8 kiddos

8 kiddos

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Finally!!

Guess we'll always remember the "leap-day blizzard" of 2012!  We got over 10 inches of snow in the last 24 hours.  It's the fun kind of snow that can be molded into igloos and snowballs.  So much fun!
 Rachel is learning to dig big holes and defend herself against our playful husky puppy.

 Della is also on the defense against brothers, snowballs and dogs.

 Note the goggles on the little guy.  He's just too cute.
Love a snow day!

Birkie Fun

We had great weather for our first Birkie experience last week.  Hannah and Megan skied the Junior Birkie race on friday.  A speedy 3.5K.  Grandpa Larsen was our chauffeur and encourager while grandma stayed home with the little ones.  Thank you!




That's Matt on the start line for the 50K skate race.  Yep, the guy with the hot pink legs and red jacket.  There are no fashion rules in this race.  He had a great race, breaking his goal of three hours with a finish time of 2:47.  We are so proud of him!  

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Happy 7th Birthday, Lars!

We celebrated Lars' birthday with chocolate cake, new skis and a great family ski outing to the Birkie trails for a "night ski" under the lights.  Celebrating life and the joy he brings to our family!
A letter to Lars:

LARS.  Sweet Lars.  I am more thankful, more aware of God’s goodness, more focused on eternity, more patient, and yes, more tired because you are a part of our family.  The last seven years have been a journey I never could have imagined.  We have loved you from the moment you were conceived.  God knit you together in His image, in his likeness.  He has had a plan for your life before there was time.  When we discovered you had some physical and developmental “anomalies” God gave us peace in the face of uncertainty and asked us to trust him like never before.  We surrendered control, knowing that God has the power to give and take away.  The sound of your cry on the afternoon of February 22nd, 2005 was beautiful beyond description.  After months of appointments, scans and prayers we finally got to hold you.  I looked at your sweet, scrunched up face and promised you that I would take care of you and be the best mommy I could be to you.  Taking nothing for granted we began our life together.

Every milestone is cause for celebration.  A lesson in patience.  Proof that medical experts can be wrong.  We find joy in simple things.  Swallowing.  Pooping.  Smiling and laughing.  Rolling.  Walking.  Talking.  Hugging.  Singing.  Wow!!

I have the privilege of being called your mommy.  I watch you play with your siblings, smother little Hans with love and hold Della’s hand as you walk into Sunday School.  I watch you smear your chocolate milk all over the table, play tractors and trailers and ride your bicycle.  I smile as you greet everyone in the grocery store with a loud and friendly “Hi”.  I listen for the familiar “pitter-patter” of your feet across the floor earlier than I want to get up in the morning.  I read you Curious George just “one more time”.  I watch you ski down hills and giggle with joy.  I tuck you in to bed and pray you will know Jesus and praise the God who made you.

As we celebrate your seventh birthday I want you to know that I feel so blessed to call myself your mommy.  I love you just the way you are.  Life on this side of heaven can be hard.  I pray that you will rest in the goodness and grace of our awesome God.

I love you, Sweet Lars,
Mommy

Sunday, February 19, 2012

sisters


The big sisters turned my bathroom in to a beauty salon for the little sisters.   I think I need an appointment!



Friday, February 10, 2012

My Noisy Little Brother...


Hans figured out the world of cupboards today.
He had lots of fun with the pots, pans, and wooden spoons!
Hans will be a year old in only ten days! YIKES!
by 
Megan