I want to remember how excited Carter was when he woke up. That he couldn’t wait to put on his new Sketchers and ride the bus.

I want to remember how Elsie was so cute looking out the window to see Carter get on the bus.

I want to remember the bus ride I got to take with him on the first day – how it was so cute to see him say hi to Braden and Leo. How I chatted with John and Nancy about how their mornings were. How the boys realized they all had the same shoes. :) How it was a little chilly because the bus had their roof window open. How it is kind of a long bus ride, and was made even longer with all the parents taking pictures (but was so cute!).

I want to remember how quick it seemed to go once we got to the school – that he lined up and went to go meet his teacher. I wanted to go with , but John let Braden head off by himself, so I did the same. How I was surprised I didn’t cry, but was instead so excited for him. And how it seemed like there were so. Many. Kids.

I want to remember that I wanted to take a million more pictures, but held back. :)

I want to remember how much I thought about him the whole day.

I want to remember how cute Elsie was when Tina brought the kids over while we were doing the garage sale. How she’d leaked through her diaper and had pants on instead of her shorts (a common occurrence lately).

I want to remember how glad I was that Jamie got home before Carter’s bus, so we could both be there to get him off the bus.

I want to remember how cute it was when we saw the bus pulling up and saw Carter in one of the very front seats with a HUGE smile on his face, waving like crazy. :) How excited he was when he got off the bus – he couldn’t stop smiling! How Tina told us that Elsie was looking out the window to see all of us too. :)

I want to remember when we asked him what he did during the day, all he remembered was playing on the playground. Then after we asked a couple more questions, he told us he’d found Carter O (from soccer last spring) at lunch and sat with him and Leo. And that he didn’t remember any of his classmates’ names, but he was glad to meet them all. (HA!)

I want to remember that when Jamie was unpacking Carter’s lunch box that he had the strangest things left – like his cookie! And how Carter said with a big smile “I loved the card you gave me in my lunch, mama!” Then he proceeded to eat some of what was left, because he realized how hungry he was.

I want to remember how quickly we had to eat supper to make it to soccer in time, and then how out of control soccer was. How he did good while we were there, but then was honest and said he didn’t like it afterwards. (we’re going to try to pull him out since there aren’t enough coaches)

I want to remember how it was fun helping him with his homework – filling out the sheet about his first day. How he didn’t have anything that he didn’t like. :) And how he said the first day was awesome!

I want to remember how when he went to bed, and we told him there was only one more school day this week, he was disappointed because he wanted to go to school more than just one more day. :)

Stationery card

just ordered elsie's thank yous from her first birthday on shutterfly - i can't wait to see if they turn out as cute as they look online!

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Grown Up Pink Birthday Invitation

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it was a monday. we had to go home and gather up our things, and head back to the hospital. checking in, getting set up - it was exciting and nerve wracking and scary knowing what was to come. the unknown: what labor would be like. would you be a boy or girl? how were we going to do this - who said it was ok for us to do this? are we really this grown up?

we didn't get much sleep that night...there was so much anticipation. well, and a lot of beeping machines, nurses, and other hospital distractions... ;-)

first night with no moses basket...here goes nothing...

so, saturday night (12/17) i'm getting carter ready for bed. he's singing away in a manger, and we're talking about Jesus. he is saying how jesus was born on Christmas day, and then starts saying that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. all of a sudden, his face is super sad and he looks as though he might burst into tears, and says "why did Jesus have to die on the cross?" so, i just said that it was part of God's plan, and was the only way for our sins to be forgiven. he goes on to ask about sin, and we pray for forgiveness of his not listening earlier in the day. then he is still upset, and i ask what was wrong. and he says "but why did Jesus have to die on the cross? He was just a baby!" i explained that He first grew up to be a man. :)

then we talk about the fact that although Christ died on the cross, He rose from the dead three days later. there was much discussion about heaven, and that it's where we go after we die if we believe in Jesus, and that we will live there with Him forever. he asks about someone who recently passed away, and i said "yep, they are in heaven, with Jesus now!" with a confused look on his face, he said "but when did she rise again?" on with another explanation that only Jesus rose again...

as i can almost see the wheels turning in his head, he says something about missing jesus. so i say something like "do you mean you miss Jesus being on earth?" and he says "yes - i wish he would talk to me". so i go on to explain that God and Jesus can talk to us, but not in a way that we can hear - through the bible, sometimes through other people, etc. i pull out his bible, and we read some verses that talk about Him being with us, never leaving us, etc. carter seems ok with that, and then we finish getting him ready for bed. he lays down, and as we're praying, he says "dear Jesus, thank you for everything in our world, and for protecting us and dying for our sins." then there was a long pause. i peek over at him to see what's going on, and he opens his eyes, looks at me and says indignantly "see? He's not saying anything back!"

this is such an interesting stage...so much thought going on. so sensitive. i don't want to miss a moment or opportunity to help him understand. it is definitely a tough concept - even for adults, let along a 4.5 year old! Lord, help me with your words - your truth.

catching up little by little on december daily....

12.1: ernie elf arrives with a note for carter

12.3: candy cane hunt, hot chocolate & coffee @ starbucks, sweater party

i am almost in denial that it's december...where is the time going?! (i feel like my grandma saying that!)

because this time of year is so magical, and i want to remember as much as i can with our little family of four, i am going to work on a december daily album. i've attempted this for about the last three or four years, and even though it isn't something that always gets executed as i envision, i'm always glad with whatever i'm able to accomplish.

today, ernie elf made his first appearance of the year, with a little letter for carter. carter was so excited to see him after coming home from miss tina's! we'll see what this little elf does around here - both in antics and in helping with motivation....