Briggs News

Cute bedtime routines...

2011-09-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

Caleb and Josiah each have very cute bedtime routines...

Caleb toddles over to get the book of his choice for Daddy to read to him before bedtime. Then, he'll turn on his air purifier and put his foot on the lower rung of the crib.

Josiah likes to have Nana read to him over the phone AFTER getting several books read to him by Mommy and Daddy. He'll then crawl into my lap with a blanket and have Daddy rock him. After a time, I'll take him to bed where Josiah will list all the things that need to be done prior to going to bed...turn fan on, turn music off, close door and Daddy hallway...

I wonder what our other children will have for their unique bedtime routines?

New home blessings

2011-08-26T20:39:00.001-07:00

Basement kitchenette

Coffee Time theme

Basement bedroom

Basement living room

Main level Dining Room

Front Entry

Sitting/Music Room

Front Entry hallway

Josiah's "current" room

Caleb's "current" room

Main Family Room

Sitting/Music Room

Front view of the home

Side view of our home

Another side view of our home

Cooling off in the summer heat...

2011-08-26T20:34:00.001-07:00

Enjoying the water with Daddy and Papa

Josiah and Caleb looking so grown up

Blessings...

2011-08-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

The Briggs Family has been so blessed over the course of the last year!

Last year, our church in California, Soaring Oaks Presbyterian Church, stood firm, sought the truth and was not persuaded to follow an alliance or friendship over the truth. The more information that was forthcoming, the more reassured we were of our decision.

We were blessed with the birth of our second son, Caleb Joshua. A complete miracle...water breaking at 17 weeks...strict bed rest, no contractions, 1.5 gallons of water drunk daily, enough amniotic fluid sustained to allow him to develop...delivery by a nurse...8 weeks of NICU...PERFECTLY HEALTHY!!!

Then, the Lord opened a door for us with a job promotion and relocation out of state. We've been blessed with a new church body who have been a tremendous support.

Our family continues to grow as well...Lord willing, in December 2011, we will be welcoming girls into the Briggs' household. Yes, I did say 'girls'. Shock factor - HIGH!!! We are expecting TWINS!

Carrie has been a trooper throughout this pregnancy as well. She has been on modified bed rest for the better part of 9 weeks with 16 weeks to go. Both girls are doing well and growing! The reason for the bed rest has been a sub-chorionic hematoma (basically a blood clot) between the girls and the cervix.

Your prayers during this time and for the delivery of the girls would be greatly appreciated! Carrie's sister, Julia, moved in with us (has the basement apartment) to assist while Carrie is on bed rest and after the girls come. Julia has been such an amazing blessing!

In Him alone,

The Briggs Family

Spring 2010 pictures...

2010-05-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Recent Briggs Family Pictures...

2010-05-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

Caleb, Carrie, Josiah and Joshua

Grandma Ireland holding little Caleb

Uncle Mark, Aunt Joan, Grandma Ireland with Josiah and Carrie

Grandma Ireland enjoying her firstborn grandson, Josiah

Josiah, Carrie and Grandma Ireland

Grandma Briggs enjoying Josiah

Grandma Ireland enjoying little Caleb

Mommy look....NOT AT THE CAMERA

Josiah showing off his pearly whites....

Milk coma anyone???

Uncle Mark enjoying the warm California weather...compared to wet and rainy North Dakota...

Aunt Joan loving on little Caleb

Mama Kay getting some cuddle time with her newest grandson!

Josiah "acting" surprised...something new!

Dreamland anyone???

The Ponderer

Josiah is HAPPY to bring his little brother home!!!!

Caleb Update...

2010-05-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

OK...yell at me! It's been over a month since I posted information on Caleb, Josiah and Carrie. To say the least, our life has been anything but dull! :)

First off, Caleb is HOME!!! He came home a little over 3 weeks ago and is now almost 8 lbs and 21 inches long. I had quite an ordeal in the NICU at Sutter Memorial balancing being an advocate for Caleb and being considered "pushy".

We had a situation where Caleb's primary Neonatalogist wasn't able to round on him for a little over 3 weeks and the Neonatalogist who was substituting for him was to be kind...incompetent! She routinely made errors regarding his weight, when we would begin bottle feeding him, his corrected gestation age, etc. The straw that broke the proverbial camel's back was when she called to tell me that Caleb was consistently losing weight and they were going to discontinue ALL bottle feedings effectively pushing us back several weeks in treatment. When asked what weight she was referring to, she accurately quoted back to me the weights...Wednesday, 2519 g and Thursday, 2577 g. Call me crazy but that isn't a weight loss but a weight GAIN! When questioned repeatedly regarding this, she finally saw that it was a weight gain and then had the audacity to say that if I was at the NICU more often that I would understand. I guess in her mind being there 2x daily for 6.5 weeks at that time wasn't enough. :)

After having a lengthy conversation with the Nursing Director of the NICU, we had this Neonatalogist DC'd from caring for Caleb. Caleb sky rocketed after she was removed from care and he ended up leaving the NICU 8 days later. :)

Since then, we have had 4 doctor's visits...2 ped visits and 2 opthamalogist visits. The RESULT...Caleb is on a rocket launch for growth and length and his eyes are COMPLETELY NORMAL!!! Praise the Lord!!!

Josiah is such a joy to watch as a big brother! He is so gentle with Caleb and is showing no signs of jealousy! He is so incredibly smart...and it is so fun to watch him learn!

Carrie is doing excellent adjusting to having both boys home!

Caleb update

2010-04-03T10:11:00.001-07:00

Caleb is doing very well. He passes his vision and hearing tests last week. He now weighs 4 lbs, 15.5 oz or 2265g.

Yesterday, we took Josiah by to see Caleb and he had no jealousy present and had only love in his eyes! We are looking forward to bringing him home soon! Thank you for all you continued prayers!

The Fundamental Transformation of America by Barack Hussein Obama

2010-03-25T22:50:00.000-07:00

The Fundamental Transformation of America

When Obama wrote a book and said he was mentored as a youth by Frank Marshall Davis, an avowed Communist, people said it didn't matter...

When it was discovered that his grandparents were strong socialists, sent Obama's mother to a socialist school, introduced Frank Marshall Davis to young Obama,P people said it didn't matter...

