Christmas in Kansas

Our first Christmas in Kansas & we went out to hunt and chop down our Christmas tree - one of our few traditions in the Ciccone household. When low and behold we brought home a Christmas tree from the tree farm that was shipped there from Michigan! What are the odds?

Here we are: Tim, Caleb, Maria, Laurey Kiehne (our nanny) and Josiah

Caleb's highlight of the trip was the Big horse

and Little horse he befriended. Much to Caleb's dismay we kept him on our side of the fence. Caleb was convinced that he could and should go into the field with the horses. He did not learn this from his mom, that's for sure! It felt really good to do something ordinary to kick off our Christmas celebrating.

The boys at our Church's spontaneous Christmas Pageant.

Daddy and Caleb showing off their new Rattoos according to Caleb! Thanks Lisa...

Josiah showing us his 4 teeth.

Josiah and Gramma Darsie at Gramma Pam's

Here we are...in Kansas

Many of you have been waiting to see exactly "where" we are living in Kansas. Well, our address is 7942 Reinhardt Lane, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208, but more importantly, here are a few pictures of the "little yellow house" God has blessed us with for the time being.

When I, Maria, was in Kansas back in October, looking for where we might live, this house was brought to my attention as a possibility. A woman in the church had passed away and left this house in her estate, to the church, but the person who told us about the house said, "I've been in there and you'd never want to live there". I guess it was pretty run down, but alls I heard was it was 1.8 miles from church!

We were trying to find something rent/lease to own, or just rent until our house in Michigan sold. The Realtor I was with that day, drove Josiah and I over to this house and walked through with us. It has just been remodeled on the inside, since the previous renters moved out & is located 1.8 miles from church. It is in a quiet neighborhood, on the sidewalk side of the street and the neighbors we have met are great. We are very thankful for God's timing in the completion of this house and the open ended time frame we have to stay here. Did I mention it's cheaper than any 1 bedroom apartment in our area? God is certainly amazing and we thank and praise him for giving us such a wonderful gift and opportunity to be close to church, parks, shopping, etc... And always room for visitors - this time it was cousins!

The house has everything we need and enough space to have fun! Super Caleb and Motorin' Josiah have found their favorite places to play and haven't seemed to miss a beat.

See You in Kansas soon, we hope!

Happy Halloween

What a great Halloween Night! The weather was perfect fall conditions and the boys were ready to go.

Caleb has been asking if it's time to go trick or treating for the past 3 days. He usually wakes up about 6 am to go potty and the first words out of his mouth, while half asleep, is 'time to go trick or treating, mom'. Quite funny, even at 6 am.


The little Itsy Bitsy Spider Man and the cute little Bumble Bee headed off to the neighborhood in their little red wagon. Big tall daddy pulled their chariot, as mom followed along and documented the event.



The neighbors were excited to see our little spidey and bee. Caleb did a great job getting lots of treats and no tricks!

Daddy taught Caleb how to 'sort' his candy! Oh how I remember the days of waiting for it to get dark enough to head out for the loot, then sorting it when we got home! We had a great time together as a family.

Happy Adoption Day, Josiah

It's official...we are the parents of Josiah Timothy Ciccone and he really is Josiah Timothy Ciccone! The last step of our adoption process with Josiah is complete. We were joined today at the Muskegon Courthouse by our friends, Russ & Laurie Carlson, Alicia Vela, Misty Diller, Dave Nagel and Lynn Kamps. It was great to have the support of our friends as the Honorable Gregory Pittman, pronounced that Josiah is all ours - even on paper. Judge Pittman commended Tim and I for our part in adopting our boys and thanked us for being a positive light in his often disappointing courtroom. Tears came to my eyes, as he agreed with our adoption supervisor, Susanne Jordan, from Bethany Christian Services, that we are excellent parents for Josiah and definitely love and care for him the best we can. He also gave us his blessing and prayers as we raise our beautiful children. It really was a meaningful time for us.
All praise and glory goes to our Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, who has orchestrated the birth and delivery of our children into our home. We cannot take any credit for the ease and simplicity that our children came into our home, only God alone, could have made such a plan come together! Our prayer now is that God will protect these boys and instill in them the plan He has for their lives. Peace and Blessings on this glorious day! - Maria (for all the Ciccones)

Ya just gotta laugh

When Caleb was a baby, I was able to make him laugh harder than anyone. Now, Caleb has taken on that role with Josiah and manages pretty well!

Kings of the Castle

Just a little fun the boys were having this afternoon!

Kansas...Are you ready for the Ciccones?

Our Journey is taking us to Kansas. Yes, you heard me right, Kansas!! Some of you might say "Been there, done that", because I've lived in Kansas before...Manhattan, Kansas to be excact.

Well, this time around, we will be in Prairie Village, Kansas (a suburb of Kansas City, KS). Tim will be the High School Pastor at Hillcrest Covenant Church.

This is a pretty emotional time for us, as we certainly love the life God has blessed us with in Michigan, but are excited to follow His leading as we head to Kansas.

Our moving time-frame is Thanksgiving weekend, with our last Sunday at Forest Park Covenant Church being November 18.

We desperately covet your prayers as we make this move.

Josiah is 7 months old

What a happy kiddo we have in our baby son! Can't tell you how much we love and adore him.

You just can't help but smile, I hope!

Band Practice

Some of you may know that I always dreamed of having a basketball team of children - ya know, like 10 or so! Well, since Tim does not yet share that dream, it looks like I'll just have to start enjoying the idea of a family band. The boys are already on board!

Hayride...Fall is here

Oh how fun. The last hayride I remember was when I was somewhere in my teens, at Lake Beauty Bible Camp. Back then, there was lots of running after the wagon, pushing each other off the wagon and throwing lots of hay. Although today's ride was much more mellow - it sure was fun to enjoy with my family.

I have now embraced Fall and am loving it. We must have more bonfires and play outside in sweatshirts and jeans. Yippee...the leaves are coming!


Caleb would only get so close to the horse...in its stall!

Caleb and Gram Pam Work the Garden

Emma, Caleb and Gramma Off to Turtle Bay

And, We're Home

We Love our Daddy!!

Caleb and Josiah were amazing travelers, as usual, but were so excited to see their daddy when we got home. Caleb was about jumping out of his skin & Josiah was all smiles to see his dad. Josiah always lights up when Tim comes into the room.




Hard to tell who is more excited, isn't it? We were all happy to be home and together again.

Here are just a few shots of our great travelers...Yes, I took these, while driving. Amazing what a view screen and a rear view mirror are good for!

Josiah being a happy traveler.

Caleb...pretending to be a baby!

Plenty of snacks, makes for a great trip.

Fun at Grampa Rods and Gramma Pams

We arrived to Gramma and Grampa's house via the bumpy road as Caleb calls it. Cousins Emma, Max and Jeff were there to greet us and play outside and go for a boat ride.


The mom's riding in the back of the boat...

Pilot and co-pilot man the steering wheel Bottoms up!

Here, Caleb is ready for his adventure in the paddle boat to Turtle Bay.

Eating Steak Dinner with Grampa!

Josiah playing with toys in the sunshine room...

story time with auntie maria

Happy 4th birthday to Emma!

So I went to the beauty school one day...

Before...

Caleb wanted pictures of his hair too!!

$5.oo and 12 inches later...Tim loves it!

Tim wanted to take some snapshots so ya'll could enjoy my haircut too! I'm not much of a stylist, but I like my new do!!