Easter

We celebrated Easter a few times.  The weekend before, we invited David, Kim and Katelyn over for dinner and an Easter egg hunt.  Katelyn and Jacen had lots of fun!!!!

Jacen got Easter baskets from us, Grandpa and MiMi and Grandma and Grandpa.  He enjoyed seeing what was inside and eating or playing with everything!!!

We took a few pics at church with Mikela (the nursery director) and Annie one of our friends :)

We tried to takes pics of Jacen at home.  He was acting shy and silly :)

We also went to Jonathan and Randa's house for lunch and an Easter egg hunt.  We had lots of fun with the Langs, Hutchins, McCoys, Hoggards, and Skeltons.  In addition to hunting eggs, Jacen loved playing in a water feature in the backyard with Ashley and Megan.

Delivering Stuffed Animals

Thank you to all of the wonderful people that donated the 413 stuffed animals at Nathan's Memorial Service.  We had the privilege of going with the Children's Ministers from Monterey Church of Christ, who organized the donations of the stuffed animals, to Covenant Women's and Children's Hospital Tuesday to deliver the stuffed animals.  They were given to one of the  Child Life Specialists named Amy.  After recruiting helpers and a cart who took the majority of them to the storage room to be sorted and organized, we took a few to the pediatric floor to deliver.  It was so wonderful to see the impact that Nathan had on so many people who so graciously bought the 413 stuffed animals.  Then we got to see the other side of that impact because of Nathan and all of the generous people, children at the hospital will get a new stuffed animal to hopefully brighten their day. 

We have been asked more than once how could we have done that so close to his passing and be so happy and calm.  I can give you two explanations. First, without God's peace from your prayers it would never have been possible.  Second, the hospital even throughout the many ups and downs, will always hold wonderful memories of Nathan smiling bigger than I ever saw again with Nurse Keri when she visited in October '09 when we were in pedi.  The wonderful nurses and doctors who so lovingly took care of Nathan and us those first 9 weeks in NICU.  The PICU nurses, doctors, and Hospice who helped us through the realization that Nathan would only be with us a short while.  The amazing pedi nurses that were willing to take on Nathan as a patient even though they fully understood what a Hospice patient that had come for his last days meant.  Those last few days held many happy memories with friends filling that room and showing their support.  Then those moments watching the family get to spend time with him.  Jacen so lovingly telling Nathan bye bye and "wuv you".  Finally, Kyle and I were allowed to spend time just the three us to read to, sing to, watch movies with, snuggle with, and hold Nathan tight. I will also never forget Mozelle who told me one of the last days in the hospital that until Nathan has touched the last person that he is supposed to touch God won't take him home.  So I know that Nathan touched every life that he was supposed to touch here on this earth.

Two of the most wonderful people that I know volunteer at Covenant.  They are Ken and Shirley Castle who also teach Jacen on Sunday mornings at church.  They actually teach one of our baby classes 9 months out of the year, every year.  They have a heart and a gift for children.  Jacen immediately wanted Shirley when we got to the hospital.

Stephanie, Kyle, Jacen, and Child Life Specialist Amy

Shauna and Christi (Monterey Children's Ministers) and Amy

Loading up the Many Animals

Delivering stuffed animals to patients.

Peace and Comfort

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Phillipians 4:7

We want to thank you all for the prayers for peace and comfort.  We are definitely feeling those. 

This post will be pretty long because I have two weeks worth of pictures to share.  So please bare with me.  

Jacen and Daddy enjoying sprinkler time :)

Jacen was very curious about the flowers.  I forget that I do not have a green thumb, so we do not have many plants in our house on a normal basis.

While shopping one day by myself, I found bath markers.  Jacen is really enjoying writing with things and his bath time, so I figured why not try both at the same time.  He loves his markers!!!!

Jacen still loves to be outside.  

Notice he is writing with both hands at the same time with his chalk :)

He told me that he was talking on "his cell phone" to Katelyn!!!

He loves computers just like his Daddy :)

Kyle and I have both wondered over the past two weeks why he would like a push toy now that he has been walking for a while?!?!?

I got out the wagon for the first time this year.  We had a great wagon ride while I walked Patches at the same time.  I am sure we were a sight to see!!

I couldn't resist posting this one simply for the face :)

He found a new place to sit today?!?!?

Laura came to visit and of course brought her phone :)

We are very grateful for all of the food that has been delivered.  One night Amber, her boys, The Taylors, and their boys were all at the house delivering food.  I enjoyed watching them play.  We will have to do that again soon!!!

Playdates!!!

We met Elizabeth, Briley, and Avery at the park by our house to play!!!

We met Kristin, Annie, Hudson, and Hayden at Science Spectrum!!

Playgroup with our Sunday school class.  They colored Easter eggs.  Jacen wasn't interested, but he certainly enjoyed playing at the Courtyard at Church!!