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Three.

October 17, 2011 in To Tell with 6 Comments

In three short years you have single-handedly turned my life upside down.

Opened my eyes.
Stretched my patience.
Expanded my heart.
Rocked my world.

The day I met you my life was completed in a way that I never knew possible.

    

I’ve laughed more than ever.
I’ve cried more than ever.
Learned to live on my toes.

And I wouldn’t change a thing about you.

I’ve never met anyone like you. More personality inside that tiny body than I can even comprehend.

   

You’ve colored our lives outside the lines.

Happy Birthday Jack, I love you and can’t wait to see what God does with you.

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June 16, 2011 in "it's all about me", To Tell with Enter your password to view comments.

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Rethinking Haiti.

February 9, 2011 in Random Thoughts, To Tell with 12 Comments

Last night we celebrated my daughter’s birthday dinner at her restaurant of choice, Red Robin.  When they saw our party of five they quickly ushered us into the family zone (the place where your kids are free to scream and throw food and only other families are around to take notice).  Surrounded by tables with small kids, Jack and the rest of us were drowned out.

We were all chatting it up and laughing and opening presents. She got a digital camera of her own and quickly started snapping photos. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of the girl at the table next to us.

She was about three and had the most beautiful golden brown skin, big brown eyes, and fantastic smile. I could feel her eyes on me, so I turned and gave her a big smile and waved.  I had noticed her when we walked in. She sat at a table with a middle aged man and much younger baby, probably 6 months old.  They sat pretty quietly- his mind seemed to be a million miles away.

She and I exchanged glances and she started to talk to me and tell me about her chicken strips and the balloon they had given her.  Her cuteness was getting ridiculous, so I decided to turn my attention back to my own family.

Just then, her little voice piped up, “Daddy, when do I get to have a real mommy?”

The dad seemed kind of caught up in his own thoughts and didn’t respond. So she asked again, “Daddy, when do I get to have a REAL mommy?!”

He looked up kind of confused and said something to her that I didn’t quite hear.

Maybe because the sound of my heart breaking into a million pieces was too loud.

My stomach began to ache and a lump rose to my throat. I smiled at my little girl as she was snapping away with her new camera.  I looked at the faces of my little boys.

I know I don’t know this little girl’s story. She may have a mom. Maybe not.

But it took everything in my power to not grab her right then and take her home with us forever.  Her story is one of millions. Millions of children who until now have never had faces in my mind.

Somehow that has made it just a little easier to handle.

In just a few weeks we’ll be heading off to Haiti to work with the orphans at COTP and the millions of children will now forever have a face in my heart and mind…

…and I’m not sure I’m ready.

My husband was just voted onto the board of directors of an incredible organization that is working to change the state of adoption:  BothEndsBurning.org -I am so thrilled that we can play a part in changing this global crisis- but I know my heart will be wrecked forever. FOREVER.

Because there are millions of children in this world wondering if they’ll ever have a real mommy.

Me and the Boys…

November 6, 2008 in To Tell with 1 Comment

With Big Sis at school everyday, I’m trying to find ways to keep me and “boys” enjoying life. With all the needs of a new baby (especially one who LOVES being cuddled and held as much as our new one does…) I want to make sure Big Brother is occupied and feeling the love.  He is SO easy going and would play by himself all day if I let him, so I have to be extra careful to make sure he’s not overlooked…

Today we packed up lunch and headed out back up to the “club house” for a picnic lunch. We laughed and enjoyed our time together.  Just 20 minutes but so worth it!

 

Thoughts

October 24, 2008 in fun, To Tell with 3 Comments

So…its been a whirlwind of a week- lots of diapers, a little less sleep, a 6lb package of love changed our world yet again.  I know only weeks ago I was wondering how I’d fall in love yet again- and then it happened- I saw his face.  And I’ll never be the same.  Jackson has made our lives that much more complete. And maybe because I know this is the last one (FOR SURE.) I’m savoring every moment and not rushing back into the race of life quite so quickly.  

In Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous speech he says a line that I’ve been thinking about today.  He dreams of a day where his children will be judged by the “content of their character”…That phrase has been ringing in my ears. Content of their character.   

What does this have to do with anything? 

People reveal the content of their character in so many ways.  Mostly though- the true content is exposed when they have no idea its even happening.  This last week my husband has revealed his character in ways he’ll never know.  Little things that speak volumes.  Extra care with the big kiddos, tough conversations, love and appreciation for his family (inlaws and all), encouragement and care for me, generosity, selflessness- a million little things that expose what is in his heart.  Of course perfection is not a reality and I would never even want that- but the man, the heart that lies within- is golden to me.  For this I am really thankful.

Full.

October 19, 2008 in To Tell with 156 Comments

My heart is full.

Jackson Wade Larson

Born 4:21pm on Friday, October 17th

6lbs 7oz

20″ long

We are so blessed. 

Seems Like Old Times

October 17, 2008 in To Tell with 7 Comments

I used to have this thing when I worked full time. Whenever a vacation would come up I’d have a LONG day before I left the office. I’d have to catch up on EVERYTHING I felt would be out of my control while I was away. It was kind of stressful and usually led me to being super tired the first few days of my vacations. Well…tonight feels like that except tomorrow I’m not going on vaction…no…I’m supposed to be popping out a kid. We’ll see if all the stars align and its meant to be tomorrow but if it’s not…then I will be chillin’ in a spotless house with all my work done, meals cooked for the future, clean bathed kids, dog, husband, even car- smelling fresh. So let’s just pray that I DO get to git-r-done tomorrow because if I spend one day watching all my work get undone, I may not be a very nice person.  

Pray for me!

I've got good news and bad news.

October 13, 2008 in fun, To Tell with 10 Comments

Good News?

We decided on a baby name!!!! I’m 99.9% sure we found a name that works for our family.

Bad News?

We’re not telling you until we’re holding him in our arms. Honestly…we’ve got so many people with strong opinions we just want to be able to introduce him to you- and then…you’ll be so enamored by his cuteness (or alien-likeness as most newborns have…) that you’ll forget that it may not be your favorite name.

So until then…

And that's a wrap…

October 10, 2008 in To Tell with 4 Comments


It’s official. Heard word from my doctor that we’re all cleared for take off next Friday.  

This is officially my last week of being pregnant…ever!

The Fairy Visits.

October 9, 2008 in To Tell with 3 Comments

So we were out to dinner with some friends last night and it happened.  I knew it was coming…I wasn’t sure I was ready for it…but…ready or not…she lost it.  And judging by the size of the gap the poor girl will probably have teeth as big as mine!

PS. So at 1:50am last night my home phone rings and I wake out of a sound sleep to get it.  I hate phonecalls like that. (They’re usually not good news…) So my heart is pounding and its my Mom on the other end. She’s all frantic asking, “What’s going on? Are you having the baby?”

And I’m so confused. “What?! No. I’m sleeping.”  

So she says, “I just got a text from you- a picture text and I can’t open it!”  

Apparently the picture I sent at dinner to announce the missing tooth went through in the middle of the night waking her up making her think I was in labor.  I was wide awake for the next hour. (Thanks Mom and At&t)  But the GOOD News is- suddenly I was able to remind the tooth fairy about the need for a visit.  Had she/he forgotten- let’s just say it would have been a sad morning!

PPS. And in case you didn’t know- when your kids are in school- you discover that some kids get a hefty chunk of cash from the tooth fairy- and some don’t.  And so we learned something really important- and you parents may or may not know this very important fact:  See the “Tooth Fairy” only gets a certain amount of money each night. So depending on how many kids lose teeth that day- she may or may not have the same amount to give. So if your kid ever wonders why they didn’t get a $50 spot like Johnny…you can let them know that maybe a lot of kids lost their teeth last night…

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