So, bear with me as I travel a few months back to December 31st, Darien's 2nd Birthday! It was over two years ago now that we had been so caught up in the debate of the timing of his induction but arrived on New Year's Eve Day at the hospital hoping to have the last baby of 2007 at our hospital...and we did! I just couldn't help sharing the one good photo of me right before I had them turn down the epidural so I could feel to push (not the brightest of my ideas). Anyhow, what a whirlwind two years we have had with this surprise blessing from God. Darien's name means "upholder of the good" and let me tell you that in the midst of Don's degree, his joy and wonderful affection, has upheld the good in our family. He is a such a fun boy and is so attached, that the photo below of the two of us, exemplifies our last two years together...securely attached and bonded for life! He loves to be loved-no doubt his love language is physical touch! This year to celebrate Darien's bday, Don and I were offered two free tickets two Disneyland back in November and so we took Darien one day while the Christmas decorations were up but before the mass chaos of the holidays ensued. Both Alyssa and Keenan went on their bdays so it was an amazing blessing to have been afforded the opportunity to take Darien alone and spend the day just celebrating him...albeit a little early but it was a neat time for us after the crazy weekend we had spent moving within our complex. So, needlesstosay, this year was the last year that we won't have a big party for him. At one, we merely celebrated with Don's parents who were here. This year, we had our other family over to celebrate turning 2. The Bailey's have a girl close to AJ's age, a boy just a year older than Keenan and a little one, just three months younger than Darien. So a party with them and our family in our small place is just about the largest one we can have! We loved being with them! The girls watched a movie, the boys played, we all ate cake and Darien was super happy to be the center of the day! So, we ended the year with our baby turning 2 and a prayer for a year of blessings to heal the year of challenges we faced with lots of issues with cars, accidents and mishaps! And trust me, so far, we have lots to share about the blessings that have come our way each month of 2010. So, stay tuned for more posts about how our family is learning and growing in faith each day!
Taken in the last moments of 2009, Happy 2nd Birthday, Darien! 
2 years ago, the look of an expectant mother expecting another contraction!
Spider boy and his momma! (Taken by Keenan)
Darien, last year, turning 1!
My last baby...how the time flies!