When people found out that he was enrolled as a Muslim child in school in Indonesia and his father and step father were both Muslims, people said it didn't matter...

When he wrote in another book he authored “I will stand with them(Muslims) should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”people said it didn't matter...

When he admittedly, in his book, said he chose Marxist friends and professors in college, people said it didn't matter...

When he traveled to Pakistan , after college on an unknown national passport, people said it didn't matter...

When he sought the endorsement of the Marxist party in 1996 as he ran for the Illinois Senate, people said it doesn't matter...

When he sat in a Chicago Church for twenty years and listened to a preacher spew hatred for America and preach black liberation theology, people said it didn't matter...

When an independent Washington organization, that tracks senate voting records, gave him the distinctive title as the "most liberal senator", people said it didn't matter...

When the Palestinians in Gaza, set up a fund raising telethon to raise money for his election campaign,people said it didn't matter...

When his voting record supported gun control, people said it didn't matter...

When he refused to disclose who donated money to his election campaign, as other candidates had done, people said it didn't matter...

When he received endorsements from people like Louis Farrakhan, Mummar Kadaffi and Hugo Chavez, people said it didn't matter...

When it was pointed out that he was a total, newcomer and had absolutely no experience at anything except community organizing, people said it didn't matter...

When he chose friends and acquaintances such as Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn who were revolutionary radicals, people said it didn'tmatter...

When his voting record in the Illinois senate and in the U.S. Senate came into question, people said it didn't matter...

When he refused to wear a flag, lapel pin and did so only after a public outcry, people said it didn't matter...

When people started treating him as a Messiah and children in schools were taught to sing his praises, people said it didn't matter...

When he stood with his hands over his groin area for the playing of theNational Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, people said it didn'tmatter...

When he surrounded himself in the White house with advisors who were pro gun control, pro abortion, pro homosexual marriage and wanting to curtail freedom of speech to silence the opposition, people said itdidn't matter...

When he aired his views on abortion, homosexuality and a host of other issues, people said it didn't matter...

When he said he favors sex education in Kindergarten, including homosexual indoctrination, people said it didn't matter...

When his background was either scrubbed or hidden and nothing could be found about him, people said it didn't matter...

When the place of his birth was called into question, and he refused to produce a birth certificate, people said it didn't matter...

When he had an association in Chicago with Tony Rezco, a man of questionable character, who is now in prison and had helped Obama to a sweet deal on the purchase of his home, people said it didn't matter...

When it became known that George Soros, a multi-billionaire Marxist, spent a ton of money to get him elected, people said it didn't matter...

When he started appointing czars that were radicals, revolutionaries, and even avowed Marxist/Communist, people said it didn't matter...

When he stood before the nation and told us that his intentions were to "fundamentally transform this nation" into something else, people said it didn't matter...

When it became known that he had trained ACORN workers in Chicago and served as an attorney for ACORN, people said it didn't matter...

When he appointed a cabinet members and several advisors who were tax cheats and socialists, people said it didn't matter...

When he appointed a science czar, John Holdren, who believes in forced abortions, mass sterilizations and seizing babies from teen mothers, people said it didn't matter...

When he appointed Cass Sunstein as regulatory czar and he believes in "Explicit Consent", (harvesting human organs without family consent" and to allow animals to be represented in court, while banning all hunting, people said it didn't matter...

When he appointed Kevin Jennings, a homosexual, and organizer of a group called "gay, lesbian, straight, Education network", as safe school czar and it became known that he had a history of bad advice to teenagers, people said it didn't matter...

When he appointed Mark Lloyd as diversity czar and he believed in curtailing free speech, taking from one and giving to another to spread the wealth and admires Hugo Chavez,
people said it didn't matter...

When Valerie Jarrett was selected as Obama's senior White House advisor and she is an avowed Socialist, people said it didn't matter...

When Anita Dunn, White House Communications director said Mao Tse Tung was her favorite philosopher and the person she turned to most for inspiration, people said it didn't matter...

When he appointed Carol Browner as global warming czar, and she is a well known socialist working on Cap and trade as the nations largest tax, people said it doesn't matter...

When he appointed Van Jones, an ex-con and avowed Communist as green energy czar, who since had to resign when this was made known, people said it didn't matter...

When Tom Daschle, Obama's pick for Health and Human Services Secretary could not be confirmed, because he was a tax cheat, people said it didn't matter...

When, as president of the United States, he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia & now the Emperor of Japan, people said it didn't matter...

When he traveled around the world criticizing America and never once talking of her greatness, people said it didn't matter...

When his actions concerning the middle-east seemed to support the Palestinians over Israel , our long time friend, people said it doesn't matter...

When he took American tax dollars to resettle thousands of Palestinians from Gaza to the United States, people said it doesn't matter...

When he upset the Europeans by removing plans for a missile defense system against the Russians, people said it doesn't matter...

When he played politics in Afghanistan by not sending troops the Field Commanders said we had to have to win, people said it didn't matter...

When he started spending us into a debt that was so big we could not pay it off, people said it didn't matter...

When he took a huge spending bill under the guise of stimulus and used it to pay off organizations, unions and individuals that got him elected, people said it didn't matter...

When he took over insurance companies, car companies, banks, etc., people said it didn't matter...

When he took away student loans from the banks and put it through the government, people said it didn't matter...

When he designed plans to take over the health care system and put it under government control, people said it didn't matter...

When he set into motion a plan to take over the control of all energy in the United States through Cap and Trade, people said it didn't matter...

When he finally completed his transformation of America into a Socialist State, people finally woke up..........but it was too late.

"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." ~Samuel Adams, 1776.

Update...

2010-03-19T16:55:00.001-07:00

As one can only imagine, these last couple of weeks have been anything but mundane! Through it all, we have continuously been witness to the faithfulness of our Lord, Jesus Christ. By His Grace alone, we have seen miracles happen!

Carrie is doing extremely well! After not being on her feet more than a few minutes a day for the last 3.5 months, she sprained her ankle shortly after being released from the hospital. That is healing and she is feeling really good about being a Mom again with Josiah. They have had some really good bonding time these last two weeks as I have been back to work.

