Rockin' Around the Clock

"One, two, three o'clock, four o' clock rock..."(four AM, that is)

This is the song that one of Aidan's new cars plays. I've heard it so much that it plays in my head even when the car isn't making a sound. It would be a little maddening if it wasn't the perfect theme song for our life right now. Aidan has RSV, and we've been up around the clock giving breathing treatments, and bringing fever down. He had it about the same time last year, and I thought we'd dodge it this year, but no such luck! At least we were home before he got sick.

We did have a wonderful Christmas with our family and friends. When your birthday is Dec. 22nd, birthday and Christmas seem to get blurred in a whirlwind together, but we did our best to make each one separate and special. Below are some pictures of the fun things we did. Enjoy! Also, enjoy the music, if I can get it to work. Just pause, switch songs or mute your speakers if it annoys!

Aidan's Airplane Birthday Party with his little friends

Birthday dinner with family

North Pole Flyer train ride in Austin

Christmas morning we all went to Mimi's in our Jammies for breakfast (we had to take Aidan's new train house, of course.) Then we headed to Helotes to see Nana & Dad-Dad.

Sea World Trip with cousins, Mason and Marin




Behind the scenes with Shamu! Thanks, Leslie!

*Funny Sidenote~ As we headed to the Budweiser Clydesdale house, I told Aidan that we were going to see the big horses that lived in the stable. He then asked, "Where Baby Jesus lives?"

We also had Christmas Eve with the Karr side, and Christmas with my extended family on Sunday. Whew!!! I can't believe all this happened in little more than a week! It's good to be home-even if we are sick! Just pray that none of our little cousins gets sick too!

Wishing you and yours good health and a very happy 2009!

~Brooke, Aaron, and Aidan

This Time of Year

We love the Christmas season around here! Not only are we anticipating the celebration of our Savior's birth, but also Aidan's birthday on the 22nd. It's a busy time, but one we are enjoying even more with an almost 3-year-old running through the room in his red slippers nabbing candy canes off the tree when he thinks we aren't looking. We love rocking by our fireplace and reading all our Christmas books as we explain over and over how the love of God came down for the world in a tiny baby. Even though the three wisemen in our play Nativity set sometimes arrive by firetruck or airplane, Aidan's grasping the concept as much as a kid his age can!



I look at my son, and I can't imagine my life without him, and I'm so thankful to God for creating him just for our family. I'm also thankful for his wonderful birthmom, Mary, who chose us. (Yes, Aidan's birthmom is Mary too!) As he grows and understands what it means to be adopted, we share his story with him again and again and show him the pictures of how he came to us. Aidan now can answer who's tummy he grew in: "Mary's tummy!". He knows that God told her he was supposed to be our baby, and Mary listened to God, and that's how we became a family.



I remember how it felt on Dec. 14, 2005 boarding the plane to California, excited and nervous, unable to really grasp that I would have a baby, my baby, with me the next time I saw Texas. After serious illness, infertility, and a previous failed adoption, it seemed so surreal and UNreal that this was finally happening for us. But our Savior knows the desires of our hearts! He used all those things to bring us our son, and He constantly reminded us of His love and provision throughout. Our child could have been born in any state, but he was born in California where we have family. I was so honored to witness his birth, cut the cord, and feed him his first bottle. Mary invited me to share her room, and at night Aidan slept between the two people on earth who love him the most- one enough to choose life and then let him go. We were released from the hospital with Aidan on Christmas Eve and drove to my aunt's house where my whole tearful but joyful family was waiting on the driveway. We were granted permission to travel home to Texas on New Year's Eve where friends greeted us in the airport, and Aaron's whole family was waiting on our driveway!



The Lord brought this long-awaited child to our home so closely tied to the time another long-awaited Child came for the whole world. You see, two miracles happen for us this time of year, and for this we give God all the Glory and praise.



"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given..." Isaiah 9:6



Christmas Morning 2005

Aidan Michael, God answered our prayers with you!

Mary, I am humbled by you. We love you.

Family and friends,

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2

Our Little Fireman...

