pray for baby kaden

Kaden Isaiah Stone.

Three weeks old.

His tiny life is barely hanging on. And we need a miracle. 

Diana is someone I have only ever "known" through this blog world. Other than a comment once in a while, I don't think I've ever spoken directly to her. But I've read her blog and kept up with her family in that way and now, my heart is aching for her. 

With the updates on her Facebook she has kept us up with the incredible little life of her son and now, when hope is getting harder and harder to hold onto, it is our turn to step up and storm the gates of heaven in Kaden's honor. 

I emailed my dad this morning asking him to pray for this perfect little life and his response brought new hope and new perspective. 

Blessed doesn't begin to cover it. Diana, if you ever happen upon this, I pray that it brings some small comfort. My dad is a mighty prayer warrior and he has joined the army fighting for your son. We are all out on the front lines for you. 

We will not be shaken. 

___________

I cannot tell you things you already know, only remind you of what you may not have considered. God told us that He would challenge those that He would have for His own. On the surface...this may not comfort until you consider how profound His words are in this situation. "Go out into all the world and spread the Gospel"...and little Kaden is the youngest Apostle on the planet today, with help from caring, loving people like you, Kaden is reaching out "...into all the world..."!

Kaden's soul is eternally safe as of right now...should he leave those that love him, he will be with his God, who loves him as only God loves. His family started a chain of events that has had a profound effect of focusing love, and caring attention in a world that has seemingly "gone mad" with evil. What we all must focus on now is that God is in control...that is Eternal, and what we must understand now is that God has chosen Kaden as a vessel of hope for all mankind. God has made another "way of hope" for a troubled world...and while we find it hard to understand and accept, the suffering of a newborn and his family...look at what Kaden has done to reach out to many that may have taken God for granted...now seeking Him on behalf of one of His children.

As with Kaden and his family...you are not "my" child...You are God's child...He just allowed me to be your earthly father for a time. He made you a test of my faith, and by it...made me stronger, and with that strength showed me how to make you stronger in your love of your God. As you have known....a parent's most important duty is to get his child to Heaven. Kaden, should he perish now...is Heaven bound. Should this newborn apostle survive...he will likely grow in amazing faith, carving a path that others will follow to the God of all things...either way, Kaden is Heaven bound, and loved by his God eternally.

There is no comfort in my words...there is only comfort in God's words. If you are blessed with the amazing grace of faith, you are warmed by the love of God...and know that Kaden will rest within the loving hands of the God of our faith. That we might not understand now is a proof of our not knowing all, but sustained now by our faith.

Kaden will be in my prayers, and he will move many by faith.

Love,

Dad

___________

**Update 26 August 2013**

Sweet Kaden went to be with Jesus. He was 21 days old. Please continue praying for his aching family as they navigate through a new world without their baby boy. Through it all, God is still good. He is always good. And Kaden is safely in his arms, never to know pain again. For that, we can all be thankful.

at the end of leland road...

Bruce Weber planted the Leland Vineyard back in 1982 when the thought of trying to get pinot noir to grow out in that neck of the woods was just about as nutters as trying to get a kitten to enjoy bath time.

Even our winemaker has said that had he been the vineyard consultant back in the day he'd have insisted Bruce just let it be, make it a cow pasture and call it a day.

Luckily, Gary wasn't in the business of vineyard management and Bruce was just crazy enough to give it a try. 

 

Thirty years later, times have changed, the industry has grown and the vines have become gnarled... But our Leland pinot is more than just a class favorite among staff... 

It's a legacy.

For our last staff meeting, we packed up a picnic and headed out as a group to the home of one of our most beloved growers. Bruce welcomed us into his home, onto his land and out into the midst of this amazing little four acre vineyard-that-could.

And guys... It was magic.

Not only did he have home baked bread and berries waiting for us, but before we knew it he was pulling his homemade wines from his own cellar and popping corks of Leland Sauvignon Blanc ((which I'm convinced will never be topped as the best SB of my life)). Not to mention past vintages of pinot noir from 2003 ((holy past vintage, Batman - when did I become such a wine geek?)).

To top it all, what with it being Patt's birthday, Bruce blew us all away one more time by bringing out the fruit parfaits he had made with the berries and cherries from his 11 acre farm and presenting Miss Patt with a most memorable treat! 

Genuinely one of the sweetest, kindest men I've ever met. 

I kind of want to put him in a little mason jar and put him on my shelf. He's such a remarkable man.

Being treated to an evening with a Willamette Valley legend, hearing his stories and being privy to his gentle teachings at this most improbable vineyard site... I can't quite tell you. 

Like I said... Magic. 

Keep growing little pinot! We can't wait to drink you!

all's well that ends wells

For the past two years I have been blessed to call Kate a friend. Somehow, in the midst of one of the hardest seasons of my life, she reached out and offered friendship and prayer when I needed it most. I've always believed in kindred spirits and knowing this lady has proven that time and again.

