PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

I have been unable to sign in to Blogger and it's been driving me crazy!!! I couldn't even share with you that I was having trouble. I checked with them main website and they were aware of the problem and were working on it but I was getting so impatient! Oh, I 'm so glad to be back. This is, after all, like the journal of my life!

So, since I've been gone we took a great trip to Hilton Head for the Annual Kaiser Family Reunion. Each year I grow to love my extended family more and more. We are all very different. We have different ideas about different topics and enjoy discussing them. And then we are in total agreement about other things, like family and love of country. I also have to mention what a generous crew they all are, too. Each and every one of them. I could share instances where their generosity captured my heart; not because of what was given or shared, etc. But because of the heart behind the act. I could learn something...

Gigi holding Lily for the first time!

okay guys... don't do anything yet... they're still watching
beautiful sisters, my Aunt Ann & my Mom
John & Isaiah having guy talk :)
















Hil & Penny








don't want to say goodbye...

I wish it was easier to update this blog! I have so many things to share! I bought a tiny pocket journal today so that I could make notes of the silly stories so I don't forget them! A few weeks ago, after we had gone fishing, Gabe wanted to retell the story about what he had caught. He said "I caught a ... what's that bad word? Dummy fish?" It was actually called a "crappy", weird, I know. Pawpaw, a fisher of many years, knew this. When I was a kid, "shut up" was like a curse word in our house. It makes me feel good to think that he knows that "dumb" is not a good word ;) I will relish in it as long as it lasts! These kids are growing up at what seems like light-speed! I'm often brought to the verge of tears when I go through older photos. Not out of sadness, but out of pure joy from the amazing life I have been blessed to live. A good reality check is often in order when I stress about the goings-on around here. It's often quite chaotic, but when I step back, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Nice cars and fine clothes are alluring, but they don't hold a candle to hearing my babies say "Mama, can you scratch my back?" or "Push me higher!" or "Mommy! I'm dooone!!!" Yes, even that ;) I complain sometimes, as if I lead a hard life, when in fact, I am living my dream.

Silly Lily :)

Awesome photo-op

Last week, I noticed the empty lot next to my neighbors house was full of these really tall dandelions and buttercups. It looked so beautiful! This is where we wait for Isaiah to get off the bus, so one afternoon I decided to bring the camera. It was a bit too sunny, but they still turned out cute :)

Uncle Jack shows "Flat Isaiah" around Cali!

Isaiah's class read a book called "Flat Stanley" and then did a project to go with it. Each student made a "flat" version of themselves on paper and mailed it to someone they knew. They plotted where they went on a map. Isaiah wanted to go to see Uncle Jack in California! Uncle Jack took some great pictures and chronicled their adventures, then, mailed everything back for Isaiah to share with his classmates! We are now going to make a book out of it! Here are some of the pictures:

And here's the story of their adventures:

"What a joy it was to receive Flat Isaiah in the mail... and boy did we have fun!

The beginning of Flat Isaiah's adventure in Los Angeles started... where else?... the beach! Flat Isaiah and Uncle Jack hung out in the sand, went to the famous Venice grafitti wall, and relaxed on a friend's porch after a day in the sun.

Flat Isaiah's next stop? Hollywood, of course. We started on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Flat Isaiah met many Hollywood stars here including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Willis, and Kermit the Frog.

After visiting the stars, we figured we'd meet some of the more "normal" folk in Hollywood. Flat Isaiah met King Kong. Flat Isaiah was very brave in this encounter. Uncle Jack was scared but Flat Isaiah insisted that they save the girl! Next, Uncle Jack and Flat Isaiah bumped into the tallest man in the world! Flat Isaiah played it cool but Uncle Jack seemed to be developing a bit of a Napoleon complex, so we moved on.

Last, but not least, Uncle Jack and Flat Isaiah crossed paths with Captain Jack Sparrow! Captain Jack snatched Flat Isaiah from Uncle Jack but Uncle Jack was prepared to fight for his friend's honor. Uncle Jack stole Captain Jack's sword and exclaimed "Return Flat Isaiah or prepare to walk the plank!!!"

Flat Isaiah was returned safely.

We had so much fun and can't wait to see Flat Isaiah again.

With Love,

Uncle Jack

P.S. Special thanks to Mary Kelsey for the camera work."

Is that not adorable!!! This whole thing is very special to me :)

COMING SOON: Uncle Jack shows "Flat Isaiah" around California! You don't want to miss this!

Luke has really become very affectionate with his little sister :) Who saw that coming?! If she starts crying, he goes over and rubs her head or gives her a hug or his blanket. It's been very sweet to watch!

Isaiah's 1st diorama

In preparation for their trip to the zoo last week, Isaiah's class had an assignment to choose one of 7 or 8 suggested habitat's and make a diorama. Isaiah wanted to use a wolf he already had, so we chose the "woodland" habitat. We cut a branch from a holly bush to make a tree. Isaiah painted the grass and trees. We made a stream with blue paper covered with plastic wrap and lined it with stones. We added a pile of sticks for a beaver dam and made some playdough using whole wheat flour for the bear cave. I was so impressed with his work. It was one of those moments where I realize just how much he has grown up. He doesn't need my help with much anymore. As parents, we all have those moments where we let the kids do something, knowing full well that we will have to redo it when they're not looking, am I right? He did such a great job, there was nothing to "fix" :) I am having so much more fun THIS time around in school than I did as a kid!

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Lily's 1st taste of rice cereal

...let's just say... it wasn't a hit...

happy birthday to me!

My Mom & John sent these beautiful sunflowers! I had a great day! Justin and I got sushi for lunch, Anne watched Gabe and Luke so I could run some errands alone with Lily. Then we ate dinner over there. I am a lucky girl surrounded by so much love! 31's not so bad :)

Last week was Isaiah's Spring Break, although they had to go monday and tuesday as make-up snow days. They were also supposed to have Easter monday off as well, but that became another makeup day. Justin was given the day off because they have been working lots of overtime on some big installations, it was a prefect time to take a breather. Justin and I decided Sunday night that we would keep Isaiah out of school and make a fun day of playing hooky. The weather was incredible! Lots of sunshine, a nice breeze. We did the paddle boats (which we will not do again... instead, we'll try the rowboats, canoes or kayaks). We even did a little fishing - didn't catch anything but saw lots of fish that just wouldn't bite. It really was the perfect family day - so nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle of "real life" (laundry, dishes, customers, bills...) and just enjoy each other. Thank you God for the gift of this special day :)

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