I'm Gonna Make This Place Your Home

It was a timely message from an unlikely source.
We must have listened to this song from Idol winner Phillip Phillips last night a dozen times before it clicked...
it was probably written for someone very close to my heart.
This one is for you, Mom :)




"Home"

Hold on to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
Although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone...
'cause I'm gonna make this place your home.


Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons,
they fill you with fear.
The trouble, it might drag you down
If you get lost you can always be found
Just know you're not alone...
'cause I'm gonna make this place your home. 

:)

Insta-Wednesday

No, I'm not a hipster wannabe photog.  I'm just a mom who can't always lug around my camera.  SO, I snap some shots on my phone from time to time.  Here are some recent favorites from my Instagram app.  It's easy making photo magic when you have adorable subjects!

Surgery day for Carter!  Wearing his scrubs :)

Kendall has been asking to "hold" Carter every day.  I think Carter likes it :)

Snoozing in the waiting room with Gramma D.

Kendall has been giving me quite a variety of poses lately!

Sweet moments.

Quite the entertainment recently!

Merry-Go-Round in Como Park.

Mommy's little girl :)

Mothers Day spent in the car.

Chris finishes his half-Marathon at the Fargodome.

Fair and Balanced

I just realized it has been over a month since I've posted pictures of Kendall!  She is overdue for a little spotlight on the bloggity blog!  This girl is growing and learning by leaps and bounds.  She copies every word and mimics every action.  Her recent tricks are narrating stories, counting to sixteen, entertaining her brother and singing songs....lots of songs....that never end....

Here are some recent moments of cuteness!

Finding coins at our St. Patrick's Day playdate!

Easter Sunday, in her "Easter Bunny Dress"

Puppet fun in Stockton

Like mother, like daughter :)

20 Things a Mother Should Tell Her Son

1. Treat women kindly. Forever is a long time to live alone and it's even longer to live with somebody who hates your guts.

2. Play a sport. It will teach you how to win honorably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time and stay out of trouble. And maybe even throw or catch.

3. Use careful aim when you pee. Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young because you're going to need it some day.

5. Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop and broom. Now please go use them.

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don't ever be a bully and don't ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you.

9. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don't take something away from her that you can't give back.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do. This includes her having a successful career and you changing diapers at 3 A.M. Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir" still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts" is because they're "private". Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing. Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason is always a good idea.

17. Be patriotic.

18. Potty humor isn't the only thing that's humorous.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely. My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother because I might be missing you.

"More of a Marathon than a Sprint"

Hi friends.
We wanted to give you an update on Carter's condition and surgery for those of you that have been following and praying.  His surgery went well, the surgeon was pleased with the procedure and feels as if it will help release some of the chronic pressure he has been feeling in his eyes.  They proceeded with the goniotomy in each eye, just the small incision.  He now is recovering with sutures in each eye, and we are on a pretty dynamic regimen of eye-drops which, sadly, are accompanied by some unpleasant side effects (fever, flushness).

Disappointing news came at our follow-up appointment, at which the doctor shared some concerns she is having about Carter's LEFT eye.  Based on her concerns, she feels a trabeculectomy in that eye will be necessary.  This is the surgery that I did NOT want him to need, and it makes me ill even thinking about it.  So, in 4-6 weeks, we get to do this whole thing again.  Between the eight hour round-trip drive, packing, pre-op doctor visits, quarantines, long waits at the hospital, painful recovery for Carter and sleepless nights for mama and dada, this was obviously not the news we were hoping for.  She told us when he was first diagnosed with Congenital Glaucoma that the course of treatment would be "more of a marathon than a sprint," and the reality of that is just starting to sink in.

We DID, however, feel God's presence on us in some very tangible ways.
I had overwhelming peace leading up to the procedure.
In the 4 hours prior to the surgery (which ended up being 6) that I was unable to feed him, Carter was either asleep or in good spirits.
He did NOT have to endure the invasive surgery, a HUGE exhale for me and Chris.
Some friends of mine from Duluth were at the same facility visiting a little girl going through treatment for a brain tumor.  I was able to visit with all of them during his procedure--a welcomed distraction and good for the heart :)
Kendall was a trooper in the care of Grandma Donna- 8 hours is a long time for a toddler to sit in a waiting room!
Carter woke up from anesthesia like a champ (we were warned about the possible demeanor changes).
The anesthesiologist thought Carter was doing SO well that he was able to leave the hospital early!

Thanks for your concern for our little guy.  The road ahead is likely to be a long one, but we'll take it one day at a time.  We just want him to be happy and healthy!

Dear Uncle Derek...

Dear Uncle Derek,

    It's me, Carter.  I came to visit the special place we go to remember you.  The sun was bright, and it hurt my little eyes, but I still thought it was pretty neat.  Mommy tells me about how brave you were when you got sick.  I know they did many surgeries on you.  I have to have surgery this week, too.  I'm really little, so I don't really know what's going on.  But, I know there are a LOT of people praying for me!  Mommy and Daddy will be there with me, and they tell me that this will make me feel better.  Would you mind holding my hand in the operating room, too?  You know, just in case I am a teeny bit scared?  Someday I'll be able to tell people about the cool way God healed my eyes, and how I was brave like my Uncle Deez.  Thanks for taking care of me from Heaven!

Love,  Your Favorite Nephew

Preparations and Prayer

I've been dreading this week.
We're filling out paperwork and making final preparations for Carter's surgery on Thursday.
Tonight we ordered the above arm immobilizers so he won't be able to touch his eyes post surgery.
It's heart wrenching.

I've been talking to Jesus a lot lately, mainly about our little guy.
I'm confused about why this trial is necessary, but I've heard two things loud and clear from Him:
1)  We are in the right place.  I've wondered why our move to Fargo was part of His plan...perhaps this is it.  Our pediatrician "happened" to refer us to her "favorite" eye doctor in town, who just "happened" to have done her residency with a nationally-recognized Pediatric Glaucoma Specialist.  (Literally, she writes the textbook on it.)  Had we been anywhere else, this may not have even been diagnosed, let alone treated by such a capable surgeon.
2)  Jesus loves me.  He never lets go, through the calm and through the storm...

If you are walking this trial with us, could we ask you to pray for some specific things?
1)  Pray that Carter's condition requires the lesser of two invasive surgeries.
2)  Pray that his tiny body responds well to the anesthesia.
3)  Pray that his recovery is swift and as painless as possible.
4)  Pray for God to give Chris and me emotional and physical strength to endure this week.
5)  Pray for safe travels for Grandma Donna, who is coming to care for Kendall.

"Thank you" is not adequate enough for all the support and love we've received these past few weeks.  God has blessed us with the best possible community of friends!
Updates to come...