Are you a carrier or sender?

October 2011 Family Portrait

Are you a carrier or a sender? 

I have been thinking alot lately about being involved in Jake's life and his activities.  The Christmas party at his baby sitters house is this Friday and I want to be there soooooo bad.  But I am trying to decide if going to the party will be a bad idea because he will want to leave with me after the party and I will have to go back to work.  Truth is,  I can't stand the thought of him having a party and me not being there.  I want to enjoy every part of his life and I want to be involved with him and all the fun he has. 

My Mom (and Dad when he could be) was a carrier.  She always went with me and was involved in the activities that I was involved in.  I loved it!  I wanted her there.  We have great memories of things we did together when I was growing up.  Yes there was a time when I didn't want her to go to everything but I did want her (and still want her) to be there for the big things in my life.

Some Moms are senders.  They send their child with other people or just send them by themselves to birthdays,  school programs, ball games, etc.  I am not talking about working mothers that literally can't go but I am talking about mothers (or fathers for that matter) that don't go because they don't want to or they want to spend that time for themselves. 

So I am a carrier!  I hope Jake grows up to LOVE the fact that I go places, make memories, and that I actually "like" him and being around him.  I am proud of the fact that I am a carrier!

But what am I gonna do about the Christmas party Friday??

Speaking of Christmas party...here is one of his pictures with Santa.  No smile BUT not crying either!  Isn't he just the cutest little fella you have ever seen?  Jake not Santa.......

Meet Ms. Maci.....

This is Maci.  Her Mom and I grew up in the same church together and have known each other all of our lives.  Maci was born November 19th at 35 weeks via emergency c-section.  God is an awesome God!  Jima did not feel Maci move most of the day on the 19th but wasn't worried because they heard the heartbeat.  FaceBook posts saved Maci's life.  Jima posted that Maci was not moving but they heard the heartbeat and a couple of her friends said they had lost babies and that Jima needed to call the doctor.  Well Maci was here in just a few short minutes after Jima and Rick got to the hospital.  Praise the Lord everything worked in Maci's favor!

Maci had several obstacles to overcome.   She aspirated (inhaled) meconium, her placenta had torn and Maci lost more than half of her blood volume. Maci was on a ventilator for almost 4 full days, had 3 blood transfusions, lots of tests and had a UAC (IV line directly into an artery via her umbilical cord) and it prevented Jima and Rick from holding her for 11 days.  Can you imagine not holding your baby for 11 days?  Everything turned around for Maci with the exception of her kidney function.  She has been diagnosed with Intrinsic Renal Failure.  She is on dialysis and the long term medical  plan is for her to continue dialysis until she is at least 22 pounds and can receive a kidney transplant which will be about the time she is a year old. 

BUT we know our God can heal Maci!  We are praying for God to heal her little sweet body, for guidance for the doctors and nurses that are caring for her, and for strength for Jima and Rick.  PLEASE join me in praying for Maci!  This little sweetie is a fighter and God has an awesome plan for her life! 

Read more about Maci and keep up with her daily progress at Day by Day with Maci Moo.

And spread the word!  You can not have to many people praying! 

Jake Turned Two!

Can you believe it?  My little super hero turned TWO on October 22!  It is true, time really does fly!  I am usually very certain to make sure we celebrate (and document) his birthdays ON THE DAY.  For example, his first birthday portraits HAD to be taken on Oct 22, his 18 month portraits HAD to be taken on April 22, etc.  Yes a little OCD but I want to remember him exactly the way he was on that day!  Thankfully our photographer understands my "on the date" hang up and works with me!  Well this year ON THE DATE was not possible.  You see Jake has an obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine.  The local kids farm and petting zoo has a Thomas train so we had to have the party there...no questions about it!  He had to ride Thomas!  When I called to book the party Thomas was all booked up on Saturday for local festivals so we could have the party on the 22nd BUT Thomas would not be available.  Another plain ole train would be there but not Thomas.  Well this MaMom got her priorities straight real quick and decided that Thomas it would be.  So we partied on the 23rd!

We had a great time!  Most of Jake's friends were there and they had a ball! They fed sheep, goats, pigs, and rabbits.  They rode the pony cart and horses.  Milked a goat.  And rode Thomas!  Jake got to drive so it was the highlight of his day!  Then they played in the hay maze and on the playground.  I don't think any of them ate much at all.  They were just to busy!  But we served chili dogs, chips and dip, and the most awesome cake you have ever seen (thanks to Veronica Hayes).  The adults had a great time too!  It was a little chilly but you never know about the weather in these parts this time of year.  Maybe next year I will look for an indoor location.

Here are some of the highlights from the day!


Just Jake.  He is not into smiling for the camera these days.




With Thomas



Feeding the Sheep



Look at that Cake...Awesome even from the back





Is this a cutie pootie or what?  Just an absolute doll!





His latest thing...both fingers up his nose. 
I think it is just to see if MaMom will
say "stop it" one more time!




The Thinker...with dirty knees.




Blowing out the candles with Chloe

Check out Jenn's Blog Post to read more about Jake.  Also, read about there little surprise coming in May!