Strolling along........

Ray set up my double jogger stroller for me so that McKinley can ride along w/ Stephen now. We got a sling insert for newborns that takes them up to 10 months. I'm so excited I can fit them both in there now. Stephen actually loved having his 'baby' in the stroller w/ him. He would say "baby, baby." He didn't want us to forget her. I am grateful for the ability to walk and stroll along. It is such a gift to move and breathe fresh air. I am walking today w/ a sister in my ward who has 3 children she will be bringing along. I'll be thinking of you, Mari. : ) It's always helpful to have a walking buddy. I miss Mom, but I'll be ready for her to come back and walk and talk w/ me. Beth and I enjoyed a nice, long stroll last Saturday. The Mountains were out in all their glory and the sun was setting. I love the color of Alpenglow. Alaska is such a beautiful place to live. You just need to get out during the daylight hours. I am convinced of that.

McKinley is now sleeping 8-9 hours a night. What a gift! Ray has returned to work and is recovering well. Stephen loves nursery. He has an awesome new nursery leader. My friend, Crystal was called to this position and she has done amazing things w/ those kids...no more tears on Sundays. : )

I am enjoying my morning pondering time. I have started reading conference talks every morning at 7:30. I read a portion of the talk out loud to Ray and McKinley (Stephen sleeps till 9 am) and this starts our day off w/ inspiration and a desire to improve ourselves. I encourage all of you to read and ponder those talks. I especially love the talk by Elder Corbridge entitled, 'The Way.' He refers to Jesus Christ as being the way, the only way and that is no other way. He made a clear case for Christ. I am so grateful for the insight and wisdom of our leaders. We will not be led astray if we will choose to follow their counsel.
May we all find the happiness and fulfillment that comes from following our Savior.

with love,
Kary

Falling into Winter

Falling into Winter

Today we had our first real snow fall.  3 inches in the Valley.  Stephen was so excited.  We went out to lunch today w/ Daddy and as we got in the car, Stephen said:  "snow, snow!"  With a sparkling grin and cheerful eyes, he ran as fast as his stocky legs would carry him.  It was adorable.  I'll be buying his snowpants and boots tomorrow, so he can really play in it.  

As you can see in the Fall pictures, Stephen sure loves his Grandpa.  I hope Mari and family, enjoy Grandma.  We miss her already!  Help!  Without Ray able to lift more than 5 lbs. (due to back surgery), I get to lift both kids all the time.  You should have seen me cooking dinner tonight.  I had McKinley in the front carrier over my shoulders while I'm stirring pots (don't worry Mom, I didn't get close to the burners) and Stephen was in his high chair coloring.  Sage was sent outside to get some fresh air...I think that's where I needed to go.  Won't someone send me outside for a while to breathe deeply? : )  Life is good.  I'm grateful to know, absolutely KNOW, that in the strength of the Lord, I can do ALL things and so can you!  

Press on!

Love, Kary

"Two Two to Thomas!"

Stephen celebrated his 2 year old birthday last week (Sept 25) with Thomas the Train.  Grandpa has introduced Thomas into Stephen's life and it has been a pleasant ride for all of us.  I do appreciate the values taught by the team of trains and Sir Topham Hat.  I find them very useful. : )  

Ray and I got Stephen his first 'bike'.  He loves his little red tricycle.  When we were in the toy section of the store, he'd say:  "bike, bike."  And, I'd tell him we were just looking.  Then, on his birthday, out came the bike and he was all smiles.  Pure joy!  I love to see children super happy like that.  We all need to be more childlike.  You can see in the pictures that Beth and I are doing our best to become like a little child.  She was helping Stephen get inside the portable Thomas the train tent and she got smashed up against a window.  We were laughing so hard that I almost wet my pants.  Good thing I wasn't pregnant or there would have been no hope of preventing an accident. : )  Stephen also smashed his face on the window.  I just decided to test my strength and pick up the entire train while holding McKinley at the same time.  Watch out Wonder Woman, here I come.  

It's fun watching Stephen grow up and discover something new every day.  He lights up my life.  I love his sparkling smile.  Today, as I was putting him down for a nap (after reading four stories to him), he looked up at me from his crib and said:  "hold you."  With tears in his eyes, I couldn't resist his loving plea.  He wanted to be held.  He usually goes down for a nap fine, no tears, just a smile and he blows me a kiss.  Today was different.  But, I think it was for me.  I needed to be held.  So, when he said "hold you"  (meaning "hold me")....I thought, wow...Heavenly Father is so aware of us at every moment.  I have been running a little faster than I have strength lately since Ray is not able to help w/ much since he's still recovering from back surgery.   I was exhausted and just needed to be still, so holding Stephen just a little longer in the rocker brought me peace as I sang:  "I am a Child of God" to him, tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked into his eyes and knew that He was leading me and guiding me today.  Take time to 'behold your little ones.'  I can see why Jesus wept.

Happy Birthday Stephen, Mommy loves you forever and always.

Silky Sage!

Here's our Berner girl, Sage. Doesn't she look fabulous? Ray's Mom gave us a grooming gift for our doggie. Thank you Granny! Ray wanted to give Sage a bath before her surgery, but he just didn't get around to it and it wouldn't have been a good idea for him to be lifting her anyway. So, I took her to the groomer on Friday and she came home sparkling clean to greet Daddy Ray. He was so happy to see his Sage looking so good. Now he can cuddle with her as he recovers. His surgery went well, but recovery will take about 6 weeks and then maybe some physical therapy after that. Our neighbors came to haul firewood up to our front porch, so Ray won't be tempted to go get more wood for the fireplace. We are so blessed with goodly neighbors, fabulous friends and a super family. Love to you all. Hugs, Kary

More pictures to come of Stephen throwing fall leaves. So cute!

