4fabers

long overdue...

2010-06-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

i won't even pretend to play catch up or explain our long absence in posting here. LIFE happens and we happily greet each day we've been given. there are, however, a few things that must be said...

1) we are expecting our son, jude william, to arrive in the next 4 weeks or so. BIG NEWS - but hopefully all of you who read this blog already knew that! we will make a better effort at posting pics of him (and ani, of course) after we meet him. can't wait to see his face!!!

2) will and i were baptized this past easter sunday (yes, that was in april). we need to record that here. it was a BIG day for both of us, many years in the making. for will, it had long been a desire to have his dad baptize him. and as steve and suzanne had just moved to the area (yea!) in the weeks before, the timing was perfect. for me, it has been a slow road of processing.

we were "baptized" as children who professed Jesus as God's son. will is confident that he did not actually encounter the Living God until he was 16 years old on a men's retreat with his dad. then he was intentionally discipled by a mature believer beginning his freshmen year of college.

i did not come to know my great need of Lord Jesus until i was 25, while living with a grieving widow. it was in those days i submitted my life to Christ and began to walk by His Spirit. i have wrestled for the past 6 years with how to explain the 18 years that passed between my childhood confession and adult conversion, but the fruit of repentance and obedience has been so different from my fleshly pattern of pride and self-sufficiency that i am now glad to be obedient in baptism.

it is significant to us that this is seen as our authentic baptism and not a "re-baptism" or "re-dedication." it is not as if the power of the Spirit was not sufficient on the first try! we are walking this way for the first time.

3) my uncle, lloyd legg, has battled a terminal diagnosis of cancer for the past 7 years (renal cell carcinoma). he has walked in perseverance and trust for all this time and was perfectly healed by the Lord on june 12. we gratefully stand as witnesses to his days on this earth and to the LIFE he now lives - "for that which was mortal has been swallowed up by Life." (2Cor 5:4) in his devotional book on july 26, 2007 he wrote, "the Lord has filled my cup, i'll drink it. the Lord has set the distance of my race, i'll run it." please Lord, may we be found faithful in this day and trust You in all things. saints who read this, remember his wife, Janet and children, Jeff, Allison and Hannah and approach the mercy seat for them.

jeff, allison, hannah, aunt janet & uncle lloyd - thanksgiving 09

PARTY!

2009-09-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

well, it was a party worthy of the BIG occasion. can't wait for next year!

this is ani's DELIGHTED response to everyone singing "happy birthday."
the girl LOVES a good song.

wasn't totally sure what do do with the cake, but she caught on...

zoe KNOWS what to do with cake!

more, please?

on the move.

BESTIES!

it was SO great to watch them play together - what a gift!

happy birthday sweet ani! and thanks to everyone who celebrated with us - those who were at our house and those who wish they could be...
WE LOVE YOU ALL!

ANI IS ONE YEAR OLD!!!

2009-09-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

here is a "short" list of all the things i love about ani...

1. her "alto" voice. she has had a deep voice since her first cries in the hospital. this adorable trait also translates to her laughter - LOVE IT.

2. she curls her toes under just like her daddy! this can make it difficult to put shoes on her feet, but still, delightful!

3. when she is concentrating she sticks her tongue out - like her mommy.

4. she gets really excited when we go to get her up from a nap - particularly to see cliff - who she always looks for and waves "hello."

5. ani's favorite books are "mr. brown can moo!" and "the very busy spider" - both are filled with animal sounds and other onomatopoetic words. she clicks her tongue every time we get to the hand knocking on the door.

6. she dances to whatever music we have playing, but her favorite is Pablo Casals' recording of Bach's cello suites.

7. whenever she enters a room that has a picture of will in, she never fails to point "da-da" out.

8. she has discovered "social" laughter. when will and i laugh at one another, ani joins in. the best part is, it is not her "real" laugh, but a manufactured fake laugh. TOO FUNNY.

9. she LOVES to see other children. she usually sees them coming before i do and begins to bounce with excitement.

10. because of the bird mobile that hangs above her bed, she refers to everything that is hanging from the ceiling as "bir(d)" - ceiling fan, chandelier, posters in restaurants. only once has she actually pointed out a real bird.

she is growing (now 18 lb, 12 oz and 29+ inches tall), and learning and getting stronger every day. i am thrilled to spend each day with her and be a witness to her life. thank you God for anabelle faber!!!

ps - the party is this saturday, so we'll post more birthday related photos then. these were taken by our friend whitney and were just TOO cute not to share!

8 MONTHS!

2009-05-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

well, today the girl is 8 months old. STATS for the record: she is 8 inches longer than when she was born and 8 pounds heavier. her first tooth (bottom rt)has broken through and i think the next one is on the way. having mastered sitting up, she can now launch herself from your lap (if you aren't paying attention), army crawl across the floor, and is an accomplished eater of "solid" foods. just no bananas, please!
i have been watching her development and marveling. here's what i have learned in this season of extreme growth: there is GOOD reason the Lord describes our regeneration as the "new birth," or why Paul and Peter refer to young believers as infants. right now Ani's desire, her want to, her appetite for the "new" is voracious. but it consistently outreaches her ability, her will do, her answers for the "new." i have sat there as a believer: in the place of "the willing is present, but the doing of the good is not." (romans7:18) oh, but wait for tomorrow. i do not know what day Ani will crawl, or walk!!! but i do know if she persists she is one day closer to learning what she desires to know. this is the "law of development." unhindered and healthy - growth is inevitable.

