Amazing Grace

God is Gr8...if you need some proof, well, listen to Carter's weekend:

It's Friday afternoon; I look through the mail when I get home. Two friends have sent cards reminding us that Carter is in their prayers and one of my cheerleaders and her mom (Jess & Peggy) have sent a prayer book letting us know that they asked for prayer for Carter through the Trinity Missionaries. How thoughtful and awesome to know that some many people around the world are praying for Carter.

Saturday, our dear family friend, Becky, calls me to let me know that a Prayer Blanket was made for Carter today. Women from four area churches, knotted a fleece blanket and with each knot a prayer was sent up to God asking for healing for Carter. This beautiful ministry was founded by Lauren Turk and has touched so many lives. Becky let me know that not only did the ladies pray over the blanket for Carter, but that the blanket would be placed on the alter for the 1st and 2nd church services the next day, so that many more members of our church family could pray for Carter. Awesome, right?

Then, Sunday, we attended Victory Christian Center in Boardman, OH with Josh's parents. Grandma Darlene and Grandpa Terry made arrangements for us to visit the Prayer Center after the church service to have a group of friends pray over Carter. I expected that to be amazing, and it was. However, what happened during the church service was even more profound. A woman sitting near me kept turning around to smile at Carter. Before long she moved over a couple seats to be right in front of him, making him smile and asking if she could hold him. He loved her hair (it was in braids). Soon thereafter, I took Carter to go eat. Upon my return, the woman asked if she could pray with Carter and I...said she really felt compelled to pray over him. During the prayer, over and over I heard the phrases "Carter will know You, Lord, at an early age" and "others will know You, Lord, through Carter." Pretty powerful stuff! As we parted ways, she said to me, "I know you don't know me, and I don't normally do this. But I just felt overwhelmed to pray with you and Carter." I thanked her again, and she went off to find a new seat (as hers was now unavailable). About 15 minutes later, she returned to talk to Josh. She said that as the service continued, God spoke to her about Carter's father...that he needed to be reminded that God has everything under control and that he doesn't need to worry. WOW...Josh really needed to hear that, too! How did she know that Josh is the worrier of the two of us? She knew nothing of Carter's upcoming surgery or anything...GOD at WORK!

After the service, we met a few people in the lobby of the church (including Gary and Becky getting to officially meet Carter). A pre-teen boy make a special trip to come smile at Carter...it was neat...almost like people were drawn to him. Then we were off to the Prayer Center beside the church.

Some friends and church family of Grandpa Terry and Grandma Darlene were there. We laid hands upon Carter and took turn praying over him and his upcoming surgery. It was a powerful time as I felt God's presence as He lifted my anxiety and opened my heart to trust Him through this. Carter smiled (and played with my necklace through the whole thing:)

It was a memorable weekend, and attached are some pics from the prayer center. I will have a pic of his prayer blanket when I upload his 5 month pix. Thank you to EVERYONE praying for Carter!!!

Dad and Carter with the world
Grandma Darlene, Mom, Carter, Dad and Grandpa Terry

Loved Carter's expression in this one

Pretty nice family shot

Grandpa Terry & Grandma Darlene with

their Grandsons

Carter's 1st Easter

Carter's first Easter Basket

Lance labeled all the eggs for the hunt!

Diggin the Coursen Creation

MY FAVORITE EASTER PIC

Krenma really got him laughing!!!

"Carter's" sunglasses

Good Friday-Took Carter to SHREFFLERS for the first time:) Deb Zerbe entertained him while Josh & I scarfed down that long-awaited cuisine! The Zerbe Family, Emma & LuLu shared a table and stories.

Easter Saturday-hung out at Grandma and Grandpa Tharan's house with Gavin, Lauren & Kevin. Got sunglasses, a white golf hat (see pix) & his first set of clubs from Grandma and Grandpa:) He was a happy guy all day! Daddy bought him his 1st swimming pool today for Easter!

Easter Sunday-went to early church...Carter lasted the WHOLE service for the first time:) He rec'd many complements on his "dapper attire," but MeMe (aka Becky) Fulton warned him that although his parents may dress him like Tiger Woods that he is NOT allowed to act like him! Steve talked to me after church...reminded me that "they'll all be praying for him (Carter)" when he has surgery. What an awesome church family we have!!!

Headed to Eat-n-Park for Tharan Family Easter Breakfast...Uncle Kirk and Aunt B each took turns playing with Carter (Kirk has nicknamed him Hambone). It was a nice visit. Went home for Easter pix outside (see pix) and rested up for the afternoon.

We went to cousins Chad and Anastasia's house in Slippery Rock that afternoon for Coursen Easter. Tia Tia (Aunt Tricia) and uncle Jeff got Carter a video and Lance got him flip-out sunglasses for Easter:) He was in a great mood and spent some time in Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Coursen's arms.