Josiah is full of life! We are so enjoying seeing his personality really take shape! He is such a happy little man who loves to investigate everything! We are convinced that Josiah thinks Reagan is a furry brother who walks funny and Reagan thinks Josiah is his personal playmate! They are so funny together! Josiah has the most contagious laugh and finds the most ordinary things (dogs playing keep away, Daddy blowing on his belly, etc) to be gut splitting hilarious!

Caleb is progressing amazingly well! He is now almost 3.5 weeks old. This last week, we have seen some pretty amazing changes!

First of all, Caleb was moved from the Intensive side of NICU to the step down Intermediate side of NICU. One more step closer to coming home! :)

Secondly, Caleb took a bottle for the first time last Sunday and has steadily increased to 2 bottles a day and today....drum roll please....nursed from Carrie! She is terribly excited as you can imagine!

Thirdly, Caleb was taken off ALL breathing stimulants! Yeah! He is breathing completely on his own!

Lastly, he hasn't had any bradycardia episodes in over 2 days!

Please continue to pray for our little warrior that he grows into a godly man serving the Lord as his namesake of old did!

Without the peace of a personal walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, this entire life event would have been overwhelming to say the least. Our prayer is that everyone would come to know the peace that passes ALL understanding! We rejoice with those who already walk steadfastly with the Lord, for only then does one know and experience the true JOY that Caleb's life journey thus far brings!

Trusting and resting on the promises of our Lord,

Love,

Joshua, Carrie, Josiah and Caleb

Briggs Boys

2010-03-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Caleb Joshua update...

2010-03-02T19:09:00.001-08:00

Caleb was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA) (hole in the heart) yesterday. Our understanding is that this is pretty common in preemies Caleb's age. The neonatalogist is treating him with an IV form of ibuprofen for 3 days in an attempt to pharmacologically close the hole.

Tomorrow, they do a chest x-ray to determine if he can be taken off the ventilator.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our little warrior!

Update on Caleb...

2010-03-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

Just spoke with the Neonatalogist and Caleb is doing very well for his gestational age. I was able to spend about 3 hours with him early this morning and even held him, skin-to-skin, for about 1.5 hours. He is S-O-O-O-O tiny compared to Josiah! He slept in my arms for the most part although he did have to complain when the nurse came over to adjust one of the monitors.

The neonatalogist will be removing the umbilical vein catheter (UVC) today and replacing it with a spaghetti IV line. We would like to request pray for no infections as this is a risk.

Also, the specialist is ordering a heart ultrasound because he suspects that Caleb's ductus arterious is still open. If small, then they will treat with liquid ibuprofen. Thanks again for your many prayers!

Joshua, Carrie, Josiah and now baby Caleb

Carrie and Caleb Update #2!

2010-02-27T00:22:00.000-08:00

Well, February 24 seems to be a very, very popular date on both sides of our family!

Announcing:

Caleb Joshua Briggs was born at 10:52AM on February 24, 2010.

Weighing in at 3 lbs 1 oz and measuring 15 inches long.

Not bad considering he was born 10.5 weeks early!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq94imOoNP0

The neonatalogist was especially pleased with Caleb's weight considering the circumstances. He was expecting a 2 - 2.5 lb baby considering that Carrie's membranes tore at 17 weeks gestation and we had been in a perpetual state of amniotic fluid leakage since that time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCVJw1a0yw

Carrie was doing great up until 3 AM on the 24th when she started having contractions. They were able to stop the contractions until around 8:00AM. After that, she started having a temperature and the contractions began in interest.

The perinatalogist decided that since Caleb was in a breach position, they would be doing a c-section. Caleb and God had other plans! Caleb was delivered, butt first and decided that he wasn't waiting for the doctor either. He was actually delivered by a nurse.

Caleb is doing well and is stable in the NICU at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento. He is currently on a B-CPAP machine to assist with breathing although the amount of O2 required in minimal at 20%. He began getting small (2 ml) amounts of Carrie's colostrum every 4 hours today and is tolerating it very well.

Carrie is rebounding very well and will be discharged tomorrow. I know she is looking forward to holding Josiah again, something she hasn't done in a little over 3 months now!

We have been exceptionally grateful to our parents and families for their support and love during this time as well as to our church family at SOPC!

Carrie and I would like to thank Carrie's mom, Kristi Ireland, for coming out for a week and a half in January to help us out while giving my mom a much needed and deserved break. Josiah really enjoyed bonding with his Grandma Ireland!!! And I know Carrie really liked having her mom here as well! We are looking forward to having you here again soon and have you meet your latest grandson!

Thank you to EVERYONE for your continued prayers throughout this entire journey! Our Lord God has confounded the doctors...Carrie and Caleb made it 12.5 weeks AFTER her membranes tore! Unheard of!!! The knowledge of the prayers being lifted up on our behalf has been overwhelming at times and heartening all the time!

Please continue to pray as we enter a new phase of the journey with Carrie coming home and Caleb remaining at the hospital. We are also praying that Josiah does not get neglected throughout this entire situation and that we find a God honoring balance!

Carrie and I would especially like to recognize my Mom, Darla Briggs, for sacrificing her time and energy over the last 3+months to watch and take care of both Josiah and myself! She has managed to make meals and care for not only Josiah (a rambunctious 15 month old) but also my dad and myself! Thank you so much Mom!!!

May our Lord Jesus Christ continually be lifted up and ALL praise and ALL glory go to Him as we continue this amazing journey of Caleb Joshua Briggs!

Carrie and Caleb Update!

2010-02-24T06:48:00.000-08:00

All continues to go well for both Carrie and Caleb! Carrie continues to leak some amniotic fluid daily though the nurses and doctors don't seem to be concerned. We know that the Lord God Almighty has a wonderful plan for Caleb and will use this experience to glorify the Father and the Son!

Please continue to pray that we make it to March 28th....that will be our 34th week gestation and 17th week on strict bed rest!

Josiah w/ therapy dogs in the hospital

2010-02-23T22:41:00.000-08:00

Josiah had a HUGE surprise tonight as we were leaving Carrie's hospital room! FOUR therapy dogs were waiting for him in the hallway. The nurses, who all love Josiah (and of course, he flirts with them), had asked the therapy dog program to visit tonight and to wait before going into any rooms so that Josiah would have the opportunity of seeing them.

