Thank you

As I sit here home alone, getting ready for surgery tomorrow, I am overwhelmed by how thoughtful and loving so many of you have been. From offers to make meals, watching Lila, picking things up @ the store, and best of all prayers. I didn't really have time during my last surgery to get everything in order and to touch base with too many. This time is different. And at first I was hesitant knowing I had to wait a week before going in. All that time to think about the what if's...which as you all know is no way to live your life. But, it's hard and the what if's creep into your head, even when you don't want them to. Then, when you least expect it, and it's a particularly tough time, someone who cares about you sends you the perfect Bible verse and you are put as ease. (1Peter 5:7)



I know that this is all part of the plan (Jeremiah 29:11). I thank you and love you for being a part of it.

U2 anniversary present

Tim's anniversary present from his lovely wife!!

Timmy LOVES Jenny!!! 14 years!!!!

Into your arms

I know a place

where I can go

when I'm alone

Into your arms

whoa into your arms

I can go

I know a place

thats safe and warm

from the crowd

Into your arms

whoa into your arms

I can go

And if I should fall

I know that I

won't be alone

be alone anymore

As performed by EVAN DANDO and the Lemonheads-1993

This song came out when Jen and I started dating way back when.

And yes, this is where the inspiration for our firstborns name came from.

"I love you like I have loved no other"

Better late than never

Yes, it was Tuesday, but it didn't matter. There was so much going on last weekend we let the fun spill into this week. Who knew coloring eggs could be so girly and so cute wearing Daddy's shirt?
Let them soak a long time...while cheesing hard!
Let's dip 1/2 & 1/2 and put on princess stickers.
In the end we were most proud of the purple egg. See, look up top, we didn't have purple dye. Lila said we should dip pink and blue...too cool!

Easter Sunday

Who are the cuter twins?
Evan & Timmy?

Or...

Abby & Lila?

Hmm...tricky question, I know.

Many Easter treats and the winner is...the Etch-a-sketch!!! Hooray! What a hit. Thanks, Auntie Holly. (Thanks for the quiet car ride home).

Sidebar-We love our extended family. We love time spent together laughing and talking. We love that there are now 3 teenage boys. Not too much longer Mark and Gwen! I had to call Grandpa and tell him the boys booby trapped the fan by lining the top of the blades with chocolate. We wondered where all Evan's chocolate went! I was called a "snitch", it wasn't by Grandpa either.

We hope your Easter was great and that the true meaning of the holiday filled your heart!

Say cheese!

Paul, Luke & Lila

We had a very busy and fun weekend.

An Easter party Saturday and a birthday party Sunday. The b-day party was for Lila's friend Brett who turned 6. Brett's mom is the older sister of my dear friend Amanda. I have known Amanda's family since 1982...holy smokes, 1982! Amanda now has a loving husband and 2 scrumptious little boys. Paul who is 3 and Luke who was born November 24th. Lila is so incredibly in love with both of them. She almost cried when we had to leave and couldn't take Luke with us. Lila likes to remind me, when she is 33 years old she will go to the baby store with her husband Brett, (whom she is marrying December 25th by the way-invitations to follow), and get her own baby.








Yes Lila, to the baby store!

Easter party @ Shannon & JJ's part one...

My friend Shannon had an Easter egg hunt today. She stuffed 200 eggs for her friends kids, (her kid too), made cupcakes, 2 different kinds of croissant sandwiches, Easter bunny PB & J's that Lila said looked like Texas, (they looked nothing like Texas), fruit plates and things to nibble on. Mandy made this really yummy Jell-o salad with cottage cheese in it. And Shannon's sister made a seafood dip that was oh, so fishy good! The kiddos had the best time screaming and running around. They played a "balance the egg on a spoon" game. Everyone was the winner! Thank you Shannon for a great time with great friends!

Part two...

Lila and her good friend Rachel, who she hasn't seen in a long time. She was so excited to get to spend the afternoon together.







Always time for lightsaber action!





The man who is in charge of the floral dept. at Costco in Lacey told Lila that she was the closest to a real life princess he had ever seen and that she needed a rose. I think Lila danced the rest of the shopping trip.

Much needed rest.

Autism - Another Mom's Perspective

My favorite is ..."My daughter is full of soul!"

Movin' on up!

Monday, Lila was put in the first grade reading group. Even though her teacher wanted to keep her in her class, she told us Lila is beyond ready to go. She is the kid in class that answers all the "tricky" word questions and leads her group. Lila was very excited to go to, Mrs. Prinze's class and start her new adventure. Every night before bed she asks if she can go to school the next day. And every time I tell her she can she raises her fist and shouts, "YES!". She's not a fan of Friday night because she can't go to school the next day. If only we were so enthusiastic to go to school every day when we were younger...I hope the novelty never wears off!

Lila are you hungry?

Lila has been home sick from school the last 3 days with not much of an appetite and as we speak she is begging for McDonald's because-and I quote, "They have breakfast and lunch and dinner for everyone because everyone wants to eat there-didn't you remember Mom? You silly." This is the first she has asked for food in a while. This morning I asked her if she wanted an English muffin...she said only a "Spanish" muffin, (thank you Dora the Explorer). So she didn't eat. Fast forward 3 hours- Lila do you want lunch? "Mom, I just had a cough drop you know!" I guess that means she's full :o)

Make a donation @ Toys "R" Us during the next 9 weeks!

National Partnership With Autism Speaks In 2008, Toys"R"Us and the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund continued their partnership with Autism Speaks by awarding the organization a second $250,000 grant to help fund autism research and advocacy. Autism is a disorder that inhibits a child's ability to communicate and form relationships on different levels. Part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders, autism is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined, affecting one in 150 children in the United States. As a company with a long history of advocating for all children, Toys"R"Us is united in its commitment with Autism Speaks to provide a voice for children and families affected by autism. Toys"R"Us is the national sponsor of the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism program, a series of fundraising walk events in communities across the country. Additionally, in conjunction with Autism Awareness Month in April, Toys"R"Us conducts a nine-week, in-store fundraising campaign, in all of its locations nationwide. The 2007 program raised more than $1.1 million to benefit Autism Speaks. To learn more about this program, click here

Something not right, but incredibly funny about this!

Where's Grandma's walker?

Ready...set........

GO!!!

That's right big boy, pedal.

The kids were playing with their cousins, Kayla and Chloe, at Nana & Ina's for Ina's 55th birthday party.

This picture looks like the cover of an album...

I can't believe it's been 2 years since this day. We were finished watching the Daffodil Parade and went for a walk over the bridge of glass with Papa...what a nice day. Lila was carrying her drum. She was playing it during the whole parade, which earned extra attention and lots of treats from the participants that day. We can't wait for April and all the spring flowers!