Stitches & Birthdays

Who would have imagined that my son would have split his head open two days before his birthday?!?! Austin-Ryan was simply snuggling on the couch with me since I was sick with the flu, he gets up and cracks his head on the fireplace splitting his head open. Poor kid sat in the emergency room with a gaping hole in his head for two hours before a doctor even looked at him. He then proceeded to be wrapped like a burrito and had 6 stitches in his forehead above his right eye. He's doing well now but I felt terrible about it! He simply tripped over a birthday toy he had received a day earlier. He is doing well now and got the stitches out last Friday. It's starting to heal up nicely. I am praying that he doesn't have too narly of a scar. Hopefully this Mederma for kids stuff will work well.

Speaking of birthday party, we had a GREAT party for him on September 30, 2008 at Felton Covered Bridge Park and he LOVED it! It was a fire truck theme. He absolutely loved the ice cream cupcakes mommy made with firemen/firetruck theme toppings (stickers with toothpicks), the friends he had come to enjoy his special day with him, the beautiful warm weather we had that day, and not to mention the great firemen hats they all got to wear as party favors. He had a firetruck pinata which I think he enjoyed watching mommy "smash" open to get all the candy out. He thought that was pretty cool! We all enjoyed the day. He even got to enjoy some of the toys he got after he opened all the presents. It has to be the best birthday and most positive experience I have had in enjoying the day with him. I had so much fun and it will definitely be a day to remember for years! It's the first time we have had a birthday at the park and it worked out great!! Couldn't have asked for better weather! Funny how the 4th of October (which is usually the weekend I have his birthday party) rained...as it always does. I think I finally figured out how to get his birthday at the park and get away with great weather. Have it the week before. I hope all of who ever read this know how much we are blessed and appreciate every day that God has given to us. I feel so blessed to have these two boys of mine and couldn't feel more blessed and appreciate the small little things they do. I am thankful for health, two sweet boys who are doing so well and bring so much joy to my life! I can only pray that they continue to see God's glory every day and to seek and serve him for the rest of their lives! It's what life is all about!

Blessing

Tonight was such a huge blessing that I was able to go to Keith Wander's memorial. I will forever miss him but know that everyday that goes by I am one day closer to seeing him again. He will be forever missed for sure. I was even able to meet his mom Jan and his brother Greg. Both were such a great bunch of people to meet and I certainly know how precious Keith was in their lives as well as the lives of everyone around him. His humor, laughter and so many things about him I will miss. I even discovered that we had a love for the same pie. Ollieberry pie from Gizdich. I am so saddened that it was shortly after their visit to Gizdich on that Saturday that he passed away. I often wonder what would have happened if I had called him on Friday and was able to talk to him and didn't go camping. There are so many what if's and no matter what I say it will not bring him back. My son did become a Christian on the evening of September 6, 2008 from Keith's passing. Austin-Ryan wanted to be with Keith up in Heaven someday. I will forever remember this date as my son realized that Jesus can be his best friend and we will get to see Keith again in Heaven. I long to hear Keith's voice and share with him all the happy times I have had going on as well as the struggles. I certainly miss having the chance to get together with him. He was filled with compassion, was a TRUE gentleman, humble, kind, loving, honest, caring and so much more. He was such a man of integrity and honor and it is with great saddness and grief that I have lost such a close and dear friend of mine. Someday I look forward to seeing him again. As I learned at his memorial, you are one day closer to seeing a lost loved one with each day that passes by. Don't think about how many days it has been since you last saw that person. Think about each day that passes by is one day closer to seeing your loved ones again. Such an amazing bit of truth! Well, I am getting fuzzy brained and so exhaused it's not even funny! Hopefully tomorrow I can write more. I am so glad I went to his memorial and will forever have his life engraved on my heart. May you rest in peace Keith! I must admit....I was beginning to fall in love with you! I look forward to the day we get to meet again...God Bless You Keith Roger Wander!

My Life is Yours Lord!