Aidan delighted in dressing as a fireman for our church's fall festival and Halloween! He even had his own "fire puppy"! We had a fun time with family and friends at church, and then with more friends and neighbors on a moonlit Halloween hayride as he trick-or-treated for the first time. We think Aidan may have taken his fire fighter status a little too seriously because the following Wednesday, he proceeded to set off the fire alarm in the children's building at church. Aaron went to pick him up while I taught children's choir, stepped in to the classroom to get his bag, and Aidan ran into the hall and pulled that nice shiny red lever (probably had been planning this awhile). Both father and son were mortified, and the fire department was called off in time. I don't think he'll do it again...very soon.

Number 1 Son

Daddy: Aidan, next month you're going to be three years old!

Aidan: No Daddy, I'm NUMBER ONE!!!

Pumpkins and Polar Bears

Aidan has attached himself to Cassie, the large white teddy bear that was mine as a child, a fact that warms my heart and makes me smile. He carries her and his other "animals" all over the house, and they all sleep with him too. The other morning, I was getting ready in my bathroom with Aidan and all his furry buddies, as he systematically balanced each one on the edge of the tub. He then exclaimed, "Mommy! Look at Cassie Bear!" I looked over at my old bear performing her gravity-defying feat across the rim of my tub, and said, "Wow! She's talented!" To which he informed me, "No, Mommy. She's a polar bear."

Below are some pics of our trip to the pumpkin patch and of Aidan being Aidan. Enjoy!

Beach Trip

*As I was buckling Aidan into the car this morning, he told me: Mommy, you're a beautiful Bunny Rabbit!"

...and I knew it was going to be a good day! :)

In September, our family was finally able to go to the beach! Our trip was up in the air due first to Hurricane Dolly, and then Ike. We were able to skirt around Ike and have a great time! A cold front blew in while we were there and it made for some overcast, but eventually gorgeous cool days-a first for our beach trips that are usually hotter than blazes! Aidan had a blast with Nana, Dad-Dad, Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Trey, Uncle Justin, and his BFF Emmie.

His Favorites were:

1. Riding the BIG tube rides at Schlitterbahn S. Padre (This kid is FEARLESS.)

2. Playing hide and seek in the condo with Uncle Trey and Uncle Justin.

3. Eating fried fish at "Dirty Al's" (SO yummy!)

4. Racing his trucks and playing with Nana in the sand.

5. Hunting for shells (there were LOTS b/c of the weather)

6. Jumping waves (and wiping out) in the surf.

7. Eating shrimp and corn on the cob at our shrimp boil.

8. Visiting the sea turtle rescue center and feeding lettuce to "Merry Christmas" the Green Sea Turtle.

We always love our family beach trip, and look forward to continuing the tradition for years to come!

"A Good Three"

Wow! It's been awhile since my last post! We have been so busy around here lately. Here's what we're up to:

Aidan has started Mother's Day Out at our church on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm teaching "Music with Brooke" there to the toddlers and 2 year olds on Tuesday mornings and Kindermusik classes on Thursday mornings. Then I get Aidan and we go home for nap! Wednesday mornings we attend a Kindermusik class taught by Ms. Kat who is teaching with my program this semester, and is wonderful! I'm really going to enjoy just being the parent in class with my little boy! Wednesday evenings we have dinner at church (thank you Lord!) and then I teach children's choir to the 4 year olds.

Holy frijoles. Someone please give me some O2!!! No, really. It sounds like a lot, and it is, but it's working out. Our crazy busy days are Tues.-Wed. and then we get a 4 day break!

Aidan continues to crack us up with the things he says and does. Here are some of his latest:

Aidan: Mommy, are you tired?

Me: Yes, I'm a little tired. Are you tired?

Aidan: No, I'm HAPPY!

Aidan: "Mommy, hide so I can go tee-tee."

"microphone ears" = earphones

*Aidan was playing a little too roughly with some roly polies the other day and one of them died. Seeing a teachable moment, I told him that it's heart stopped beating, it's body stopped working, and it died. He made a puzzled face and then lit up, looked at me and said, "Oh! I fink it needs some new batterwees!"

