Happy 17th!

This fun loving, robust little baby is now 17!

Funny,

He still gets energetic at 10 pm, making him a night owl,

those were the very red socks that tainted an entire load of white clothes.

 

I can still count on him helping and being responsible,

though he doesn't carry around a sippy cup full of milk 

and wear only a diaper and a tank top.

We always knew that he would need a trip to the emergency room before his third birthday....and then once again before his fourth. We waited 5 hours for the plastic surgeon to stitch 13 stitches into his upper lip. And then another 7 in his chin.

He still enjoys a good hike.

He loves to hike out front. I think it is more that he doesn't have any

patience to hike behind the rest of us.

I love my boy.

I never knew what it would be like to be looking up to my little boy.

 This is living proof that Jared really was once shorter than Daphne.

A handsome guy with a huge smile.

Happy Birthday Jared!

Our friends the Summits put together a fantastic surprise party for Jared.
The teens from Star Academy (our homeschool co-op) had a great time. 
The kids really enjoy being together.
Even Victoria got a chance to hang out with her friends that night.



The Nursery

The Birthing Center where I work is closing permanently next month. I am not happy about it. Not only was it the perfect job to juggle with Homeschooling the kids but it was my perfect job to get away and take care of premies. So now I have to start all over and find a new job. One that is further away and is going to take more mental time. Blah, Blah, Blah!

Isn't this the sweetest little baby you ever saw?
I was once an adrenalin junkie taking the more difficult patients with the most machinery used to keep the child alive.
But now I just want to feed premies and newborns. And take care of the baby in C-sections and deliveries.
But now I and 99 other nurses have to leave and find jobs in an economy where there are shortages of jobs! UUGGGHHHH!
Well, God has a plan...right?