Our First Halloween

Here is Jaris hanging out with daddy and a pumpkin!

I love the little smirk on Kenzie's face.

Jaris going for Kenzie's ear. I think he is thinking this is only fare since she grabs and bites my ear mom!

Daddy pulling the guts of the pumpkin out. I had to let him do it as my hands would be covered in hives if I started digging around in there!

Proud papa with his two babes on their first Halloween

I think the expression on these two pumpkins suits the personality of our two kids.

So today in church a dear friend asked me if a year ago today we knew about Kenzie becoming a part of our family, and the answer was no. As far as we knew our profile had been closed and the adoption journey was done. I was pregnant with Jaris however we did not know that he was a boy yet. That was a few weeks away. I was still making my bi-weekly trek to Abbotsford. I must admit I really do miss those trip and I miss seeing Marie as often as I got too! Now a year later we are carving pumpkins with our kids. I love it!!!!! We dressed the kids in their matching outfits for the pictures, however we decided not to take them trick or treating. I know, I know what were we thinking, with Kenzie's smile we would bring a boat load of candy home, however trust me I do not need the candy these days and the babes are too little for that kind of stuff yet! Maybe next year or the year after that, we will see. Well with that being said - HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!

Krahn Get Together

Daddy and Kenzie chilling out reading something together at the end of a very long day, yet very good day!

My son before the day started!

My very adorable son. I love him so much and see he is awake sometimes!

Uncle Mark's White Elephant Gift. Looking very stylish there uncle Mark. Kenzie enjoyed her cuddles with you and the house coat.

The Men cousins all hanging out! I love seeing my son with his older cousins!

All the Grand kids took turns in groups coming to the front so Grandma and Grandpa could talk about them! This time it was Bekah and Kenzie's turn, however Grandpa and Jaris got in on the photo action!

The girls in fairy costumes! You girls look stunning and I have video of this for any future weddings!

Sarah with Grandma! I think we were singing Happy Birthday there! Happy Birthday Sarah!

Let the silly faces begin!

Okay so Kenzie normally likes to growl at Josh and well yeah with that silly face no wonder she growls at you on Sundays during church! Just kidding you know she loves you Josh!

Beloved Auntie Jodi with Mackenzie!

Two manly cousins hanging out!

A game of patty cake going on. Gotta love how auntie Jodi loves being a kid with the kids!

Chilling with my uncle and auntie

Today was the first time the entire Krahn Krew has been together since Jeral and I got married almost 4 years ago. Yikes seriously are we almost at 4 years!!!! We have had get togethers however we have always had one or two missing, and well the two most important to Jeral and I were even here yet in the form of Kenzie and Jaris. We sure had a lot of fun today and enjoyed the company of some pretty fantastic people. So there is our day!

Now to hopefully go to bed and read for a bit. I got myself a Kindle, and I am loving reading with it. I have my Bible and 6 other books all in a light, compact, easy to carry e-reader and I have read more in the past week than I have since Kenzie was born. Good night all!

7 Months

Seriously Wow! Jaris is 7 months today. Were does time go? The past 7 months have been filled with so much for our little miracle boy. Truthfully life as we knew it has changed forever. The other day I had said to Jeral that while I do remember what life was like before we had Kenzie and Jaris, I am unable to imagine a future without them.

Seven Months ago today at this time Jaris was sleeping in the bassinet at the hospital. He went into recovery sleep much later than most babies do. All I wanted to do was sleep like my amazing little boy, yet with visitors that was impossible. He seemed so small and so fragile. He was longer than Kenzie was when she was born, yet he weighed less. I was scared if I snuggled him to close I would break him, however that did not stop the snuggles. When I look at Jaris it is hard to believe that he was once to tiny, because 7 months later he is a huge boy. Yes he is still very floppy, yet that is getting better. Yes I some days am not able to feed him fast enough, and in the end he still gets all the food he needs, and sometimes all the food he wants!!!! :)

I knew the day I was pregnant with Jaris that my life would be forever changed by the little miracle inside of me. I knew the path that I was on in the journey of life would likely change and that some of the people on that path with me would not be able to join me on a different path once you came into the world, and other people would join us on that path instead. Yet my son the greatest blessing is that you and your sister are now a part of the journey. I love being your mommy!

Ten Months!

Climbing the Stairs At Grandma's house! I have a fast little monkey on my hands

My attempt to get a pic of the three of them at the top of the stair. Three little ones and a picture do not always go hand in hand! Still I had to try.

