HOT COCOA AND POLAR EXPRESS

We're sitting down with Maddie tonight watching "The Polar Express," and it seemed like a perfect night for a little homemade hot chocolate - not to be confused with that powdery stuff they call "cocoa."

If you've never had hot chocolate made the real way, you should try it sometime.

You'll need some dark chocolate shavings.  Williams and Sonoma sell them, and I really like these from Crate and Barrel

Poor a little milk into a saucepan.  Add three tablespoons of chocolate for every 8oz serving you want to make, and warm over med-low heat.  

Once the chocolate has melted into the milk, add the rest of your milk (8oz per serving) into the sauce pan and let warm until you reach your desired temperature.  On our stove, I set the burner to 4, and it takes about 10 minutes.

That's really it!  Now, simply pour your hot chocolate into your mugs (it really does help if you have cool Snowmen mugs like these!), and top with whip cream.  We like to add either chocolate chips or crushed candy cane as a garnish.  Keep in mind that your hot chocolate might be very, well, HOT!

Enjoy :)

KYLE + KRISTEN | A MICHIGAN ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Just a sneak peek from Kyle and Kristen's fall engagement session.  I can't wait for their wedding this spring!

JUSTIN + DANA | LAKE MICHIGAN ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Just a quick sneak peek at Justin and Dana's amazing fall engagement session on Lake Michigan!  

TODAY

A lot happened today.  Today was the day we first met you, and I don't even know where to begin.  Today was the day we've been thinking about for 9 months.  270 days, give or take a few. There were a lot of days before today that we prayed for you.  There were days that we were scared, and days we were anxious.  For a lot of those days we were even worried the doctors would tell us there was something wrong with you.  Not today.  Today you were perfect.  Today you were beautiful.  Today you were born.

Starting today, I've got a lot of things to teach you - things like: how to throw a ball, how to fish, how to build things, and how to blow them up :)  Alright, if I'm really honest, I don't know how to fish, and your mother will probably be teaching you how to throw a ball.  Madison's pretty good at building things, and Macy's really good at blowing them up.  Even still, you and I have a lot to learn together.  You see, you and I are father and son, and though you also have a mom and two big sisters who love the heck out of you - you're my little guy, and I'm your dad. 

Right now, you're just a baby, but soon you'll be a little boy.  You'll be a boy, and we'll do boy things, because before long you'll be a man.  You'll be a man, and you'll need to know how to do "man" things.  And though I won't always do it right, starting today, it's my job to help you grow up and become the man God made you to be.  

Your mother and I are thrilled that you've joined our family, and we can't wait to spend every day with you.  Your big sisters adore you - though I'm not convinced they realize you're coming home with us yet.  Madison walked around all day carrying a baby Max doll that GraGra (grandma) got her - showing everyone how to carry you.  She reminded us all to "support your head, and "keep our hands together."  Macy smiled so big when she saw you that I thought her grin might swallow her whole face.  That's how much they love you, it's how much we all love you.  We love you that much, and we've only known you for about 15 hours!

Today was a big day for all of us, and we're so glad that today was the day we got to meet you!

Maxwell (Max) Robert Aten

10/15/11 8:46AM

9lbs. 1oz. 20.75" long

BEFORE

There was a time before we had kids that I thought I knew what it would be like. There was a time before, when I thought I understood how our life would be different, and how much we would be blessed.

In reality, I had no idea. There was simply no way to comprehend the richness of life that comes from what can only be described as an incredible journey with these amazing little people.

There was simply no way to put words to the experience of two little girls running through the house to be the first one to say "hi daddy," when I come home. And to tell you that they "say it" is such an inadequate way to describe what is really a celebration/dance party/cheer line. It isn't even an exaggeration to tell you that it's the very best part of my day.

Before, I had no idea what it would be like to raise two little girls and watch them become people. I had no idea that my heart could possibly contain this much love. I had no idea that I could experience so much adoration for these girls. I thought I knew, but "before," I truly had no concept of this life.

Every single day I am amazed by who they are becoming. I'm amazed that two little people can create so much energy, and joy, and excitment. I'm amazed that even in the disasters they create, I am reminded that I've been so generously blessed to care for them as they become women. I've been trusted to raise them up and help them take their first steps, and their next steps, and their giant leaps.

What's even more astonishing to me is that right now, I'm living in the "before." In a few weeks, Baby #3 will be here, and everything I think I know about life, will - once again - become a part of the "before." In a few short weeks, the beauty that is this life we live, will be transformed again.

I can't wait :)