What did I do?

**This is the 2nd time I’m typing this post. Not sure what happened to the first one, but I’m going to guess that this 2nd version will be shorter. :)**

It seems that I started a bad habit. Suddenly (since my post last week-ish), it seems it’s impossible for my boys to go to sleep with out me sitting in their room. Guess I have a chance to keep my blog updated now.

So, here’s a couple pictures. Cuz I like to show off my handsome little men:

(Couldn’t love these boys more!)

(My future football player)

(This one has attitude, I tell ya!)

The Sound of Sleep

Tonight I had big plans. I will admit that I was excited to slip away all by myself. What did my big plans consist of? I was going to take my Bible, my computer, some paper, a pen and enough $ for a Diet Coke (and probably a Scotcheroo – I have no idea how to spell that word), and I was going to sit at a coffee shop in town. All. By. Myself. And it was going to be awesome.

But then… it got icy. And the fog is so thick. But, to be honest, I still considered going.

And then…Karter wanted someone to snuggle in bed with him. And while it took every ounce of willpower to say no… I told him he could climb in bed, we’d say prayers, and then I’d hang out on Brody’s bed until Karter fell asleep (while Brody is downstairs with Daddy).

So… my night was even better than planned. I grabbed my computer, pulled up Biblegateway.com, tucked Karter into bed, prayed with him, and am now listening to the sound of him sleeping. And, as if that weren’t enough, I can hear Brody and Brent playing downstairs.

Does it get any better than this?

Maybe only if I had a Diet Coke in here with me.

Jesus, thank you for the sound of Karter sleeping in his warm bed. Thank you for nightlights and blankets and bedtime stories. Thank you also for Brody’s one-on-one time with Brent. Thanks for rocking chairs, cartoons and farm toys. You are so good to us, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Jesus, we love you. Amen.

Names

Karter’s votes:

- Boy Name: Toby (I think someone watches too much Good Luck, Charlie!)

- Girl Name: Ashley

Brody’s votes:

- Boy Name: Pencil

- Girl’s Name: Pencil

Hmmm… we’ll see what happens. Good thing we started this process before placement!

The Big Yellow Bus

I don’t know what is going on, but some big yellow bus just came and picked up my baby. He got on it, and they drove away. And I just know that when he comes back… he’s not going to be a baby anymore. I’m going to look at him differently, and he’s probably going to look at me differently. I’ll have to ask him things like, “Do you have any homework?” or “What was your favorite class today?” or “Why were you in the principal’s office?”

Last night was the Open House at Kinsey Elementary. I really think that this was so good for Karter. He got to see his teacher, Mrs. Dahm. This wasn’t the first time they met. He had her as a teacher for Kindergarten Round Up, and he really liked her. He was very excited when he found out that she was his Kindergarten teacher. Honestly, so was I! I think their personalities will work really well together.

It was also good for him to walk through school again and find his room. There was a bus parked outside, and we could take him on there and talk through the process of riding the bus. That is the one part that Karter is worried about… riding the bus. He’s worried about big kids picking on him, not finding a seat, and getting on the wrong bus.

He really did very well getting on the bus this morning, though. He was a little reluctant. It helped that Brent left work to come watch him get on the bus. I love having such a caring husband! (And I greatly appreciate that his boss let him leave for a few minutes).

I can’t wait to pick Karter up at the end of the day and see how his first day went.

Here we go…

This is it. This is my last week as a parent with no kids in school. Well, last year Karter was in preschool, but that meant he was still little, right? Nope, not anymore. Next week, I will get my two babies boys ready to go. Brody will still go to Gretchen’s house, just like he has 5 days a week for since he was 2 months old (insert sigh of relief from this Mama). Karter, on the other hand, will get dressed in his new clothes, his new shoes, and his new backpack, and he will enter a brand new phase of his life.

Yep… Karter is heading to Kindergarten. One week from now he will officially be a Warrior! He is so excited to have the same teacher that he had the day of Kindergarten Round-Up (which I’m very excited about, too, because I just know that her personality will be perfect for Karter). He already knows a few of the kids that will be in his class, but he’ll also have the chance to make a lot of new friends. He gets to ride a bus (which he’s dreading) to and from school.

I’m so sad and so excited that we’ve reached this point. As much as I would love it if my little fellas could stay little… I love the fact that they’re growing up. I love the people they’re becoming, and I’m so excited to see what God has in store for them.

