Kylee is certainly the bravest 3 year old I know! Yesterday at church she fell and hit her chin as she was playing on the teeter-totter. Her chin hit a completely flat surface and yet she ended up with a wound that was nearly two inches long and approximately a quarter of an inch wide (unless she stretched her neck, in which case it go considerably wider). We spent 5 hours in the ER and she ended up with a bunch of internal stitches and 9 on the outside. She was very brave and we certainly felt the prayers of many. I prayed for a doctor that would be good with Kylee and that prayer was answered. He was a funny man who was very gentle and very reassuring. As he came in the room to do the stitches Kylee looked at him and said, "Sometimes I go to the dinosaur doctor." Of course I knew immediately that she was referring to a room at Northwest Pediatrics that is decorated with dinosaur but the Doctor thought she was referring to his age. Though Kylee did not like the numbing shots (it was AWFUL) while she was getting the stitches she was completely relaxed and even had her eyes closed, it was amazing and clearly the hand of God in answer to our prayers. As the doctor was finishing up the stitches he hit a spot that was resistant to the anesthetic and she was in quite a bit of pain but at least it was the end! We are amazed at how resiliant she is and how brave she is. We have to say though, that we figured Jude would be the first in our family to get stitches!
Here is a shot of Jude that I couldn't pass up posting! He has been enthralled with his HAT. I was trying to tell him that it was called a helmet but he wouldn't have it. He was adamant that it is a hat. Who am I to argue?
It amazes me how quickly I can lose sight of the fact that these little ones of mine, that I love so dearly, will all to soon be out on their own. All too soon they won't need me to kiss their owies. They won't want extra snuggles. They won't want me to read them books. Soon there will no longer be a never ending mountain of laundry...or a sink that is constantly full of dishes...or their toys strewn about the house...all too soon.
These two girls are so precious. It is so much fun to watch the two of them together. (I think Caitlyn's mommy would agree). When I look at this picture it reminds me of the faithfulness of God. Friendship is such a gift and I am so thankful for the friends God has given us to walk with. My prayer for Kylee, for Caitlyn, is that they will learn to treasure one another as well as the others God brings into their lives.
Introducing our little Monkey and the Pricess Belle! The kids thought the steam train was fantastic! Jude was especially enthralled with the "Choo Choo!" It was fun to dress the kids up and Kylee and Jude LOVED the loud whistle and moving down the tracks! It was a beautiful day and we had fun playing with cousins Clara and Jacob and Auntie Manda and hanging out with the Great Aunties and Aarron!
I am sure every mother hopes that her children will grow to be lifelong friends...
As I sat in the car today with Kylee and Jude the rain made beautiful music all around us. Rain. 
We cherish the memories of this wonderful man. We celebrate his life and what he meant to all of us. It is impossible to put it all into words especially now, when the grief and sorrow that we feel is so heavy, but the legacy he has left is an incredible blessing and we will miss him deeply.
Kylee attended her very first dance class! The Mama's didn't get to watch the first class which was so sad but Kylee felt like such a big girl. In the picture you see her with two of her sweet little girlfriends, Caitlyn on the right and Maggie on the left. Aren't they simply adorable? The season will end with a recital in June so plan to come and watch them perform! 
We have been having so much fun this summer...playing in sprinklers and kiddie pools, the sandbox, the dirt, and the rocks. Outdoors is definately Jude's favorite place to be...soaking up the sunshine!
Kylee is 3! She is an amazing little girl. In this picture you will see that she is developing some awesome artistic abilities. This is one family portrait I should get framed! 6 short months ago this little girl wouldn't draw a smiley face because she was afraid she wouldn't get the eyes, nose and mouth in the right place. My little perfectionist has found pleasure in just going for it! Hooray!
To run carefree through a field with the warm sunshine pouring down on you...or to watch your precious children run through a field without a care...there is nothing like it. I was reminded that though we have days of sorrow and pain or even just medicority, we can choose the joy we know so clearly as the sunshine splashes around us to get us through to the next field of flowers and sunshine.
I wonder if Jude will end up being a bit claustrophobic? Kylee tends to hold on pretty tight and most of the time, like the picture, he just rolls with it. We spent an awesome day at the zoo...it was a gorgeous day! We lathered the kids up with sunscreen and donned their hats and set off to see the sites. They were thoroughly entertained by the animals and people alike. We stopped by to see a bunch a baby turtles that were getting ready for transport to various ponds in the zoo. Their transportation was a bucket and when Kylee saw them in the bucket she asked, "Are they cooking them?" Hmmmm...isn't that what the zoos are all about?
I like getting messy...but this stuff sure doesn't taste very good! Look out Picasso! Jude just might give you a run for your money!
We had so much fun at Burfoot park in the sun! Yes the sun! We had a picnic and we played in the sand and rocks, a favorite past time for both Kylee and Jude. We threw sticks for Titus who loves the water and we found a lot of shells. Kylee was particularly fond of the shells with barnacles and the little babies that live inside of them. It was such a wonderful way to spend a Saturday! Bring on the sun! We are all ready for more days like this.
And the potty training commences! Just had to show off this little guy in his tighty whities! Isn't he just the cutest little boy! It is hard to believe he is already 14 months old! He is using a lot of signs now...suddenly the light came on! Please, more, thank you, all done, cracker, eat...as you can see they are all centered around food! :) And I have to say that using sign language really cuts down on the frustration and fits that follow that frustration when he can't communicate what he wants! He still says uh as he uses his "words" but I will take it!!
When I was up at UW I lived with some amazing girls in an awesome community. We were required to participate in small groups. This group consisted of a mentor from the community and a mixture of girls from the other houses. The group I was in my senior year was particularly wonderful. We still get together...not as often as we would like but we take what we can get.We finally managed to get Kylee on video reciting the Pledge of Allegiance! Enjoy!!
Titus is doing well...we have had some challenges but he is making great strides at becoming the dog we were dreaming of. He is a beautiful dog, very sweet and gentle (most of the time). He is doing really well with Kylee and Jude and they both adore him and that is really fun. He is still learning and so are we! I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into...I feel like I have three children and Titus is a bigger handful than Kylee and Jude put together most days. Ahhh but I wouldn't trade him.
