Purple People

I just got a phone call from Josiah. I think he wanted to review his colors. After asking him about the brown ginger cookies he and Daddy were making, and the "lellow" balloon he got at Trader Joe's today, he started telling me something about "people". I had a hard time figuring out what he was saying until I remembered that's his word for purple...

These lacing cards are a great way for the boys to learn their colors and work on fine motor skills. Luke thinks they look good enough to eat.

Josiah, with the "people" card.

Reiley, concentrating.

Baby Steps

Luke is starting to walk!

But sometimes he prefers sitting and thinking...

Or playing with a balloon...

Or taking Reiley for a spin...

Or just hanging out with Papi...

Three Ring Circus - Who's the Ringleader?

Scaling new heights of adventure. Luke will not be left behind!

Everything's funny, and loud at this age.

Snack time for Josiah.

Brotherly love...
(Notre Dame vs Wisconsin)

Reiley, shining up his "dinosaurs".Luke, trying on Vovó’s reading glasses. (Is anybody watching the baby?!)Cleanliness is next to.... impossible?

Two of a Kind....

...workin' on a full house.

Wait until you see this...
We are beaming!
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In other news......
Reiley turned 2 and 1/2 years old today. Jason & Karina stopped at the New Balance store and picked up a new pair of shoes for him; size 12.5 wide. Here's what they look like next to my size 8.5's.


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Oh yeah, one other thing..... we had a busy day with three busy boys today. Seems like nobody was interested in Papi's story time. They were too excited about climbing over, under and around the "fort" we built behind the loveseat.

Luke's 1st Birthday! 9-16-06

Good morning, Birthday Boy!

Luke practiced walking.......while Karina decorated balloon cakes.

Fun with balloons!Here we are with our 3 grandsons: Josiah, Reiley, and the Birthday Boy, Luke.

Reiley, giving his cousin and brother some "sugar".

Here's Luke, enjoying his "smash" cake.

Mmmmmmm. It was good!

Lights Out Chicago

On our way home from Luke's 1st birthday party last night, Andrea noticed the sign atop the ComEd building. (ComEd is the energy delivery and services company that brings electricity to more than 3.3 million customers' homes in Northern Illinois.) She thought it seemed a bit ironic that it read, in bright red neon letters, "Co Ed"...

In other news, I'll be posting a few pictures of Luke's birthday soon.

Remembering Liana

Three years ago this morning, my son and I were standing on either side of Andrea's hospital bed, as she gave birth to the lifeless little body of our first grandchild. Two days earlier, on September 11th (Dreadful Day), my heart had broken at Daniel's phone call, "They can't find a heartbeat." It was a grief like I had never known.

Holding Liana was excruciating, but peaceful. The perfect paradox. Fullterm, brought into the world, simply lacking the breath of life. The hardest thing I've ever had to do was to say goodbye before ever saying hello.

I remember her often, not only when September rolls around. I wonder about her, and feel sad that we didn't have the joy of seeing her grow and play and learn. But I have confidence, praise God, that we will know her in heaven, a beautiful child of God.

Her middle name is Hope.

True Peace

I caught a portion on the TV news this morning, where Matt Lauer was asking our president how he can sleep at night, knowing what deep dangers our country is in. George W. Bush, not missing a beat, declared emphatically, "I put my trust in Almighty God."

The Bottom Line

Things I learned this week:
A liquid diet, even for one day, is not very satisfying.
Phosphosoda works quite well.
If you sleep soundly, don't go to bed until you're sure the Phosphosoda has run its course.
Laundry stains should be treated promptly.
Nothing by mouth after midnight is difficult after you've ingested a saline laxative.
Don't even bother tying the back of your gown before your colonoscopy.
Whoever invented "twilight" anesthesia is a genius.

Weight Loss Magic

Wanna lose five and a half pounds in twelve hours? Just find out what your gastroenterologist wants you to do to prepare for a colonoscopy. Works like a charm.

On Being Rich

I just finished reading this passage from Psalm 49:

"Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
His glory will not descend after him.
Though while he lives he congratulates himself
-And though men praise you when you do well for yourself-
He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They will never see the light.
Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,
Is like the beasts that perish." (Psalm 49:16-20)

Then I found this article online.

And then I was drawn back to these verses:

"Why should I fear in days of adversity,
When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,
Even those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the abundance of their riches?
No man can by any means redeem his brother
Or give to God a ransom for him
-For the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever-
That he should live on eternally,
That he should not undergo decay." (Psalm 49:5-9)

Truthfully, which appeals more to you; millions of dollars spent on yourself or eternal life spent with God?

AARRRRGH!

Note to self: Make sure you've actually saved those photos to your hard drive before deleting them from your camera.

I just finished another 2 credit course in the School of Hard Knocks.