Easter evening, we headed to Barkeyville to Grandma and Grandpa Coursen's for an egg hunt with Lance (see pix). Carter was spoiled again with an Easter basket with a Bunny rattle, monkey socks, mini-Bible and a name card (Carter means Steadfast)...he also received chocolate, which I was more than willing to eat and share with Carter via me later. haha. Carter slept through most of the egg hunt, but woke up to enjoy watching wiffle ball and to spend time with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Dye, who also brought him some great books for his collection in addition to the washcloth bunny & egg they brought down earlier this week.

It was a beautiful weekend of lovely weather and fellowship with our families! Hope you enjoy the pics! Carter is really into studying everything and is discovering his voice! I think he shouted a few "AMENS" during Pastor Don's sermon. His baptism is planned for the 8:15 service May 2nd if youre able to come, we'd love to share it with you!

Here's a video of him picking his first flower:)

4 month pictures

Carter is officially laughing now...see a couple of the videos below. His giggle is so funny that Josh and I crack up when we hear it! He weighed 16 lbs 8ozs at his 4-month check up on Thursday. He had his 2nd round of vaccinations--ugh. He recovers quickly, so thankfully we do, too. He's getting lot of light colored hair and for now his eyes are still blue. He's checking out everything around him and reaching for favorite toys:) In addition, he's figured out how to get from his side to his back and visa versa but not completely rolling over yet. Oh, and he loves playing with Josh's PITT basketball...hmmmmm. Thanks for your continued prayers!

squeezing into his 4 month onesie!

talking to me

awe...check out that smile

1st time swimming

loves the suit more than the actual swimming

wearing his robe from Aunt B & Uncle Kirk

4 month videos

Carter's 4 month update

3-month professional pic

Today Carter is 4 months old! He is the happiest little guy--for the most part he only cries when he's hungry. He recently returned from Cleveland where he accompanied the KHS cheerleaders to nationals. He was such a good boy the whole weekend. Dr. Beth sent me a text on the way home that weekend..."he's the cutest, sweetest, most content baby I have ever been around...and I've been around a lot of them." I really appreciated hearing that.

He's a good napper--Krenma says he takes 2-3 naps a day and he is sleeping through the night...but still close to me. Now that it's getting warmer, his room should be warm enough at night for him to stay in there alone. We'll have to work on that situation before next fall comes. He's up to 16 lbs 6.5 ozs...as of last Thursday. He had to go to the dr for a cough...he has a touch of the cold. We'll find out today at his 4 month check-up and shots if he's up from that:)

He has discovered his hands and loves picking up toys to chew on or study. Loves the See and Say and anything that makes noise (cardinal, crinkle elephant, jungle lion). Josh and I are enjoying his smile and his hearty laugh! I'll get some videos on this weekend...he got to go swimming for the first time while in Cleveland!

Here's a link to a press release about his surgeon...http://www.chp.edu/CHP/112108 His surgery is still slated for May 20th...keep him in your prayers!

Carter 3 month videos & update

Carter's 3 month update

Up close and personal

Posing in his 3-month onesie

he sleeps...

Smiling @ Krenma

Kren propped him up in their seat at EatnPark

"ok Grandma, I'll sit here and be really good."

Hey Dad, look where Gram lets me sit!

His favorite cardinal

Well, I'm officially a slacker, but Carter is so fun that I dont want to spend any free time updating this blog if I can spend it with him! I hope you understand:)



I will start by telling you about his 3-month check up with the surgical team at UPMC Children's on Monday, February 15th. Carter slept the whole way, so he was a happy and alert little fellow for the team. He flirted and even reached for Dr. Losee's assistant (a beautiful brunette) and then when Matt (cleft coordinator) was going through the surgery expectations with us, Carter was looking at him so intently as though he was hanging on every word...taking it all in so that HE knew what to expect in pre-op and after the surgery! It was adorable! When Matt said, "boy, youre a serious guy," Carter immediately flashed him a big smile as if to say, "awe shucks, not all the time." Dr. Losee explained the actual surgery to Josh...I was a little busy so I kind of missed some of it, but the jist of it is: they will make two incisions to repair the lip...he wont have any stitches (amazing) and once he's eating on his own (2days), he can come home! Josh & I can stay in his room with him during his stay at Children's, too:) Dr. Losee weighed him...15 lbs 6 ozs!!

As far as his personality...he smiles nonstop...unless he's hungry or overly tired. He enjoys Gavin's antics and his grandmas watching him. He's into technology--stares at my phone, camera, remotes and the TV. Baby Einstein's Baby Neptune is his fav DVD. He loves the tunnel playmat from Aunt B & Uncle Kirk...especially the whistling cardinal on it...but above all toys he loves smiling at the boy who matches him in the mirror!!

He's officially a KHS basketball fan, but he adores his cheerleaders the most. Josh and I are loving every minute with him...we even fight over holding him in the evenings b4/as he dozes off:) He's officially grown out off all the 0-3 month clothes and 3-month sleepers. He looks soooo long in the 3-6 month outfits and 6 month sleepers, but they fit him perfectly! All is well at the Coursens!!