Here are Aidan's latest top 10:

1. Favorite food: Kozy Shack Rice Pudding w/Cinnamon on it

2. Favorite book: Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do You Hear?

3. Favorite Game: Twister

4. Favorite thing: riding tractors with Daddy and tackling Daddy tied

5. Favorite Impersonation: dinosaur (RAAAAWR!!)

6. Favorite Rhyme: "Hold on, wait a minute, let's put some GROOVE in it!" (taught by P. Daddy Karr...)

7. Favorite vehicle: tractor

8. Favorite Movie: Baby Bach (What in the WORLD??!!)

9. Favorite Show: Backyardigans

10. Favorite thing to wear: his new tennis shoes (size 11, HELP!)

Aaron and I were lying with Aidan in his bed after prayers the other night, and Aidan pointed to each of us and said, "Mommy. Daddy. Aidan. It's a good three!"

Aidan Michael, we are "A Good Three"!!! Your daddy and I are so thankful that you're our little boy. We love you so much, little man, and pray that you'll always turn to God, and come to us with everything. We also pray for a smooth transition when our "Good Three" becomes a "Good Four" someday soon. Yes, the other thing that's going on in our lives is that we are hoping to adopt our second child sometime in the next year or so. We are officially "pregnant with papers", but gestation will probably be over a year so please keep us in your prayers!

Guy Stuff

Men at Work

Aidan & Sippy Cup Meet Army Truck

I'm loving watching Aidan and his daddy's relationship grow! Aidan is at the age where he wants to be just like Daddy, and Aaron is loving it too. They had a full morning today and picked up Daddy's BIG tractor at the mechanic's with the trailer (both a source of endless fascination), visited an Army truck on one of Daddy's trailers , went to the Summer Train Show, ate at Dairy Queen, rode on the Landa Park Train, and got haircuts!

Both of my guys are currently napping...

River Day!

Oh my goodness! We had SUCH a fun time at the river with our friends yesterday! It was the perfect summer Sunday afternoon. The kids played Huck Finn style making rafts and boats out of sticks and leaves. The grown-ups visited. The river was peaceful and beautiful (even with the occasional rowdy tuber floating by). Thank you God for making such beauty, and thank you, Laura and Todd, for inviting us!

Aidan had an absolute blast and some of his faves were:

1. Playing with all his buddies

2. "Helping" the big boys build their rock forts

3. Swimming in the "rabbits" (rapids) with Daddy

4. Sailing leaf boats through chanels in the rock

(He did NOT like going home!)

Funny/Not Funny

Funny:

Me: Aidan, hurry up and get in your carseat!

Aidan: Yes, Captain!

NOT Funny:

Yes, folks, that is (most of) a sample spoon from Walmart, and the part that's missing went on a journey through my son's intestinal tract, after he accidentally swallowed it while he was sampling some banana pudding. I know these things generally "pass through", but being that the missing part was sharp, we called several nurses (including Nana) and were advised to go to the ER. The ER took X-rays (even though plastic doesn't show up on one (?!)), examined him, and basically agreed that it should pass. So no major treatments, and and least we slept better knowing we'd done all we could do. I'm also happy to report that we did get to reunite the spoon with it's long-lost piece (not really). Yes, everything "came out" ok, but when I envisioned motherhood, it never included me fishing through a Huggies Pull-Up with a stick.

Word to the wise from our unfortunate experience: Walmart sample spoons are NOT our friends.

Ok, maybe this part was a little funny. :)

New Stuff

How do you like House of Karrs' new look? I've been having fun with different backgrounds and decided to give this one a try. It's called "Go Organic" which I think is very funny b/c I've never even been to a Whole Foods Market...
Here are some things we at HOK have been up to:
Last weekend I got to go on a girls' weekend at the coast with six precious friends. We were so excited that our friend, Allison, who has moved to Oklahoma (and who we miss terribly) flew down to surprise us! It was so nice just to visit and catch up with everyone. Thanks, Laura, for inviting us. I'm using my memory of floating in the pool in my new sunhat as my "happy place" when things get crazy! Speaking of crazy, while I was at the coast, Aaron called to inform me that "he was potty-training my son". Apparantly, when I left Aidan decided it was time to use the potty. Sooooo...I got armed with potty training advice, and headed home to the front lines. We are on day 2, and it's going ok, aside from the fact that I still have no clue what I'm doing and have never felt this out of control in my life!

