My sweet Lettie

Here is a picture of the kids with Lettie. For those of you who don't know, Lettie was an intern at the Home of God's Love. She took care of Lilly as if she was her own for 5 months. She did her job so well that Lilly was quite attached to her. When I went to feed Lilly, she was so used to laying in Lettie's left arm that she didn't want to take the bottle from me. Lettie had a way with all the babies. She would very calmly take care of at least 3 babies at a time. I would watch her in awe. She is awesome. Travis and I both told her that if we were independently wealthy, we would move her in to be a nanny. Not that we need one, but so she could have a job that she loved and she could stay with Lilly. (She probably gets that all the time!) This picture was taken at Chinese New year 2008. When Lettie picked up Lilly, Lilly looked at her for a minute and then got so excited. So excited that she clawed poor Lettie's face. You can see how happy she is in this picture. I can't imagine Lilly even remembering Lettie as young as was. Lilly hasn't before or since acted that way, when she is in someone else's arms. So here's to Lettie. We miss you and hope to see you soon.

A Day Well Spent.

Saturday, on a whim, I went and spent the day with Cari and her kids. Cari is my best friend. We met through my job as a hairdresser. She was one of my clients. We both got married that year. I remember doing her hair for her wedding and not knowing what to wear. I thought to myself, well we are sort of good friends and what if she asked me to stay? I don't want to be put in an awkward situation so I'll wear a dress just in case. She didn't ask me to stay! Can you believe that! ;) Cari and Alan got back from their honeymoon and Travis and I got back from ours and we realized that we had gone to the same place! And we just clicked. I think we realized how much we had in common. We both love the Lord we both loved tea cups, setting up house, Baskets (remember what's her name and that ill-fated phone conversation), Crafts, and kids. She invited me to a bible study with some of her friends. Which introduced me to the the Peterson's and then to a Skiles, (home of God's love) and the rest as they say is history. Now 10 years later, and 105.93 miles apart, (not that I'm counting) we are still going strong!
And now back to Saturday, We always have a great time, but Saturday was exceptional. Maybe it was the fact that we knew how short our time was, maybe it was that we spent so time planning "the next time we get together we need to do this", and maybe it was that we haven't spent good quality time together in a while. But we all had fun. Luke, Selah and Bryson always play great together. And now Charis and Lilly have each other. At one point Charis and Lilly shared a snack together out of Lilly's bib. It was so cute. We got so much done; pictures, a plate, invitations, and gifts! Cari is such a blessing, I hope she knows how much I look up to her and admire her strength. Thanks for a great day!

Cutie-patooties

Just thought I would share a favorite picture that I took of the kids Christmas morning. I got the kids up and had them put on their new robes and pose for this shot. They are so cute, aren't they?

Steppin' out

Lilly is walking!!! She has been really getting braver and braver over the last couple of days. We have been working with her and being all super proud parents for her. Cheering her on and all. It's a good thing, right? Well we thought so too, but now she is so excited about it that she can't walk for laughing so hard and cheering herself on. It is stinking adorable. Today she was walking between Trav and I and she would get half way to me and she would turn (sorta) and look at Trav and throw herself down and laugh. She was totally showing off for him. I told Trav that she is already a Daddy's girl.

Finally!

We finally got the trip to the dentist over and done with! Yay. Luke did awesome and he was very brave. Especially when I saw that tooth. My jaw dropped. I don't have much experience with teeth roots but I was shocked that thing came out of his mouth. Even the nurse said that it was bigger than they had anticipated. She said that the doc had to really get in there and twist it out. Amazing. She said that Luke was such a good patient even when he was having his head pulled and yanked at. She alluded to the fact that they don't look forward to referrals because sometimes it is because the kids aren't controllable. Yikes. Luke was kind of lethargic and he looked like he was going to cry when he came out. I don't know if it was the gas or what. So I am trying to lighten the mood in the car and dry as a bone, Luke looks at me and says "hey mom, am I happy or sad?" He smiles a big ole smile and half of his face responds and the other half is hanging there in its semi-permanent frown. O my gosh I thought I was gonna pee my pants. Thank you guys for your prayers. God is good!

Proud Mom

Here's the ultimate team player. Our little Goalie. We went out to play soccer today and man it was FREEZING!!!!! My face and hands were numb. Seriously numb. Right before half time, Luke is running hard and getting right in there. Well he went to kick the ball, got clipped and fell on his side. A kid from the other team kicks the ball maybe two feet from Luke's face and just nails him. MAN that had to of hurt bad, freezing cold ball right at his face. He was upset but he got right back out there and finished the game. Yeah! Later in the car he says, "Jesus made me brave, huh mom?"

"Speedwagon"

If there was one band that got me through "the high school years", it would have to be REO Speedwagon. The only band that I signed up to be in their fan club. For years I have been a fan and to love me was to love REO. I remember when Kirsten (my niece) was younger, everywhere we went she wanted to listen to them. So one day she was over here and we got online and I said "hey let's look up REO and I'll show you what they looked like". Her reaction was priceless. That was her last request to hear REO. She wasn't a child of the 70's and 80's, what can I say. Well, my family and I were watching Don't Forget the Lyrics the other night, and their lead singer was on. Luke loved it. So once again I blew the dust off my CD, and we have been listening to "Speedwagon" ever since. (that is what Luke calls them) So I've come to this conclusion... man I'm old.

dentist disappointment

Well we are back from the dentist. They didn't do anything but take exrays that we waited a week and a half for the first dentist to mail to him. I sat in the office after 2 hours and looked at the exact same picture of Luke's tooth that I saw before!!! I was not happy. So now I am venting. Blogs are good. Poor Luke will have to miss 3 days of school for this.

Blog, blog, blog...

My first post. I can feel the pressure to impress. Who am I kidding? The two people that will read this already love me!
Tomorrow is a big day for Luke. He has to go to the dentist. None of us are looking forward to it. I just hope and pray that he does well. Lately he has really surprised me. I thought that he would be in his teens before he spent the night away from home. But two weeks ago he stayed with a buddy from school. Well we will see how it goes, I'll keep you posted...pun intended. :)
Lilly is everywhere. Man I can't believe how fast she gets around. And the whole time she is saying, hum...hum...hum. Like she is an unimpressed explorer waiting to discover the elusive holy grail. From time to time she will stubble onto something that makes her take a second look, but she tosses it over her shoulder and moves on the next thing. She is so cute.