Hold on to the Lasts

We recently received a book as a gift that I just really love. It is called "Let me hold you longer" by Karen Kingsbury. I won't quote the entire book, but share just a bit. It is a tear jerker, but more importantly, helps me keep my job as a mom in perspective.

"Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts: First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst. But one day you will move away and leave me your past, and I will be left thinking of a lifetime of you lasts....the last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips. The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip. The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked, When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked. The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold, the last time that you said you'd marry me when you grew old. Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past--Would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last? I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed. So what about tomorrow--will I recognize your lasts?"

Iowa Trip

Last weekend Mike took some time off, we braved the icy roads, and headed south to northwest Iowa to visit my family. We first went to Steph and Eric's new address in Sioux Center where our van got to experience a garage. We took the kids to the Dordt rec center, to the Sioux Center pool, and on Saturday I went to watch Cassie play AAU volleyball. We packed a lot into a four day weekend. The girls loved the dog Charlie at Brad and Pams'. We have recently informed Hailey that although we do not judge others for having pets, we will never own one.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

FLOWERS FROM DADDY

A Celebration

Last week Saturday a good friend from church threw a celebration of life for Carter. It was wonderful! We had lots of laughs, good food, and shared lots of "mom" moments. The most meaningful time of the morning was our prayer time in which we all prayer for our little Carter. We prayed for safety, his character development, positive peer pressure, knowledge, his relationship with God, his future friends, and even his future spouse. It was a very emotional time for me and I praise God for our ability to communicate our desires for our children with him. I was truly blessed by this time and I believe that Carter too will be blessed by the time spent with these women.
The book we prayed from is called "The power of a praying parent" and I would like to share the first paragraph of the book. "It's the best of jobs. It's the most difficult of jobs. It can bring you the greatest joy. It can cause the greatest pain. There is nothing as fulfilling and exhilarating. There's nothing so depleting and exhausting. No area of you life can make you feel more like a success when everything is going well. No area of you life can make you feel more like a failure when things go wrong. PARENTING!"

Smiles

Carter is quite generous with his smiles these days.

It is 5pm and what you cannot see is that the entire lower level of our home is covered and Mom has "clocked out".

Winter is pretty difficult for a stay at home mom. It is those bitter cold days that you are so thankful that you don't have to bundle up the kids, but that also means that the only thing you will be seeing is the inside of your home. The kids don't really seem to mind, as you can see, there is never a lack of smiles. It may sound funny, but I do jump at the chance to bring out the trash, go to the mailbox, or fill up the car with gas after Mike gets home. It are these brief trips of silence that I can allow myself time to to think nothing, be asked nothing, and to maybe take the long way home past Caribou.

We also have been excited that Mike's interview offers are slowing rolling in. He has heard from 8 of the 20 Cardiology programs and has been offered 5 interviews so far. He has accepted interviews in Arizona, Virginia, Iowa, Michigan, and Colorado. You are probably wondering what I am: What about Minnesota? We are just being patient and waiting. March and April will be very busy times for us as Mike will be doing all of this traveling and interviewing. We would like to ask you for prayers. We don't know what the future holds and where we will be next. Please pray for contentment, for a calm spirit, and for wisdom as Mike evaluates what would be best for our family and his career.

Well Child Checks

This morning was a busy one at our house. Both Carter and Taylor had well checks at the pediatrician at 9:30am and Hailey was invited to play at a friend. Mike was able to go in a little bit late in order to help get us out the door without any major break downs and into a warm van.

At Carter's 2 month check he weighed in at 13lb 10oz (90%) and measured at 23in. (50%). He showed off to the MD with a couple of smiles and no crying until he recieved 5 vaccinations. Poor baby!

Taylors 2 year check also went well. She weighed 30lb (75%) and measured 37in (97%). She was also very brave when receiving one vaccination and a finger prick. Fruit snacks and stickers can do wonders for a two year old.

We Praise God for such healthy children.

Baptism of Carter

Today was a special day for our family. Carter Dean was baptized and welcomed into our church family. We are so thankful for this incredible gift that God has blessed us with and we are once again reminded of God's promises and love. We are also so blessed to have such a wonderful support group found in our family and friends.

American Gladiator--CSCC Edition