Oh boy, was he excited or what! There were two King Charles Spaniel dogs, a field Golden Retriever and a yellow Lab. Of course, Josiah is used to being around big dogs so he went to the yellow lab and the field Golden right away, talking non-stop! The whole experience was great to see! One of the King Charles Spaniels was a wee-pup and gave Josiah lots of kisses!

I'm thrilled that Josiah loves animals as much as I do! Now, I just need to teach him two things: (1) being gentle with animals he doesn't know and (2) reading their behavior and body language to determine friendly or not!

29th week completed...5 weeks to go!!!!

2010-02-20T22:19:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Carrie is in excellent spirits! We've now completed 12 weeks of strict bed rest with 5 weeks to go! Caleb had a sonogram done on Tuesday and the Perinatalogist was extremely pleased with our progress thus far. Normal is G-R-E-A-T!!!!

Caleb Update:

2 lbs 13 oz
Strong heartbeat: 150-155 bpm
9 cm of amniotic fluid which is excellent considering that Carrie has been leaking everyday and 9 cm is on the low end of NORMAL!!!!

Our nurse last night said that Carrie was the 3rd longest stay at 20 days. She also said that Carrie was doing so well that they would let her decide how many times the nurse would come in to check on her. Carrie opted for sleeping through the night without being disturbed! Get it while you can...that is what I say, because when Caleb comes...who knows? :-)

Josiah and I continue to make the pilgrimage every day to the hospital for our Honey and Mommy time! Josiah has become a favorite of ALL the nurses and staff! What a flirt! He has decided that he likes to walk down the hall, get on the elevator and then walk off the elevator to Mommy's room. :-) What a little man he is becoming!

Thank you everyone who continues to lift our family up in prayer! We couldn't do it without the prayer support and grace and strength God gives us everyday!

Completed: 10 weeks of strict bed rest...

2010-02-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

Ok...it has been 5 weeks since I updated the blog. Life has been rather full and eventful!

Carrie is now in residence at Sutter Memorial's High Risk Maternity Ward. We've completed 10 weeks of strict bed rest and Caleb is now starting his 28 week gestation.

At 26 weeks gestation, the Perinatalogist that is handling our case felt that it was time to be admitted to the hospital since we have reached the point of viability and we didn't want to risk things going from really good to really bad, really fast. On Monday, Feb. 1, we were admitted and Carrie and Caleb's vitals all looked good. Caleb measured (using a high-definition ultrasound) at 2 lbs 4 oz and had a strong heartbeat of 155 bpm. The Perinatalogist on hospital rounds this week kept saying how great Carrie and Caleb are doing even though the rate of leaks Carrie is having has increased. He would like to see us get to 35-36 weeks gestation. :)

Carrie really likes all of the nurses that she has had so far. They have all been really nice and encouraging to Carrie. Carrie is keeping busy reading on the amazing Amazon Kindle that Aunt Barbara got for her! What an AWESOME gift! She is so totally using and enjoying it! Carrie also has been making great use of her cell phone (yikes) (probably easiest way to get a hold of her).

We've been so blessed by the prayers that have been offered on behalf of both Carrie and Caleb from across our nation and beyond. I know that my parents have an entire network interceding daily on behalf of Carrie and Caleb including their Sunday School class, Life Together group, Book Club, etc. Additionally, Carrie's parents have an amazing network of family and friends praying on behalf of us as well.

I would be here all night thanking those that are lifting us up in prayer! Just know that we love you and appreciate your demonstration of love in prayer!

Josiah is doing great! He is handling all the changes like a trouper! He is walking ALL over the place and is generally an exceptionally happy little man. Our new schedule is: wake up, have breakfast, drive to Grandma and Grandpa Briggs, Daddy goes to work, pick up Josiah around 5PM, drive to the hospital to visit Mommy, and drive home to go to bed. Pretty boring...but we are starting to get the hang of it. :)

I'm so proud of Carrie! I can't even imagine what it would be like to have to lie flat on one side, flip to the other side and repeat....ALL day long!

Please continue to pray for peace, strength and contentment as we go through this process! We know that it has been your prayers that have sustained us!

Until the next post, may God bless you and keep you grounded in His Word!

Have a blessed night!

Joshua, Carrie, Josiah and (in utero) Caleb

Update on Carrie and Caleb...

2010-01-04T10:43:00.001-08:00

We are entering our 5th week of strict bed rest. We have a appt with our specialist next week which we are looking for really positive news. It looks like Jan. 18th will be our date to decide on hospitalization for the remainder of the pregnancy. We are praying that we reach March 27.

Update on Carrie and Caleb...

2010-01-04T10:42:00.001-08:00

New sleeping positions...

2009-12-30T15:14:00.001-08:00

Christmas 2009

2009-12-30T14:56:00.001-08:00

Josiah got Hardy Boys books (yes, OK...he's not quite reading at this level yet)

Our Christmas feast courtesy of my Mom...

Carrie got to enjoy the Christmas dinner and opening of presents from her horizontal position.

Carrie's cedar chest became the most excellent Christmas banquet table. :)

Baby Mama looking forward to digging into her portion...:)

Our Turkey Cranberry Wreath

What a happy, handsome boy!

Can't believe that he is wearing 18 month clothes already!

Josiah is like his mommy and daddy as he L-O-V-E-S his books!

More books!

Grandma got excited about her new turtle neck sweater! Great color Grandma!

Grandma loves her jackets so she got a new one from Joshua, Carrie and Josiah...quilted pattern outside and a reversible, faux fur inside...toasty!

Shoes are GREAT! The tag tastes better! :)

Carrie opens some presents...she will be the best dressed mom-to-be when admitted to the hospital in January!

Grandpa reading a book to Josiah!

Grandpa and Josiah love being together!

Josiah gets his sky blue eyes from his Grandpa and Great-Grandma Kay

View from Carrie's prone position! Got to have the Christmas spirit!

As you can imagine...Christmas this year was very different though we have much to celebrate and rejoice in the Lord's blessings!

