holding onto water

Levi’s Birth

holdingontowater — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:47:45 +0000

Just getting around to uploading pics of Levi’s birth!! What a wonderful day it was to meet our son!!

holdingontowater — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:16:55 +0000

Still rubbing my eyes in disbelief, we have another boy!!

Levi Matthew Keranen

December 4, 2011

8lbs, 3 oz and 21 inches long

Guess it’s only because of my little faith that I wasn’t convinced it was a boy earlier. Before getting pregnant with Levi I prayed for another boy, just like I did with Caleb. Asking the Lord that if it is his will I would love to be the mother of another boy. Along with praying for a boy I asked for a name for our baby, assuming God would give me a male and female name. Shortly after I became pregnant there were a few days where the name Levi continued to be brought to my attention. First in a service at church preformed by a young man named Levi was the start, then a letter with a beautiful picture painted by a man named Levi and also the name Levi hand written in a pair of pants I received as a hand me down for Caleb. Brian and I discussed that this seemed like the name we should choose if we have a boy. Then we waited for a girl name. None came, in fact a girl name never did come even though we did choose a girl name it didn’t come like Levi did.

Then Sunday December 4th, after my water broke, hanging out at the hospital for a few hours with no contractions, a whiff of petocin, and a quick 2 hour delivery our son was born!! It wasn’t until sitting in my room a day later with Levi that I realized why I didn’t believe I would have another boy sooner, I felt already blessed beyond measure that I didn’t really deserve to get what I wanted. The Lord had given me one son and I should be satisfied with that, right??? My thinking was all wrong about the way God works. God’s not about making things fair and balanced, He’s about unending, abounding LOVE!! God doesn’t have to balance good blessings with bad things. Should I be surprised that my heavenly father wants to bless me and love me?? I look at my own children and want to give them everything they want and when it’s appropriate I give them what they want. How much more does God love me??? Send His son to die for me, more than I can fathom. Forgive me for my unbelief God and thank you for my new son.

Not sure any of that really makes sense to anyone but it’s been a revelation to me. I’ve been given what I asked for not because I deserve it but just because God loves me and listens. Plain and simple, nothing my human logic will ever really understand!

Brian’s 37!!

holdingontowater — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:32:46 +0000

So if I recall correctly Brian was about 27 when we met and these past 10 years have just flown by with fun, adventure and experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything!! I always feel bad that when his birthday comes around I fail to make as big of a deal as I do with the kids. No banner, no birthday cereal, and no party. Not sure Brian would even want any of that but part of me feels his birthday should have all the bells and whistles considering without him we wouldn’t need to celebrate our kids birthdays.

Any how we did have a quiet celebration and I think it is probably what Brian prefers. Of course the kids had created homemade cards and picked out a new Nerf gun for him and smothered him with hugs and kisses. I did what I know Brian likes, a big hearty dinner of Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy with Pineapple upside down cake for dessert.

Don’t have the room or words to express my gratitude for Brian’s hard work, love and support, dedication to being a good dad and for just being the man he is. I have been blessed by his humor, intelligence and love more than I can express.

I love you Brian and I’m excited to celebrate your birthday many years to come!!

Fourth and Final

holdingontowater — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:38:07 +0000

So being this is most likely my last pregnancy I decided to capture my body in this temporary state!! Miranda did a wonderful job capturing my swollen belly.

And of course this is everyone’s favorite!!

So excited to meet this little one in only a few short weeks!!

Layla’s 6!!

holdingontowater — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:31:34 +0000

Time sure does fly fast and 6 years has come quicker than I could have even imagined!! One day I’m holding a tiny little baby and the next I’m arguing with a child about what dress they can or can’t wear to school!!

For a party this year we agreed that a princess party would be good since the years Layla wants to be a princess a probably numbered. We stumbled across Bears, Buddies and Toys which has a great set up and booked a small party. We agreed 6 friends and cousins/ sister would be fun. So thankful one of dads came with his amazing camera skills and captured a bunch of fun moments!!

Dress up, make up, freeze dance, hot potato, building a stuffed animal, treasure hunt, stories and cake!!

Needless to say Layla had a wonderful time, her and Paige have decided that this is where their birthday parties will be from now on! We’ll see how long this lasts!!

Here’s to many more years and parties!!

The McRib

holdingontowater — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:24:18 +0000

So Brian and I had been watching these commercials for the McRib at McDonald’s, thinking they look pretty terrible, but we know so many people who love them so we decided we must at least give it a try before the ‘limited time’ ends.

Was a little nervous about trying it so we got a back up meal just in case….

back up…

Here we are trying it…

The results: neither of us were impressed. Brian was able to finish his but I couldn’t get it all down. Glad we tried but we will not be jumping up and down the next time the ‘limited time’ comes back around.

San Diego annual trip!!

holdingontowater — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:01:02 +0000

For the third time we packed up the family and headed down to San Diego for the Mira Mar air show. Last year we spent the day before at Sea World so this year we decided the Zoo would be a good choice. Also, being 7 months pregnant we took an extra day to rest in between the zoo and air show.

