4th of July

Beach Baby

Rub-a-dub-dub

Swimming in the lake

Our Bible Study and Friends at the parade

Waiting for the parade to start

We are so thankful for our Independence here in America. Even though sometimes it feels to us like our freedoms are dwindling away as we watch our state and nation struggle financially and socially, we are thankful that the beauty of places like Lake Almanor have been preserved for us to enjoy, and that we have free time to enjoy them. This 4th of July our wonderful group of friends camped on Lake Almanor in Chester for 3 nights. Waking up to a lake view and Em's french pressed coffee was enough to make each day amazing, but that was only the beginning. We spent two days at the beach, were treated to a huge breakfast and showers from Emily's parents, and a great Barbecue from John's folks. Madison and her buddy Gracie enjoyed the sand and the parade, and I don't think Madison has ever been so happy. She found every opportunity to lay down and play in the dirt or sand, swim, and each yummy muffins ("cake" ) and pizza. She woke up at the crack of dawn every morning and opened the tent ready for the day. We are so blessed to have a little girl who loves the outdoors as much as us.

"For Everything there is a season"

"For everything there is a season, and a time for everything under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill and a time to heal;

a time to breakdown, and a time to build up;

a time to weep and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn and a time to dance..." Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 ESV

This is definitely a special season in the Happ family. Not only is the summer one of the most fruitful times of the year for us relationally with friends and family, but this summer in particular is a special season in our lives.

Madison is growing up so quickly and beautifully, I feel like God is giving me a glimpse of what He intended for us and a relationship with him. With Madison becoming more independent and willful I am also learning about His patience with me as I make choices and find my way through life. Madison has been using "no" to benefit herself and her wants, and trying to teach obedience and selflessness is a humbling experience. As Brian and I teach our daughter "yes mommy" and "yes daddy," I hear God's still small voice whispering "Yes Father." What a blessing that God is patient enough to teach me things in the gentleness of a little girl. It seems he intends to give me a double dose of it too.

The word is slowly getting out that we are expecting a little GIRL in October. Our due date has been moved up 2 weeks and we are now expecting sometime around the 12th. This means a hot day to deliver, but two more weeks of maternity leave. We still do not have a name so until we do, or decide to share it, our second angel is being adoringly called "sister." Madison recognizes the ultrasound photos as a baby, and knows that there is a baby in mommy's tummy (she also thinks there is one in Grandpa too). She likes to lift my shirt and kiss her sister. We aren't sure how much she understands that "sister" will be sharing mommy and daddy's arms and attention soon, but we are praying for that adjustment now.

We are also in the process of tearing down and rebuilding our backyard. Brian is putting in a beautiful patio with creeping thyme, a lawn, three vegetable beds, and a border of flower beds. being 6 months pregnant, I wait for the opportunity to plant by I cutting weed cloth, playing water girl, and cheering my husband. Madison tries to help both of us.

Reading Ecclesiastes 3 I am reminded that this season is a delightful season of life, growth, and sowing for the future. Because of the hope we have, we also know that loss, hard work, and mourning, are healthy and gifts to us. We are blessed.

Here is a quick peek into the month of June:

CAPERS ACRES

Helping Mommy Bake

Mmmm, Smelling the Roses...All of them!

Daddy's Little Helper

Maddie's Daddy

Daddy's Day 2009

Mt. Shasta May 2009

An article in the paper, a few weeks ago, talked about how any man can be a father, but it is a special, dedicated, loving man who makes a daddy. The article concluded that Fathers' Day should be more fittingly called Daddies' Day; I couldn't agree more. I now want to celebrate my husband as a daddy. Many people see the soft and loving side of Brian as a daddy and a husband, and he and Madison's bond is undeniably one of the sweetest, strongest, and secure there is (In reply to "Who do we love?" Madison shouts "DADDY!" every time without hesitation). However, it is the firm, patient, and consistent daddy that I have been falling in love with lately. The way Brian disciplines is such a close picture of how our Heavenly Father loves and disciplines us. It is sacrificing, unconditional, selfless, and righteous; motivated by love, not power. What a special man!

Okay on a lighter note, Brian has also been hiking A LOT and has made it his new goal to hike ever peak in California. We started with Feather Falls and then Brian left me in the dust when he decided to hike ( I mean CLIMB) Mt. Shasta on Memorial Day. He and a buddy, Ben, climbed to the very top. I don't have pictures of Brian at the top to prove it because the camera died and the only shots he has are on his cell phone (But I saw them and verified their authenticity j/k). In August he and his brother-in-law, Danny, plan to hike Mt. Whitney!

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory of my

Grandpa Scott

A great Scotsman, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and follower of Christ.

February 2, 1913-June 7, 2009

Auld Lang Syne
Robert Burns 1788

And for auld lang syne, my jo,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne,

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days o' auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!

And surely I'll be mine!

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes

And pu'd the gowans fine;

But we've wander'd mony a weary foot

Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,

Frae mornin' sun till dine;

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!

And gie's a hand o' thine!

And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,

For auld lang syne.

