Little Baby Girl

In the middle of the night, comes the call...we have a baby, she needs a home.  Can you take her?  The family where we plan to put her, where her brother all already is, can't be reached.  We know it's not ideal but you will have her a couple days to a week.  Can we bring her by?

And after a sleepy, half cogent prayer and a brief discussion, the answer is yes.  She is delivered still in the dead of night, before the sun is up, before my brain is operating still.  Sleep is foregone, but adrenaline - the good kind- is running rampant.  My mind rushes to fill the million gaps and potential problems that I can find and starts providing solutions.

And once she is here, it is easy to see that the answer can next to never be no.  This is a human.  Someone with a need and as a disciple of Christ, I will retrieve the one, if at all possible.  And so now, I am sleep deprived, in school, barely holding it all together, letting Travis pick up so much of where I am failing.  It reminds me what an amazing helpmeet and husband I have in him.  It reminds me of the toughness and resiliency of our family.  It reminds me I don't need to be perfect, just present. 

I'm So Excited For Her/I Don't Want to Let Her Go

Returning Isabella to college brings out the bipolar in me.  My emotions range from one end to the other and often I can be experiencing both simultaneously.  After coming home during the Spring semester and then staying home for the Summer Semester, I wasn't prepared to get used to her living at home again just to send her back.  But alas, I am excited for her, but I am sad for me.  I want to see her spread her wings, but I will miss my buddy. 

So in a massive send off we went to visit some places we hadn't been before.  We went to Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Pike's Peak, Breckenridge, and then into Utah and Idaho to visit friends and family.  Touring with just one kid is super fun and gives them so much control to pick what interests them.  

Last leaving is always a tear filled goodbye. Both on her part and mine. In the end though, I know she is exactly where she needs to be doing exactly what she needs to do. So Travis, Isabella, and I spend the last few days trying to stock pile as many cuddles as we can to last us through the separation.  Love you Princess Pei Pei.

He's a Te(e)n!

It's his birthday!  He's officially a teen.  Although it feels like he has been one for some time.  He's a bit of an old soul and as the youngest he is always trying to keep up.  In some ways he is way beyond his years and then in others he is right on track, and then occasionally, he's a little behind - like in the height department.  But what they say is true, great things come in small packages and besides his stature there is nothing small about this boy.  He is thoughtful, valiant, stalwart.  He is a feeler and empathetic and helpful.  He is a bit sassy and spirited and I swear I see as much of the backs of his eyes as I do the fronts.  He is my social butterfly and my best buddy.  He is a perfect ten!  Thanks for being a part of our family.  We couldn't survive without you.  We wouldn't laugh nearly as much!

What's your favorite thing to do?

Video games - Super Smash Bros

What do you want to be when you grow up? 
Own my own business

What is your favorite food?
Chick Fil-A

Who do you like to hang out with?
No one, because of social distancing.

What do you do really well? 
Play video games

What makes you laugh?
People

What is the best time of day?
Time to go to bed, Night time

What are you afraid of?
The sea

What do you like to do with your family?
Go places - vacation

What do you like to learn about?
Food

Where do you like to go?
Anywhere

What is your favorite book?
Stone Fox

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

To go to bed