The Wonder and Magic of Christmas

I remember Christmas morning as a kid. My mom went to great lengths to make Christmas amazing! I remember not being able to sleep the night before because I knew the excitement that would come when I ran downstrairs in the morning. My eyes practically popped out of my head when I saw what was under the tree. 

Most of our gifts would be wrapped but some not, and we would scream out the things we saw that we knew were ours, "ahhh my Pocahontas Barbie!" Yes, I wanted that doll so bad one year, I took the store advertisements out of the newspaper & left them on mom's bathroom vanity every morning with a big red circle around Pocahontas so that she knew, without a doubt, what I wanted. 

On Christmas morning, mom would make us all stand in front of the tree before we opened anything and just, look. She wanted to see us marvel at everything. It really was magical! 

This year, it's my turn to see Hailey get lost in the wonder. I can't wait to make Christmas as wonderful for her as my mom made it for us. 

I also can't wait to experience the true meaning of Christmas with her. It's not so much about what's under the tree but about a baby in a manger and what He did for the world on another tree. How He gave, gave of himself so the world could be reconciled back to God. And how God gave Him to be given. We give because He gave all. This Christmas may we remember & celebrate His precious birth. 

How do you connect to the true meaning of Christmas?

Merry Christmas!

xoxo, kerri

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Home Is Where You Park It

Welcome to our new adventure!

As most of you already know, we made the decision to jump on the tiny house movement (sorta) & bought a 5th wheel. We will be moving into it full time in September. There were many factors that played into the decision to buy & live in a camper but the main reason was we weren't ready to buy a house & yet we didn't want to keep throwing away money on rent with no return. We had eventually planned on buying a fifth wheel since we like camping & Huck is a hunter, we just thought it would be a few years down the road after we had settled into a house. I guess we are doing it a little backwards. Who knows though, maybe we'll love camper livin' so much we'll live that way forever. 

There have also been talks of traveling full time but we haven't made that decision yet. We both want to travel & see all the amazing things & history this country has to offer so it's definitely not out of the realm of possibility. I have always wanted to live like a gypsy for a time in my life. 

We pick up our new home this coming Monday. Like my blog's facebook page here. I'll be streaming a live tour of it and answering more of your questions there. I'll also be sharing storage hacks and other fun things. 

We are so excited for this next chapter and even more excited to share it with all of you. 

xoxo, kerri

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Hailey's Diagnosis

Occult Myelomeningocele - a very rare, very mild case of Spina Bifida. That is what the surgeon diagnosed Hailey with.

Monday, April 25th we headed back to Salt Lake City to discuss the results of Hailey's MRI as well as the details of her surgery with the surgeon. He confirmed what we had been praying for. The cyst on Hailey's back at the bottom of her spine was filled with just spinal fluid. Before, there was a chance that part of her spinal cord was tethered inside as well which may have resulted in more challenges growing up such as an awkward walk or even a wheelchair and bladder & kidney issues. Neurological problems were a concern as well. 

Tuesday morning I handed my baby off to the anesthesiologist who took her back for surgery. They said it would take about three hours or so. When she came out of surgery, she was still a little out of it, laying on her belly with her eyes closed and softly moaning. She hurt. You don't know the feeling of helplessness until you see your 6 week old baby laying in a hospital crib moaning because she is in pain and you, her mother cannot pick her up to comfort her. 

For three days she laid on her belly. Through feedings, through diaper changes, she didn't move except for the occasional turn of her head from one side to another so that she wouldn't get a stiff neck. She cried. She screamed. She healed. 

She is home now and has had to remain on her belly for two weeks but those two weeks are almost up. She will be able to lay on her back for the first time in her life. First normal diaper change. First time in her bedside rocker. First time being held normally. First time in the car seat without the really cool pad Daddy made for her. We will be celebrating a lot of "firsts" in the next few days. 

Above all the "firsts" though, we we will celebrate the "constants" too! The constant fact that God is good, that He is faithful! That He works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). And man, this kid is Called! 

Just like In The Beginning, "you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). In Hailey's Beginning, what satan meant for evil, God has & will continue to use it for good. She has the scar to prove it ...and another has the scars to prove it.

"He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). 

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Thank you Jesus! 

And thank you to all of you who prayed for our baby girl.

xoxo, kerri

***For Part One of Hailey's story, click here!***

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