Hangin' with my Bestie

Laverne and Shirley

A.K.A. Me and my friend, Sister Mary Mediatrix, FSGM

Leah, A.K.A. Sister Mary, is allowed one visit home a year so it's always a special time when we get together. Leah and I have been friends since kindergarten. She is one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. I always imagined that we would be the modern-day Laverne and Shirley but that dream was shattered when she decided to become a Sister. I miss her a lot but I am happy for Leah because she is very happy with her decision. She is a blessing to the religious community. Leah teaches religion to grades 2nd through 5th.

Our "goof off" picture.

Sister Mary and Matthew.

Weekend Fun

Family photo!

Two of my favorite girls!

When one thing breaks, the others fall like dominoes. First, the dishwasher.

Then the garbage disposal. Grandpa's little helpers helped manage the project.

Me thinks that's not the healthiest choice for Maggie. :)

Cute baby Matthew loves his swing.

Do you spot the ice cream nose? We could build an ice cream man.

This morning

This morning, I found out by knocking on a door. There was silence. Even though her name remained outside her door, I learned that one of the friends that I visit had passed. She was in her 90's and had declined physically over the past year, yet her soul was as young as a child at times. I used to bring Holy Communion to her and six other people but now I only have one friend at the retirement home. Very sad.

Birthday Bash!

Elmo observes the party.

We celebrated Liam's 2nd birthday on Saturday. What a crazy, fun time! We had a great time celebrating with family and friends including Liam's birth family. It was wonderful to see him spend so much time with his birth mother and father. They love their boy so much. We are truly blessed to have his birth family in our lives. You can never have too much love in your life.

 What's on this ornery boy's mind?

 Taste testing.

Mmm...good.

Happy Hour

 With this little guy up late sometimes...

these are the only bottles being drunk at our house. :)

Work

Today, we interviewed fire fighters in an effort to obtain a grant for new thermal image cameras. It was very warm in the bay and the added lights made it even more uncomfortable. That shoot consumed most of my morning. In the afternoon, we shot video of a co-worker filling up a kiddie pool with fake pollutants. We are putting together a video reminding folks that when it rains, it drains. Everything that falls off of trucks or that people throw into their yard or streets will eventually end up in the local watersheds. On a side note, my farmer's tan is coming in nicely.

Momma's Babies

 Big Helpers now. This won't be as much fun in ten years.

Beautiful girl posing for the camera.

The Littlest Ones

Mike and Maggie time.

This little hat was the one Matthew wore in the hospital - awe. I'm grateful that Matthew is a healthy, growing boy but the fact that he's already wearing 3 to 6 month clothing makes me want to cry.

Playing Dress-Up

 My good friend Sarah gave us these dress-up outfits for the kids - one is a veterinarian and the other is a doctor. Liam looks like a painter because of the way the hat is sitting on him.

With a smile like that, this little monkey can talk you into anything.

"Don't you trust me?"

Doctor in training.

Office Fun

Warning

Supreme cuteness: couldn't you just stare at this cutie pie all day?