Time flies when you're having fun!

So, I never seem to blog when I really want to, something always seems to come up.

Well and update on Noah James...He is now 8 months and a week and he is a little monkey. He climbs up on everything, is crawling like a mad man, and even can go up the stairs!!!(scary I know) He has 5 teeth!!! He is drooling like crazy. I have met some AMAZING mommies through a mommy group here in Vegas and seriously they have made me life here so much fun! Noah and I have 1st birthday parties every weekend it seems. I love it!!! Tomorrow is Halloween and we have a mommy mixer Halloween party at 1pm and then we have Vanessa's 1st birthday party, then Tara and I with our baby boys who have become our best buddies are going to pass out candy. Malachi is Tara's son and Gabe is her husband. BJ, Noah and I do dinner and play dates with them about 3 times a week! It is awesome to have made such an amazing family that we all get along! I met Tara at church when the boys were 3 months, Malachi and Noah are 18 days apart! Tara and I both played softball and BJ and Gabe are like the same person it is scary! haha! We love just hanging out with them. We feel blessed to have them in our lives.

Anyway. Halloween is tomorrow and Noah is going to be a skunk! I cannot wait to post pictures of him! He and two other little boys from my mommy group are going to be skunks so we will for sure have the 3 skunketers! =) I will post pictures ASAP.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

LOVE, The Warren's

Michaelmas Day

Yesterday on September 29th it was Michaelmas, the Christian feast of St Michael the Archangel. Michaelmas is traditionally the last day of the harvest season which began at Lammas on 1st August. Lammas means 'loaf Mass' and in the past farmers would make loaves of bread from their new wheat crops to take to church. Loaves are still made for Harvest Festivals today though much of our wheat is now imported. Michaelmas used to be known as 'Goose Day' and Goose Fairs were held in towns all around England.
In centuries gone by, when times were hard, a special meal of goose would be served on this day and there was an old saying associated with the custom.
'He who eats goose on Michaelmas Day shan't money lack or debts to pay.'

BJ and I have never heard of this day, however we are up to try anything to not have finanical worries for our whole year. So, we dined with some friends and ate some goose, which actually tasted pretty good. In view of the current economic climate perhaps our government should have all eaten goose yesterday!

Being 27

My 27th Birthday celebrations!!!!

Our Family at the UNLV football game

I am 27!

The group on another birthday celebration

Noah giving his mommy a birthday card
Candice, me and Natalie on my actual 27th birthday!


So the past two weeks has been a celebration of my 27th birthday and today I am feeling 27!!! haha! I have been on the go for the past two weeks and I have not actually gone out like I have been in a very long time. BJ and I are learning new tricks every time we go out with Noah and how to handle things. Let me brag for a moment about my husband, he is truly the greatest husband ever and the best daddy Noah and I could ever ask for! He will wake up early and play with Noah and let me sleep. He plays with him, feeds him, he even changes poopy diapers and I am not talking about just a little one but HUGE BIG MESSES, he doesn't even wake me up to help anymore! He will wear Noah in our Bjorn and take Noah into the men's restroom and change his diaper regardless of what any other man says to him. I have never seen a father so involved in his child's life. He makes me smile! Knowing I have a wonderful husband that treats me well, but an AMAZING dad to Noah makes me love him that much more. It has been an awesome 7 months of our lives. Noah has made both of us into better adults. We feel that we owe our parents a huge thank you for teaching us how to love each other and how to be good parents simply by their good examples. So THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!


My 27th Birthday has been a wonderful one! I got everything my little heart wanted and more!


Natalie came and visited us for 3 days which was so much fun. On my actual birthday BJ took me, Natalie, Candice, Chloe and Noah all out to CPK for lunch. They all went in and got me my jogger! Then for dinner BJ made a homemade BBQ sauce that was so yummy and glazed Salmon and grilled it with veggies and rice and garlic brad to complete our meal. Oh once again I felt like a lucky woman to have such a loving and caring husband. Yes, ladies my husband cooks for me too! =)


Then a continuation of my birthday Cindy, Brandon, Ashley, Nick, Joby and Kristine all came out from California to celebrate with me. Our good friends Gabe and Tara and their son Malachi (we met them here at church) came to dinner with all of us on Friday to a wonderful Italian restaurant called Batista's, my dad and mom love this place, it was so much fun to have a good group of friends out here to celebrate with me again! Tara and Gabe offered to take Noah home and put him to sleep and let BJ and I have a night out, which was awesome. We had so much fun. It was nice to know that we could still be a fun couple to go out, but we did miss Noah so we did not stay out too long! haha! Then on Saturday we went to the MGM pool and took Noah in and Tara came with Malachi which again we all had a blast. Then we went to the Kings game at MGM, they lost but the game was so much fun! There were 4 fights, 2 ejections, and we went into Overtime and shootout! All and all my birthday month has been so much fun. I couldn't ask for a better life! I am very blessed! Thank you all!