May each know and seek the peace only found through salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior!

Update on the Briggs' Clan

2009-12-28T21:17:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the Briggs' Clan:

Carrie is still on strict bed rest...by strict, she can get up to go to the bathroom and that's pretty much it. She had another amniotic leak yesterday morning though not as bad as the first two amniotic leaks that she has had in the last month. She is still feeling Caleb move around which is comforting and a great sign!

We have our next appointment on January 12th with the Perinatalogist to determine: (1) how Carrie and Caleb are collectively doing, (2) when Carrie should be hospitalized for the remainder of the pregnancy and (3) the risk/benefit of staying home for a couple more weeks.

The good news is that on January 12th, we will have made it to 24 wks which is the age of viability. Our goal continues to be making it to March 27th which will be 34 wks gestation.

Carrie's mom will be coming out January 1-14 to help me out. This is a HUGE blessing to both Carrie and I but also my mom who has been here everyday for the last month, taking care of an active 13 month old and a bed ridden Carrie while also cleaning and cooking so that I can work.

Carrie continues to be a trooper and remaining diligent regarding staying as still as possible in bed. I can only imagine what it must be like as I would be going stir crazy after a couple of hours. She always reminds me that the end result is worth it all! Amen, Amen, Amen!

We appreciate all those who are praying for us and we appreciate your continued prayers! This, Lord willing, will be a long road ahead (for the next several months) and we will only be sustained through the effectual, fervent prayers of the saints of God.

Joshua, Carrie, Josiah and (in utero) Caleb

Update on Carrie...

2009-12-19T23:07:00.001-08:00

Hello Friends and Family,

Here is a quick update on Carrie and our second pregnancy:

- On Nov. 30, 18 wks into our second pregnancy, Carrie's amniotic sac ruptured unexpectedly.

- We saw our regular OB/GYN on-call doctor on Tuesday and were given extremely grave news although our baby's heart rate was still strong at 150 bpm

- On Wednesday AM, we saw a Perinatalogist (High Risk Pregnancy). She gave us some hope going forward.

Baby was perfectly healthy...in fact, we are having a baby boy who we have named Caleb Joshua.
99% of women with this condition lose all amniotic fluid - minimum needed for continual fetal development is 3 cm. Carrie had 4-5 cm! Major Praise!
Perinatalogist broke it down into 3 groups: 25% experience labor within 48 hrs, 50% experience labor within 1 week, and the last 25% experience labor 6 weeks or longer

- Carrie has been committed to total bed rest.

- My Mom has been here every day to take care of Carrie and Josiah so I can continue to work.

- Major praise is that my Mom's back and arm have not been giving her a lot of trouble with Josiah.

- Carrie has been feeling Caleb move around a lot. She says that "he's a strong one".

Prayer Requests:

- We are praying for the amniotic sac to heal.

- We are praying for continued strength for my Mom as she cares for Josiah and Carrie.

- We are praying that Carrie will be able to carry Caleb to 34 weeks which would be March 27, 2010.

- We serve a great God and we pray for His Glory to be made manifest.

Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for our family and this precious life!

Joshua, Carrie, Josiah and soon-to-arrive Caleb

A Must See Video...

2009-11-14T00:34:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZum_o-GAEI

This is an European analyst who correctly states that many European countries are trying to get out of government run healthcare because it is bankrupting their countries...

She also states that America is already HALF way toward Socialism with the government running Medicaid/Medicare.

Glad to be home...

2009-11-06T09:52:00.001-08:00

The trip went very well though I was glad to be home and see my son's smiling face this morning!

What a blessing God has given us...even with 5 teeth coming out simultaneously, he is still ALL smiles and laughter and chatter!

Since Cash for Clunkers was so popular....

2009-10-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here's another suggestion...

Contrary to popular beliefs!!!!

2009-10-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Who deserves your hard-earned $$$$ (change) (dinero) (mulla)???

2009-10-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Life according to Obama and the current ruling class!

Margaret Thatcher had it right...

2009-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Finished reading...

2009-10-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

Carrie and I just finished reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. It is a novel regarding the Persecuted Church in China. There are definitely some literary liberties that Alcorn takes in the book that don't exactly line up with my understanding of Scripture though I was definitely intrigued by the plight of the Persecuted Church in Restricted Access Countries like China, Sudan, Iran, etc.

I have been researching legitimate organizations those purpose is to get God's Precious Gift into the hands of eager believers.

Here are two that I have found and would encourage everyone to get involved:

Bibles Unbound

Open Doors USA

Carrie and I are committed to get as many Bibles to believers in Restricted Access Countries that we can! Will you join us!

If you can't give financially for Bibles, then pray for the Persecuted Church.

Secret Believers

Just remember:

The best gift to give is the gift of God's Word!

Thomas Jefferson quote applicable today...

2009-10-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

New Fall Fashions....

2009-10-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Josiah is thinking..."Dad, I don't think the pants go on my head, but hey, I'll work this angle!"

So, what do you think? Can this be the new Fall Fashion look? :)

Adventures of Josiah...

2009-10-03T10:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, I really did pull myself up...hello, down there is the floor! Wow!

Josiah exploring the bouncer from a different angle!

Josiah crawling around with Reagan looking on...

Hmmmm...how did that Cheerios get there?

Notice the position of Reagan! Crumbs anyone?

Cheerios are yum-yum good!

Josiah has an announcement to make....

2009-10-02T18:29:00.001-07:00

We are going to be needing one of these come May 2010!!!

Josiah is going to be a Big Brother Lord willing May 9, 2010.

Carrie is feeling fine although the hungry/tired feeling kicked in a little earlier this time around!

Hmmm...Basketball or Tennis...

2009-09-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Josiah was fascinated by this giant tennis ball the Girl's Tennis team gave Coach Briggs and Assistant Coach Mom. Here he is thinking tennis....

And here he is thinking basketball...

Josiah was laughing at Grandpa tossing the ball from hand to hand!

Josiah just loved the feel of this giant tennis ball!

Fall Creation present for Mom and Dad...

