Taking Care of Daddy

For the past month Brad has been doing a Sub-Internship. It's basically a rotation where the medical student is given a lot of responsibility and treated like a resident. Brad worked with the Surgical Trauma ICU service at Harborview. He learned a ton, but worked some pretty long shifts. His days started around 5 am, and he was on-call at the hospital every fourth day. Sometimes he worked for over 30 hours straight with no sleep and no decent meal. We thought that there were some new guidelines this year that changed how long medical students can work, but apparently Harborview didn't get the memo...

One day last week Brad came home after a particularly long shift and collapsed on the couch. He didn't even make it to bed. With no prompting from me, the girls took pity on him:

Leah brought Daddy a book to read and her blanket. Lainy brought a few stuffed animals and tucked them under Daddy's arms. Then they both removed his shoes and Lainy sang him a song.

So sweet.

Seasons

The seasons are changing. I can feel it. The mornings are a little cooler, the sun a little weaker. And though the Seattle skies have not rained in almost two months, I can't help but feel the rain is coming soon.

Summer has been so good to us. Last week we spent almost every evening on the beach soaking in the sun as it sunk over the horizon. The girls played in the sand in their little swimsuits and sundresses. I listened to the waves and watched the boats and the paddle boarders. It was so peaceful and lazy. The perfect way to bid Summer adieu.

Autumn will be here for us when Lainy starts preschool next week. She is so excited. I am too, mostly. My only hang-up is that she is going to ride a little bus to school. I'm just not sure that I'm ready to put my little girl on a bus. I guess I am at one of those bittersweet crossroads as a parent when the rapid passing of time reaches up and taps you on the shoulder, demanding your attention. I'd rather ignore it a little longer.

Brad is working on submitting his applications for residency programs. We have spent most evenings the past few weeks editing essays, picking programs, and going over his application to make sure everything is in order. It has been exciting and stressful and a little hard to believe. But I have to admit, his application is pretty impressive. Let's hope the residency programs agree! It will be interesting to see how everything plays out over the next few months. We should know where Brad matches for residency next Spring.

So, though Summer is ending I am grateful for the sun-soaked and fun-filled memories she's given us. And I'm excited for Fall. We have so much to look forward to!

Lainy's Birthday Party

Lainy has never had a birthday party with friends, so this year I wanted to do one for her. Together, we decided on a rainbow colors theme. Lainy loves coloring and making crafts, and she doesn't have a particular favorite color (she has many) so it seemed to fit her. I was excited to start planning!

We gave these invitations to her friends:

I made a  rainbow cake, and it turned out awesome!

We picked Lainy's favorite foods and had a nice spread:

Apparently we chose a bad weekend for a party because a lot of Lainy's friends couldn't come, but we ended up having a great little group of kids anyway.

The kids decorated party favor bags in bright colors and stickers, made fruit loop necklaces, played a rainbow version of duck,duck,goose, and dancing game with balloons.

Then it was time for cake! All the kids were so excited when I cut the cake and it was all colorful inside! (Okay, I was probably the most excited about it.)

Next Lainy opened presents. She got some really great stuff. Thank you Jackson, McKyla, and Bailey!!

She also got a Bullseye and Jesse pajamas (her special present from Brad and I).

Then we all just hung out, ate food, and played around. Lainy was so cute and fun helping me with everything and playing hostess. We had a fun day!

Happy Birthday Lainy!

To Alaina on her Birthday

Dear Alaina,

Today is your birthday! You are four years old! Four years sounds like such a short time, but it is hard for me to remember my life before you were in it.

This past year has been an adventure. Since your last birthday we have lived in 5 different places. That's a lot! But in each place we lived, you quickly adjusted, made friends, and always seemed excited about it all. And I tried to keep up and be as excited and outgoing as you.

This next year will hold even more adventures. With your help, Daddy will graduate from medical school and we will move somewhere to start residency. You will go to preschool. I'm sure you will grow some more and learn a lot. I know you will make us laugh with your witty comments and keep everyone around you smiling. That is just how you are.

You have taught me so much, my Lainy-girl. Sometimes I wonder if I teach you anything. You have taught me how to be a mom. I don't always get it right, but you are so patient and forgiving. You have also helped me get a glimpse of Heavenly Father's love for us. For you and me and all of His children. I didn't really get it before I had you.

This is my favorite story of you from the past year.

On one of our travels we went through Salt Lake City, Utah. We didn't have much time to spend there, but Daddy and I thought it was important to visit Temple Square. It was a really hot day. We walked through the grounds, pausing to stop and touch the temple walls and squint up at the Angel Moroni. Then we made our way to the visitors center. We walked up the ramp to visit the Christus statue. I was holding Leah and took her up to look at the statue. You were behind me with Daddy. I turned around to find you and saw that you had fallen to your knees at Jesus' feet. My first reaction was to get you off the floor, but then I saw the expression on your face. It was beautiful. I will never forget it. I could see how much you love Him. I learned a lot from you that day.

You are so special. I love being your mom! I hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Idaho for Jeff's Homecoming

My brother, Jeff, got home from his mission last week. He went to Paraguay, spoke Spanish and Guarani, and turned out to be a really incredible missionary.

It was so good to see him! He's the one child in the family who inherited my mother's red hair and freckles. He's also overflowing with artistic, musical, and creative talents. We've missed him.

Lainy prayed for him every night he was gone.

Jeff got home Friday afternoon and we flew in late Friday night. Brad stayed until after Jeff's report Sunday night, then he had to get back to Seattle. The girls and I stayed until Tuesday night.

Unfortunately, these are the only pictures I have of the trip...

Brad and Leah on our late-night flight to Idaho

From the left: Leah, Dad, Mom, Brad, Lainy, Kayt, Kristen, Ella, Jeff

watching a movie on the flight home

Just know that we had a wonderful, if short, visit. I cried through his whole report on Sunday. It was incredibly touching to see my little bro up there sharing his obvious love for the people of Paraguay, his love for the Lord, and his gratitude for having the opportunity to serve Him. There's something about Jeff that just gets me. He's an awesome kid and he's going to do some amazing things with his life.


Here are a couple of quotes from Elder Smith, taken from various letters home:
"Finding, finding, finding. It's kinda strange how in missionary work you spend so much time finding people, finding their doubts, finding their testimonies, and all the while you're really just finding yourself."

And from his last letter:
"I love the Lord. I love this people. I love you all. I testify this church to be the only true church, the possessor of divine right, power, and ordinance, and proclaimer of the living Christ. I know He lives. I testify of His love and thank Him for His confidence in a little red headed Idahoan boy that in the beginning knew not even how to confide in himself. I know this work is true and seal this epistle in the holy name of my Savior and Friend, Jesus Christ, amen."

Welcome home Elder Smith!