Last week, after months of waiting, I finally got the text I'd been waiting for - her sweet baby boy was on the way! 

All night, every time I woke up, I'd check my phone to see if somehow I'd missed word that he was here. We checked in mid-morning her time ((no really, I was barely sleeping that night I was so excited so it was like, 5:30am here in Portland)) and while he was still only considering that whole being born deal, it was almost time. 

And so I waited.

And then finally, a few hours later... A sweet, tiny, perfect little face showed up on my phone. 

Welcome to the world Wells Thomas Larrabee! 

You came into this world with what I can only tell you is a sign - your mom knows how special "your song" is to me and now, with your incredible little life, you have made it that much more special. That, little man, is a sign of the amazing impact your being will be in this world.

If you get the chance, go read Kate's beautiful words about Wells' incredible journey into this life.

Sending so much love to all you Larrabees! 

((and wine... I'll soon be sending wine)) 

onetwothree

This boy...

Oh man, this boy has a big piece of my heart. And today he is three.

THREE! For cryin' out loud!

Kamdyn Michael, you are one of the sweetest, funniest, lovingest little dudes I've ever known. I hope as you keep growing you become so fully and amazingly aware of how loved you are. Remembering the day you were born - I remember exactly where I was, sitting in my car in the Trader Joe's parking lot, tears filling my eyes as I looked at the picture your Meemaw sent, your sweet, tiny little face so perfect and incredible - well shoot... Now you're going to make me well up all over again.

You are the light of so many lives little man. Don't ever doubt how special and important you are. Never doubt the blessing your life is to everyone who knows you.

Happy birthday, Kamdyn!

You are quite wonderful, you know that?

...then before they left, the perrigos came to play.

Before they made their way out of Stumptown, my wandering Montanans popped by with coffee and pastries so we could pack in a little more time... And a little Pixar.

This was the first time I've looked at my DVD collection through the eyes of a two year-old... And realized a good portion of my collection is suitable for a two-year old.

Whatever. I love the classics and if you can't handle the fact that I own All Dogs Go To Heaven, Land Before Time and Fern Gully, then we've got bigger problems. 

Oh, and lots of Disney.

LOTS.

So we popped in Finding Nemo and drank our coffee while Jack developed a new love for my sheepskin rugs in between jumping on my couch like a trampoline.

Of course he stops smiling as soon as the shutter snaps.

And while Tristen gnawed on my hand, we said our final goodbyes.

I'm hoping to get out to Montana before the year is done - keep your fingers crossed! But until then, I'll have these pictures to keep me company when I start missing these guys.

John, Laura, Jack and Tristen - I won't say move back ((unless you want to, in which case I will be the one leading the parade)) but come visit anytime you want... Either that or just expect me on your doorstep as soon as you close escrow on the new place.

LOVE YOU GUYS.

SO happy you came to play.

then there was that time the perrigos came back to portland after all...

I CAN'T EVEN HANDLE THIS KID.

How is it possible to be this happy all the time? 

Tristen Hurst, you are too much. 

Happy Baby Award.

Oh! Okay, so here's what happened...

As I was leaving work that first day back after Seattle I got a call from Laura...

"Hi, we're in Portland!"

And then I died.

And then I came to and got SO EXCITED because I got to see them again!

And then we both freaked out because we knew we were then going to be able to attack Ashley and Baby Olivia((coming soon!)) by driving up to Vancouver for a belated baby shower at 9 o'clock at night!

Best friends ever.

Among other things we decided that night, the recreation of the photo above will be a tradition forever we hope. 

((sorry guys, it's gonna be a while before I'm the one in the middle... bear with me... or just keep having babies so I don't have to yet))

Oh, and along with all of the ooh-ing and ahh-ing at baby boy, can we take some time to notice Ashley's baby bump!?

Tristen approves of his impending cousin.

Aunt Laura had to say a special hello to Olivia - this will remain one of the cutest photos of all time as far as I'm concerned.

And while we're on the subject, can I just say that the feeling of a baby in my arms, on my lap, gripping onto my finger, snuggling, sleeping - that's gotta be my happy place. Or one of them, anyway. Feeling Tristen's warm little body all relaxed on my lap was just pure happiness. I remember the same feeling holding his brother the same way, Jack's then-tiny fingers holding onto mine with all his tiny little might.

I swear, what will I be like when it's my own? Lord help my heart.

Also, do any of you remember on How I Met Your Mother when Lily and Marshall were trying to keep it a secret that they were having a baby and then it seemed like babies were everywhere and Lily finally cracked when Marshall handed her a fat little baby?

Remember what she said?

"This sonofabitch has knee-dimples!"

Yeah. That's all I could think every time I saw Tristen. 

Sorry for the cursing, little man. You'll understand when you're older. 

These too... These are some of my favorites.

Oh, and before we go... Elbow dimples.

You're welcome.