I know, I said that we would probably not be blogging until we moved, but my mind is too busy thinking of everything at one time, that I am not able to sleep.

We are almost done packing.  I think I would be done, if I did not have a little one crawling everywhere, or pulling things that I have just packed out of boxes!  Ah, the joys of packing with a little one.

Speaking of the little one...Joshua has been content with crawling to get from one place to another, despite the carpet burns, and has had no interest in walking.  Yes, he enjoys pulling himself up, but he will not try to walk to Daddy or Mommy.  He is also still figuring out how to stand on his own(even if we stand him up)  But, he has found a new interest.  Grandpa and Grandma McDonald gave him a walking toy.  He has just figured out what this toy is meant for, and now he knows how to use it.  You just might find him walking into walls, the piano, and the trash can!  Below is a video that was taking last night.  "Thank you" Dad and Mom for this gift!

Just a Quick Note

We will be taking a little time away from our blog, so that we may concentrate on our upcoming move.  We will be moving into a new apartment next week.  For those who would like our new address please email me at: crucifiedwithchrist84@gmail.com.

Things Joshua is Doing

This is a video of everything that Joshua is doing lately.

Our New Year's Letter

Greetings from the Daniel Blanchard household! Seems like yesterday we where celebrating the new year of 2008 with the McDonald clan in IL, and now we are in 2009!

Where do we start with regards to this past year and all of the blessings that we have enjoyed?

Perhaps we can start with the small blessings of Joshua James Gregory Blanchard. We welcomed our first born child into this world on February 28. He weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and 18 inches. We are amazed at the speed that he is growing, in just the past few months he has been getting around more and of course getting into everything, but we wouldn't trade him for the world, he is our little blessing. God has tried our trust on him by allowing Joshua to experience some seizures, for which the doctors couldn't find anything wrong, for the past few months he has not had any seizures, and God willing will not have them again. Beside those small trials, Joshua continues to add joy and laughter to each day in our home. His favorite thing to do right now is clicking his tongue. He is starting to walk from one thing to another, as long as he has something to hold onto.

Daniel is still working with Hunt Construction on the same Project that he started last year, Collin County Community College. He still has another twelve months to work on this project. They are building four new items for the College, a new parking garage, renovations and additions to the existing campus buildings, the construction of a new library, and also a small clock tower. In addition to working for Hunt, he is also trying to start a CPR/First Aid training business. Nothing has happened at this point, but the Lord is good and hopefully he will bless our endeavors to praise Him in our work.

Christa continues to enjoy keeping house, and delighting that Joshua was added to the family. On top of keeping house, she loves taking care of Daniel and Joshua. Christa spends her days playing with Joshua and fellow-shipping with like-minded women and young ladies in the new church. She just started teaching voice lessons

This new year is already proving to be exciting and busy. Our year starts with a very short move to another apartment at the end of January. We also will be celebrating Joshua's first birthday at the end of February. Another exciting aspect to our lives is some of us are going to be doing some of the Homeschool conferences this year and will be staffing a booth for Greathall Productions for our good friends Jim and Randy Weiss. Hopefully we will see some of y'all at one of the nine conferences we will be attending.

Looking into the new year with earnest expectation of the grace of God. We thankfully acknowledge that the Lord has richly blessed our family in many ways this past year and we pray that He will bless all of our friends in this new year.



Happy New Year!

Blessings
Daniel and Christa Blanchard
(Joshua too!!)

A Few Photos

Joshua is getting bigger each day!  He brings such joy to our family, and we are very blessed by him.

Joshua is getting into EVERYTHING these day.  He brightens up our days with his smile and giggles in the mornings.

Lately Joshua is trying his hand at walking!  He pulls himself up on everything and anything. When he crawls, he does not like crawling on his knees, so he crawls like a crab!!  I have a video of him doing his crab crawling, that I plan on putting up as soon as blogger lets me!

I'm Tagged

I've never been tagged before, but now that my sister-in-law Tiff has tagged me, I'm happy to try my hand at this "tagging" thing.

6 Random things about me:

1. I general hide the fact that I have a motorcycle, not just any bike but a Harley Davidson, and really enjoy riding it.

2. I would rather work hard, then take a vacation. Something about the way I was raised made me love hard work.

3. I enjoy sunsets, and on the same subject I enjoy sunrises.

4. I'd rather have a quite evening with the wife and my young son then doing anything else in the world. 

5. Cold mornings in the winter, when I don't want to get out of bed.

6. Music is the spirit of life.

I tag:

1. My mother (this should be interesting)

2. My younger brother Alex

3. My dad (come on this will be fun....)

4. Brother-in-law Caleb

5. Sister-in-law Abigail

6. Sister-in-law Melissa 

Note for those that don't have blogs, please leave you tag in the "Comment" box. 

THANK FOR TAGGING ME TIFF...

Two Years!

It was two years ago today, that my father, Reverend James McDonald, placed my hand in Mr. Daniel J.K. Blanchard's.  It was on that day that my name became Mrs. Christa Marie McDonald Blanchard.

Within this past year, God has richly blessed the Daniel Blanchard family!  Allow me to share...

1. God has blessed Daniel and I in a way that is hard to explain.  God, has allowed us to trust, honor, and respect each other in times that are not difficult and in times that are difficult, and in times that we come together as a family to worship our Lord.

