Thursday, August 29, 2013

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Fifteen Years

 1998
 
 1999
 
 2000
 
 2001
 
(Apparently, we didn't pose for any photos in 2002...If you have one of us, let me know!)
 
 2003
 
 2004
 
 2005
 
 2006
 
 2007
 
 2008
 
 2009
 
 2010
 
 2011
 
2012
 
August 15, 2013
 
Fifteen years married.  We've uncovered a lot of faults.  Faced hard times.  Been thrown a few curveballs.  Have known uncountable blessings.  Fifteen years ago, we were young and in love and ready to soar together.  Today, our love is deeper and richer, and he can still make me soar.


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Happy 10th Birthday, Ethan!



THE TOP TEN THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT ETHAN

10) His Awesome Hair
---Who doesn't love to run their hands over a buzzed head?  (And his curls are pretty sweet, too!)

9) His Intrigue About Things Mechanical or Construction-Oriented
---If you can build it or fix it with assorted tools that might be carried in a tough looking box...or if you drive it and it has lots of levers, Ethan is probably interested.  If there is a small plumbing/construction/electrical/demolition, etc. project around the house, Ethan is the one to call to give you a hand!

8) His Giggle
---Uncontainable silly delight...sometimes, I'm jealous...

7) His Amazing Story Comprehension Skills
---I am sure that Ethan has saved the other three Tapper kids hundreds of times during post-Bible-reading question periods.  He has exceptional listening skills when it comes to narratives, also a tremendous ability to recap what he has heard in his own words.  Although academic reading and writing have brought considerable challenge for Ethan, this is where he really shines!

6) His Inability to Hold a Grudge
---Smiles just slip out on the boy while he is trying to be upset about something.  It's very cute!

5) His Quick, Dry Wit
---Ethan is the king of the deadpan expression while delivering the most ridiculous responses.  Spend any length of time around him, and he's sure to pull one on you :)

4) His Willingness to Sacrifice to Help Others
---With his super-sensitive abilities, Ethan often detects undercurrents of others' frustration or longing.  When this radar is working well, his response is almost always self-sacrifice to meet the other's needs.  He is wonderfully generous individual who generally holds his own possessions very lightly.

3) His Ripped Body
---Zero body fat.  Crazy abdominals.  Everything pops.  One tight little package.

2) His Great Hugs
---Ethan's hugs are never one-armed, half-hearted affairs.  At 10 years, he is still all-in. 

1) His Courage
---John Wayne said, "Courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway."  Harper Lee defined courage this way: "Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what."  Finally, Clare Boothe Luce suggested, "Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount."  As Ethan matures, I watch his external anxiety become less and less visible.  I know he still fights it, but, yes!--he certainly is a tough little fighter.  And I am so eager to see how that courageous spirit will enable other virtues to blossom in his life.

Welcome to the double digits, buddy!  We love you so much!!!

Friday, August 9, 2013

Team Tapper Summer Camping Adventure 2013


Most likely to forget the camera on several occasions of this trip: ME!  (But I still have lots to share!)  Here's a few highlights of our memories of the Team Tapper Summer Camping Adventure 2013...
 
Most likely to burn marshmallows: Andrew
 
Most likely to be a sticky mess after making and eating s'mores: Abby and Jadon
 
Most likely to demand that I take pictures of the bunnies that were everywhere at French Creek State Park: Abby
 
Most likely to pose for a pic with Rocky: Jadon



 
Most likely to spank a tree: Abby

Most likely to climb on top of the van: Ethan and Jadon
 
 
Most likely to buy the T-shirt: Andrew
 
Most likely to say "Sight &Sound Noah was the best show ever!": Andrew, Ethan, Abby, and Jadon
About Noah(picture taken from Sight&Sound website)
 
Most likely to snuggle with Dad to fall asleep: Abby
 
Most likely to wander off with curiosity at the National Aquarium: Ethan
 
Most likely to wipe out on his bike in the hills of Patapsco Valley State Park: Andrew (see knee!)





 
Most likely to get lost in the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial: Abby
 




Most likely to ask a thousand questions about swans in hotels or George Washington or any other random topic at any given time: Jadon
 
 
Most likely to brave the waves at Cape Henlopen State Park: Andrew and Abby (and Mom!)
 

Most likely to prefer to hang out in the sand: Ethan and Jadon (and Dad!)
 
 
Most likely to write love messages in the sand: Jadon

 
I hope we remember all the fun of this family vacation forever!