2009-09-20T21:03:00.000-07:00

With everything at Michael's or other arts and crafts stores so expensive, Carrie and I have resorted to creating our own decorations. As many of your know, Mom likes to decorate for each season. So, we created this fall decoration for their kitchen table.

S-U-C-C-E-S-S

2009-09-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

With the help of Shirley Cook, a very close friend of Mom and Dad's, we were able to pull off a complete Surprise Birthday party for Mom and Dad. No small feat with 43 of Mom and Dad's close friends from their Sunday School class, friends from church and family showed up at BJ's Brewhouse and Restaurant in Stockton yesterday afternoon for the surprise celebration!

Mom and Dad were completely SHOCK and SURPRISED!!! A very difficult thing to pull off with Mom as she intuitively picks up on cues and figures things like this out. Dad saw everyone first and said he thought to himself, "Wow, there are some people from my Sunday School class" and it wasn't until they started singing Happy Birthday that he realized why they were all there. Mom was behind as she was concentrating on helping Grandma navigate the stairs and chairs and it wasn't until she rounded the corner and gasped at the sight of friends singing Happy Birthday.

Mom said that it definitely made her 60th Birthday Celebration very, very special!

Carrie is expressing her creative side another way now...

2009-09-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Carrie has found a new outlet to her creative side...making and decorating cakes...

Her first cake...a tennis match...how appropriate since I had just finished playing tennis with my Dad! :)

She did a PHENOMENAL job for her first attempt!

Birthday Pics...

2009-09-16T10:34:00.001-07:00

Lassen Volcanic National Park

2009-09-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Legal or not?

2009-09-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

I found out this morning that Pres. Obama will be addressing ALL the students and faculty in America in a televised address on September 8th. This is pure propaganda, simple and straight-forward!

My question is a legal one...can the Obama administration force/require students and faculty members of public and private schools to attend this? What legal recourse does a teacher or student have not to attend?

http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml

Your thoughts would be appreciated!

Great video...long though...

2009-09-02T07:33:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Here is a great video that I would encourage people to see....

Warning: it is l-o-n-g....almost 2 hrs long!

Well worth it though!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw

MUST-SEE videos...

2009-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some great, MUST-SEE videos:

This might be a shock...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TqqWJugXzs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5rGpDMN8lw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzFL6Ixe_bo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNQy2rT_dvU

http://www.youtube.co...m/watch?v=5dzIMXGI6k8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GjOgQN1Jco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHI2GfbfrYw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N9benJh3Lw

Newest member of the Briggs' Household...

2009-09-01T08:27:00.001-07:00

Jackson's breeder has decided to give us another puppy considering that Jackson died at such an early age and so unexpectedly.

Last night, we picked up Reagan. He is a 15 week old black Standard Poodle puppy.

He has many of the same characteristics that Jackson had and lacks some of the ones (thankfully) that Jackson also had.

Now begins the challenge of house breaking another puppy. :)

Reagan will be getting groomed next week and we will have a sharp looking dog on our hands. :)

Josiah crawls...on all fours...:)

2009-08-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

Trip to see San Diego Family...and some 1st's for Josiah...

2009-08-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

The Briggs Family at Del Mar Beach

Look how big Cousin Lauren is getting...

Noah, KJ, Lauren and Aunt Kim

Cousin Noah wants to check and make sure the ear was still attached....

Uncle Karsten shows Noah how to put a new band-aid on...:)

Cousin Noah and Josiah have striking resemblance...

The whole gang...

Josiah was telling Aunt Kim something about the blocks...

Cousin Lauren was being very gentle with her Cousin Josiah

Josiah fell asleep mid-chew on the blue elephant tail...

Noah at the beach...

KJ playing in the surf...

Mommy and Josiah enjoying the water for the first time...

Daddy and Josiah having fun!

Josiah was wondering what was causing Daddy to squint...:)

Josiah has a new throne...borrowed of course...:)

What a happy little man!

And...Josiah has learned how to crawl on ALL fours...

Still mastering it...

Aunt Kim loves her nephew...

The San Diego Briggs Family saying goodbye this morning...see you again soon!

Nine months old...

2009-08-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that Josiah is 9 months old today! We are so blessed to have him in our life and we are earnestly seeking after the Lord as we raise him to glorify and honor Him!

You need to watch this...

2009-08-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I encourage you all to watch this video in its entirety. It's five minutes well spent. :o)

http://www.gilacourier.com/?p=3135

Spot. On.

This comes from my brother Daniel in New Mexico. Thanks Daniel for passing it on!

No luck...

2009-08-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

The Briggs' family has had no luck recently with our pets. On June 1, 2009, we lost our 1.5 yr old black Standard Poodle, Jackson to an autoimmune hemolytic anemia attack which took our vivacious, healthy dog in a matter of 2 days.

On July 11, 2009, we traveled down to Fresno to pick up Reagan, a black Standard Poodle puppy, only to find out 2 weeks later that Reagan had a genetic disorder called Chondrodysplasia. This condidtion is normally found in Basset Hounds, English Bulldogs or Daschunds. It is an extremely bowing of the front legs which can lead to immobility and other serious health issues.

We had to make the difficult decision exercise our contract with the breeder and return Reagan this past Thursday. Even though Reagan had been a part of our family for only 3.5 weeks, it felt as though he had been with us all along. His personality was great and he LOVED Josiah! He was completely potty trained and loved being with HIS people!

We are taking a break and enjoying our son and Harrison! Eventually, we will add another puppy to our household.

Summer Road Trip 2009 - 4th Leg, Grand Canyon National Park

2009-07-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

The Briggs at God's Artistic Wonderland

Josiah taking a nap in Grandpa's arms

Look at the canyon BEHIND us! :)

Mom and Dad

Arms and legs!

What irony..."Experience the changing scenery of the Grand Canyon" and look who's sleeping!

Hiking is such HARD work!

God's handiwork!

Life after a trial!

Please don't go near the edge...PLEASE!!!!

Summer Road Trip 2009 - 3rd Leg, Albuquerque, NM

2009-07-26T09:48:00.001-07:00

The Briggs Boys'

Daniel, Dad, Josiah, and Joshua

Full on giggle!

Hello, look at those teeth!