Karter – I am so proud of how you are growing. I love your heart, little boy (just let me call you that, ok?). I love that you still miss Kevin, the dog, because it shows me how much you love others. You are funny without trying to be. You know sarcasm (which scares me), and you use it appropriately (which scares me even more). You are kind and respectful (when you want to be). Even though you like the Lions more than the Bears… I’ll keep you around. Mom loves ya buddy!

Brody – You are three (for another month and three days), so please stop acting like you’re 8. You are one crazy little kid, and I LOVE it! You can not get enough of your Daddy (I don’t blame you), and I think it’s awesome. Almost every morning you wake up talking about animals, and it shows me where your heart is. I love how passionate you are. I know you’ll miss your big brother when he’s in school, but you have good buddies at daycare and you’ll have a great time! But seriously… stay little a little bit longer, k?  You’re my baby, and I love you!

God, thank you for the opportunity to send our kids to school and day care. Some people long for these days and don’t get to experience them. May I never take these milestones for granted.

** Don’t worry… pictures are coming… soon.

All Things Karter (long post… I’m one proud mama)

So, the last time I posted was the day before I dropped my Karter Henry off at preschool. Like I said, he was nervous, maybe even scared.

Well, that didn’t last long. We are now 1/2 way through the year, and he LOVES preschool.

On January 9, that same little Karter Henry turned 5 years old. I can not believe it. I felt all those same emotions that I did the day before bringing him to school for the first time.

Here are a few fun pictures of my (once) little boy.

Tubing with Uncle Brian…

Exploring on Grandma Langstraat’s farm…

First day of school…

Captain of the day…

5th birthday party

This was the first time that we invited friends to a birthday party, and they had a GREAT time bowling. (Pictured below are Brody, Eli, Karter, Kyle Kooi, Jakson Gillespie)

Yes, the picture below was taken in a bar. It’s the only place at the bowling alley that we could eat cake and open presents. (Normally I would wait until their 6th birthday before booking a bar for the party.)

Last night, I was reading a blog about a little baby that died. Karter was asking me what I was reading, so I started telling him about it. I said to him, “Isn’t it sad that this baby died?”

Without thinking he said, “I don’t think it’s sad at all. I think he’s in Heaven with Grandpa and God, and I don’t think that’s sad.”

Keep that kind of faith, Karter. That is my prayer for you.

Karter Henry

Karter Henry, today you are officially three and a half years old. I can’t believe that you are that old already. It seems like just yesterday I was buckling you into your infant seat and taking you home for the very first time. It is amazing to think about how much our lives changed when you came into this world. Things that were so important back then are now so very unimportant. You and your brother are now what matter to us.

Here are a few facts about you:

Fact #1:

Your favorite foods are: Pizza, Mac ‘n Cheese, Hot Dogs (you call them Dot Dogs), Scrambled Eggs, Chips ‘n Dip (you know, all the healthy stuff)

Fact #2:

A while back we decided it was time to get a puppy. Thankfully Jami Sandbulte told me at church that they had some puppies they were trying to get rid of. We went out that night and got one. When we asked you what you wanted to name your puppy, you said named off the following options: Grass, Tree, Monkey, Dog in a Box, and Kevin. You decided on Kevin. And you love him with all your heart. Brody’s not as sold on the idea as you are, but he’s OK with him, too.

Fact #3:

Your favorite song right now is My Beloved by Cory Asbury.

Fact #4:

Some of the cutest things you’ve said to me lately:

- Love you so much, Mommy (or Daddy or whoever)

- Love you like crazy!

- Don’t leave out with me. (You always say “out with” instead of “without”.)

- My will do it all myself.

- My will stay home with you all days Mommy. All days. Right? For FIVE days? (You have somewhat of a fascination with the number five. I think it seems huge to you.)

- Why did God hit the rain button again?

Fact #5:

You love to pee outside. You are 100% boy, and I love that about you!

Fact #6:

You are one of the most tender-hearted, stubborn, sweet, pokey, funny, sarcastic, loving kids I know. You are truly loved by your Daddy, Mommy and Brodes. We can’t wait to see what you do in this world, Bubba!

(Picture taken when we went camping for a night at Oak Grove over the 4th of July)