How do you get over the loss of someone so dear to your heart that you didn't even realize was so special in your life? I have learned I have to fully give my life to Christ knowing he's got a better plan for me and I have to come to terms with that. He knows why Keith was brough home at such a young age and I have to be satisified with the fact that Jesus knows what is best. In Keith's passing I have discovered that living my life for Christ is the ultimate desire that God has for my life and the music on KLOVE and AIR1 have become praise and worship music to me like no other time before. I want nothing to do with the world and their opinions but rather to live for an audience of one. I don't care any longer what the world's view is...I want to take upon the Lord and his fullest desire for my life. It may be many years before I get to see my Grandpa and my dear friend Keith again. Until then I want to make the Lord proud of my time here on earth. To give my time away. God gave it to me and the biggest sacrifice I can make is to give it back to him using my time to glorify him. I have lost a desire to find a mate that once was burning on my heart. I would rather use my time and efforts to glorify the Lord and make his kingdom known while I am here on earth. It has certainly been a difficult road for me and I have had many challenges in coming to terms with this. However, now knowing that I want to serve the Lord with no holdbacks and to let the world know that God is out there. I don't care what people may think or say anymore. Why should I? When I die, God is the only one to be glorified! It's put into perspective that our future is the past for God since he can see the eternity of the universe. Why should I doubt now his calling on my life. He has carried me through these last couple of days that I have not even been able to get out of bed because of the grief I have experienced. If I can get through this and he is my Best Friend...I want the world to know about my Best Friend! My son now knows and the rest of the world should know too. God, I know you are out there and I know you can hear me saying this....my LIFE is completely yours. Please use it as you see fit and have desired for my life. I want my selfish ways gone and my horrible habits to be flushed away. I want to take in your majesty, grace and wonder and marvel at your creation you have placed before me. I want to be at that table for two REGULARLY in fact so much so that my Bible begins to fall apart from reading it so much. I want my time with you and you alone! Not my books, not my job....nothing but you Lord! Make me useful while I am here. Even though I would love to be in Heaven right now praising your name and eternally joyful my day isn't just yet. I don't even know how many years or days I have before me but I am tired of trying to live up to everyone's standards. I am yours now Lord. Do with me as you may. I am a child who has finally figured out who is boss and I am tired of driving. I just want to sit in the back seat and sleep a while....while you take me around and show me the way. May this be my prayer and may my boys be witness to this so that they may burn with passion for you as I do now. May they be servants for your Kingdom and bring others to your glory. Father comfort me now in this saddness and use it for your glory! In Your Precious Name...Amen!

Saddness...

Back in June I met a few guys who drove up on their Harley Davidson's. After talking with them they were from a group called Cross Motorcycle Ministries. There was one guy who offered to let me sit on his bike with my boys. My boys and I got a chance to sit on his bike and this guy, Keith, took pictures. He gave me his card to email him to get the pictures. I have been talking to him ever since. He has been dear to my heart and I just found out last night that he was killed in a motorcycle accident on August 30th, 2008. He was only 45. He's name was Keith Wander. He will be missed by many!!! He touched the lives of so many out there. Here is a poem I wrote in memory of someone who inspired me in so many ways. It will be so difficult to keep going knowing he is gone. Of course God will have to get me through this one because I have cried so much it's not funny! I felt as though he was close to a best friend. And now he is gone. We will all miss him and if I am like most we are all still in shock over this TERRIBLE tragedy! You went too soon Keith. Here's to you dear friend......

In Memory Of Keith Wander:
A man of wisdom
Who inspired so many.
Had dreams left to fulfill
And goals left to check off.
He was taken in God's timing
And not of ours.
He believed in God
And I believe He's in Heaven now
Looking down on us all.
Enjoying the beauty of Heaven
Perfect, majestic and whole
Far beyond what we can imagine
Being here on earth
Until we get to Heaven ourselves.
He touched the lives of many
And shared the Love of Christ
To many more.
We will miss your laughter,
You personality, encouragement & prayers.
We will miss so many things about you!
For you will always hold a place so dear
In all of our lives and remain in our hearts forever.
We will ride in the wind with you in memory.
Wish you didn't have to leave so soon Keith!
You will always remain in our hearts.
Thank you for touching our lives
We will miss you and love you.
Until we meet again,
May you Rest in Peace
And enjoy all that Heaven has to offer
Sitting beside the Ruler of the World....Jesus Christ!

To: Keith Roger Wander
Written By: Karina Zentner
Written: September 6, 2008
Copyright: 2008

I miss you so much....How do you replace someone like him...you don't. It's a void that will be there forever! Thank you for blessing my life and touching my life in so many ways. Until we meet again.....May you truly rest in peace and enjoy Heaven with our Savior at your side.....

Something funny...

