Mommy's Day

Yesterday I had the privilege to spend the morning with 3 wonderful mommies. I had a moment of overwhelming appreciation as I sat in the church pew in the middle of two kids and 3 mothers that all possess so many admirable qualities. How much more blessed can a person be than to be sitting in church on Mother's Day with three mothers that have made such a difference in the lives of so many? Truly an overwhelming moment. Luckily, none of the 3 noticed the quickly wiped away welling of tears from the eyes of their company. There were two little blessings present in the pew with us that provided the perfect distraction!

Ideally, now would be the picture that I had remembered to take after church when we went out to eat.

Ideally.

However, because I didn't remember to take that picture, (Hand to forehead) there is no picture. 

It seems to me that the ones always remembering to take pictures... are the mommies!

Not only that, but when looking for pictures of mommies, it becomes evident that the ones normally holding the cameras... are the mommies!

So, I offer you the next best recent (sort of recent) thing to a Mother's Day picture...

It's a picture of one of the best things you can ever share with mommies that did such a good job raising us!

I am truly humbled when thinking about the mothers in my life. I can't even put it in to words. Seriously. I've tried. It's hard to find words encompassing enough to do it justice. 

I think most of you can relate however. So, you are going to have to just nod in understanding. 

After nodding in understanding... look to the heavens and thank the Big Guy that makes it all possible. Mother's Day is special to me and I have two more little ones that will understand it more some day. I look forward to being able to tell them how wonderful their mommy is. Although, I'm sure that they will probably understand it to a certain degree without someone having to tell them. 

Happy Mother's day to those out there that I missed and to my lovely wife... you are an amazing mommy and we're blessed to have you. 

Welcome to the Lord, Levi!

This last Sunday something special happened. No, it's not what you think it was.

Just like Levi's early arrival was a wonderful blessing and not exactly as planned...

so was his entrance into the the Kingdom of the Lord!

We didn't celebrate baptism with all the tradition and "doings" that we normally package around such a wonderful moment, but the wonderful moment took place just the same.

Levi is healthy and well, but the thought occurred that given the choice to know the Lord now or in 2 weeks... what would we choose? Now of course!

It was pretty special to have Avery present as well. While she undoubtedly doesn't understand now, it is going to be exciting to share with her in the future!

So, from less than a week ago having an earthly birth, Levi goes to the blessing of a spiritual birth! What a week for Levi and family!

Being that the baptism was not planned as we originally thought it would occur, many were not able to be present. However, we will be affirming that baptism like scheduled and brothers and sister will be able to attend and celebrate at that time! I know Levi is eager to meet them!

Thanks to those who responded on short notice and were able to share in the joy! It was special to have you all so close and present for the baptism! Something that I will also enjoy sharing with Levi some day!



February 1st... Another Date We Will Never Forget

The Z's were due to have a baby boy on February 10th of 2011. That was the date the doctor, several tests, and all "planning" was centered around. However, in a token reminder that we are truly not the ones in control, the good Lord decided that little Levi Adam Zastrow was going to make his intro into the world two minutes before 11 am on February the 1st of 2011. 9 days before the predicted date! Little Levi was barely entering our "radar" by the 1st of the month and several things were planned to occur in preparation and anticipation of his arrival. Hah!

In great contrast to his older sister's journey of arriving 4 days after her due date and after 26 hours of labor... Levi entered this world 9 days before his due date and after 5 hours of labor. What a go getter, hey?

So, I am blessed to introduce the newest member of the Z's...

*drum roll*

He "stands" 20 1/2 inches tall...

He weighs in at a generous 6 lbs 12 ozs...

and his favorite colors are Green and Gold...

(I couldn't resist.)

Levi Adam Zastrow!

The wonderfully blessed mother that couldn't have been happier that morning!

My beautiful wife was not the only mother that met little Levi that day...

Beating a whopper of a snow blizzard were both Grandma's of course!

Almost as happy as Levi's mommy!

I'm sure sharing in the little bit of pride and joy of having a boy that the men seem to have...

was the driver and courageous leader that made it possible for them to visit before the storm... Grandpa!

(He also made it possible for the Z's to return after the storm as well! Thanks Pop!)

Oh yeah! I think there was someone else pretty happy to welcome Levi to the family!

Who was it?

Herman?

No...

of course it was the new "big" sister! Avery!

She was all to happy to begin pointing out how healthy Levi was!

Yes, he has a nose!

Yes, he has eyes!

Yes, he has a mouth...

uh huh, that's his chin...

yep, you're right, Avery, those are his ears...

She couldn't be prouder... yet I couldn't help but notice that she didn't count his toes.

Oh well. It's early. She has 20 years of school before she's official anyway. :-)

So, of course the Z's will be focused on one thing in particular for the near future...

Well... maybe two things in the near future...

It's okay, though. It's how Levi would want it. :o)



House Work...

It's not doing dishes... it's not vacuuming the carpets... it's not taking out the garbage... in fact it's none of the normal house work you might imagine. It's housework that looks a little something like this...

And who might have initiated a project or "house work" like this?

It was this wild eyed woman! Those wild eyes come from visions of a house remodeled or touched up to her liking. I am not one to move nearly as quickly as she is since I have memories of house remodeling and even helping cut some contractor costs. Memories that have made certain impressions about starting and finishing these types of projects. The finishing is where the memories get a little creepy.

All of this was happening while I was asleep (or trying to sleep, J.P.)! She was not alone however. She had company...

Some more photogenic than others...

When I awoke I found everything in motion and even got to witness Kathleen in her new fashion statement. Here she is doing her best Darth Vader... even though it came out more like Yoda!

Much Love To Mothers...

Happy Mother's Day!

The Z's truly wish all you mother's out there a very happy Mother's Day! You deserve it! You will never understand exactly all you have done for your children... and we are forever grateful, but yet still fail to remind you often enough. It's a good thing someone, somewhere, at sometime said, "Hey, dummies! We always realize that we don't appreciate enough... let's put it on a calendar!". The only thing they could have done a little better is get it on there more than once a year. So, enjoy it mommies and know today reflects our feelings all year round!

Of course I want to personally thank the mommies in our lives...

Grandma L ...

"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." - James Baldwin  

... thanks for raising such a wonderfully loving daughter, wife, and mother.

It is truly an imitation I am thankful she picked up! We love you.

Grandma Z...

"Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband

has walked across it in his barn boots." - Hoosier Farmer

... I am of course not your husband, but I certainly have "walked across the floor in my barn boots" all too many times in my life and sincerely appreciate you continuing to "sing". Your love is certainly boundless love and I know this.. because I think I tested each and every boundary. Thank you for being my Mom. We love you.

My favorite Mommy of all...

I know I shared this quote with you once before, but it still echoes in my head when I think of you.

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous

You really are the world to us, Kathleen. You mean everything to a little girl that doesn't even understand what everything is! I can see it in her eyes each day that she looks at you... She loves you so much.

I think she sees it in me as well. At least it seems that she is trying to say so in this pic! She is of course right, you know. You me the world to me and I thank you for being such a wonderful mother. I love you. Avery loves you. We love you.

Happy Mother's Day Ladies...