Happy Birthday, Conner!

Seven years ago, Conner entered our lives and they have forever been changed. The Lord has given Conner such a unique mix of gifts and interests. Although he is usually living in another world or another galaxy, he seems extremely bright and (what I love the most) a very sensitive little boy. He is concerned about other's needs, and other's feelings. So far, is is very tender to discipline is shows great remorse for sin.

I am so excited to see how the Lord is going to use him as he grows. He has been such a blessing to our family. Happy 7th birthday, Conner. We love you so!

PS. I tried to include his traditional video but am having trouble...I will have to try again later.

Grandma is just not quite sure what to think of these spy glasses that she bought for Conner...

And a Happy Birthday to you, goofy boy!

Why waste calories on cake when you can just have this?!?

We now have a fish - actually two. Thanks Gramps and Gram for the gift!

Squirrels

We were on a long trip not so long ago when Conner started telling us that he when he grew up, he wanted to be President of the United States. We asked him why and he said, "That way when people run over squirrels in the road, I can put them in jail."

His thoughts always seem so random to me, but I know that there is ton running through that cute little head of his.

Well the other day, I was taking Cameron and Cosette somewhere and this squirrel ran across the road. I braked, but the thing just started running in circles and despite my swerving (I know you are not supposed to swerve in the road for a small varmints) I heard and felt a small thud on my back tire.

I felt a little sick and took a glance in the rear view mirror and saw a brown furry clump with a twitching tail.

There was silence in the car and then after a minute Cameron piped up, "Good thing Conner wasn't in the car."

So unless Conner reads my blog in his free time, he will never know of the poor squirrel I killed and hopefully when he becomes President, he will have mercy on his mother who one day may kill again.

Sweet with a capital "S"

Once again, my NZ friend sent me a link to this video. This video was made by a husband to his wife for her birthday and apparently he is battling cancer. He managed to get the NZ Prime Minister involved as well as Hugh Jackman (great actor). And yes, Gus, this made me cry!

Happy Birthday Video

Mom

Mom is home again...the tests that they were planning on doing were cancelled as they felt her aortic valve was not working well enough to even do the tests. So she is home resting...Part of the problem was that she had taking her Lasix (water pill) that kept extra fluid from becoming too much load on her heart. I did not know this. So...perhaps she will be feeling better soon.

I had a chance to talk to her Sunday and had an encouraging time in the Lord with her. We talked of heaven, how the Lord is still using her here and now, the kids, memories....it was a good time.

Thanks for your prayers - I continue to thank the Lord for this time with mom and dad.

Update on mom

For those of you who have been asking about my mom, She is in the hospital again. She has been getting weaker and unable to eat well. She has lost over 20 pounds since in about a month. Yesterday she became short of breath and called me unable to talk to me in complete sentences without grabbing breaths.

She went to the ER and is now admitted for further tests on her heart and lungs. They are suspecting heart failure, but are unsure at this point.

My mom is tired and discouraged. Please pray the Lord will make it clear to her that she is still here for such a time as this. He has not chosen to take her yet, so she still has a purpose for being here. She is discouraged because she thinks there is no point in her being here because she cannot do anything. It is all that she can do to even get out of bed in the morning. Please pray for joy in the midst of sorrow and pain for her. Please pray that I will know how to bless her....

Thank you for your prayers....mom also thanks you :)

Labor Day Fun!

We had a great Labor Day weekend and celebrated Labor Day by hanging out with our brother and sister-in-law and cousins.

The Labor Day parade in Bloomington is the best parade to go to for getting lots of candy. Our kids are now guaranteed to have rotting teeth before their next dentist appointment.

Calvin loved all the big trucks but was not so fond of their horns.

Then is was off to the counsins' house to swim and play for the afternoon while the MEN smoked ribs on the grill.

We are so proud of our feminine little girls....

Little Brock wanted to make sure and get in on some of the fun...

Ah, dry rub baby back ribs!

The men bravely and sacrificially tasted the ribs first to make sure they were safe for the family.

Feast time...This was definitely a man's meal with lotsameat. We are not in India anymore!!!

I think it is always good to include the things that don't go so well too...In every season a little rain must fall and in this case, a little raspberry vinaigrette....

Thanks, Brad and Erika for such a great day! We love being with your kids and you guys are pretty fun as well (har, har).

Love making memories together!

Kissing Stuff

The kids stayed with Jeff's parents while we went on our little weekend get-away. Apparently while we were gone, Conner told Gram that he was glad he was not with us on our trip. He said,

"All they are going to want to do is take naps and do a bunch of kissing stuff."