Ariel, John, Josiah, Carrie and Joshua

Josiah likes the texture of John, Carrie's cousin Ariel's husband, watch

Josiah enjoying Grandpa's lap AND water bottle!

Cross on the "oldest church still in use in America"

Outside the "oldest house in America" in Santa Fe, NM

The "go anywhere" Briggs

Dad making faces at Josiah!

Famous staircase in the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, NM

Baby food made E-A-S-Y...

2009-07-25T23:07:00.001-07:00

Now the trick is to get Josiah to eat and enjoy all of it! :O

For Mother's Day, Carrie received this wonderful Baby Food Cookbook from Josiah's adopted Grandma Kay Vallerga. We have found it so helpful and it's kind of fun trying different foods and how they are made, i.e. pureed, into baby food.

So far, we've made sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green beans w/ mint, peaches, apples, pears, cherries, zucchini, carrots and cauliflower.

Note to self: cheaper isn't always better! :) We decided to buy carrots in bulk at Costco. Unfortunately, they weren't sweet baby carrots and Josiah got this awful expression everytime we tried feeding him the "new" carrots. We junked those carrots and went back to the Trader Joe's sweet baby carrots.

Also, springing a tart food on a young'in isn't probably the best idea in the world. We got some awesome Bing cherries. Wow, they tasted awesome...let's just say that Josiah still hasn't acquired the taste for Bing cherries. :)

Anyway, life is an adventure and the first born, as Carrie and I know too well, are the guinea pigs! :) Oh well, just more stories to tell later down the road.

Summer 2009 Road Trip...2nd Leg...Sedona, AZ

2009-07-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

Summer 2009 Road Trip...First Leg...

2009-07-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hello from Albuquerque!

2009-07-02T17:01:00.000-07:00

Carrie and I are really enjoying our vacation with my parents and brother and sister-in-law in Albuquerque, NM. We have been here for 2 days now and can understand why they love it so much!

Yesterday, we visited Santa Fe, NM, where we saw the Loretto Chapel known for it's gravity defying staircase built without the use of nails or screws and completes two full 360 degree turns. We also visited the oldest church still in use as well as the oldest home still in use while in Santa Fe. Additionally, we were held up in traffic for the shooting of a movie here.

A little known fact is that Terminator 2, Transformers 2, The Fast and the Furious and many more action films have been filmed in Albuquerque or surrounding areas.

Anu, our sister-in-law, looks so cute 6 months pregnant! She is definitely glowing!

Today, we helped finish putting together the final furniture pieces in the nursery! One less thing for Daniel to worry about while transitioning into his new role here in Albuquerque.

We are looking forward to spending time this weekend in the Grand Canyon and seeing the wonderful work our Lord and Savior has created!

Kitty needs a new home...

2009-07-02T16:56:00.001-07:00

Mozart, our lovable kitty, is in need of a new home. With the birth of our son, Josiah, Mozart is not getting the attention he deserves. Mozart thinks of himself as a "lap-dog kitty".

Mozart is a 5.5 yr old, black and white domestic short hair cat who loves all the attention he can get.

If you are looking for a loving cat or know of someone who is, please let us know. Mozart is in need of a new home as soon as possible.

1st Father's Day...

2009-06-21T23:08:00.001-07:00

In Memory: Jackson Briggs, 10/09/2007 - 06/01/2009

2009-06-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

Jackson, our black Standard Poodle, died Monday, June 1, 2009

His death has left a vacant hole in our family. He bonded immediately with Josiah when we came home from the hospital, always "checking" on him, sticking his head over the edge of the bassinet to make sure Josiah was OK and giving Josiah an occasional lick.

Jackson had the unique gift of being obnoxiously affectionate. His personality was such that we were scolding him at least once a week and yet now, we are missing him sleeping on the bed with us, climbing up on the couch to get on our laps and all the countless ways he brought humor and joy to our lives.

He was a remarkably healthy dog until Friday when he started not acting himself. He was lethargic and had a loss of appetite. I took him in on Saturday to see our vet and we were told that he was really anemic. They gave him Predinsone and an antibiotic. He seemed to perk up Saturday night and then he went downhill Sunday afternoon and evening.

When taking him to the vet on Monday morning, Jackson collapsed in his Daddy's lap and died. Jackson was diagnosed as having an autoimmune hemolytic anemia attack.

We will miss you Jackson!

Spring in the Briggs' backyard!

2009-05-25T06:10:00.000-07:00

Daddy's All-Star...

2009-05-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

Help me...they've got me all pinned in! :)

Ok, I give up!

Daddy's little All Star

Briggs' version of a pony for Josiah....

2009-05-23T17:36:00.001-07:00

Josiah says "Git-r-going Jackson"

Pool time for Josiah

2009-05-17T16:44:00.001-07:00

On a HOT Sunday afternoon, Grandpa and Grandma's pool sure felt good!

Josiah decided to just kick back and soak in the sun!

Three generations enjoying the H2O

Sleep time again in Briggs-land...

2009-05-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

Wriggle me this, wriggle me that...Josiah can wriggle out of a sleeper sack

2009-05-14T22:09:00.001-07:00

Spring at home...

2009-05-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

Josiah loves his Grandpa!

2009-05-04T00:41:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Briggs takes Josiah and the boys for a walk after the boy's tennis victory!

Grandpa and Josiah

Josiah loves his Grandma!

2009-05-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

And now Grandma can always see his smiling face!

Our prayer for Josiah is that he is often reminded of how amazing it is to have a loving, supportive, praying family throughout his life.

Meeting the goats!!!

2009-05-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Josiah loves being with his Daddy

Daddy introduces the goats to Josiah

Josiah watches in amazement as the goats stand to eat the rose petals from Daddy!

Who loves Josiah? Jackson does, Jackson DOES!!!

2009-04-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

Tea with Margaret Zook in her Iris Garden...

2009-04-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Josiah chilling out...

2009-04-26T18:43:00.001-07:00

Laughing Josiah...this after he wouldn't smile or laugh for our photographer friend, Stella Steen

2009-04-26T18:16:00.001-07:00

Praying Briggs...

2009-04-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

Super styling Briggs....

2009-04-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Baby!!!!! What a blessing he is to our lives!

