In Loving Memory...

We had a shock today- everyone who knew Mark Forsyth did. Our vibrant, energetic, too busy friend passed away suddenly. Mark Forsyth was the Branch President of the Susquehanna Young Single Adult Branch where Eric served as his second councilor until Eric's release just before Carter's birth. Mark was coming home after Wednesday night Institute and the usual meetings. He was driving his motorcycle and must have had an accident. He just didn't come home. And the police found his body this morning. The thing that bothers me the most is that Mark was all alone out there all night. And his wife, Elizabeth, was left to worry. It seems so unkind. I really hope he didn't suffer. I hope it was quick. I feel like he was a man on a mission- that the Lord took him for some important reason we won't know till later. But it is still such a shock. He was so young. He has a young teenage son still at home, and it seems so unfair. Our hearts and prayers are with the Forsyth family tonight. We love you. We loved Mark. We'll miss him. He influenced so many lives for good. He loved his calling, he loved his family, and he loved those he served so much. He was an inspiration to us, and he will never be forgotten- by anyone who knew him. What a great blessing it was to know Mark Forsyth. Till we meet again....

Basket Turtle Baby

Every day with Carter is an adventure. Today I was doing laundry (note that he is wearing the same outfit as yesterday- everything was dirty) and he decided to help me. So he toddled over and started taking out his favorite things. First came the beloved blanket. Then every sock he could find; and finally he started pulling out anything soft and fuzzy. I am impressed that he was so discerning. When it comes to his toys, he will pull out just about everything just for fun. But this method made it possible for me to get the folding done without too much trouble. And his involvement was a nice change of pace.

Then he discovered the basket! Oh what fun! He ended up pulling it over on top of himself like a turtle shell. And he started crawling around the room with the basket on top of him! I love the picture above. You can see his little behind sticking out from under the basket. He cracks me up!! I got a video of my little Basket Turtle Baby. He even nods when I ask him if he is crawling around with a basket on top of him- and the basket bobs up and down! Ha! ha! This kid is so smart, and he's constantly entertaining me. :) Take a look!

Carter is WALKING!!

It happened without warning. Sunday I was sitting in the foyer during Sunday School with Carter, and he let go of the couch and walked half way across the room! I was so excited!! And he hasn't stopped yet. He was too happy with himself to stop. By the time we took him home he had hit his head three times. Poor baby. He was not a happy camper. But he has kept practicing here at home, and at Oakley's house. And he is getting pretty good! I even managed to get a video of him. Which was no small thing, since every time he sees the camera he gets so excited and tries to eat it. So I have to be pretty quick. :)

See what I mean? Here comes Jaws!! And we got a real treat on Sunday. We got to watch Carter and his two friends interacting for the first time without our influence. Carter has wanted to be on my lap until recently. That is why this is so new. First he crawled up to his friend Asher (who is 2 months older) and the two of them touched foreheads before starting to play. Then a little while later he and Grant (two months younger) were sitting beside each other in the hall, and they leaned forward and touched foreheads too! It was so cool! They were having so much fun standing next to each other and slapping the glass doors until Carter accidentally sat down on Grant which made him cry, which made Carter cry too. It was about that point we took him home. He was just too pooped. The crazy thing is that you look at these three boys next to one another and they are about the same size. A few months used to be huge. But now that they are all nearing a year old, they look much more similar. I'll have to remember to get a picture of them together. I think they are so adorable!!

So here is Carter walking. :) Daddy hasn't even seen this one yet. He'll be back Thursday, and by then Carter may be running. :) Just kidding Honey.