Dear Sweet, Sweet Maddox

Dear Sweet, Sweet Maddox,
When I told you for the first time in person how much I love you, I knew I would never be the same. 

  One of the reasons that you've stolen my heart is that I didn't expect to have you in my life. Your parents surprised us all with the news of you and I think we sort of forgot what it's like to have a little Jacobsen around. Your cousins are young men! They are incredible people that you will learn a lot from. Their kindness, purity of heart and dedication to be their best will inspire you.

 But now, here YOU are ready to make a mark on the world, inspiring them and the rest of us to be awesome.

 As your Aunt Kari, I have the honor and the privilege of loving you, spoiling you, and giving you the hope that you are NEVER alone. I also have the "Auntness" to  buy cute outfits like this to dress you up in! (To your 20 year old self, I am sorry!)

I'm also the Aunt that will think creating a Lion King moment with the whole family is hilarious and inspirational.

Speaking of family, your parents are incredible. They want the very, very best for you and will stop at nothing to make sure you know how loved you are. They are some of my best friends and my life is so much richer because of them. We are all going to have a lot of fun together over the next several years. 

 The time I spent with you in Colorado is a SMALL taste of how much love I have for you. I want you to know that I am ALWAYS going to be here for you. 

There will be miles between us, probably our whole lives, but no matter what happens or how much distance is between us, know that we are under the same moon, and know I love you more than I can promise.

Because of you, sweet Maddox, I am already a better person and I can't thank you enough for making my heart full and my life better. 


*A special thank you to Hannah Lesley Photography for the amazing pictures.
{Hers are the ones that don't look like they were from my phone. :)} 

Getting my kid fix

My heart was full this last weekend because I got to spend it with these two gems:

  This year's Aunt Kari and Uncle Brian camp did not disappoint! 

We started the tradition several years ago to have my "nephews"
  {my best friend's kids} 
come and spend time in Denver with us. 
They live in WY so a trip to the city is kind of a big deal. 

This year Liam 

{my 15 year old nephew-on the right side of this fine photo} 

brought his friend Tommy and a Bucket List. 

The list included eating sushi and Indian food, going to  Elitch's, driving Go-Karts of some sort, playing Laser Tag, watching their first live MLS game,
 playing video games with Brian, and devouring Krispy Kreme doughnuts. 
They also attempted to speak in British accents in public as often as possible. They had a back story of living with us as exchange students playing American club soccer for the summer. It was amazing. 

We checked off every single one of the Bucket List items-- 

and then some.

Sadly, I didn't get pictures of everything but these capture some of the goodness. 

Ode to teenager-vacation food. :)

 

My very generous brother, who works for the Colorado Rapids, hooked these boys up! Free swag and then after the game they were lucky enough to have their new soccer balls 

autographed by one of the players! 

 Probably one of my most favorite times was when we played cards on our porch. 

It was very sweet of them to play BS and Slap Jack with an old lady like me. :)

 Boys and their video games...Uncle Brian learned a few new tricks, though! 

We went to Heritage Square and rode the historical Alpine Slide--good times!

The reality is that even if I had pictures of every single thing we did,

{I do regret not taking a picture of the 35+ rolls/pieces of sushi we ate...it was amazing.}

I still wouldn't have been able to capture what it meant for me to get my "kid fix"-- 

especially with kids like Liam and Tommy. 

Brian and my decision to not have kids has not been free from layered emotions.

We don't have regrets about our decision, but we both know that kids need to be a regular part of our lives to fulfill some of our wishes to have kids. 

We crave times with our nieces and nephews {related or not!} and we

 cherish memories we can make with them. 

For me, spending time with Liam, especially, fulfilled this craving.

Liam is like no other kid I know. 

He has a way of using his strengths to nurture my soul.

From his kindness, his wit, his intellect, his genuine spirit, and his overwhelming sense of gratefulness for all things, his insight, his honestly, his pure goodness 

makes me a better person. 

I'm so grateful for the uplifting time I had with these boys and

 I can't wait for next year's camp!

My Two Favorite Miracles

I got to see my nephews this week, and it was glorious.

Teddy is 11 and Tucker is 9 and they are growing up 
way. too. fast.

But for now, they are officially in that "sweet spot" of being a kid. 
They have a pure perspective of life that is captured in their silly sense of humor, 
their innocent interaction with everything around them, their ability to be kind and seek out kindness in others, and their ability to "show off" and it be truly about the moment and not about an ego. 

The purity of being a kid is alive and well with Teddy and Tucker and I am amazed at their ability to capture and live in that place of untainted goodness.

I am so proud of who they are and who they are becoming. 

 Their gentle souls nourished me and they are definitely two of my most favorite miracles.

#28: A Picture of Something New

I am attempting to blog through this list so I thought I would start with the one I am most excited about: 
 #28--something new.

One of my most favorite 4 year olds is a new big brother. Zane and his family welcomed Gus on Valentine's Day. Sadly, they live in Washington D.C. so it may be a while before I meet the newest little superstar in the Peterson family, but I am so very excited that he's here. 

 I am with Zane on this one and I raise my arms with cheer in saying HOORAY!

Welcome Gus!

Khai Owen Laniel

Watch out world! Khai is here!
Uncle Brian and Aunt Kari are very excited to have a new nephew.

In fact, Khai is the very first newborn Uncle Brian has ever held.

What a precious miracle you are sweet Khai. xoxo

The recipe for the perfect day

If you are looking for the perfect day, this is all you need:

2 Amazing nephews

Roughly 3 feet of snow

2 red sleds (color optional)

1 steep driveway (giant bank of snow at the end of the path is preferable)

Continuous snow all day (if possible)

2 dogs that love the snow and will play endlessly (Baxter's bestie, Nikita was camera shy...)

1 winter's nap

Unlimited stories, screeches of joy, and lifetime memories

Mix this all together and you will not be disappointed. Trust me.