I just had to post this because it was so funny. This morning Brendan, Austin-Ryan and I were snuggling on the couch watching a few shows of PBS and then they went off to playing with trains. My Dad and Mom woke up. My Dad comes out to the living room looking and watching the boys. Brendan looks up at my Dad (he calls him Papa) and says in his sweet gentle voice (being he's only 2 1/2), "Oh, it's just you." My Dad looks at me and says I guess my power is all gone. I just laughed. It was pretty funny!

Family Camp

I also forgot to mention that we all went to Family Camp over Labor Day weekend with Twin Lakes up to Camp Hammer. Oh how the boys LOVED IT!!! Austin-Ryan is finally old enough to climb up the climbing wall (which he made it up to the top and once he got down he told his friend Austin, who is two years older than him, "See Austin, that's how you do it" with hand jestures and all! It was so pickin' cute!) He is also old enough to ride on the rides at Camp Hammer so he got to go on Tarzan's revenge as well as the Flying Squirrel. Next year I think we are going to try to catch the "Fish Hook" and ride on that one as well. We just had a blast! It was sad to leave. The boys already miss swimming in the pool and all the fun activities that Camp Hammer have to offer. The boys are already asking about going back out camping. Maybe next summer I will have to venture out and take them camping to several different places since they seemed to enjoy it so much! I suppose they are follow the footsteps of being outdoorsmen. Which is fine and they love it. I know I did when I was a child. Should be fun once Austin-Ryan starts Cub Scouts. I am sure Austin-Ryan is going to LOVE that and being outdoors! Anyhow, just a small update I couldn't forget to post. Hope you all enjoyed Labor Day....I know we all did!

Who would've thunk!

Once again I am returning to school. Who would have known I am returning to school to be a nurse! I would have laughed had someone told me that 10 years ago!!! It's been an adjustment to be back in school as well as having a job at Dominican Hospital as a monitor tech/unit coordinator. Got to admit I absolutely LOVE my job! It's been a hard adjustment with missing my boys and from transitioning being a stay at home mom but I know in the end I am doing this so that we all can have a better life and I am not having to live in poverty! Needless to say it's been a long while since I last posted. A lot has happened: My grandma passed away from lung cancer on 11 April 2008, my cat was hit by a car (so we think) and 24 hours later (May 1st) my neighbor dies of lung cancer as well. Not to mention I have tackled two online classes, attended the 4th of July parade in Scotts Valley, went to Longs Marine Lab with some friends, attended Family Camp at Camp Hammer, and Austin-Ryan just started his first day of preschool today. I absolutely love how things are turning out. I couldn't ask for any better. Austin-Ryan goes to preschool 3 times a week (M,W,F) and so far he LOVES it and the teachers just PRAISE him for the work he has done. I do need to get on board and get going on posting some pictures. Now that I am back in school one of my classes will allow me to be proficient (by the end of the semester) in this whole blog thing. Gotta love that one! It's a required class and now I can finally use this to the fullest capacity...of course it will be a couple of months before that happens. Anyhow, I am excited for the semester and hope to be able to keep up with all of my classes and spend time with my kiddos. I miss them when I am gone but know in the end it is best for all of us that I will have a better life to give them that I can't right now. So in the end it will all work out. Anyhow, homework calls once again and I need to go and put my boys to bed. I need to try and get to bed early as I have been so terribly sick it's not funny! Hopefully it will be short lived...the sickness anyhow...farewell....until next time.

Craziness of Life With Boys!

It is very frustrating to go anywhere lately with a 4 year old and almost 2 year old. Austin-Ryan has been getting so defiant and sassy. Another issue to bring to the Lord and ask for help and for guidance. I have a very difficult time dealing with him and my two year old who has lovingly learned how to whine like his brother or scream to get something he wants. I almost feel at times I have a Super Nanny household!!! I know through all of the craziness going on in my life right now that things will get better. I just have to believe that God is going to get me to the other side when it feels right now I am on a deserted island! Lord help me get through this tough time. I need you now more then ever.....

Something New

Since I have been through so much in the last few months I am trying to create new memories and try out more new things....blogging in one of them. I am hoping I can keep this updated for everyone to see and read about so that I can look back later and see all the memories throughout the year in one place. There are so many events coming up. Valentine's Day with the boys, Brendan's 2nd birthday and crazy enough my 30th birthday. Dare I even say that to the world! So enjoy reading and hopefully I will be updating this soon!