Here are some things I've learned about potty training so far:

1. I will be doing at least 1 load of laundry a day.
2. When there is actual tee-tee or whatever IN or NEAR the potty, its a cause of great rejoicing.
3. I'm not above using bribery for #2 above to take place.
4. Little boys must be reminded to point "things" downward.
5. Little boys can pee across the bathroom if Mommy forgets #4.
6. A small child who has never seen his own poop before, might be alarmed the first time he does..."Mama, what IS it?!"
7. An Aqua-doodle flipped over makes an excellent under the potty mat. (Not sure if it will ever be used for actual art again...)
8. Clorox clean-up wipes are my new best friend.

That's about it this week. Any and all potty training advice is welcome!
~Brooke :)

Oh...BATS!!!

Aidan watching the bats emerge

Bat Scouts

At the mouth of the cave.

On Saturday we had the special treat of visiting the largest bat colony in Texas with our friends: Todd, Laura, Chase, and Colton Thetford. Bracken Cave is home to 20 MILLION bats, and at sunset, they all fly out in a huge whirlwind to eat their weight in insects! Imagine how many more bugs there would be if these bats weren't there! The kids all loved watching the huge clouds of bats circle into the sky.

Here are some things we learned:

~Bats are our friends and need to be protected and respected.

~Bats are essential for keeping down flying insects, and protecting crops worldwide.

~Bats are mammals and 50% of the species in America are endangered or declining.

~Bats are not blind, do NOT attack humans, and seldom transmit diseases to other animals or humans. Less than 1/2 of 1 percent of bats contract rabies.

~Loss of bats increases the demand for chemical pesticides that can jeopardize whole ecosytems.

~Never touch a grounded bat.

We had a fun time and learned a lot about these amazing animals. Thank you, Thetfords, for inviting us!

~Aaron, Brooke, & Aidan

* To learn more about bat conservation, please visit: www.batcon.org.

10 Years!!!

Aaron & Brooke Karr June 27, 1998

Aaron & Brooke Karr June 27, 2008

I look at the picture of Aaron and me on our wedding day and can't believe that was 10 years ago. It doesn't seem that long ago when we returned from our honeymoon, moved into our little 3rd floor apartment with paper-thin walls during one of the hottest summers in history, and lived on hamburger helper (still do sometimes...) and rice-a-roni.

We've been talking about our 10th anniversary for a few years, and wanted to make it really special, so we celebrated with a trip to Napa and San Francisco. We had a wonderful time laughing, going on dates, and visiting the wine country, Alcatraz, Stinson Beach, Fisherman's Warf, China Town, eating at bistros, etc! It was so nice to relax, reflect on our years together, and give thanks for how God has blessed us. The break was great, but we couldn't wait to get back to our boy! Thank you, Nana, Dad-Dad, Mimi, Aunt K, and Pop for taking such good care of Aidan while we were away. Aidan got to swim, play chase, go to the children's museum, visit cousin Gary's fire station, chase goats, and meet Aunt K's horse, "Ace", so he had a little vacation of his own!

Aaron Karr, I'm so thankful to belong to you! You are my best friend and love of my life. I thank God for creating someone so perfect for me in every way and for bringing us together at the perfect time. Thank you for loving me even when I'm not acting very lovable! Thank you for choosing me. I love you, Baby!

~B

God Said...

Aidan was having a hard time sharing his toys with a little friend who came to play today. We have been trying to help him have a more generous heart, and create an alternative for the"MINE!!!" that we hear often. I told him that his toys belong to God and since God had blessed him with the toys, he needed to share them with his friend. He replied with: "Mama, God says it Aidan's turn."

Dear Daddy...

