CRICKET TURNS 8!

I know it is hard to believe that I am that old. Cricket turned eight on June 22nd. We kept it small, because she is having her big party after her baptism on 4th of July weekend. We went swimming at Las Palmas and then she wanted Tatter Tot casserole and homemade rolls for dinner. I had no idea she liked that so much, but it sure made my life easier even though JP and Asha were less than thrilled at her dinner choice.

Cricket is the spice of my life. She is the best and worst of me. When I look at her I see limitless potential and am so excited to be able to witness the majesty of her life firsthand. I am thankful that I get to be her mother for eternity.

Open for Interpretation

A few weeks ago Jon took a pair of Korean meditation balls with bells insides them, to put up as decorations in his office.
Last week Tilly came up to me while we were shopping in Tai Pan and said, "Guess what? My dad has ding-a-lee balls." I can't wait for her to tell someone that at school or primary.

10 Ladies in a Bumbalow Case

This is a picture of the girls after their performance of the Princess and the Pea. They did a two week camp with the St George Children's Theater. I love having Katie and her girls here. All the girls are loving spending so much time together, even though they fight like they are spending a lot of time together. (The fighting really doesn't bother them.) They have even made up a song. They sing the chorus together and then take turns filling in each verse until their are no ladies left.

All the girls sing: 10 Ladies in a bumbalow case. One said

Tilly says: My husband is teaching my kids something naughty to do to the dog. Oh no!

Having kids is a good reminder that we should just take life as is comes. I love it that even though I get stressed out sometimes and I am strict, my kids look beyond that and still love me. I really do love them too. I guess sometimes I just feel like a lady in a bumbalow case.

PS If anyone is wondering what a bumbalow case is, I asked Asha and she said it is a balloon case. I hope that helps.

Poor Baby

Katie and the girls are down here for the month. Katie and I got a gym membership and have been taking turns watching the kids and going to the gym. (It has been awesome for me. I have exercised more in the last week than in the last four months put together. Plus I have never gotten so much alone time.) It has taken some getting used to for Dewy though. The other day while I was gone, he got tired and started crying. He wouldn't let Katie touch him. He wandered into the hall and a few minutes later , got really quiet. When she went to check on him, he was sound asleep, sitting against the wall in the hall.

Tilly Turns Five!

Tilly turned five years old on May 28th. We were at Katie's and had a little party with family. Jon had to be at work so he wasn't able to make it. We will have a friend party at home on Saturday. (We bought a big blow up water slide.) Tilly is a joy to have in our family. Katie always teases me because Tilly asks to eat salad and go to bed early. She is a peacemaker and is always willing to sacrifice to make other people feel happy. She is sweet, but has a mean streak if you push her too far. I am sure it is a survival mechanism that has come from being Cricket's little sister.

Memorial Day

I had to post this picture of Zaya at Ryan's grave. Jon said it was the cutest picture he had ever taken. In the morning we went to the Run for Ryan. They had an awsome turn out and except for the rain, it went great. The girls even ran a lot of the way. If you get four little girls up super early and make them run a mile, can you imagine how good they go to bed that night?

Memorial Day has taken on new meaning now that Ryan is gone. Everyday has changed forever.

Our First Trip to the Sand Dunes

Jon and the girls met Dewy and I at the Sand Dunes. When we got out of the car, Dewy was in awe. He loves anything with wheels. I think he thought there were little diggers everywhere. The sound was deafening, but it was music to his ears. He would have spent the entire day on Katie's four wheeler or Mark's rhino. It was strange to be in a place that Ryan loved so much, the place where he died and know that we never got to share that with him while he was living.