New Pictures from Haiti

Katiana in July.


This photo was from a friend who went in July.



Katiana's official update photo.


Islande's official update photo and grades. I thought she was in 2nd grade, but apparently not. But she's doing well and she's learning English. I believe Katiana is doing kindergarten work now. I haven't received height/weight updates (or anything official) in quite a while.

Updated 8/09
Grades for Islande – 1st grade
Math 99%
English 100%
Social Studies 100%
Science 100%
Word Building 98%
30 Paces completed
99% Overall grade

Charis' "Private Class" at The Little Gym

Charis started her new semester at The Little Gym yesterday. The teacher, Melanie, had called to say that no one else had signed up for the class, but because of Charis' school schedule, she can't do the alternative time. Mel was teaching all day anyway, so she held a class just for Charis, and she LOVED it. She made more strides yesterday than she has in most of summer semester.

Including a pullover, which she has been terrified to do:

Mel was so happy she was nearly in tears!

She also did a pike and a straddled pike on the rings (I can't believe her stomach muscles!)

And hung upside down (with Mel's help). But most of yesterday was, "I want to do it myself!"

She did a forward roll on the beam (she only allowed Miss Mel's help if Miss Mell closed her eyes).

She also did quite a few things on the spring board, including a dive forward roll.

At the end of class, she got to play with (and eat) bubbles (they're sugar).

Mel and I both were so proud of Charis and all she accomplished yesterday! It was amazing to see what my little girl can do when she's not afraid. Let that be a lesson for all of us.

Kansas Highlights

Here are some highlights of our trip to Fredonia, Kansas, where my mom's sister and her family live.

When people think of Kansas, what comes to mind usually is: flat, endless fields of wheat or corn, and boring. But that's Western Kansas. Fredonia is in the southeastern corner -- it's lush, hilly, humid and beautiful. It would be a great place to live (except there aren't any jobs -- all of my cousins' kids have had to go to the big cities for work).

I think it was our second day that we went fishing at my cousin's pond.


Mark looks like he could get used to this.


Mark helping Charis fish.


My sister Rebecca and her hubby Rick.


My youngest niece, Rachel.


My middle niece, Sarah.


My oldest niece, Samantha, and newest addition, Shelley, who is married to my cousin Bruce.

My cousin Bruce helping Charis with her first fish as Mark tries to get out of the shot (too bad). Watch the YouTube video of the aftermath (be sure to turn off my music at the bottom of the blog).

Mid-fishing popsicle (my cousin Kris' husband Roger is in the background).

Mark catching a channel cat. We had moved locations on Bruce's pond. Bruce put a shrimp on the pole, casted it, handed to Mark and the fish was already on the line!

Bruce and Rebecca (puckering up for her catch). I didn't catch anything.

I think these are out of order. This may have been our first day. We went to the newly built villa of my cousin Kris and her husband Roger (they recently went to Italy and were inspired).

The girls made crafts with dominoes.


My mom (in green shirt) helps Sam, cousin Kris helps Rachel, and cousin Shelley helps Charis.

Family photo! We had all been together one time since we moved, but we didn't get a photo then. This was in my aunt's back yard. Sarah wouldn't smile since she couldn't wear her hat.

My mom and my Aunt Barbara.

My mom's cousin Michael, Aunt Barbara, my mom, and her cousin Rocky at the family reunion at my cousin Steve's farm.

My dad making burgers with good Kansas beef!

Rachel and Rick in the gator. We had that and four quads we road out through the pastures to the river.


The clan. Some were missing, but we had family here from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, California, and Colorado!

Lots of time was spent in the pool!

It wouldn't be a redneck reunion without a potato gun! See video below.

My Baby Starts School

Charis started school Thursday. She has been so excited about it.


She looks so big.


Charis and her friend JJ, who is now in 1st grade.


Charis in her classroom as kids and parents come in. She is in half-day kindergarten.


Charis and mommy in her brand new classroom at her brand new school. As friend Cory would say, "Isn't it nice to be somewhere without someone else's science all over it?"


I was fine until the teacher started reading "The Kissing Hand." Then I lost it (along with other moms -- I'm glad I wasn't the only one).

Charis had a good day. She didn't want to talk about it when I first picked her up (she didn't even want to go to Chick-fil-A for lunch). I think she was really tired, but not tired enough to take a nap.

She wasn't so enthusiastic about school this morning. But we aren't morning people. It's going to take us a while to get used to this.

My Family's One Day in My Town

My family spent only one day in my area, so we headed up the mountain to Woodland Park to the Dinosaur Resource Center.

Nieces Sarah, Sam and Rachel with Charis and a toothy friend.

Sarah, Sam, Charis and Rachel with the megaladon jaw.

After the Dinosaur Resource Center, we headed back down the mountain to Garden of the Gods in Manitou Springs.

Charis, Samantha, Sarah and Rachel at the Balanced Rock Cafe at Garden of the Gods.

We bought buckets of rough for the girls to "mine" at the Balanced Rock Cafe at Garden of the Gods.

Rebecca (my sister) and Samantha going through her rough.

Sarah finds an arrowhead.

Papa (my dad) helping Charis mine her rough.

Rachel mining her rough.

Uncle Rick helping Charis with her treasures.

Sarah, Sam, Rachel and Charis at Balanced Rock at Garden of the Gods.

Sam turned 13 a couple weeks ago, so I whipped up a quick cake after our sightseeing. The frosting is completely white, because Rachel is allergic to food coloring. But I did decorate white-on-white with some chocolate candy melt decorations.