Kids & Fall

It's finally fall, my favorite season of the year!

I love the golden hues of the season. Pumpkins, corn stalks, college football, church bazaars, cooler weather, and of course school starting back!

All wonderful reasons why I love fall.

The fall leaf colors should begin to really pop in a few weeks but already we are seeing dazzling reds, oranges and yellows in the trees.

It's been a busy September. Raini came up for a few days and we had so much fun going to new antique shops together and planning her daughters birthday party for November. Of course, the time flew by way too fast but having her here was so good for my soul.


The kids have been extra busy this September too.

Ashton, my oldest daughter, started dance class and she loves it. She wasn't able to take dance in Richmond so I was so excited for her to find a dance studio near our new home in West Virginia.

 

Jonathan has just applied to his first college! I am so proud of him and I know wherever he chooses to go, he will bless many lives just by his presence.

Tate will soon start playing fall basketball in a youth league next month. He misses his buddies back in Richmond so hopefully this will be a great outlet for him to make some new friends. He is loving being a 5th grader and I can't believe how far he has come since being taken off of his seizure meds almost 2 years ago.

Justin has been practicing with the high school basketball team (non formal practices). Tryouts are in a couple of months and we are all praying he makes the team. He is almost 6'3 and still growing. Making the team would be a huge lift for him. Moving 3 different times since middle school is not an easy adjustment. He is a trooper.

 

  
Karsen is walking and it is so cute. She reminds me of Papa Bud when she walks. She makes us all laugh and she has been so good for all of our hearts after we lost Papa Bud and Papaw Hanson. I don't know where we would be in our grief if it were not for her.

This weekend the temps are supposed to be in the 50's! I am so glad fall is here!

Being Your Mommy

It isn't an easy job.

But it's one I love and would never trade for anything in the world.

Kissing away boo-boos, sleepless nights when you were sick. It's all worth it to me.

Taking you places you have never seen before and watching your eyes light up at each new discovery is something I will never tire from.

Watching you achieve your goals and plan for your dreams ----it's better than whatever dreams I ever had planned for myself.

You are a part of me and I am a part of you. Always.

I am not perfect and there are many moments I can look back on and wish I had handled better.

But there are many more memories of moments of us being just perfect. And the love I have for you is far greater than any imperfection I hold.


I watch over you when you sleep and I probably always will.

I love you. Jonathan, Justin, Tate, Ashton and little Karsen.

Thank YOU for making me a mommy.

Forever.
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be. (by Robert Munsch )

and growing...and growing and growing....

My baby is a chunk! Yesterday at her 2 month checkup, Karsen weighed 12lbs 9oz! Thats almost double her birth weight! She was 22 inches long!

Her cheeks are absolutely kissable! She reminds me so much of my oldest child, Jonathan. He was a chunk when he was little too. He had the cutest little rolls that went all the way down his arms. The other babies never got chunky like Karsen & Jon Jon. I feel like I have been given a new chance at life with this little girl. The happiness she brings to my heart is just overwhelming. The difference she has already made in the lives of our family is more than a blessing! My children, each and every one of them have made me a better person. My cup runneth over!

Me holding Jonathan when he was about 5 months old.