Boldly Gone

At long last the time has come to say goodbye. My faithful friend through so many years, it's time for us to part. Sadly, the friendship we have shared must continue only in reflection. I will always remember the excitement inside as I opened the closet door and saw you standing in there, waiting for me to discover where you were hiding. The joy when at last you found your place in my room. My adoration as we dressed alike year after year on Halloween. Such anticipation as you joined me in my first years of college! Your ever watchful and wise eyes, encouraging me through each day's trials. How you mutely bore the outrage of chewing gum stuck to your noble face. How duct tape was needed to keep you upright as the years passed and your stance became increasingly unsteady. In recent years you found yourself suffering in silence in another, more lonely closet, yet always close to my heart. How I will miss your bald head, your knowing half-smile, your unfailing companionship. Thank you for the years we shared together. I will never forget you, my friend and captain. I know not where the truck that carted you away will leave you; I only know you are entering another stage in the adventure of life. To these new adventures I say, with tears, Engage.

Thank you, thank you!

Most of you know what moving around is like. Some of you have even done it with kids in tow. While growing up, we moved four times (Courtney, I know you TOTALLY have me beat on that one! :)) and since Jon and I got married we've moved three times. This summer's move is the fourth, but it's the first with kids. And not just one kid but two. Wow, are things different with kids! Certainly not bad, but definitely different. There's just so much STUFF one accumulates, despite the ritural pitching before (and after) a move.

Well, about a week after we received our household goods, both my mom and my mother in law came to help us settle in. What a tremendous blessing they were!! (And are, of course.) At first I thought I wouldn't have enough things for them to do to keep them busy, but that was hardly the case once I started on my to-do list. Since we have such a small (and at that time very messy) house, they stayed at the Navy Lodge on the Naval Post Grad school, so every morning Kate would excitedly await their arrival. Oh how delighted she was when she saw the car pull into the drive! Then the real work would start. Both moms dove in with both feet. During the week they were here they emptied boxes, packed the storage shed, sorted china, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, watched kids, ran errands, bought groceries, made dinner, ran to Wal-Mart, moved furniture, organized our HUGE bathroom/linen closet, did laundry, washed windows, lined cabinets with shelf paper, sorted books, babysat, went with both girls and me to the doctor, took us to dinner, sorted baby/kid clothes, and a ton of other large and small things. And all of these jobs they completed with a smile on their face and a request for more to do. It was phenemonal!






Oh, and I also let them out for a little fun too. We went to Fisherman's Wharf and saw the shops, otters, and sea lions. We even got to spend a little time at the beach--since I let them out for good behavior. :) I had no idea how much there was to accomplish and only after they came and began the sorting frenzy did I realize how much I would NEVER have accomplished without their help. Thank you thank you to the best two moms in the world! We SO appreciated your selflessness and servant's hearts while you were here. We miss you and can't wait for you to come back. (Though I promise there will be less work and more play next time.)

Happy 5 month Birthday, Ellie!

Five months already! This child is such a trooper. We have been in our permanent home for almost a month now and she is still happy, excited and sweet. She has begun to blow bubbles and eat rice cereal (usually at the same time) and she loves discovering toys in her exersaucer. We're realizing that she's a definite people person and really enjoys being around us and seeing her big sis. What fun she is! We're still working on the sleeping through the night issues, but as for now she goes (consistently) 6-8 hrs without waking and still feeds only once between 7 and 7. Wahoo! Way to go, Ellie. And I think this is the first month in your life that you've gone without sleeping in a closet. Congratulations, Ellie! We love you. :)

Ellie and Grandpa

Turning on the charm for Uncle Evan...or not.

Loving our new beach lifestyle here in CA. Actually, Ellie loves being in the Bjorn while on the beach. She never complains and is so relaxed as we walk up and down. There's definitely some beach-loving-blood in her, right Gram?

Two of her favorite things: drooling and smiling.

Great Pictures

I wanted to share some more of the wonderful pictures Kristi took for us. We are so excited to print them out and put them up. Thanks, Blythe, for the oojaboo dresses!