. I don't know if I can even describe the comfort and joy that brought as a mom, that Katie was there with him so that he wasn't so scared.

Then there was her boy, Adam. What can I say a match made in Heaven. The first time Mikes met him, he hid under the blanket until Adam offered him his cell phone to play with. You'd often see Adam toting a kid or our gear, he always just jumped right in. It didn't take long before he had won the kids hearts too.

Kaite's Artwork for Mikes hospital Rm

Katie & Mikes at the Redskins Game, SkyBox seats!
Adam, feeding CC at the Caps Game
Handing out the Crocs, so many of you donated at Children's

Mike's 3rd Birthday Party at the Shefs

Katie & CC running at the Race for Hope

So we're spending the week with our precious kiddos, at a gorgeous place, celebrating the marriage of dear friends and then there is one more highlight... Katie & Adam choose the day before Mikes went to be with Jesus as their wedding day and we are so honored. This coming weekend we will get to be with our lil ones (who are not so lil anymore) and dear friends as we celebrate and remember the life God gave Micah. And the life that he lives now free from pain and suffering where one day because of the cross of Christ and the forgiveness of our sin- we will join him forevermore. So while this 2 year marker will be mingled with sorrow and joy,we have Hope and we press on for that which is unseen.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Thanks for the notes on the blog and the Care Pages, the calls, the emails. I have found them particularly comforting and encouraging. We'd also covet your prayers for this weekend for comfort and for joy. Our hope is that our hearts will be encouraged as we remember and full of joy as we anticipate. Thanks for your prayers !