To Mothers

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for. -- Anonymous

Carli with her hat

This is my time with Carli. The other picture is Avery trying to put her WSU "pink" hat on. Erin had just dressed her and he thought she should wear her hat. The two boys are such big - big helpers. Bodee just can't stop loving her. As soon as I walked in the door yesterday Bodee kept telling me "Carli's home, Carli's Home" He has tons of kisses for her and Avery seems to like going through her drawer and picking out outfits to put on her. There no such thing as too much love!

Carlie Marie

No smiles yet but just one darn cute little girl. I went over to feed Carli and spend a little holding time yesterday. Just had to take one more picture for my wall. She is doing well and hasn't had one apnea spell yet. She has the monitor with her at all times which is a small band that wraps around her tummy. It gives Erin relief becauses if she has a spell then the alarm sounds which is loud like a smoke detector alarm. She sure looks pretty in pink though. I think Erin is having fun picking out her outfit for the day - which most are pink I think. Barbies all over again!!

Two Silly Boys and One Sweetie

I tried so hard to get these two little guys to sit by Carli for a picture and they were being so silly. This is the best of four anyway.

> >IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck >(written after she found out she was dying from cancer) > >I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. > >I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. > >I would have talked less and listened more. > >I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. > >I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. > >I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. > >I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. > >I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. > >I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains. > >I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. > >I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. > >Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. > >When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.' > >But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute. look at it and really see it...... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! > >Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. >Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us! >

High Adventure

Cory and Beka just gave us a stick with tons of family pictures on it. They are all very good. These are just a few. This one picture is the boys on their biking high adventure (I think) on the islands.

Cute Little Boys

The Five Bigger Boys

Scott's Birthday Party

It was Scott's 10th birthday and they had a party last night for him. I took a big pan of bbq'd chicken and some rolls, Cory and boys made baked potatoes and toppings and the birthday cake, Erin brought a salad. We had a nice dinner, party, presents and sang Happy Birthday while Grant played the song on the piano for us. Erin gave Scott the game Hyperdash so we played that and it was so fun. This is a picture of Scott with his new shirt, hoodie and knitted cap he got as gifts. Grandpa is just making good use of one of the boy's blankets. We had a good time and it was good for Avery and Bo to play with cousins etc.

Afternoon at the NIKU

I went with Erin to see Carli yesterday. I hadn't seen her since Christmas Eve and she really has filled out a lot since then. I just had to take a couple of pictures of Erin holding her. She's in a different room since her surgery but they all look about the same anyway. They were starting her on her feeds yesterday and Erin said she did really well with it. She's 4 1/2 lb. now and so cute. She smiles and frowns and has some facial expressions that lets you know how she is feeling. It looked like every room was full of babies yesterday and the nurses were very busy doing all of their nursing duties. I felt like I would like to help hold or rock or pat a back or something to help out with crying babies. I think I could do that without having a nursing degree - - I can hardly wait to hold Carli too. This one picture is Carli's hand - I thought it was really getting chubby looking so we took a picture of it just laying out flat on her blanket.

Play Day at Nana's

Erin went to the hospital to visit Carli and talk with the eye doctor so Bodee got to come and play with me today. These are just two of the things we played - - - there were many more that space won't allow. Love little boys!!

Monday Snowfall

We actually had one day of no snow - yesterday. Today is another story. It has been snowing heavily all day - big, fluffy flakes. This is our beautiful, snowy Mountain Ash. It has been a good day to stay home and do laundry. That's my exciting life here.

Sunday Morning at the Paulsen

Due to the inclement weather and four feet of snow, the neon sign along the awning of the Paulsen Building disintigrated and fell to the sidewalk. Randy is busy cutting the hanging material so that it wouldn't fall on someone. By noon the job was done. We spent all day Friday in a similar activity on the East side. I knew this had to be cleaned up before Monday morning so I called a crew consisting of Jeff, Tony, Charlie and Randy to help. They all did a great job!! Love, Dad (Before Dad went to do this job, he shoveled a big snow hill in our driveway made by the snowplow that made 8 trips down our road at 2 am this morning). It's been a long day - - - now the temperature is warm enough to let the snow melt a little and we have puddles everywhere.

Carli Marie

This is Carli on Christmas Eve. Erin and Jeremy had invited the grandparents and his brother to come for a Christmas Eve visit with Carli. we were thrilled to be invited for this special time. It was the first time Carli had been able to leave her unit and the first time for Bodee to see his sister. The nurse brought her into the adjoining NIKU room that has a large glass window and she held the baby down low so the boys could see her. They talked to her just as though she could hear what they were saying. She is doing well and weighs 3 lb, 6 oz. now. What a sweet blessing for our families. I love the bow in her hair too.

Just Passing Time

This is the waiting/play room where families can mingle and greet. We usually take turns watching the boys while the others go into the NIKU to see Carli. There is a tv and books and a few game things to play with. This is just the waiting time before they got to see Carli.

MEETING MY BIG BROTHERS

This was a tender moment for the family. Avery had seen Carli awhile ago but Bodee had not had that chance until tonite. They were both so excited for this moment. The nurse had her wrapped in a Christmas receiving blanket and held her right up to the window for the boys. This is the first time she has been able to leave her niku room so it was extra special for all. I told the boys to throw kisses to Carli and say Merry Christmas Carli - which they did. The third little boy in brown in a cousin that is visiting from Denver. What a sweet, sweet time.

Soaking up the love

Erin and Jeremy taking time with Carli in the Niku on Christmas Eve. I am so sorry the one of Erin is blurry. I need to take three or four of each shot to make sure I get a decent one. Sorry Erin - I really tried my best.

Popcicle Anyone?

How do these grow to be so long?

The back fence

Look at the snowline by the fence - yikes. Can't walk here for sure.