Kenzie in the cupboards at Grandma's place. It's a good thing Grandma J, does not mind the mess!!!!!

I have a ten month old as of tomorrow! Wow! Where has time gone? It seems that every time I turn around she is doing something new and growing up that little bit more. I have a very independent daughter, who lets everyone know what she does or does not want. I love that about her and I will do my best to not stomp that part of her out.

She is brings so much happiness to my life. I love how she snuggles in at night and rolls to touch me and make sure I am there. Not dad, she wants me. Both babes roll into me. Between Jeral and the babes they have 4/5 of the bed and I and left with 1/5. I sort of smirk when this happens and then hug the edge of the bed and go back to sleep.

I was thinking that i need to start planning ahead for her 1 year Birthday. Not only will she be a year, this party will also mark the 1 year ago that she came into our family through the gift of adoption. Wow, only two months to get it all sorted out and yet so worth it for her.

Soon she will most likely be walking and then the world will take on a new appeal to her. She already climbs the stairs any time we for get to latch the gate, and when our backs are turned, or when we are busy with Jaris. She is a fireball and go getter my little girl and I am so proud of her! I also finally got her room decorations up. Pictures to follow in a few days. Well that is all for now!

Late Night THeology Rant

children make you think. No matter what age they are they make you think, and rethink, and rethink some more. Once again tonight I was cuddling Kenzie like normal. She had a rough time going down for the night. She would be asleep and then within 2 minutes of me putting her down in her crib she would be crying - no screaming, so I would go in and pick her up to cuddle. AS I was rocking her I told her that she was never alone. That even if mommy was not there holding her that she had Jesus there to hold her and snuggle. I told her that Jesus would never leave her side and that Jesus would always keep her safe. Well as those last words came out of my mouth I realized that once again I had told Kenzie the Sunday School answer.

In Sunday School I remember being taught that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. Okay that is Biblical, so then where did we get this idea that it also meant that Jesus would keep us safe? Seriously I remember being told that when we were afraid we needed to remember that Jesus is always with us and that he will keep us safe, so we don't need to be afraid of the dark. That is not Biblical. Yes Jesus is with us and yes for the most part we really do not need to be afraid of the dark when we are going to bed for the night. The truth is that the unfortunate reality is life happens, people get to make choices, and sometimes we are not kept safe the the harmful physical, emotional, and mental effects, or aftermath of those choices. I remember asking "Jesus in to my heart" so he would keep me safe and when that did not happen, wow disillusionment. How does a child understand that what the Sunday School answer has taught them is not really the truth. I know that comes later in life, and that going through disillusionment will help my children form their own faith, and trust in God, and not just spew out what mommy and daddy have taught them all their lives. To me when God said that he would never leave us or forsake us that means that He will always be by our sides. That He will not leave when we are making unwise choices. That He will not abandon us when others force their unwise choices on us. And that no matter what we do or is done to us God's love for us will never ever change. It will not diminish, and we cannot earn extra brownie points. So how do I now go about teaching this to my babes. I guess I have some time - and with that Kenzie is crying again. I have a feeling I am in for a long night!

Proud Mama

Kenzie playing with her push toy. She took her first steps behind it today which means that walking is not far away!!! Oiy, not sure if I am ready for that yet ready or not her she comes!!!!

Jaris sitting with daddy sucking his fingers - the same two fingers his older cousin Tyson sucks - it must be a boy thing in our family!

I love this picture - it looks like he is posing for a magazine or about to lean in and tell us something very important. The fact that he is able to sit there like that is pretty amazing. There was a time when we thought he may never be able to do that, sitting with some help now and next - crawling which he tries hard to do. We just need to work on that upper body strength. In the mean time he is able to get to where he want to go by rolling. He can roll right across our living room which is no small task. I am one very proud mama of both my children

So exciting!

Just a quick note to say that one of my dearest friends had her little baby girls yesterday. Joelle Marie Haak was born yesterday morning and this auntie can hardly wait to come and see you and have some snuggle time. Marie and Andrew we are so happy for you guys and your little girl! Many blessings as you settle into a life that includes her in your arms. Hugs from all of us and a huge smile from Kenzie!

Just Cause

Jaris in his Tigger out fit. Hmm - maybe we will take them out for Halloween after all.

Kenzie saying with her actions mommy put the camera down and give me a great big kiss!

