a little more...

Since I can remember, I wanted to go to graduate school. Well, after 2 long years - a baby - a baby who couldn't sleep - and a wonderfully supportive husband, I FINALLY did it! It was honestly the hardest thing I have ever done, but now I look back and feel I learned a little more than just Speech Language Pathology... I also learned a little more about myself. I somehow can appreciate the small things, like sleep and a peaceful night without a thing to do. Like spending an entire day singing the ABC's and reading to a curious little boy. Like holding the most perfect little gift in your arms, all night long. Like being a parent with an amazing companion. Like watching a tooth peak through mini gums or the leaves sprout on a nearby tree. These are things I didn't appreciate before. I now know what it feels like to help, or in some minute way, make a difference. I know what it feels like to be sitting in a surgery waiting room, wishing I could change places with my child so he would be free of pain and fear. I know what it's like to be held by big arms and by little ones. I now realize how blessed I am to have a husband who believes in me, even when I don't. I realize how lucky I am to have friends and family who would drop so much to help. I have a better understanding of hard times and a deeper gratitude for the good that comes from them. I now know what it feels like to lose a loved grandfather and to reflect on a life. I know what it's like to watch a baby grow. I know how it feels to be called "mom". I learned more about patience. I learned about my personal limits and abilities. I learned to rely more on God and that prayer really does change things. I learned there is nothing more important or more beautiful than the people I come home to.

This journey has been life changing and I'm grateful to realize there is more than an M.S. after my name.

Thanks to all for your love and support. I couldn't have done it without you.

{more pictures to come}

long overdue.

Here is a mini update of our lives.

(February - April)

We got to go skiing for the first time in years! So fun.

Bennett and I spent Valentines Day together, since Dad got to go to the Vancouver Olympics. We had a blast dipping strawberries,

reading sappy love stories,

and dressing up for church.

Then we joined some friends for the afternoon.

Then had a nice snooze.

It was a wonderful Valentines day, but surely was not the same without Brandon.

Bennett no longer reaches or backs into things -

He's an excellent crawler, and has been for awhile now...

The bumps and bruises followed the crawling.

{This day in his crib shows the worst of it - Bruises from the week were all over his head! He was out of control.}

Thankfully, he mastered the whole crawling and standing thing - and falls much less.

Bennett takes full advantage of his mobility.

He loves being outside...

...and wearing big ties.

Bennett became Brandon's "true" son the day he went to his first Basketball game - and loved it.

Bennett got glasses.

{Just kidding}

And, for my Birthday, Brandon sent me to Virginia to see one of my bestest friends - Rachel and her beautiful daughter Dakota. The trip was amazing. Just what we needed.

{I will post more pictures of the trip later}

Bennett has/had Obstructive Sleep Apnea (yep: He wakes up 6-12 times a night)... So he had an adenoidectomy. The whole surgery thing was unbelievably scary, but all went well. We should be seeing the true results shortly. Cross your fingers for us and our little trooper.

Then, came the good stuff - Easter.

And now, we are loving the weather and Dad's Baseball games.

So much more has happened but sadly there isn't enough time to share it all! We have been lucky to see so many dear friends and family this year and hope to post the details soon. As for now, we are looking forward to graduation. We can't believe the craziness is coming to an end. We feel so blessed and grateful for our experiences.

sour faces.

I may be an evil mother, but I couldn't resist. Lemon juice is just way too tempting - and way too fun to watch.

oh the things big boys do...

They help with the cooking.

They love time with daddy.

{check out the teeth and his strawberry hair}

They love to laugh...

and give tons of kisses.

They sit up to play in the bath.

They give 'cheese ball' faces.

They chew on anything and everything.

They get sick of the camera.

{com'on mom - are you serious? I'm bathin' here!}

They finally part their hair.

They know they're cooler than cool.

They are always on the move...

and know how to pooh...

They play with their ears...

{and think it's funny when mom takes them to the doctor to check for an infection... He's a tease}

and have no fears.

He sure is one great big bundle of joy. We love him - all 18 pounds.

two teeth.

Well folks, our little man is growing up. He has two teeth! The bottom ones completely cut through in what seems like overnight. Oh and yes, he crawls! He can only crawl backwards, but nonetheless he crawls. It is odd to think that my baby boy is mobile and capable of - well, biting. Life is good.

a good day.

I woke up this morning to my sweetest (Bennett that is) slowly and ever so softly pulling my bottom lip down, letting go and then laughing at the pop sound. Um, I loved it.

Then while playing with the same sweetest this afternoon, he pulled himself up and started scooting - in the wrong direction. Yep, he is now a backwards scooter. Loved that too.

As if this excitement wasn't enough, my very own sweetest picked up his sippy cup and took a few slugs all on his own. Loved that - kinda. When I say kinda I mean that I am kinda not ready for my sweetest to grow up so fast. Surely because I am kinda enjoying how he lathers on the kisses when he sees me (really, he does) and I am kinda loving how he is utterly and completely a mama's boy. I am kinda loving how he looks at me and how he chats with me. I am kinda loving how he leans for me and how he knows how much I love him. I am kinda loving it all. Well, maybe I shouldn't say all --- the nights are rough at the Christensen's house (enough said) - but yes, I will say all because I kinda love how he needs me... 24/7.

Bennett Laughing