2. We patiently waited the arrival of our first baby.  Joshua was born into our family on February 28th.  He has been a blessings to Daniel and I as we watch him grow and we pray daily for our "pooh bear" that him might come to know our Lord and Savior and endeavor to follow after Him.

Happy 2nd Anniversary Daniel Dear!!

 

Just A Little Too Big For Him

Joshua in Daddy's shirt.

Playing With Joshua

I took this with my phone!  Sorry it is slightly blurry! :-)

Two Of My Wonderful Sisters!

Today(October 22nd) is Jessica Nicole's birthday!  She is 18 years old, and a beautiful young lady!  Jessica has/is one of my best friends.  For awhile, Jessica and I shared a room.  We had times when we got along great, and we have had times when we were upset with one another and got onto each others nerves, but the most special time I remember with my sister, is those late nights when we could not sleep, we would talk and giggle.  And when the giggling would start, our door would soon be opened and either Mom or Dad would be in the doorway and say "Girl's, lights are out.  It is time to go to bed!".  I miss you Jessica, but I am grateful to the Lord for such a gift as you and to have been able to watch you blossom into a young lady!  May God bless you my Dear Sister!

As for Emma, time flew by, I was not able to wish this little girl a "Happy Birthday"!  Emma turned six on the 2nd of this month.  Emma is also one of my favorite sisters.  Where ever our family went, Emma was my little friend to keep an eye on.  I love you Emma, and Happy belated Birthday!

Precious!

Joshua's Teeth

"Do I have enough toys out Mommy?"

Rough housing with Daddy

"I got Daddy pinned, Mommy"

"I like Daddy's hat!"

"Am I doing this right?"

"I like this!"

Our Kisser Bear

Joshua and Mommy at Olive Garden with Daddy

I Have The Best Dad in the World!

I have been thinking about my dad often this past month, so I thought I would tell you how much I love him!

Even though I am married, I am still his little girl and miss him very much! There are times when I sit at the kitchen table and cry because I miss him so much. Daniel (who is such a wonderful husband) just holds me and lets me cry. My dad is such a great and God honoring man! I am glad that God has blessed me with such a father, and the twenty two years I was in his home.

Recently, I came across this song (You Can Let Go by Crystal Shawanda) and it brought tears to my eyes...

Wind blowin' on my face

Sidewalk flyin' beneath my bike

A five year-old's first taste

Of what freedom's really like

He was runnin' right beside me

His hand holdin' on the seat

I took a deep breath and hollered

As I headed for the street

(Chorus)

You can let go now, Daddy

You can let go

Oh, I think I'm ready

To do this on my own

(It's still) (It still feels) a little bit scary

But I want you to know

I'll be okay now, Daddy

You can let go

I was standin' at the altar

Between the two loves of my life

To one I've been a daughter

To one I soon would be a wife

When the preacher asked, 'Who gives this woman?'

Daddy's eyes filled up with tears

He kept holdin' tightly to my arm 'Til I whispered in his ear

(Repeat Chorus)

It was killin' me to see

The strongest man I ever knew

Wastin' away to nothin'

In that hospital room

'You know he's only hangin' on for you'

That's what the night nurse said

My voice and heart were breakin'

As I crawled up in his bed, and said

You can let go now, Daddy

You can let go

Your little girl is ready

To do this on my own

It's gonna be a little bit scary

But I want you to know

I'll be okay now, Daddy

You can let go You can let go

I Love you Daddy!

Daniel and I like to walk every night, but due to my allergies, we have to walk indoors.  So, the past week we have been walking through the mall.  Although, we like the outdoors better!

We walked past a baby studio and I just wanted to see how much their prices were since we really needed to get Joshua's pictures done and a family picture (we still do not have one!).  So, after talking with this lady, we were about to leave, when she asked us to stay for a little bit and she would do a free sitting with us and we would have a free 5x7 and to view our photo's online as well.  Who could pass up a deal?

Below are the pictures that we choose.  We are still going to set up an appointment and get some nicer ones! :-)

Guess What!?

Joshua's first tooth came in today!  I will try and get some pictures up!

Until then, y'all have a wonderful Sabbath day tomorrow!

Our Internet Is Back!

The first two pictures are to show you that his hair is turning blonde!  Just like Mommy's!  :-)

Joshua cuddled up in the blanket I made for him

Please Pray

Joshua is still having seizures!  He latest one happened today!  And he has already had some other ones this month!  He is also teething, so he is very, very fussy lately.  Please pray, that the Lord's will, will be done in this area in our life, and that we remain strong in trusting God with our little ones life!  He is in control!

The Big Boy Is 6 Months Old!

Yes, Joshua just turned a half a year old this past Thursday!  It is hard to think that in just 6 more months he will be a year old! :-(  I thought I would list a couple of things that he is doing right now!

* Sitting on his own

* Eating 2 jars of baby food each day

* Loves his voice

* Sings with Mommy on the piano

* Loves playing with Daddy

Oh, and I can not forget, sleeping in his Johnny Jump Up!  Twice this week I have put him in his jumper so I can get a couple of things done around the apartment.  I can watch and hear him jump to his hearts content.  And all the sudden, he is quiet and I go to check on him and he is out! :-)

Daniel's Jobsite

Praise The Lord!

We received Joshua's EEG scan test result this afternoon, and it came back normal, so we are finished with testing and we do not need to do a MRI!!  Praise God!