My Adorable Niece Lauren

This week my adorable niece Lauren, came to stay with us for a few days. It has been so much fun. I remember when I was about her age, I used to go stay at Aunt Camille's house and just hang out and it is fun for me now to be in the adult role. Lauren is such an amazing girl she is so smart and just sweet to the core. She was my first niece and so she will always hold a special place in my heart. It is fun to watch Lauren grow up especially now that she is in adolecence. She is just blossoming in every way. Sometimes it's kindof painful as she tells me about the trials and tribulations of junior high and it makes me want to personally drive down there and and choke some of the snotty girls...but then I remenber that dealing with snotty junior high girls is a right of passage and Lauren does remarkably well. She has a quiet confidence about her and she know who she is so she doesn't get ruffled easily. Lauren is also very beautiful but seems to have no idea. One of my favorite parts this week was doing her makeup. I of course am a makeup junkie, so its no surprise that I took my first chance to doll her up. She looked so grown up and I could all of a sudden see my little baby niece as an adult. It blows my mind how fast time flies. She is my favorite shopping buddy and so we had a ball at the mall. I just love having her around. Cheryl of course is dying without her, which I completely understand so she will go home in the morning, but I intend to steal her away a lot this summer. Its always amazing to me what an incredible family I'm blessed with.

Welcome Clark!

This is my favorite picture of CLark, taken the day he was born with Abe. We of course have them matched as BFFs and I think one day they will appreciate this picture. Clark looks almost as big as Abe even though he is half his size. Im sure he'll catch up soon. So far Clark is a dream baby. He is so calm and good natured. This will serve him well as the fourth child. He is one of those babies who is always hungry so I think he will be a tank before too long.

Hospitals

This Week we have spent a lot of time visiting people in Hospitals! Last Thursday My dad had an Abdominal Aortic Aneurism repaired which required major Surgery. Hes doing good, but its always strange to see my Big Strong Daddy all helpless in a hospital bed. We brought Krispy Kremes for him to share with all of the hospital staff and so he ended up being the most popoular guy on the floor.

On Monday the 19th Kristen gave birth to Clark Robert Gartner! He is as sweet as can be and of course looks just like Rob. There is nothing like witnessing the birth of a child! How can anyone deny the existence of God when they look into the face of a new life? Kristen is doing great and the baby is healthy and perfect. I think Christopher is the only one who is a little unsure of the whole thing. He has after all been dethroned as the baby....forever.

Yesterday I found out that Grandma Arnett was admitted to the hospital for haivng tiny strokes. Luckily its not serious and they are just going to put her on Asprin, but its always scary to hear that someone you love so much is actually mortal. I can't even imaginge Grandma leaving us. She is such an amazing woman. I sat in the hospital with her for a couple of hours yeaterday and I just looked at all of the nurses and doctors going about their business casually caring for her and I thought, "You have no idea that this is not just any little old lady...You are in the presence of GREATNESS!!" My highest ambition is to become just like her.

A Man and his Bird

I love this picture for some reason. Partly because John and Abe's faces are so hilariously identical and partly because it shows how often John has our bird, Dude on his shoulder. Right when he walks in he picks him up and he doesn't go back onto the cage until bed time. Dude is the dog John had always dreamt of.

Kramers are Online!

I have been hearing about blogging all over the place and everytime I think..."whats the point of that"? Then I saw my Sister Stephanie's blog and my mission Comp Becca Eggleston's blog and all of a sunned I said, "I get it!" and I istantly had to have one. What a fun way to keep a family history, connect with friends and show off my beautiful boys and just cronicle our wonderful life. Heavenly Father has given me so much and I want to savor every moment of this precious time as John and I raise this family.

Our family started in September 0f 2002 when John and I met and we were married only a couple of months later on December 7 2002. Looking back at it I realize how crazy we were to rush into marriage so quickly, but 5 1/2 yeas laterI realize that it was the best decision we ever made.

Life got alot more interesting in February of 2004 when Jack joined our family. He is a strapping four year old with some serious ambition...He dreams of one day becoming a "sasquach hunter". We have pointed out to him that Sasquach hunting may not be the most rewarding of career paths but he has countered that "You only have to catch one" Good point, Jack...you win.

Abe is the newest addition to our family. He came to us just 3 months ago on January 3 2008. He is the sweetest most good natured baby in the world. His temperment is just like his brother's was. He is almost always content and he brightens our world everyday with his budding personality. Abe's interests include smiling indiscriminately, clean diapers, mom's boobs, baths in the sink, fighting unseen forces and giving dirty looks.

John is a police officer for the town of Gilbert. A job which he absolutely loves. Not only does he get to run around all day long with a bunch of buddies playing with guns and chasing bad guys, but they actually pay him to do it. Gilbert is a great department to work for and he will definitely be there for the rest of his career. He is a Firearms Instructor and a Field Training officer. He also looks pretty hot in the uniform if I do say so myself. John is a wonderful provider and an incredible husband and father. Jack is a little obsessed with his daddy (with very good reason). So from the minute John walks in the door, he has a little shadow. It can get exhausting but John has almost limitless patience with his biggest fan.

I am a stay at home mom which fulfills my life's ambition. I worked full time for the first few years of motherhood, so I appreciate every day that I get to wake up and be a full time mommy. One of the biggest perks in my life is living across the street from my big sister Kristen. We hang out all day and can share alot of tasks.... We watch each others kids so that the other can nap or grocery shop. We also share dinners most of the time and of course just talk and talk and talk. Isn't it amazing how we never run out of things to say. Of course our children give us a lot of good material.

So thats the introduction to our little life. Our home is filled with love, laughter, family, friends, firearms, chihuahuas, and hopefully the Spirit of God.