Almost Summer

Friends and Fam,
YES... it's been a few days since we last added things to this little website of ours. We've been busy, but No excuses. Carson is huge. The boy never stops to amaze us. He's sitting up and wanting to stand, laughing, jabbering. So, hopefully pictures are worth a few thousand words, since that's what you've really been waiting for:)

Long... Time

Hey everyone! I understand if none of you check this page anymore, obviously "updating this page" was not one of my new year's resolutions. Well, all is well here. Carson grows at the speed of "Fast". He comes up with something new every week. A few pics and video will hopefully demonstrate that. Something exciting that has recently happened for our little church is the possibility of streaming our services LIVE on Sunday mornings and then recording them for later viewing as well - it's neat. check it our some time:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/centerpointe-weekly-service


http://picasaweb.google.com/benstaver1/BigBoy

Carson - LIVE

Of course, everyone knows that babies grow and change so quickly... well, we're trying to catch those moments and savor them. So, we decided to let the man speak for himself, he's got alot to say, sometimes. Watching him discover himself and everything around him is awesome.
REDEFINING "CUTE"

FLIPPIN'

CHILLIN'

FLIPPIN' Again

DEEP

DEEPER (for a while he w9ould stop his jabbering whenI would whip out the camera, so I was trying for the sneak attack shot)

Year of Firsts

Of course, everyone that has kids can resonate with this thought... "Oh, it's his first (fill in the blank)...". So, that's what we're up to these days:). Carson is doing great, he is 14 weeks this week - seems impossible. He's growing and changing continually. I have to reminded once in a while that this is our child, we are parents; it all seems quite surreal still. He is doing a great job at "trying" to hold his head up, it's still a bit heavy for him.
Stacey and I are doing well - thanks to mom and dad Gordon we've beenable to get out on a few dates already. We often talk about keeping our relationship fresh even though our lives have changed with the arrival of the boy. We're loving being parents and experiencing this new chapter together.
Ok, here's my music recommendation for this time. By the way, for those of you who may not know me quite as well, I enjoy a wide variety of music; but I'm a big fan of the christian music scene, especially because it has gained some amazing artists in the last few years. I got this album in September, these guys are Shane and Shane, and the album is called Pages. These guys have deep and rich lyrics, awesome harmonies and a mellow/inspiring sound.

http://myspace.com/shaneandshane
http://www.shaneandshane.com/2.0/

Firsts

Autumnity.

Well, time flies when you're having fun, hence the the amount of time its taken to post more for all to see. Carson is doing great - getting huge. He will be 12 weeks on Wednesday the 31st, and he is fitting in 3 - 6 months clothes. He makes us laugh and smile every day.

We are enjoying our mild Fall in Buffalo. Busy with life, work, church, and friends and fam, but trying to make the most of each day! Well, I've decided to include in this blog my recommendation of music, each time I post something. Not that any of you actually care - but music is a huge part of my life, so I feel led to share:). This time, I was just introduced to a newer worship band... who have inspired me in the last couple weeks, they are called "Fee" - http://www.myspace.com/stevefee

12 Weeks Strong

love y'all

All getting older

Today is the last day of the summer. That means that Carson is a bit over 6 weeks old, Stacey just turned 27 and I am still 25, for a few days:). Carson has been changing every single day, it seems. Losing his hair from front to back, starting to "talk", and entertain himself with his flailing arms are a few things that we've been enjoying watch happen with our little friend. Life in general is about the same, although, everything is a bit different with a baby. We look forward each day to watch God's continuous plans unfold for us. As most of you know, my passion has become music, in the last couple of years; between leading music at our church and writing some of my own - I'm excited to see how God will choose to use me. Although this is has never been my ultimate goal, I have been encouraged to look into recording the songs that I have written, which is a new venture... In all of this, you can please pray that God would show us the path that He would want us to take - and that we might have eyes to see the doors that will open before us. My dad once said (dad, you probably don't exactly remember this) - My paraphrase: You are the most fulfilled and happy when you've followed God's leading in your life. I guess that means that you have to first listen and have Faith! Stacey is a natural at being a mom (nice transition, huh?). Even though we have now known each other for 6 years, it was hard for me to imagine her as a mother. To literally spend 24 hours a day with an infant is something, but to watch her love and care for Carson over and over again ,in the way that she does, has impressed me. This new chapter in our lives is such an exciting one. Ok, this resembles something more like a e-mail - so we shall now come to a close. Hope to talk to you all soon.

Carson 6 weeks

1 whole month old!

Our baby boy has been with us for exactly one month, 4 weeks that is. He's enjoying alot of first time stuff - like walks and baths and meeting all kinds of people. He's starting to make little goo ga'ing noises:). We're having an awesome time figuring him out and getting to know him.

Carson Cole2