McKinley's Blessing Day

McKinley was blessed by her Daddy Ray on September 7, 2008.
It was a wonderful blessing and we feel so blessed to have her in our forever family.
I hope you enjoy the photos. We didn't get any of Stephen since he was napping, but his pictures will be coming soon. He
turns 2 years old next week and I'm sure Daddy will capture some cute photos. Speaking of Daddy, Ray goes in for back surgery on Thursday, the 18th. So, please keep him in your prayers. He'll be recovering at home for 3-4 weeks before returning to his job. I'm so grateful Mom, Dad and Bethanie are around to be my 'angels.' I love my family. Take time to love yours.

Hugs,
Kary

McKinley's Birth Story

McKinley Kea Hafen

Born July 24, 2008 (Pioneer Day) in Anchorage, Alaska.
Birth time: 12:19 pm.
Weight 7lbs. 15 oz.
Height: 20 1/2 inches.

Proud Parents: Ray and Kary Hafen

Journal Entry by: Kary Hafen

On July 24, 2008, at 7:30 in the morning, I woke up with severe back pain. I decided I would soak in a hot bath to soothe the discomfort. The pain began to move to the front of my stomach. I had just been to the Dr. the day before and we were scheduled to meet her to be induced on July 30, 2008. Ray and I decided we should call my Dr.s office at 9:00 am. since the pain remained. The nurse there encouraged me to get to the hospital to be monitored. The pain was constant. I remembered what contractions had felt like prior to giving birth to Stephen, but this was level 10 agony from the beginning. Our drive to Providence Hospital in Anchorage would take about 45 minutes. I considered just having Ray take us to Mat-su Regional Hospital since it was much closer, but we both felt like we needed Dr. Merkouris to deliver McKinley.

The long drive was the most miserable journey I have yet to experience. The pain would not let up and I closed my eyes and just prayed that we'd make it in time. I didn't open my eyes the entire drive there because I didn't want to know how much longer we had to go. I threw up all over the blanket which was covering me. I was shivering and shaking. I asked Ray if we would make it to the hospital in time and he said: "yes."

As we drove into the parking lot of Providence Hospital, Ray put me in a wheel chair and got me into the Maternity Center. He told the ladies at the desk that he thought I was in labor. They checked me right into triage and discovered that McKinley's heart rate was extremely high. She was beginning to panic because the placenta had abrupted. This means that her life support system within my body was detaching from her and her little life was at risk. Dr. Merkouris arrived within minutes and scheduled me for an emergency C-section. As she looked me in the eyes prior to surgery and explained what needed to happen, I told her it would be ok and that I would be praying for her. She told me that was all she needed. I also reassured Ray that this was the right thing to do. He got dressed for the operating room and met me at my side to hold my hand while the Dr.'s and nurses proceeded to bring McKinley safely into the world.

As I lay on the operating table, I experienced a glimpse of Gethsemane. My arms were strapped down as if I were on a cross. My mind thought of the Savior on the cross. He was willing to give His life on the cross so I could come into this world. Now, I was on 'my cross' waiting to be 'delivered.' I would have given my life for McKinley to receive her life. I'm grateful that was not the Lord's plan because I love being her mother. I felt the Savior's presence in the room as I remembered Him. We are promised that we will always have His Spirit if we always remember Him. I am grateful His Spirit attended me on this sacred day.

The next day, in my hospital room, I pondered on the Savior's love and how He gives us life and allows us to live again. I applied His love to the power and privilege of parenthood. After bringing our children into the world, sometimes we have to watch them struggle as they strive to make correct choices. We must become their "Savior's" so that we can help them live again. I believe we have that ability.

I have discovered that by being a parent, my capacity to love has become greater and more pure. When Jesus beheld the little ones, he wept. I have wept over my children as my heart has filled with the purest love available to us. The Savior's love. This is the answer to all of our heartaches and righteous desires for our little ones. I now devote my life to loving Heavenly Father's children as He loves them. I am grateful He sent His Son so that I could have a son and a daughter to hold and cherish with the Savior's love.

Being the mother of Stephen and McKinley has brought me inexpressible joy. Even though we must travel down some rugged roads to reach our joyful destinations in life, the end result is always worth the struggle. I am grateful for the glimpses of Gethsemane that have occurred along the journey of my life. I hope I will always remember our Savior, Jesus Christ as I behold His little ones. I desire that my children feel His love daily. It is my choice to be filled with His love so that I may become purified as He is pure.

Let Them Be Little

Ray took these photos on Sunday. McKinley was a month old that day. Now, she is 5 weeks old. I intend to let her be little as long as I can. I love the song by Lonestar, "Let Them Be Little." If you haven't heard it, you really need to check it out on itunes. I copied the lyrics below the photos. Enjoy! We're off to Denali National Park for the weekend to honor McKinley's name Actually, we're going to enjoy time w/ family and friends w/ some good food on the side. We love this time of year here and plan to make the most of it. Make the most of each moment. Life is good!







Let Them Be Little

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

Let them be little