Our wonderful neighbors Dave and Diane were able to accompany us again and this year the Hardy family and my mom joined us!! Think they enjoyed it as much as we did and hope they come back next year!!

The Zoo was quite an adventure… always forget how many hills there are to climb at the Zoo!! We did our best walking and then when our feet were too tired we jumped on the zoo bus and took that tour! It was a great day!!

Our little monkeys!!

The Saturday between the Zoo and the Air Show Brian, Dave, Diane and my mom ventured to the Midway. I knew my feet and swollen belly wouldn’t have been able to make the trip!! That night we also headed to Old Town for some yummy mexican food!! Here’s part of Brian’s meal!!

Finally Sunday we took our time in the morning and then headed over to the air show!! We were fortunate to get a few VIP passes for the show from a friend and parked closer than I could believe!! It was way better then walking with the kids the 3/4 mile trip to get to the air strip.

This year having Gracie and Livy with us we did a few new things we didn’t the years before like waiting in line to go into the cockpit of the C5. It was pretty amazing climbing the two story ladder into a room with more buttons, gages and monitors than I could count. Those guys who fly that thing are pretty amazing. It was fun to venture into the back and see their sleeping courters, kitchen, dining room and extra passenger area…. can’t explain the size of this plane…. MASSIVE doesn’t do justice!!

The helicopter show, the blue angels, sky divers and the many other arial acrobats were just as spectacular and loud as usual!! Caleb really enjoyed seeing all the planes and I can only imagine what he will be like next year!!

Thank you Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force for all you do!! Hope our purchases of beer, food and frozen lemonades help!!

Goodbye Tension, Hello Pension….

holdingontowater — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:38:09 +0000

From before I can remember my dad has worked swing shifts for Arco / BP. There were weeks I barely saw my dad as he would switch back and forth from working days, then nights, trying to squeeze in some sleep in between!! Well, 38 years later he is saying goodbye to this stage of life and entering a new one of regular sleep patterns and maybe even less stress.

Brian and I were more than happy to offer our home to do a little celebration!! It was a fabulous night and was made more special by a surprise visit by his sisters and brother in law!!

We were even fortunate to have Colleen, an amazing Chef, come and cater it for us. Great friends, great food and a great night to celebrate my dad!!

Of course the food!!

Was such a fun party…. here’s the after party!!

Think it’s a little appropriate that it’s blurry… we were tired from all the fun!!

Couldn’t have thrown a party big enough to show all the gratitude we have for my dad for providing more than enough for our family and allowing my mom to stay at home and raise us. Thanks Dad!! We are grateful for all you have done and are excited we now get to spend all / most holidays with you!! LOVE YOU DAD!!!

Still trying to Hold Onto Water

holdingontowater — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 03:47:50 +0000

Time just keeps slipping through my fingers and as much as I try to hold onto memories or moments they are fleeting. This pregnancy is no exception. It’s number 4 but it might as well be my first. The weird aches, heart burn, waddling, weight gain, all these symptoms are just as annoying!! But I’ll forget all those parts and yearn again for the kicks, punches, and wiggles from within. The times when my hand meets my baby’s hands only separated by a few layers of flesh can’t be minimized. Each time it makes me fall deeper in love with a person I’ve never met but I’m closer too than any other person on this planet.

Even though this is our last pregnancy it is still hard for me to answer this is our final baby when people ask. I usually reply, ‘most likely’ when I know Brian will be sitting on a bag of ice in 6 months or so. 4 kids is great, nice even number, I’m still young and by the time I’m 50 all my kids will be at least 18 but deep down I know I will never feel done having kids. Why would I ever want to stop experiencing life within me?? The miracle of knowing God is knitting a life in my womb. I want to continue to hold my baby shortly after birth and feel a multiplying of love that can only be Divine. Again and again and again, it would never get old.

But this is it…. fourth and final. I’m sad 7+ months are already over but so excited to meet our new son or daughter. God has been so good and I at least know that God is more than capable to overcome any birth control if it’s His will to continue to multiply our family.

A day with Sheila

holdingontowater — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:29:32 +0000

So excited that Sheila was able to come to HB to see us while she was in CA for a few days. Always know we will have a good time and that it will not be long enough!

Took the kids to the beach for an hour and it was so fabulous… forget that I can go for a few minutes and don’t have to pack up the entire house for a long day. Need to take our Disneyland attitude when it comes to the beach too… 15 minutes or 5 hours, as long as we had fun it is a success!!

We can always count on Sheila to bring us a treasure. This time it came from her mom who found a picture in a craft magazine from 1986 that has a picture of a child model that oddly looks like Paige. It’s a little creepy to glance at it and see Paige but if you look closer you can tell it’s not her.

My Paige

Paige from 1986

Miss Sheila so much and think about her often. Will treasure each time she visits and always keep an eye open for any editing jobs here in Southern California!