Some Fall 2013 Memoriess

Carter was a GI Joe Ninja for Halloween.  This is him sitting at his desk in Mrs. Kaze's first grade class. 

Cade was a Power Ranger for Halloween.  This is him at Mrs. Gambill's second grade Halloween Party.

This is my belly and how I announced to everyone that we're having a girl.

I changed my profile picture on Facebook to this picture and that's how we announced to our Facebook friends that we are having a baby girl.  Cooper is in this one too, dressed up as a football player.  He was so excited when he found this costume.  He wanted to dress up to be just like his big brothers.  So sweet!

Last week, Cooper and Carter had fun in the bath together.  It has been awhile since the big boys have taken a bath.  They now usually take showers all by themselves.  We just can't believe how time flies and how fast our boys are growing up.  

Carter often scores 100% on his Kumon books.  Here he is holding up one of his 100% books and the $10 Kumon bucks that he earned for it.  Proud boy!

Cade also often scores 100% on his Kumon books.  Here he is posting his 100% book on the board at the Kumon center.  Another proud boy!

Last Tuesday, the Platte River PTO organized a community skating event at Skate City.  Cooper was interested in getting out onto the floor, so we strapped on the skates and off he went.  He didn't hesitate and didn't even hold Daddy's hand the whole time.  What a brave little boy we have!

Brave Cooper!  Skating all by himself.  

In first grade, Carter is learning about ancient Egypt.  This is his mummy.  He has decided that when he goes to heaven, he wants to take Lola, a football, his green blankie, a book, his Kumon work and his iPad.  Haha!!!  This just cracks me up.  

Exciting News

On August 25, 2013, we learned that we were being blessed with a fourth baby Kaminski!  We felt, and still do feel, overwhelmed by the grace of God and we are so very grateful for the opportunity to raise another child in His name.

Our baby is growing well, as per our two visits to the doctor.  We were lucky enough to get to see our baby's sweet body in an ultrasound at 8 weeks that made Keith and I marvel yet again at the beauty of life.  S/he was completely formed...arms with hands and fingers, legs with feet and toes.  Our baby was very small, but fully human.  What an amazing and beautiful sight!

At 12 weeks, I took a blood test called Maternity 21.  This test is able to isolate the baby's DNA from a sample of my blood, therefore indicating genetics and gender.  I received the call today from Dr. Levy, assuring me that we have a genetically healthy baby........GIRL!!!!!!  What?!?!?!  A girl?????  Now, that was a shock.  I asked the doctor if he was sure and he said, "I'm sitting here holding the results in my hands and there is no indication of a Y chromosome.  So, there is no doubt that you have a GIRL!!!"  Consider our minds officially blown!!!!!

We await, with much excitement and anticipation, the birth of our baby girl on Friday, April 11, 2014 (if things go as planned).  XOXO

First Day of School 2013

So, here we go again.  Another summer has flown by and our babies are back to school.  This picture was taken on the morning of our first day of school.  Cade is entering 2nd Grade and Carter is entering 1st Grade.  Cooper just wishes that he could be as big as his brothers.  He's ready to go with his little book.

Snuggle Time

Every night, I am blessed to snuggle this little bundle of sweetness while relaxing on the rocking chair in his room.  It's such a special nightly ritual.  We read books (Cooper's favorite is Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss).  We sing.  We play with his stuffed dragon (Coop calls him "dah-gun").  We listen to his music box.  And I kiss and hug him.  He smiles and melts into me.  I really love these moments!  They make me love God even more, as without Him, these moments wouldn't be possible.

Lessons On Money

We have always known that Cade is an old soul.  He is a thinker and a planner.  He is mathematical and meticulous.  The amazing thing is that he's also very emotionally intelligent.  He is keenly aware of the feelings of those around him and he senses what is right and wrong.

Often, when we are in the car alone, he talks to me about things way beyond his years.  This past week, he blew me away....again...with the depth of his understanding.  The conversation went something like this.

Cade:  Mom, I'm going to give all of the money in my wallet to help Awana (Wednesday night church group) groups around the world.

He pauses while taking out his wallet and counting the money inside.

Cade:  I have $3.27.
Me:  That's a great idea, Cade.  You know, though, you don't have to give all of your money.  You could save some of it for yourself, if you'd like.
Cade:  I know,  Mom.  I like to give some of my money because it's nice to share.  There are a lot of people who don't have enough money.  I do have to save some of my money, though.  I have a lot to buy.
Me:  Oh yeah?
Cade:  Yeah.  I am going to need to buy a house when I grow up.  And I'm going to need to buy a car too.  Oh yeah, and I'll have to pay for college.  So, Mom, I really have to save my money because that's all going to be very expensive.
Me:  Wow!  You're right.  Great thinking!  You really do need to save your money.

Our little planner, dressed as the witch for his Hansel and Gretel play at school.

Score!

After a delicious dinner, Cooper apparently decided that he wanted dessert.  He opened the pantry and took out the candy bag.  He hit the jackpot!  This is how he felt about his victory.

Cooper has never eaten candy before tonight.  How could we say no after he worked so hard to find his treasure?  This is how he felt about his first lollipop.

Is it possible to love this kid any more than we do?  I don't think so.  He's the BEST!!!

Baby's First Word

Cooper has been "talking" for awhile now.  Maybe even for several months.  He probably started talking around Thanksgiving (16 months old).  His first word was "ball."  Not mama or dada or baba or anything that you might expect.  Ball.

Cooper loves balls.  I mean, Cooper really, really loves balls.  If there was no other toy on this earth except for balls, he would be the happiest baby ever.  That's all he needs.  Balls.  He loves footballs, soccer balls, beach balls, bouncy balls, any kind of ball.

When playing with a football, he'll hold it down on the floor and grunt "Down, Set, Hike!"  Of course, he can't say those words yet, but the grunts make his meaning very clear.  He's playing football...for real.  He makes a play.  Sometimes he passes it one of his brothers (the Receiver) who, in turn, runs for a touchdown.  He cheers for his brothers.  Sometimes he runs to score a touchdown himself.  He cheers for himself.  Sometimes he sticks the ball, in his chubby little hands, out to the side for a hand off.  One of his brothers takes the ball and scores a touchdown.  He cheers again.  This goes on and on.  Day after day. Week after week.  It's so sweet!

Thanks be to God, I captured this on video.  I will always smile thinking of Cooper "playing" football.  He truly is the cutest kid!!!

Musings in the van

Last week, during our usual morning drive to school, Cade and Carter began talking about the future.  The conversation went something like this.

Cade:  "Mommy, when I grow up, I want to live near you."
Me:  "That sounds great!"
Carter:  "I don't want to live in Texas, Mommy.  I want to live in Colorado with you."
Me:  "I would love it if all of you boys want to live near Daddy and me."
Cade:  "Would we live in another house?"
Me:   "Yes.  When you grow up, you'll live in another house."

Silence.  Feeling of devastation permeates the vehicle.

Cade:  "But, Mommy, does that mean that we can't live with you?"
Me:  "No, honey.  You'll live with your wife and children, not with Mommy and Daddy."
Cade:  Teary..."But I want to live with you."
Carter:  Also teary..."I want to live with you forever."

Is it possible for our hearts to live outside of our bodies?  In the case of parents and children, I believe so.  There is nothing more precious, or more alive and vibrant, than the love between parents and children.  What an unexpected blessing that morning drive was!

Here are our sweet big boys who I hope want to live near us forever!