"let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and now is seated at the right hand of God. for consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." heb 12:1-3

in other news: our niece emma joy is 7 years old!!! we were so grateful to get to celebrate with her in a special way this year. as she is now a "reader" and a big fan of the "american girl" books, jen and kolby decided to surprise her with a doll of her own. "delight" does not begin to describe her response. she thought her sisters and mom had traveled to TX for an impromptu girls weekend to celebrate mother's day. as we headed out from mimi and papa's house her biggest wish was for some lemon drops and (fingers crossed) a chocolate milkshake. but as we drove up to THE store she said, "why does that sign say American Girl?" (i told you she was a reader). mania ensued as her mama explained the REAL plan for the day. here are some pics of that special weekend...

joy overflowing.

(and chocolate milkshakes too!!!)

yes, it was a happy mother's day...

six months and sitting up!

2009-03-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

today is ani's six month doctor appt - lots of shots!!! :(
her actual half birthday was last saturday (her aunt lezlie's birthday). she is becoming MUCH more mobile and is delighted by every new noise, sight, and even taste. i think she is beginning to get the hang of solid foods - applesauce being the favorite. our favorite new development is her laugh - it is a great spontaneous giggle (a little horse sounding) that thrills us to no end. we are trying to capture this on video and if/when we succeed it will appear on this blog. here are some of her best pics this past month...

"i'll do it myself!"

"what happened?"

"i'm warning you - get back mom!"

"look what i can do!!!"

"this is my first bath in the tub - don't you wish you had a cool duck like me?"

a lot.

2009-01-21T10:29:00.001-08:00

ani is growing and changing so quickly - i don't feel like we have adequately documented in this blog. so here's my best attempt at catching you up on the last quarter of her life (she's 4 months now, so you do the math!)

BFFs

the biggest hit this Christmas was her new mobile.
hours of entertainment.

with aunt keelie - pretty great.

ani with uncle pete
i like how tiny she looks here

ani's first Christmas book from Mimi
(not actually, now that i think about it - she gave us Santa Mouse before Ani was even on the faber radar!)

poppy and his newest girl

watching President Obama's inauguration

yep, she can wink atcha' - pretty talented.

our "official" family pic

"unofficial" family pic

in other faber-redfearn news... ed and lori are official. their wedding was a beautiful day. we know the best is yet to come.

new sister!!!

newlywedded bliss

mr. king's remembrance...

2009-01-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

this martin luther king, jr. day I did something i have never done. i watched his "dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln memorial on the day the civil rights movement marched on washington.
yesterday, i asked my dad if he thought there was or could be a "politician" in our day whose heart is wholly the Lord's (as the prophet (and politician) Daniel was). today, i am hopeful that the Lord can raise up such a one, a man who cares more for the Lord's approval than man's. will you please join me in praying for such a leader? i hope you will have time to listen to this sometime today...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk

also read daniel 6

1It seemed good to King Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, 2and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. 3Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.
4Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5Then these men said, "We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God."
6Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: "King Darius, live forever! 7"All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den. 8"Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked." 9Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

10Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. 11Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.
12Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction, "Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?" The king replied, "The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked." 13Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day." 14Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. 15Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed."

16Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you." 17A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. 18Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.

19Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den. 20When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" 21Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! 22"My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime."
23Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 25Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: "May your peace abound!
26"I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel;
For He is the living God and enduring forever,
And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed,
And His dominion will be forever.
27"He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."

28So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

with all that, let me make it clear - my hope is in Jesus. my citizenship is first and foremost to His Kingdom. no politician can "fix" the problems we see in our nation or our world. but let us be women and men who cause others to recognize and praise the power of the Living God. let us be careful to be found innocent before Him.

"the vision is yet for the appointed time. though it taries, wait for it. it will surely come." even so, COME LORD JESUS.

30!

2008-12-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

i am 30! this year has been an UNBELIEVABLE blessing to our family. our daughter joined us - we moved into our first house - our brother is bringing a new girl into the family via marriage next week - our friends have been exceedingly generous with us - our God has proven His faithfulness again and again. WE LOVE HIM - and we love you.

on my 29th birthday He spoke Psalm 87:7, "all my springs of joy are in You" as a present for my 30th year. He has given us much to be joyful about this year, and also we have met many challenges and griefs. but this remains constant as His Word - He is my spring of joy overflowing. i know He delights in me just as i delight in my own daughter. may this year bring you the same joy.

here are some pictures of the party my family put together for the BIG day... SURPRISE!!!

and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

ANI'S PHOTOSHOOT!

