Grace

I have had a few posts in a row about Caroline and felt that I needed to level the playing field.

Grace has grown way too fast for us. She is talking quite a bit already and has really started to show her own personality.

She has shown more than an interest in Computers. No one can get anything done while she is around because she needs to have a turn.


She is rather fearless. She has not problem doing things Caroline still does not do. Needless to say, Mom's heart pumps a little faster at times.


Although, it really does wear a girl out to do everything at the same time.

The girl sure knows how to eat a cookie.

This pictures says it all. She is just waiting for her opportunity to make you laugh or furious depending on her mood.

All is Well

After 3 weeks of wondering, we have fianlly found Pumpkin.

When we could not find him, I knew that he had to be in the house somewhere. But the problem was where?? Caroline was pretty good about the whole thing. She missed him but it was not a big production that he was gone (which thankful is par for the course with her). But we were still hoping he would turn up.

Today I was just walking past a basket I walk past all the time. And something caught my eye. Sure enough, there was pumpkin. He was probably wondering what took so long. And the girls were both happy to see him.

Welcome back Pumpkin.

Proud Mama

Doesn't it seem like your kids grow in leaps and not a steady progression. This was one of those times. Caroline was in a dance class this week. She had so much fun.

I was very disappointed the first day because we were told we had to stay in the hallway. We (the mothers) were told that it was too distracting to have us watching. I was a little crushed. She was into it and ok leaving me. This is a little new and it was hard to Mom to see she may not be needed as much anymore.

The big bonus was that Grace and I had 45 mins a day to ourselves. I think that we both enjoyed that very much.

Today was a fun day. We got to come and watch. It really is amazing what a kid can learn in 5 days. Kris got to come and watch too. It was a proud moment as parents. She did great and was so happy to have us watching.

Caroline is growing up. Mama is working on being ok with it.

Yes, it is about Harry Potter

I know, all you have heard about for days is Harry Potter. But I finished reading the last book last night and am a little sad it is over (not that she did not leave it open for other books if she wanted).

I like the books because of the way she writes. She paints such great pictures in my head. It seems like I am watching a movie while I am reading. And she creates such great anticipation that I find myself skimming sometimes so that I can find out what happens. The really are worth and fun to read if you have not read them yet.

If I could talk to Ms. Rowling, I would ask her a few questions.

1. Did she have all of this planned out from the beginning or did each book come along on its own? They intertwine so well and it makes perfect sense. I am impressed.


2. What inspired her themes? I like what she has to say but what brought on the need to say it (more on her themes below)


3. What changed as she was writing? Did the books take her somewhere she did not plan on in the beginning?

What would you ask her?

I also like the books for the themes she has chosen. Here are a few I see.

1. Loyalty - In both friendship and work, this is a quality to be proud of having. Even when it is hard and not popular, you should not abandon people and ideas.


2. Friendship - This can be so valuable. It can save you and hold you up when you need it.


3. Family - Do not take them for granted.


4. Doing the right Thing - I am impressed with how she deals with this theme. She demonstrates that it is not (and often is not) always easy to do. But that it would be worse if you did not do it. And that there will always be support for it in the end.


5. Death - It is a part of life and not to run from it. If you run from it, you will never live. Once you accept it, your life will be changed and less scares you.


6. Choices - What I feel is the strongest theme of this book. I love how she continually reminds us that we define our lives. Our choices make us who we are. And once you live that way, your life will be enriched.

What are your thoughts on her themes? What is your favorite message from them?

Thank you, Ms. Rowling, for your books. I have truly enjoyed reading them and look forward to reading them to my kids.

You Know the Summer is Going Well . . .

when you got to eat corn off the cob for the first time . . .

you teach your sister the best way to eat corn. . .

Papa teaches you how to feed a goat at the fair

Moe-Moe takes you on a pony ride . . .

Daddy finds the best pony for me (even if I never want to give it back) . . .

Cousins get to spend some good time together doing really fun things.

Our summer is going well but going too quickly. How is your summer going??

Hard to Comprehend

I just talked to my Dad. He is still in Wyoming and they have not had much luck. The dog they are working with has had a few leads but they have not found anything.

They thing that is hard to comprehend is that they now are thinking it was a criminal act. The first time they search for him they were led to a road and the trail ended. At the time, it did not seem like much, but now they are leaning toward thinking that someone picked him up. The sheriff there is looking into it.

It has been a hard yet comforting time for my Dad and some of the other men there. God has given them an environment that has allowed them physical, emotional and spiritual exercise. Dad said that it is so beautiful there and comforting. As hard as it is to be there, it also feels good.

Thank you for your prayers and please keep them coming.

More prayers

This week my Dad and a few other guys are out in Wyoming looking for my Uncle Charles.

I am praying for a safe search and return. I am also praying that they are able to do something that can bring my aunt some peace. It has been a really hard time for her and she has not found a rhythm for her life in the 8 months since he has been gone.

They all are asking that we ask God to be with them this week. They do not necessary need to find him (although that would be the best thing) but they would like to find some clue of what happened.