Dear Daddy,

I LOVE you because:

you give the best hugs

you are my favorite wrestling buddy

you play choo- choos with me

you let me ride my big tractor in high gear

you found my night-night

you let me splash (a lot) in the tub

you take me to Home Depot

you let me eat powdered sugar donuts in my church clothes

you let me feed corn to the deer

you play outside with me, Harley, and Griffin

you're patiently teaching me to hit a baseball even though I'm trying to use the bat as a golf club

you don't care if I get dirty

you make me waffles on Saturday mornings

you work with BIIIIG TRUUUUCKS

you don't care if we're noisy

you love my mommy

you pray with me

you work hard for our family

you make me laugh

you help me hide

you're my best buddy

and you love me!

Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Aidan

Classic...

Not long after we'd put Aidan to bed on the night of my last post, Aaron heard the sounds of toy pots and pans softly clanging in the playroom. He went up and found Aidan very busy with his toys. Aaron told him that he needed to get back in bed and go to sleep. Aidan's reply was, "Not now, Daddy. I cooking!"

Oh dear.

Big Boy/Happy Heart

Well, it's happened. Aidan is officially in his Big Boy Bed. We actually bought the headboard a few months ago when Pottery Barn Outlet had a 70% off furniture sale, but as of last night, we set it up, and Aidan slept in it for the first time in his own room. We had been waiting to move him to it because he sometimes still fights bedtime, and for safety, we didn't want him roaming around the house in the middle of the night if he woke up. This past week he'd been waking up around midnight asking for his "Big Bed", which was the bed in the guest room where we sleep when he's sick. We figured that a crib mattress wasn't made for a 42 lb. 2 year old, and he was probably waking up because he wasn't comfortable. So...last night was the trial run, and it went pretty well except for the first few minutes. Here's the dialogue that took place:

Aidan: (as he opens the door and walks to the stairs) I have a happy heart, Mommy!

Me: I'm glad you have a happy heart, but you're not in time-out. You need to stay in your bed and go night-night.

Aidan: Oh, OK!

Now it's naptime, and so far so good. I still have his crib up just in case! I'm giving up my control in baby steps!

Aidan Michael, its a bittersweet thing for me to see you all snuggled up in your Big Boy Bed with truck sheets. I love that you're so happy and sleeping well, but then I look at your crib and achingly realize that you won't be sleeping there anymore, the bed you've slept in since you were a tiny baby. I'm so proud of the big boy you are becoming, but looking at your baby bed, reminds me of how quickly two and a half years has gone by, and how I need to savor every minute. I love you, big boy, and I love being your Mommy. Don't grow up too fast!

Love,

Mommy :)

Fawns, Farmers, & Fins

It's that time again! Baby fawns are showing up nestled in every patch of grass. Does are hanging out in broad daylight making sure that the evening corn ration hasn't turned into an all day buffet, and boy is it HOT!We have been loving sitting out in the evenings watching the sometimes up to 15 deer that come to snack on the corn we feed them (and sample a few of my plants...).

Aidan, Nana, and I also visited our local Farmer's Market for the first time on Friday. We bought okra, tomatoes, berries, fresh bread, and Aidan especially loved the peaches and peach cider! Depending on what you buy, it can be a little pricey, but we had a great time and bought some great food grown by local farmers. Our Farmer's Market meets every Friday 3pm-6pm in the parking lot behind 1st Protestant Church for anyone interested. We're going back for sure!

On Saturday, we went swimming at Aunt Aimee's pool with Mimi, Pop, Daddy, Aunt Aimee, Grandmom, and Grandad. Everyone enjoyed the cool (cold!) water and watching Aidan play in the waterfall, and swim back and forth to everyone.

Happy Summer from the House of Karrs!

Swimmy Karr

Aidan and his instructor, Lynette

Aidan floated for 1 & 1/2 minutes in winter clothes!

Sorry if this sounds like a commercial, but I feel very strongly about water safety! Aidan just tested out of an amazing water safety and swim program called ISR (Infant Swim Resource). This program teaches kids 6 months-6 years how to flip on their backs, and swim-float-swim until they reach the side of the pool in case of an accidental fall into a pool or other body of water. It's amazing to see, and it saves lives. The skills Aidan has learned through this program are priceless. He's 2 years old and he's swimming! He has so much confidence in the water now. He can save himself in case he accidentally falls in, and also has so much fun showing off his new skills! Before this program, he was very fearful of the water, and now he LOVES swimming and doesn't want to get out of the pool! I'm so proud! Can you tell?

