Merry Christmas from the Senters
2010

A Letter To A Friend: Meeting Your Baby For The First Time

Oh, how I wish I could tell you in person. There are truly no words that describe what and how you will feel. Also, you will not be able to really fully describe them to anyone. Jared took a picture of the clock at the exact moment each child was born. This has always been so precious to me to have. There will be times, years down the road, when you are thinking back on his birth, or when you are telling somebody about your experience, that the smells that surrounded you that day will encase you again. Hold on to them. Never let them out of your memory. I wrote each child the story of their birth in detailed form after we were home and settled. One took 9 months to finish, one took a year. Occasionally, I go back and write small things that come back, even now. Details that may slip your mind about that day will come back to you at the oddest moments. They say that after a while, when you don't hear a person's voice for so long, it disappears from your mind. It doesn't for me. Same as memories. They are as clear as this morning. Especially those memories involving my Babies.

I'll be honest, I am shedding a tear as I write this. I wish that I could, tonight, at this moment, describe to you the love that you will feel on Wednesday. I know you love him already with all of your being, but it is nothing compared to the feelings that will come. God knew what he was doing when he planned it all out. It is so hard to fathom the thoughts of those who do not believe in God, faith, and such, yet have children. Makes no sense.
There will be times, here shortly, that you will be tired. Exhaustion will take over your body, but your love for Nathan will overtake that. True love takes over, even at 3 AM. You will, no doubt, learn what it means to love until it hurts. You will shed tears, out of no where, and not really know why. Hormones? Maybe. I think it's pure love. I still cry, often, and you will also.

All of this really makes me think about God's love for us. Unfathomable and unending. That is how you will feel. I can't say enough. You will see, here shortly.

I am ecstatic for you both. This will be the best time of your lives. Everything in the past? It won't matter a bit. I remember your wedding day. You two are beautiful and amazing together. Keep it that way. There will be times that, due to exhaustion, etc, it may be hard to keep your marriage strong in certain areas. Work together, pray together (and alone,) and tell each other how you are feeling. Parent together. You'll do fine. I am so proud of you both, as a couple and as individuals. Please keep me updated. I am wanting to come and see you later in the week, but my car is in the shop. I hope to get it back so I can visit you. I want to bring you a little something.
You are so amazing, wonderful, and have such a beautiful spirit and soul. You will, no doubt, make an amazing mother. I can't wait to see it in your eyes.

Praying for you both.

All My Love,

Kelley

"What a perfectly beautiful little Lady."

Lady & the Tramp
1955

Happy 3rd Birthday, Baby!

Love,

Mommy

The Kids 2010 Birthday Photos (ages 5 and almost 3)

Happy 5th Birthday, Sweet Boy.

"Honey, you, you are my shining star."

I Love You.

Mommy

Excerpts from "A Letter to a Friend"

Dearest Friend,

Your message absolutely meant so much to me. Thank you, Sweet Girl. What you said is what I needed to hear. Not for confirmation, but because as a parent, you often second guess your self. Raising kids is not easy, but if you truly use God's word, and bits and pieces of your childhood that were positive, than you will be alright.

We are trying to teach our Babies about simplicity and what is truly important. I have been told before that we shelter our children to much because there are some things that we don't let them do. Of course, we let them have fun and experience things, because they are kids, but many things are not worth it. Candy and TV? Not important. Fresh air nature, and learning about growing our own food? Important. (So, maybe I am a hippie. I've been called that all my life.) My kids are social butterflies and have many friends because we have taught them the importance of people and relationships. Love, manners, creativity, imagination, helping others, prayer, and laughter matter so much.

Another thing we stress is taking care of our own. We are teaching them that as siblings, they need each other and that they will always need to protect each other. We, as parents, won't be here forever, and they will remain. They are best of friends and he protects her. I will tell you some stories sometime about his sister protection. It's funny and amazing. Hayden fully understands the concept of "Ladies first, and she understands the concept of putting him first. It usually works out pretty well.

We are by no means perfect parents and our kids are by no means perfect. They get disciplined. We are old fashioned, I guess. They teach us a lot everyday. I guess what I've learned most is that you only get one shot with them. If they go into the world having been taught the right way, then they will succeed.

Having children, I have truly learned what it means to love until it hurts. I've always wondered if there is another Mommy in the world that loves their kids as much as I do. I don't think there is. OK, so I guess most Moms feels that way. Your heart aches everyday because your love for them is so strong. I've never been a sad or depressed person. I've had nothing to be sad or depressed about. The only depressing thing in my life is how fast my kids are growing everyday. But, on the other hand, I am so happy about how they have turned out so far. We are so proud of them. We work so hard everyday to teach them the right way. I hope it sticks with them. Every night when I lay down, I try to think about what positive thing I have taught them that day. I remember being their ages very vividly, so I hope they remember positive events and experiences even now at their sweet, young ages.

All My Love,

Kelley