2009-04-03T23:07:00.003-07:00

Happy, content little man...

2009-03-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

Josiah happy in his Daddy's arms!

Josiah likes flying in the air! (Even after his Daddy's arms are aching...LOL)

Josiah is telling everyone how great his blanket tastes!

Josiah giving his flirty look!

Cowboy Josiah...

2009-03-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

Our friend Harriet Zook gave Josiah this adorable cowboy outfit that he can finally wear! :)

Briggs Family Pictures...

2009-03-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

Briggs Family on a glorious Spring Day!

Doesn't Carrie look amazing 4 months after giving birth to our son?!?

Dad and son enjoying the Spring blooms!

Mommy and Josiah...

2009-03-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Briggs-Steinmetz Four Generations...

2009-03-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air and what a beautiful day to take our Four Generations picture!

Joshua, Josiah, Great- Grandma Steinmetz, and Grandma Briggs

Great-Grandma Steinmetz, Grandma Briggs, Josiah and Joshua

Joshua, Josiah, Great-Grandma Steinmetz and Grandma Briggs

Grandma Briggs, Great-Grandma Steinmetz, Josiah and Joshua

Sleeping baby....

2009-03-26T23:32:00.000-07:00

Spring creations...

2009-03-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

Sleeping in Daddy's arms...

2009-03-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

New favorite toy...

2009-03-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

4 months old already....

2009-03-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

Lunch with Grandma Kay and Gary...

2009-03-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

Briggs' Boys...

2009-03-22T23:10:00.000-07:00

Been a while...

2009-03-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

So, it has been a while since I posted. Things have been crazy hectic busy recently. Carrie and I have spent the last week remembering a godly Christian woman we both loved who recently went to be with her Lord and Savior. Grandma Ottis will be remembered and missed greatly! Grandma was very happy to have met her one and only great-grandson Josiah before she went home to be with the Lord. How she loved holding him and showing him off to everyone at Eventide Assisted Living in Moorehead, MN.

Grandma's faith was abundantly evident with whomever she interacted with! I will miss the long conversations while I was driving home from my last sales call! I will always treasure Grandma allowing me to call her Grandma. Her love will remain with me for the rest of my life. Thank you Grandma Ottis for allowing me into your life and for touching my life so profoundly!

Goodbye for now...

2009-03-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, my dear Grandma Ottis went home to be with her Savior. Grandma was a wonderful friend to Joshua and me, and we will miss her greatly. I am so thankful that she was in my life for as long as she was, considering that Grandma would have been 94 this May. We both so enjoyed talking with Grandma on the phone, and we always knew she was praying for us. Grandma loved meeting Josiah (her first and only great grandchild) when we visited her in February. I'll always remember how she was so excited to hear that we were expecting and how she said she never thought she would be a great-grandma. It was so special seeing her hold Josiah, and we're so thankful that the Lord allowed her to meet him. Josiah will not remember meeting her, but we'll tell him about his great-grandma and her love for Jesus.

Grandma is rejoicing now. We're left behind with the memories and the blessed hope that when we said goodbye to Grandma in person in February, it was goodbye only for a season. We will see Grandma again.

Extended Family pictures...

2009-02-22T14:59:00.000-08:00

Four Generations Pictures...

2009-02-22T04:56:00.000-08:00

Priceless pictures...

2009-02-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

Meeting Great-Grandma Ottis...

2009-02-21T14:42:00.001-08:00

Long overdue post...

2009-02-21T14:35:00.000-08:00

Well, a great deal has been happening in the Briggs' household since the last posting. Between trips to see Karsten and Kim and the kids in San Diego to my business trip to Jacksonville (where I got sick with a nasty cold) to taking a trip to North Dakota, we have been a very busy family.

Seeing Karsten and Kim and their kids in San Diego was a phenomenal treat for Carrie and I and Josiah. We so enjoyed our time with them and can't wait to do it again except this time do it for a longer time. :)

North Dakota was awesome seeing Grandma Ottis as well as being on the farm and seeing extended family. Josiah did awesome on his first airplane trip across the country. You wouldn't have even known there was a baby on board the plane. :) Of course, his Great-Grandma Ottis was thrilled to finally meet her one and only great-grandchild.

Happy Baby...

2009-02-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

Louisa, here's a picture of Josiah smiling as requested! :)

And the hands have it again...

Josiah was in the middle of telling us something...

Wow, Dad, that flash is BRIGHT!

Josiah telling us how it is...already! :)

Molly, thanks for the outfit, we LOVE it and it fits him so well!

The Sleeping Boys...

2009-01-31T17:20:00.000-08:00

Jackson and Harrison get in on the nap time action with Josiah

Harrison is wondering why Dad is bothering us with the camera flash when he is trying to sleep

Jackson, on the other hand, is wondering if he could snag one of Josiah's toys while he sleeps...

Thanks to Molly Bradley for the clothes...they are really coming in handy!

Another bonding time picture...

2009-01-31T11:30:00.000-08:00

Josiah and Daddy enjoying some bonding time...

San Diego Weekend...

2009-01-31T10:59:00.001-08:00

Carrie, Josiah and I had a fantastic weekend with my brother Karsten's family in San Diego last weekend. It was so worth the trip! The cousins got to play together, Karsten and I had some brotherly bonding time playing Nerf Football in the street with the boys and just talking, and Kim and Carrie had some quality time sharing and enjoying each other's company.

We are looking forward to doing it again although for a longer period. :) And possibly taking Southwest down instead of driving... :)

We'll see...

Lauren Grace

Noah

Brothers, KJ and Noah, playing well together

Lauren giving Josiah the low-down on San Diego...

My brother Karsten's family...

KJ enjoying the train ride...

Noah not sure where that noise is coming from...

The boys discussing life events...

You looking at me? Huh? Are ya?

Wazzup Dude?!?!

Cousins enjoying each other...

What exactly am I doing here?

Wow, Dad, this is like a swing but doesn't move...weird!

Noah admiring his cousin Josiah

Daddy and Josiah spending some quality time...

Kim in conversation with Carrie...

Noah

The Cousins

KJ gets a good look at Cousin Josiah

Tummy Time...

2009-01-22T19:53:00.000-08:00