HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY, KEVIN !

Congratulations on this once-in-a-lifetime occasion! Not only are you turning 27 on the 27th, but it's also your first birthday as Elinore's father. We hope your coming year will be blessed with many memorable times with your family and friends. We are proud and grateful to have you for a son and look forward to helping you celebrate. Love, Dad and Mom

Kid Update

We have started some more intentional learning times with Sam. I try to give him some special one-on-one attention every day. One of the things we are trying is called Handwriting Without Tears and he LOVES it. Today was very exciting, as he sounded out his first word!!! He chose three letters to make with the wooden shapes. I realized it made a word and helped him sound it out. He was so thrilled he didn't want to stop making letters.















Sisters...I had the evening alone with them on Saturday. Lydia is very sweet with Sophie. Very gentle and loving...giving kisses all the time. Will they look like eachother? How will their personalities be different? How will they love to play together? What secrets will they share? I can't wait to find out!!

 

Matching Socks

I feel like it is never too early to introduce a child to helping with household tasks. One of Elinore's duties is to match socks. Everytime I fold laundry, she is in charge of all the socks. She takes her job very seriously. 

Great-Grandpa

It's hard to believe that this picture was taken less than two weeks ago. As Grandpa remains in the hospital, on oxygen, and unable to eat most of the time, I fondly remember that Saturday morning. He so enjoyed holding Sophie and watching the others swim. Please pray for him as he goes through this difficult season of his life.  

HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY, KEVIN AND JEN

Unlike today, September 12, 2003, was a beautiful sunny day, and we remember it as though it were yesterday. Congratulations!! Wish I knew how to post one of your wedding pictures--maybe next year. Hope you have some time today for remembering, reflecting, and rejoicing. May God give you many more years together.
Love, Dad and Mom

My Man

He left this morning for CA. Jealous, yes, but I'm where I'm supposed to be. And I'm so honored to be sending him. I have no doubt he will encourage, challenge, and love our friends there better than I ever could. He was so wonderful in leaving: watered everything so I wouldn't have to worry about it until Sunday, tidied up his stuff, packed himself, wrapped up loose ends with friends and community, gave special attention to Lydia & Sam before he left, including special orders to Sam, because he is now man of the house, made sure I had groceries and laundry done and many more things I can't think of now...oh, yeah, he even emptied the compost bucket! I think being around a lot during this new addition has given him a picture of how insane things can get. I found myself helping each of the kids at the same time this morning: holding Sophie because she was fussy, feeding Lydia breakfast and making a police badge for Sam (he is Sergant Murphy today.) I know Brian would appreciate the challenge of the chaos and help if he were here. I'm so thankful he isn't a "command man." He jumps in to help whenever he can. Yesterday he watched Lydia so I could go to another homeschool gathering. This morning, after a wonderful night's sleep for me and not-so for him, he said, "Well, if one of us could get a good night sleep heading into this weekend, I'm glad it was you." This is precious to me because usually we compete over who got the worst sleep. So, Mom & Dad W, even though he might not say it, you must have done a few things right in raising him. There is no other man I would want for my lover, friend and partner in life. I just love him so!

Taking after her father

Sophie just started loosing her hair yesterday. Now, in addition to looking even more like Brian, she enters a stage of being not-as-cute. Sooooo...her are a couple really good shots from before she started balding. Hopefully it comes back red, again!!

Stinkin' Cute

Just A few photos that we took the other day...great subject to work with.