The Rug-Rats and Beyond!

 

 

 

The look on his face, tells all. He has had some tough days lately both emotionally and physically. Mast cells can be flared by emotional triggers and ever since Grandma went to Heaven, he has struggled. Lots of time investment seems to be what helps him the most. Since it is still very wintery out, we set up a 4-Square game in the garage and it has gotten lots and lots of use! Good exercise and a little reprieve from our Spring Fever!

 

 

Kaite is doing well. Growing like a weed and developing a spunky personality and a dry wit complete with sarcasm.

 

 

Kammy is still in a brace 20/7 for scholiosis. She's grown a lot recently and we're working to adjust it to fit or possibly having to get a new one. Not a cheap proposition! She lost her best horse friend the other day. Apache had a fall and suffered internal injuries and had to be put down. Kammy was devastated. She will be going to Idaho Horse Expo as a groom this spring and she is ecstatic about that. Endo the blind horse will be there and Kammy was telling me the other day about how Endo really can't see a thing and has to trust his rider completely to guide him. Endo even does jumps not knowing where he will land. Kammy said that it makes her think of how we have to trust God explicitly and be in complete tune to his nudges because he can see things we can't and always knows what is best. I am so thankful for her tender heart and how God used Endo to speak to her broken heart.

 

For Kalli's update, I don't have a picture of her, but rather of a few things she's done or made recently. Kalli is a busy gal. Always doing something. Making home-made hot rolls, embroidering, walking her dog, working on 11th grade, taking a college communications class, working in activities at the nursing home, practicing piano, studying for state SAT's, writing stories, the list is nigh well endless!

 

And then there's Kayla. She just put her application for nursing school so now we wait. There are hundreds of applicants and only about 20 are usually chosen! She is so well-loved at work, at home and at Papa's house where she's been living. Kayla seems to feel a true calling for working with the elderly-- often the neglected. So many new nurses want the fun of NICU or the excitement of  ER or TRAUMA, but Kayla sees the need and has a great love for geriatrics. We are thankful that she's allowing God to guide her and thanking him for his aid.

 

Rick and I are doing well-ish. LOL.  I stay busy teaching, moming, wifing, housing, shooting pictures, decorating houses, pastor's wifing, cleaning, cooking, and just trying to coordinate everyone's CRAZY schedule. Rick is busy with Loomis and the church. He's also got a camp to preach on his slate this summer and he's starting to get involved as a hospice chaplain.

 

We're still reeling from our recent loss and some days are worse than others. We've seen up close though, what a treasure it is to "grieve with hope." And it's not today's shallow version of hope, either. It's the kind of hope the Bible speaks of....a sure knowledge that we will see her again!

I want to say thanks once again for the wonderful outpouring of love we've received! If you ever find yourself in contact with someone who has suffered such a loss, may I offer some advice?

 Send the flowers, make the phone call, attend the service, bake the cookies, send the card!!! If you care, take the time to prove it! It really isn't that hard. Whatever you can do for that person to let them know you care, do it! Error on the side of caution, error on the side of doing too much, of being somewhere you don't belong, of making food they won't eat, whatever it is, just do it! Our friends and family have been sooo good to us!! There has been coffee show up at my front door more than once....actually more than twice, cards are still arriving, and some have even sent special cards to each of the children, we had so many flowers that we took them and passed them out to nursing homes and healthcare centers. I've tried to send a think you for every single thing simply because every single thing has meant so much!!

Business is Baby Booming!

"Shot by Karen" has been a busy place here of late!

Seems a baby boom is on!

Thought a share a few of my favorites from some of my recent shoots. Babies are so fun to work with!

 

22 Years Shot

   See what I did there with that blog entry title? Because you shoot a .22 and we've been married 22 years? Also, .22 shot is often known as bird shot and we're love birds.
  We decided last minute to get away overnight for our anniversary. I always hesitate...it's the kids, ya know...and Kaderick has had a rough time since Grandma went to heaven. He's gotten real clingy and won't let momma out of his sight for fear his momma will make the same move hers did. Poor little dude. Anyway, there were a few phonecalls that involved tears and momma may have promised multiple treats and prizes, but it was all worth it.

 

The Swiss Family Robinson Suite at Anniversary Inn

 

 

 

On the way back home, we stopped for Dutch and the girl at the drive, who by the way has been alive as long as we've been married, said my husband has "swag." (We are old enough that we actually had to google that!) She thought it was so cute that we always celebrate--even after 22 years. Haha! Well, no wonder marriages fail, you really have to celebrate your spouse every single day!

 



 

This isn't my favorite picture of me, but I love it anyway because of the memories associated with it and because of who I was with! What a wonderful comfort to be watched over by a Heavenly Father who knows us inside and out and who cares when even a sparrow falls! He sure was watching out for me when he gave me this man who loves me faithfully and truly. We are so blessed by the things He has done, the victories he's won.....Lord we love you SO MUCH!