2008-11-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

will's friend, chad davis (www.chaddavisphoto.com), took these pictures of anabelle. they are priceless to us and we are trying hard not to let our house become a "shrine" to our daughter - but seriously, how do you choose just one picture for your wall!

sept 21 - ani's day

2008-09-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

ani has arrived and she couldn't be more perfect. she came at 9:52 pm at 7 lbs. 12 oz and she was 20.5" long. her feet are off-the-charts big! (a song we wrote for ani)

joy is my hero as she spent the better part of 19 hours in labor. she never gave up nor did she regret her circumstances. amazing! she has a few weeks of recovering to do, but we're getting MAJOR help from family and friends.

praises to the LORD on high for allowing me to come home with a healthy wife and a healthy daughter!

at last, the nursury is complete!

2008-09-01T17:41:00.001-07:00

Joy and I finished up the nursury this afternoon by hanging the crate and barrel picture shelves. They were very easy to hang and we recommend them to anyone and everyone! The ONLY thing missing now is little belle. The doc said she's a few weeks ahead of schedule, so she'll be here by September 22 at the latest! YES! Evidently she got her poppa's head (scottish accent), so please pray for an 'easy' delivery for Joy. Her feet and hands are way swollen and she can't wait to sleep on her tummy again.

"step by step"

2008-08-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

our mom faber, nonnie to ani, made a wonderful discovery a couple years ago of a company named "uppercase living." they make these great banners that rub-on to any surface. we have our family verse on the wall in our room and now this wonderfully sweet wisdom from dr. seuss in ani's room. the nursery is coming together and we are counting the days 'til her anticipated arrival (28)!!!

ani's crib

2008-08-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

our sweet friend, peggy morris, crafted this wonderful bedding for anabelle. putting this on her crib made things even more real... 7 weeks now!

ani and the whos from who-ston

2008-07-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

our sweet friends threw a party for ani this past weekend. in attendance were heath+amber haynes, crystal newsom, scher'ry lindley, roy+debbie duke, cody+shana albert, kyle+sam larocque, trent+jen abbott, scott+melissa brignac, and the star of the festivities - baby jenna brignac. we had a great time laughing, eating and praying together. thank You God for friends who we love like family.

incredible decorations - thanks to "roots"

dr. seuss decorations

party scene

oh dear.

veterans. right boys?

surely these will come in handy - for joy

rockin' awesome 'one'sies

anabelle already has her own fashion line

seriously. that's some sharp apparel

baby papasan = nap time (hopefully)

Ani's room...

2008-06-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

well, the "nesting" phase has hit our household full force. joy had a doctor's appointment Thursday where he casually announced "15 weeks" until due date. now, we both knew this fact in some subconscious way, but somehow for joy it seemed way too short a time before our daughter's arrival. the result: will made a 3D model of the nursery plan to assure his wife it would be what they envisioned and painted the room this weekend. 3 cheers for will! here is the plan and the painted room...

anabelle

2008-05-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

we had our "fancy" sonogram this week to investigate further the spot on Ani's heart. here she is waving at you and saying, "i'm fine! now, let me go back to sleep." when the doc found the spot a couple weeks ago he let us know it could be a marker for several different diseases. in our visit with the specialist we investigated every little part of her: the length of her limbs, the skin at the base of her neck, the size and shape of her head, the insertion point for her umbilical cord, blood/nutrient flow in her body, brain shape... i can say i have seen every inch of her and she IS growing in health and wholeness as we have asked the Lord together. BUT here is the jaw dropping, awesome truth. that doctor and i are not the first to see her with this detail. the Lord God, our Maker, already knows her intimately.

Psalm 139:13-17

You formed my inward parts;

You wove me together in my mother's womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

And in Your book were written the days that were ordained for me, when yet there was not one of them.

How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How vast the sum of them!

we are praising God for this truth today as it touches our daughter. thank you for praying with us.

2008-05-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

IT'S A GIRL!!!

we were totally surprised by this news this morning, and totally grateful! it was amazing to meet our daughter. we saw her yawn as she woke up - the sonogram lady was pressing pretty hard on mommy's belly - i think that might wake anyone! she had her legs crossed - very lady like - so it took a while to determine our girl is a girl. here's her first glamour shot... ps - the doc saw a white spot on her heart and we will be doing some follow-up tests to rule some things out. please pray with us that she will continue to develop in wholeness and health.

2008-04-10T13:23:00.001-07:00

Since you can't all drop by for a visit today, here's a window into our new home. Will has been very productive with the paintbrush and new set of powertools (thanks Uncle Ron!). Joy has mostly pointed out where heavy things belong and hung some pictures on the walls. We have a very lovely guestroom and look forward to sharing it with you soon in person.

2008-04-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

the famous "flower wall" has disappeared

don't the couches look nice with the green?

new kitchen color (was all white with pink drapes!)

joy's favorite "room" is this reading nook

our room BEFORE... all purple, even the ceiling!

and AFTER... see how the purple would not have worked?!?

your guestroom awaits!

UNFOLDING CHAPTERS

2008-02-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

In the last few weeks we have discovered that we will be moving, we will be buying a house, and most importantly, we will be changing diapers! Incredible!

We've started this blog to try to keep everyone informed of our latest adventures. We're hoping to close on the house on February 27 and the baby should be here around September! Needless to say, Cliff is in for a rude awakening!