A quick recap

Oh my word, where has the time gone??? It has a whole month since my last post, so obviously this whole blog thing needs to be moved up on the priority list.

What has the last month held for the Baxter's? Well...

Truth and Dixon enjoyed a week vacation with Grandma Marji and Grandpa Jerry in Phoenix. The weather was record setting, hitting highs of 118 degrees.

*Adam and Kari spent a week travelingthe east coast, kid free. We spent a few days in Boston, and then took the train south to New York. We met up with some of our dear friends, who now live in Sweden, and toured the city for four days. It was an amazing time.

*We attended the Mooney family reunion (Kari's mom's side), which was two nights of camping at Champoeg State Park. The kids played with their cousins, and we caught up with my 8 aunts and uncles. The last night of camping, there was a big thunder storm, the first that we had ever camped through.

*Truth wrapped up her second round of swimming lessons. She is know floating without a life jacket, and comfortable fully submerged under the water.

*Kari has been interviewing for a documentary about mothering a child with a disability. I am very honored to be apart of something that highlights the positive side of our children.

*We are all getting ready for Sarina and Jason's wedding on July 30th. Truth will be a flower girl, Dixon a "ring master" as Truth calls him, and Kari a bridesmaid. We are very much looking forward to celebrating with them.

This list is basically so I will remember to come back and blog more about each event, but for now, at least it's in writing, so it won't escape my mind completely.

Welcome Summer.

What a week! As we move on to summer, I'm finding myself busier than ever. We are getting ready for a big trip, that is really a combination of multiple small trips. Packing up four people for two completely different destinations is chaotic, but I think that we will all benefit from a vacation.

The kids both finished up their spring semesters at the Little Gym last week. Dixon was in the Birds class (9-19 months), and Truth was a Giggle Worm (3-4 years). I found myself a bit teary eyed as I watched them get their ribbons and awards. Where have the past six months gone? Where has the past year gone? And how in the heck do we have a two and a four year old?!?

Now we are onto the summer semester at gymnastics, which both kids will begin the first week of July. Truth also started ballet last week, and will resume swim lessons later in the month. Like I said at the beginning of this post, they are keeping me busy.

"The term working mother is redundant". ~Jane Sellman

The weather has been wonderful in Portland, so lots of time has been spent outside. The winters can be so long, but as soon as the sun comes out, I am reminded of why we live here. We are blessed to be surrounded by green, to have so much room to run, and to have a mild climate that allows us to enjoy it.

Adam's mom, Marji was in town a few weeks ago. She made a comment about how lucky our kids are to grow up in a place where squirrels run wild in the back yard. I had never thought of it that way before, but she is right.

We are indeed lucky

Dear Adam, Thank You.

With Father's Day coming up, I have spent a lot of time contemplating different gift ideas for my amazing husband. He has had his eye on a road bike for some time; is in love with a pair of Keen hiking shoes, wants more tattoos, and a basketball hoop. While he deserves nothing less than all of them, I have decided on something a bit more personal.

Dear Adam,

I want to start off by explaining why I am writing you this letter in a place where everyone will read it, rather than slipping it in your lunch, or leaving it on the seat in your Jeep. I am posting this letter to our blog, because I want the world to know how thankful I am to be your wife.

Nine years is a long time to spend with somebody, and over the course of that time, you and I have both grown from insecure teenagers into responsible, family-oriented, mortgage-paying, adults. I've watched you learn how to fix every inch of our house, I've seen you try out several jobs, I've hid in a corner while you did the Electric Slide on stage, and stared in awe at how handsome you look in a suit.

I know that our life is nothing short of pure chaos these days, so I wanted to take a minute to thank you, for the hard work that you do. You have found a career that allows you to take your leadership, patience, positivity and dedication to a place beyond our family. I am proud to know that you are brightening someone else's day, in the most unlikely of places.

I remember during a speech at our wedding, Brittany asked "if there was any way to clone you," we all laughed, but after nearly seven years of marriage, I can see why she would have such a question. You are so many things wrapped up in one handsome package. Thank you for your continued support, for understanding me like no one else ever has or will, for your unconditional love, for still flirting me everyday, and most importantly; for being my best friend. I thank God everyday for sending you into my life.

Thank you for all that you do; for your strong morals, your playful spirit, and your dedication to our family.

All my love,

Kari

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person". -Mignon McLaughlin

In memory of a great man

Gary Lee Johnson. September 20, 1939- June 10, 2008

Today marks the four year anniversary of my father's death. Watching the strongest man I that I will ever know weaken due to cancer, was heartbreaking. The conversations, memories and hugs shared with him will never be replaced, nor will the life lessons that he taught me.

The most difficult part of losing my dad so early in my life, is the fact that our kids will not be able to know their amazing grandfather; their mother's hero.

Truth was 15 months old when my father died, so the few photos of the two that we have will forever be cherished. Dad adored her, and got a sparkle in his eyes whenever she was around. A favorite memory of mine is about a week before Dad passed, he was so brittle, and wouldn't eat anything. In a desperate attempt, I brought him a milkshake, he had no problem saying no to me, but when Truth offered, Grandpa drank it.

My dad taught me many things in my life. He taught me to believe in myself, and never let anyone tell me that I can't. He taught me that even the strongest people have their moments of defeat. He taught me that a Sunday drive, with no known destination, can be the greatest of days. He wanted my siblings and I to experience life for ourselves, not to follow in other's footsteps, but to make own own. Most importantly, my dad taught me to be proud of who I am, and where I come from. This was best exampled as he prepared to give me away at our wedding in 2006. Dad was having a hard time, and I could tell that he was one hug away from losing it. He grabbed my hand, looked me in the eye, and told me to "be proud of who I am, and of the great guy that I was about to marry," as we walked down the isle, he squeezed that hand, ever so tightly, and repeated "be proud, just be proud," all the way to the alter.

My dad always supported me, always encouraged me, and never hesitated to tell me that I had made him proud. These words are missed more than any others. Thank you, Dad, for your whispers from heaven, and for continuing to be the inspiration behind much of what I do.

One week before Dad died, he had a stroke, which left his speech extremely limited. While visiting with him in the hospital, he told me four words, which will forever be engraved in my heart: Strong. Love. Proud. Truth. That was all that he had to say, I could finish each sentence for him. Be strong. I love you. I'm proud of you. Take care of Truth.

I will always strive to make you proud, and will pass on all of your lessons to my children. I promise you this. I miss you Dad, so very very much.

The biggest blessing of all

Four years ago, my husband and I were blessed with our lovely daughter, Truth. Truth is everything that we ever wanted in a daughter: smart, beautiful, creative, athletic. She quickly became our world. Fast forward two years, and we were once again payed a visit from Heaven, this time in the form of a son, Dixon. Dixon possesses all of the same qualities as his sister, but was born with something a little special, an extra 21st chromosome. In other words, Dixon has Down syndrome, something that would initially shock us; scare us, worry us, but eventually become the biggest blessing of all.

Why am I waiting two years to start blogging about being the mother of a special needs child? Simply because it has taken me this long to grow into, and truly understand the importance of this role. Every day has been a learning experience for me, everyday has presented new challenges, new triumphs, new defeats, but most importantly, new LOVE, and more of it than I will ever know what to do with.

I invite you to join me in the journey. The life of a mother, trying to make the best for my children, through education, experiences, discovery and volunteer opportunities. Trust me, there will be a lot of them! After all, we're all just following someone else's plan.