The matching twins who are not twins! Seriously I have cute kids, and I am so blessed!

Just cause I am able to I did! I finally after 6 months bought matching sleepers and dressed the kids up in them. Normally I am not about dressing the kids like they are twin, simply because they are not twin and yet some days it is to hard to resist. I have the cutest kids.

After the kids took their naps we got in the van and went to Margert Falls for a bit and then we went out for dinner and both Kenzie and Jaris sat in high chairs at the restaurant. We were not sure how Jaris was going to do however he just showed us that he is getting stronger and stronger all the time. They both did great. Kenzie was yammering away at anyone who would pay attention to her. At one point a complete stranger came over to sit with us just because she could not get enough of Kenzie's smiles and jabber talk. Kenzie has this way about her. She draws people in with her personality, and her amazing smile. We are careful to not only give her praise just when she is smiling and being all cute and goof bally. We make sure that in her melt down moments we hold her and tell her that we love her even then. The reality is that we do not love our children for what they do, we love them simply because they exist, and for that we are grateful every day.

Happy Thanks Giving

Kenzie hanging out with her Great Uncle Abe

Jaris completely zonked out!

I think Kenzie is thinking seriously mommy, put the camera away already!

Jaris once again zonked out - he is awake and does play! He is just so cute when he is sleeping so I like taking pictures of him!

We just wanted to say Happy Thanks Giving to everyone!!!!! If you are fortunate enough to see us over the Thanks Giving Weekend you would Get a Huge Smile from Kenzie and the the Best Cuddles in the world from Jaris, and a Hi from Jeral and I. And if you are not lucky enough to see us well that is why to picture are posted too! Our family has lots to be thankful for, Kenzie and Jaris top my list, and Jeral is on the list too! We hope that all of you have a great Thanks Giving with Family and Friends where ever you are at.

Emotions or Thoughts?

Is it our thoughts that create our emotions or our emotions that create our thoughts? Or can it be a bit of both? This is the question I am working through as I step out onto a new path in the journey of life. My hope is that the answer is both and that the past 4 years have paved, or graveled the way for the next path.

We got a phone call this morning about Kenzie and her sleep issues and the developmental specialist tried to tell us that Kenzie cannot be having night terrors because she is to little to be aware, and since we got her when she was two days old she will not have been traumatized by her adoption. I gently said that Kenzie's amydula right from birth has been creating emotional memories, and she does have the emotional imprint of being taken away from the woman who she spent nine months growing inside and two days with being loved up before she was placed with us. I did appreciated that the lady said that I am mommy and I know best, which is true, thus we will continue to hold and comfort Kenzie and bring her and Jaris into bed with us, if we feel it is in their best interest for developing and growth.

Jaris is getting stronger and stronger every day and I love playing with him and watching him develop. I also love it when he smiles because he hears my voice or sees me walk into a room. I may be one tired mommy, yet I am one very blessed mommy!

Nothing Much Just a Late Night Blog Entry!

It's getting late and I should be in bed. Actually I was in bed already and then thought I heard Jaris so I got up, to check and he was fast asleep. Jeral and Kenzie are fast asleep in our bed. Yep Kenzie is sleeping with us these days. She has been waking up many times through out the night screaming. Not just waking up and fussing, she goes from fast asleep to standing and yelling at the top of her lungs in 5 seconds flat. We think she is have night terrors. Poor little girl, she seems to young to be having night terrors. The only thing that seems to work is keeping her in bed with us. The above picture is how our bed looks most mornings, and trust me i am not complaining. I actually love having us all in one room the only thing I would change is having a bigger bed, or maybe two queens side by side! Wishful thinking I know! Oh well.

We have physio for Jaris this week and he is doing so good. I am one proud mama. He was rolling for them and grabbing at toys, and giving huge smiles. Seriously the high for the week was watching him show off, and then when he was tired he was done and only wanted mama snuggles. Gotta love that.

Both Kenzie and Jaris had their checkups this last week. Jaris is a good 22 lbs and Kenzie is 21lbs. Kenzie being this big surprised me as I have been worried that she was not getting enough to eat. Well I was wrong! I am so thankful that both Kenzie and Jaris are doing so well. Kenzie is still motoring along at lightening speed and Jaris is marching to the beat of his own drum (hmmm, wonder where he gets that from?!?!?!?!). All in all life is pretty great, not always easy and yet it is good.