Update!

Well Well Well...most of you are probably feeling like I forgot all about my blog, which is not true, I just have not had a whole lot of time to write. I am sure most of you who know me know that my Aunt Adele was diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain Cancer. I have come to try and find out who exactly Laurel Kay Asbury-Warren is after finding out this news. I have really started to look at who I am and who I want people to remember me as. And I really hope that I have and will put some kind of good image in all of your hearts! I try my best to be the best wife, mother, sister, daughter, grand-daughter, cousin, niece, friend to all. My life is simple. I know I am here on Earth to make other's smile. I am here to be an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a smile to laugh with, and I have a heart of gold! I will do anything for the one's I love. Please keep your prayers going for my Aunt! The power of prayer is AMAZING!

So, you all probably are like yea yea yea Lo, what we really want to know is how the cutest baby in the world is doing? =) Well...Noah is doing fantastic! He is now 6 1/2 months old! He loves to smile and laugh! He plays all day long with Mommy and Daddy. He truly is the best baby. He has started to crawl so watch out! He is even pulling himself up and standing while holding onto things. We had to lower his crib to the lowest setting so he wouldn't climb out. He is going to be a climber like his mom! =) I use to climb out of my crib in the middle of the night and explore the house. haha! I am involved in a mommy group and Noah is the only 6 month old crawling. He was keeping up with the 10 month old in our group! I felt like I have the smart kid in class. =)

Noah is also eating solids! Well that's what you call it, but basically baby mush is what it is. He loves sweet peas, squash, green beans, carrots, pears (that was a new one just today). He really didn't like bananas which I found strange because who doesn't like bananas? He is eating sooo much! He is always hungry, that he takes after his daddy! =)

We got season tickets to UNLV football and last Saturday was our first game. We took Noah with us and he did great! We stayed until the middle of the 4th quarter. Noah slept the whole 3rd quarter! I was very surprised with all the noise that he could sleep.

We are still living in Las Vegas and I don't think we have plans anytime soon to move back. It has its ups and downs living so far away from family. But for now we are enjoying life and loving watching Noah grow up.

Also, Noah's girlfriend was born on Aug. 26, 2008! Chloe Mae Keck! 6 pounds 1 oz. 18in.

Candice had to have an emergency c-section after Chloe's heart rate jumped to 240! All the doctors and nurses say they have never seen a baby's heart rate jump so high, so we praise God she is good and healthy! She is so cute! She will be 2 weeks old on Tuesday! Candice is doing very well after her c-section, I am impressed! Noah already gets so concerned when he hears her cry. It is so cute! He is going to be such a good big brother someday! (don't worry not anytime soon, Mom) haha!

Trails and Tribulations

"Why does God allow us to go through trials and tribulations?"

One of the most difficult parts of life is the fact that becoming a disciple of Christ does not make us immune to life's trials and tribulations. Why would a good and loving God allow us to go through such hard times? Surely, if He loved us, He would take all these things away from us. After all, doesn't loving us mean He wants our lives to be easy and comfortable? Well, no, it doesn't. The Bible clearly teaches that God loves those who are His children and He "works all things together for good" for us (Romans 8:28). So that must mean that the trials and tribulations He allows in our lives are part of the working together of all things for good. Therefore, all trials and tribulations must have a divine purpose.

As in all things, God's ultimate purpose for us is to grow more and more into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). The trials and tribulations, is designed to enable us to reach that goal. It is part of the process of sanctification; that is, being set apart for God's purposes and fitted to live for His glory. The way the trials accomplish this is explained in 1 Peter 1:6-7: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." The true believer's faith will be made sure by the trials we experience so that we can rest in the knowledge that it is real and will last forever.

Trials develop godly character, and that enables us to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:3-5). Jesus Christ set the perfect example. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). These verses point out aspects of His divine purpose for both Jesus Christ's trials and tribulations and ours. Persevering proves our faith. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

At the same time, we must be careful never to make excuses for our "trials and tribulations" if they are a result of our own wrongdoing. "By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler" (1 Peter 4:15). God will forgive our sins because the eternal punishment for them has been paid by Christ's sacrifice on the cross. However, we still have to suffer the natural consequences in this life for our sins and bad choices. But God uses even those sufferings to mold and shape us for His purposes and our ultimate good.

