A year ago today...

Tonight as loads and loads of kids came to our house, Jesse and I kept saying, "Last year not as many kids came..." We promptly remembered where we were last year... Not handing out candy, that's for sure!

One year ago today, we were 3 days in to a 21 day hospital stay.  Jed was negative18 days old.  Life was very different.  The mag sulfate was still in full force, my vision was still blurry, I still was unable to move much.  Life was tough.  Good days, bad days... days... lots of days...

Looking back, every minute... every single second of pain, uncomfortableness, loneliness, fear, discouragement... all of it was worth the joy that Jed brings to my life.  

Today, we celebrated a silly holiday.  It was fun to be with family and friends.  Most of all, it was just great to hold my little boy, in my ARMS reflecting on how hard we worked to keep him safe and how God's goodness filled and has continued to fill our hearts with so much joy, despite our circumstances. 

We didn't go trick-or-treating... didn't find a need to, but we still had a blast dressing up!

My bulldog was such a sweet bulldog, he even stuck his tongue out like a little puppy!

COWBOY!

Last weekend we had our annual WSM Barn Dance!!! SOOOO much fun!  We thought Jed might enjoy the festivities so we dressed everyone up!  

Jed and Daddy were on the dance floor doing the electric slide.

 Some of our leadership students... love them!

Half Way Done!

God is faithful.  I had to start that way.  He is so present in the midst of trials.  For the last month, my father in law, Harold has been undergoing radiation treatment for prostate cancer.  He and Margie (Jesse's mom) have been staying in San Francisco at a friends vacation home (such a blessing).   Every morning they leave at 6:00am and travel to Stanford where they begin their day with coffee at the Stanford mall and a special envelope.  

Each week, we send them off with 5 envelopes, one for each day of the week.  In each day, we have gathered notes from people who love them so dearly.  Included are scriptures, letters of memories, funny pictures, song lyrics, crafts from the grandkids, and written prayers.  Never in my life have I seen such a small thing/idea do so much good to someone. 

Every day, HP has to lay still for 15 minutes.  No music, just himself and God (and the radiation techs).  He has repeatedly said how amazing it has been to have such wonderful scriptures, thoughts, words, prayers FILL his mind.  He lays there in PEACE, knowing God is in control.  

What is even more special is how he has used these envelopes to minister to those around him.  As Harold showed the receptionist one days worth, tears filled her eyes in amazement. 

This past Friday was day 17 of 35.  HP is 1/2 way there.  These are the people who care for HP every day.  

 This is the machine that they use.

We are so blessed to have such amazing parents.  HP and Margie have shown immeasurable strength, that is only seeded in the depth of their relationship with the Lord.  God has been so present in this time of trials.  

Thank you to all who have added to these envelopes.  You may never know how much of a blessing you can be to someone.  With a little effort and time, you can change someone's day.  

If you would like to add anything for the final 17 days please get them to me at alliepenner@gmail.com

Carter gets dedicated!

A few weekends ago, our friends Blake and Christina baptized their sweet boy Carter.  It was a beautiful service at their church followed by a reception at Piazza del Pane (yummy)!!!  Congrats to Carter!

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we had some visitors from Alameda (Auntie TT and Uncle Aaron!!!)... so we took a field trip with the entire family to an amazing pumpkin patch in Reedley.  It was so charming and an amazing place to take kids!

 The pumpkins were in a real patch... scare crow and all!

 They have a truck set up all ready for family pictures... we always take advantage of opportunities to take pictures.

 Aubrey was so sweet to take Jed and Austin for a ride!

 OOOH.... Big boy!

 They even had a train ride and hay ride!  

 They also had a mini train that I am sure in a few years I will have a little boy who will obsess over!

 Thanks for the visit Auntie TT and Uncle Aaron!

 We were getting a little hungry so we went into Reedley to eat at an awesome Mexican restaurant.  Austin just couldn't wait so he ate his toes!

Jed's first Haircut

Jed's has hair... it can be out of control at times.  It is very long and starting to curl (like his mommy's).  So, it was time for a little cut!  

I began by spraying his hair... Jed was VERY curious so, I gave him the sprayer to buy some time.  He was a bit squirly!  

 Snip snip...

 Jed's first locks

 Snip snip

 Mommy, I'm bored!

 Oma and Opa face timed with us during the cut... So Jed was looking at Oma!

 After spraying his hair a second time, I thought he might like to try a taste...He loved being sprayed in his mouth!

Well, it's not a perfect hair cut but it is a special memory I will always have!

All boy!!!!!

Jed is ALL BOY!!!  He loves the outdoors!  In the last 2 weeks he has discovered the wide world outside!!!  He loves going in and out, in and out... he can find an open door anywhere!!!  He loves playing with the hose, picking up rocks, feeling different textures, pointing at everything... 

 Look!  

 Everything in the mouth!

 Oooohhhhhh!

 Good job Jed!!! (clapping for himself)

Look mommy, a rock!

 Rock #1

 Look mommy, another rock!

Rock #2

 Look, another rock mommy!

Rock #3

 Time to clean up, putting the rocks in and out, in and out.

 We were cleaning the garage the next day.  He found the door and was all over!  It's so hard for me to just let him crawl all over, get soooo dirty but daddy thinks it's a good idea, so I am going with it!

 We found a dodgeball head band from years back... "Your Mom" ... we thought it might help when he hits his head all the time!  

 IN

 OUT

 IN

 Dirty hands... well worth it!