Week One

I can't believe that we've already been in Queen Creek for a week! It has been so amazing to see my family again- especially knowing that it's not the last time that I'll see them for two years; that I have a month or two to see them on a regular basis. It's so neat to have my kids get to know their aunts and uncles and cousins- people I talk about but before this trip didn't make a connection with. Makes me really wish that we could live closer to them.

The other highlight for the girls are the kittens and the chickens. Our nextdoor neighbors (and longtime friends) have two chicken coops and a family of cats. Every day we make at least trip to the neighbors backyard to see them all. There are two kittens- the two older girls have each claimed a kitten as their own. They name them (daily) and treat them like their own personal baby dolls. The kittens allow them to carry them around the yard, put them "to bed," kiss and hug them, etc. I am amazed that the kittens have not clawed one of them yet. They keep asking to take them home with us, but we're not ready for kitties yet.

The girls are now starting to really miss their daddy. Liliana often asks when we're going on an airplane to go see daddy. Technology is such a blessing, though. We talk to Kalon on Skype almost every night. Each girl gets about 10 minutes on the computer to talk to him and they all love it. As soon as Moira sits down she starts blowing him kisses and playing peekaboo. Liliana tries to tickle him and poke his belly. Grace tells him all about her day and her opinions about the events. It's neat to see all the different levels, but how they all get something out of it.

I spend my time being a mom (can't get away from that one) and helping mom pack up her house. We have decided that Mom will move out to Virginia to live with us this fall. She can no longer work (she can't stand for long periods of time- for example, she needs to use the motorized carts at the grocery store) and she needs someone to be home with her during the day to help with doctors appointments, etc. I am thrilled to be able to do this for her. She has one more appointment before we can be sure that the hormone treatment is working, and after that we will set some moving dates. So far she is feeling better and has more energy, even though she still has pain from her tumors. Thank you for all your prayers, which I know have sustained her through this time.