This is a frightening fact: Texas, along with California and Florida, is among the top ranking states where accidental drowning is the leading cause of death in young children. It's a silent death, and can happen when you turn your back for a minute. Living in an area with 2 rivers, a lake, a waterpark, and countless swimming pools and stock tanks, we want to make sure Aidan is as safe as he can be. The pics above show him during his final test: sustaining a back float for 90 seconds in full winter clothes and diaper. The day before, he tested in summer clothes. I'm so proud of him and thankful for this program that only recently came to this area. Below is Lynette Kitchen's contact information, as well as the ISR website in case you don't live nearby. You can enter your zipcode and they will match you with an instructor if there's one in your area. Lynette is the only ISR instructor in the South-Central Texas area. The next closest is in Houston or Dallas. There is also a link to a story our local news did on ISR that ran in December.

Happy swimming! Be safe this summer!

~Brooke :)

Contact Info:

Lynette Kitchen

Certified ISR Instructor

swimmingtexasbabies@gmail.com

210.289.0075

http://www.swimmingtexasbabies.com/

http://www.infantswim.com/

www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=4722bdf1-cc5a-4fc4-a297-380fe9b00f02

"Everyone needs to understand - no barriers, alarms, or locks you place between your baby and the water or any skills they learn will ever "drown proof" them. There is no such thing as "drown proof"! PLEASE WATCH YOUR CHILDREN CONSTANTLY AROUND THE WATER!" ~Lynette Kitchen

Scarlet Assassin

What in the WORLD???!!! For the past week or 2, our house has been under attack by a kamakazi (sp?) cardinal. Aidan calls him our "crazy bird". This bird sits in the rafters on our front porch and attacks the same spot on the window every 10 seconds, beginning at about 7am and going until dark. It makes you feel kind of twitchy to hear a bird impaling himself all day long, and we were afraid that he was hurting himself. We have tried shooing him away, but he flies to the oak tree and bird-cusses us out, only to resume his pastime when we go back inside. He's obviously not hurting himself, but I'm sure his head meeting a plate glass window in mid-flight isn't helping his IQ...We wanted to make it clear that we loved him, just not his behavior... ;) So... last week, I taped paper over the whole window and that took care of it--until Will Scarlet started clinging to the screens of my bedroom window and squawking at us (Are you KIDDING me?). The recent storms here tore the paper off the window so yesterday I got back up on the ladder, took all the paper and tape off, and cleaned all the little beaky prints off. It looked beautiful and our assailant was nowhere in sight. YAY!!!! I was sure he had moved on.

7am this morning, Aaron and I hear the familiar "ATTACK! SMACK! REPEAT!". Our friend is back, so any advice any of you have would be welcome!

~Brooke, Aaron, and Aidan (who really do love birds)

Oh Happy Day!

Aidan's Adoption Day, May 1, 2006

Aidan's Adoption Day, May 1, 2008 Aunt K and Aunt Aimee

With Nana and "Dad-Dad"

Grandmom, Grandad, Josh, & Mimi

May 1st is always a very special day for our family because it is the day that Aidan's adoption was finalized. Everything was settled before that, but May 1, 2006 is the date that the state recognized his adoption as final, and it was the day Aaron and I went before the judge and swore to love, care for, and protect Aidan Michael Karr.--Also known as "Gotcha Day"!

We celebrated this year with a family dinner and cake at Mimi's house. It's hard to space things out when your birthday is 3 days away from Christmas, so he also received a few surprises too!

Aidan Michael, child of my heart, God created you so perfectly for our family. I've loved you since your first breath, and even before that. We prayed for you for five years, and who knew that God was knitting together a child so beautifully matched to us in every way? You look like your Daddy, and are left-handed like me. You love to tease, and run, and make people laugh. You are such a gift to us, and we thank God for answering our prayers with you! Happy Adoption Day, buddy. I'm so honored to be your mommy. I love you!