Trials and tribulations come with both a purpose and a reward. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:2-4,12).

Through all of life's trials and tribulations, we have the victory. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ." These verses encourage us to see that although we are in a spiritual battle, Satan has no authority over the believer in Christ. God has given us His Word to guide us, His Holy Spirit to enable us, and the privilege of coming to Him anywhere, at any time, to pray about ANYTHING. He has also assured us that no trial will test us beyond our ability to bear it, and "he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

ONE YEAR!

Well, BJ and I have now been married for one year a a day! And what an amazing year it has been! We found out on July 1, 2007 we were having a baby! In August we were still in shock, but were excited to tell all of our friends and family. September came along and my birthday was not quit the same as it had been in the past years. I actually celebrated being 26 and not 21. haha! October was filled with trips to California, I was dead set on moving back by the time we had Noah. November was our first Thanksgiving away from our family, kind of a rough one! December, things were starting to get easier living here. We made some great friends at church and started keeping ourselves busy with activities here in Vegas. Christmas was an exciting time, thinking about what Christmas will be like the next year with a little one around. January, we moved into our house we are renting from the Rizzi's and things started to look brighter for me in Vegas. I came to the realization that if I want to stay at home with my kids there is no way we could afford to move back to California and understood that I am now going to be a mother and knew I had to be strong with my decisions. We even had to find a new doctor at 32 weeks!!!! But found out it was a blessing that I did. I absolutely love my doctor! The end of January and beginning of February were filled with doctor appointments and the excitement was in the air with getting ready for our baby boy. On February 25, 2007 at 12:15pm we were bless with our baby boy Noah James Warren! On his Daddy's 26th birthday! We could not have become a happier family! We felt very blessed to have a healthy baby boy! March and April were filled with lots of visitors, family and friends coming to greet Noah! In March we were hit with tragedy, but have been able to grieve with the help of knowing we have a baby boy that counts on us to be strong for him. (Thank you to all our family and friends who supported us through that time.)

May came and went just as fast as the other months. More friends came to visit, old friendships were renewed, and I have never been happier in my entire life! "They" say the first year of marriage is the hardest, and you know, we had our moments, but I would say to who ever "they" are, "they" never married their perfect match! BJ and I just go together. We complement each other. We are in it forever and always, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health...We are shake and bake!

Mother's Day and beyond...

Mother's Day 2008 = AMAZING!!!!

So I have not been on in awhile to update...so let me update you all on what us Warren family have been up to. Well my first Mother's Day was AMAZING!!! My mom and dad, BJs mom and dad, and Brandon and Cindy all came out from California to come to Noah's dedication at church. It was awesome. Candice and her whole family were there too! We chose Brandon Grenert and Candice Keck as Noah's godparents, we don't recognize godparents in our church, but BJ and I wanted to ask two very special people and close to us to be his godparents, to basically be there for Noah throughout his entire life. We thought long and hard about who we were going to ask and we think we chose to pretty inportant people in our lives as well as Noah's.

So After church, we went over to the Rizzi's house and had a BBQ. I took Noah in the pool for the first time! Going into the pool was really funny because the last step of the Rizzi's pool is a lot larger then the other two steps so when I stepped down I practically dunked Noah! Not really, but pretty darn close! After everyone got their laughs in, Noah really enjoyed the water. We stayed in for about 8min. After the pool we ate some lunch and just hang out. It was a very fun day. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful parents and in-laws!

Beyond....So this week, Noah has found his fingers and hands. It is so awesome watching him discover new things! He also can grab things into his hand and shake it. He is tugging on my hair and daddy's necklace that he always wears. He also is holding his head up at about a 45 degree angle sometimes it gets even higher!

To say the least we are all doing very well. We are enjoying every moment of our lives with Noah and one another.

This weekend my best friend from college is here with her boyfriend. So tonight Cara, Brian, Noah and I all went to visit BJ at work. We ate dinner and had a great time! Tomorrow I am going to to dinner again with Cara and Brian but leaving Noah with his godmother/Auntie Candice! It will be the first time Noah will be watched by a non-blood relative. The first time was BJ and I went to HOB and Grandma Cheri and Grandpa Darryl watched Noah. So we shall see how things go. I am sure it will all be fine.

Until next time...Warren Family out...