Happ Family Phase II

Well, the rumor is official...drum roll please...Madison is going to be a BIG SISTER! (No, this is not an April Fool's joke..promise.)Baby Happ is 10 weeks in-utero and counting. If our calculations are correct he/she will be arriving on or around October 26th. We are extremely excited!!!
Madison has no idea why mommy stopped nursing abruptly, or takes naps more than her now, but she is making her own preparations subconsciously. On Sunday she asked to go potty on her toilet...and she did! Now, this by no means suggests that she is potty trained, and whether it will continue, without us pushing, is in question. Believe us though, we are praying that this is the near end of poopy diapers from Madison. Ahh... just in time to begin changing baby two's number twos.
Sorry there aren't any pictures for this post. We haven't had an ultrasound, and an image of an un-flushed toilet wouldn't make a good blog post. I'm sure you understand.

Bye Bye Crawling, and Lots of Firsts!

Enjoying San Diego
Sedona, Arizona

Finding a beat on Great-Grandpa's Drums

Great-Grandpa Scott

Walking? Nope, She's running!

Well, Madison has been walking for some time now, I'm sorry I haven't kept everyone up to date on each step. On Madison's birthday, she took two steps to her three-year-old cousin, Johnny, without holding on to anything! Then, on January 3rd she took the big plunge and began consistently walking 6-10 steps to people she wanted to go to. She was very selective as to who she would Perform this wonder for, and so we didn't see much for a week. That all changed one morning when I was getting ready for work. I came around the corner and saw Madison cruising from the hallway through the office and into the living room! Was she practicing when we weren't looking? When she reached her shopping cart she turned around and realized I was watching. From this point on, she progressed quickly from pulling herself up on furniture and toddling, to getting up all by herself and almost running! Once she figured out how to get up without the aide of a wall or chair, she gave up crawling completely. In fact, Madison is so in love with her new found freedom, that she rarely even sits. Standing is the preferred resting position now.

In other news, Madison traveled with us to Arizona to meet her Great-Grandpa Scott for the first time. He celebrated his 96th birthday the week before, so it was a nice birthday treat. My childhood memories of Grandpa's house included playing the piano with my grandma. Madison's will be a little different; Today there is a drum set in the spot where grandmother's piano used to be. Madison was in music heaven when she got a hold of the drum sticks. She was also spoiled by having her first taste of ice cream.

On the way back home we took two detours. One was to Tombstone, Arizona, the famous home of Wyatt Earp and the O.K. Corral shoot out. Second, we spent a relaxing Valentine's Day in beautiful San Diego! We met up with my roommate from college Julie and her boyfriend for breakfast, then strolled along the beach for most of the day. This was Madison's first time to the ocean, but I think she noticed the seagulls more than the water or sand. It was a beautiful way to spend a romantic holiday.

So to recap, the last month-and-a-half have been loaded with firsts for our first born...first steps, first trip to a Arizona, first time meeting Grandpa, first taste of ice cream, and first time to the ocean. Our baby is living life fast and full! We love it!

Christmas Letter

~ We are posting our Christmas letter here this year. ~

Dearest Friends and Family,
What a year! Life in the Happ household is quite a bit different these days. Our precious first born is now walking with the aid of furniture and her grocery cart; keeping us busier and more entertained than we dreamed possible. Madison is the most delightful wonder God has ever given us, and is the most tangible way we have ever experienced His love for us. She gleams with sweet joy in almost every circumstance. She has also made die-hard trekkers of her parents. Her love for her backpack carrier has prompted us to ascend Half-Dome, night-hike Lassen, and backpack Grouse Ridge. All adventures where conquered with Madison winning the prize for the best attitude in the family.
As for Mom and Dad, our other accomplishments seem so trivial compared to Madison. In fact they seem hardly worth sharing. So if you want to stop reading now, we won’t be hurt. Brian is now in his eighth year at Pepsi and Jaime is in her second year of teaching junior high special education. It seems that Brian is always adding a new hobby or expertise to his “Wonder-Man” list. This year alone he has taken up serious hiking/backpacking, video editing, and shooting (yes he bought a hand gun). He and Madison have hiked over 50 miles together on his days off. It is beautiful to see the relationship Brian and Maddie have.
Jaime (me) became full-time this year (as oppose to 95%) and is definitely feeling the challenges. She teaches two classes of Resource English (special education) and two classes of “Opportunity.” The Resource classes are a blast, the students are sweet and the things they say keep teachers laughing all week. The “Opportunity” class is a little more challenging. It is made up of students who have failed multiple classes for one reason or another. These kids are incredibly resilient, but life has given them a little more than they can handle right now. Many are in foster homes, and only one has an intact family (mom and dad married and living together). It is impossible to teach them and not bear the grief and pain they are caring when at home. (Now I’m going to share my feelings in first person): Over the past four months with these kids, I have struggled with the emotional burdens that go with teaching them. It’s the closest I’ve ever been to the front lines of a battle. I found that it is only through prayer and actively listening to God’s still, small voice that I am able to discover and respond to the true needs of these young adults. How blessed am I though, that I get to see the future molded, right in front of me, by our youth?
We (Brian and I) realizing more and more how blessed we are to be surrounded by “top notch” people. Life has become more real because of each of you and how you live your lives with us. Thank you for giving us your time, love, and dedication. We know more than ever how rare the abundance of our blessings is. We love each of you most deeply.
Merry Christmas,
Brian, Jaime, and Madison