Longing to go back here….

Lake Powell. Oh how I miss you.

My First Business Card

Sooooo many things about this make me laugh. The size of the camera in my hands is just the first thing that comes to mind. (and I used to think it was heavy? bahahahahahahaha). No email address, no website, no blog. Wow things were more simple then. This picture was taken in October 2005. At least it’s not so humiliating that I can’t share it. In fact there are a few things I LOVE about this picture.. the size of my thighs, remembering that my shirt tag had a “M” on it (for medium), the family that I was photographing that day. My nostalgia always comes to the surface during this time of year. Thanks for sharing my musings.

A Bittersweet Ending

Yesterday was our last day with “Bob” so we took him to see the Great Salt Lake.

That fact that it was raining outside kinda matched our mood. A little sad.

 

 

 

On the way home I saw this graffitied old train and building. You know what happens next… PHOTO SHOOT!!

What a sweet kid, it’s amazing how attached we became in just 1 week together.

 

Lincoln, James, Kali, Daniel, Kyle, Bob, Kira, Allyssa

Bob and his biggest Utah fans

This building is sooo cool, I’m sure I will use it again

 

Kyle already requested that he wants his 14 yr old pictures taken here.

This was the note we found on Kyle’s bed this morning after we had said farewell to Bob. Kyle noticed the tear in my eye as he watched me read it and said “I know just how you feel “.

3 out of 4

I guess to be cool at my house these days you must have braces. Trends change rapidly around here though because next month 2 kids “should” be getting them taken off. Congrats to Kira for joining the ranks. ( or should I say condolences)

By the time we are finished with Dana Orthodontics we will have been to over 7 years worth of appointments and given them over $10,950 (including what the insurance covered)

close up

profile… yes this will actually change quite a bit in the next 24 months. I took before and after pics with Kali and was very surprised at just how much

Still smiling because she has no idea of the pain she will endure over the next few days.

I tried to take a picture of her new bejeweled smile this morning but the pain has now kicked in and she would have nothing to do with it. Poor Kira!!!!

NI HAO !

(Pronounced nee how) Why am I saying hello to everyone in Chinese this morning? Well it’s in honor of our exchange student that is staying with us for a week.

He was so tired last night when they got in that I didn’t even take a picture. Today he gets to got to class all day with Kyle.

Let me officially introduce Fan Jiahao  …. pronounced “Bob” since none of us can get it right. He really did tell us to call him that.

This was a gift he brought to our family. He said all the homes in China have one for good luck. He also brought miniature ones for the kids. Kali hung hers up on the rearview mirror of her car. Even though she is a very good driver, I’m sure some good luck couldn’t hurt.

These are some more gifts he brought. Mostly memorabilia from the Olymics. I can’t wait to get to know him.

Feelin’ a little crafty

I can not remember the last time I went into a craft store. It’s not that I am opposed to them in any way, just that I haven’t had the time. So I still can’t explain how I ended up in a Roberts Craft last week? Or exactly what possessed me to purchase supplies to produce multiple projects? (maybe it was the incredibly high prices to buy things that are already finished?) Anyway I spent the better part of Saturday cutting, sanding and painting and really enjoyed it.  I even painted 7 picture frames for the girls room that I had been avoiding. Here are the fruits of my efforts.

Ok who cares if these are napkin holders and I don’t even own any cloth napkins. They are cute right? Of course I bought 6 of them, and I did use 1 of them for my blocks.

Yep I bought the sweetheart thing too. But it was my inspiration, I had too.

Ok I’ve had this for years, but it totally goes with this post.

The first letter is obviously an i right… come on Anthony why would I paint the name “Lou” on blocks anyway?

Your right I didn’t make these either, but aren’t they cute?

I picked this up in Germany last year and since I like it soo much I decided to share it with you too.

And lastly Kali finally brought my Christmas present home from school yesterday. So here is a picture of that too.

For Tori… one of my best fans

Here is a post just for you.

Remember this trip to Zurich, almost exactly 3 years ago?

This shop was dripping with stuff for Valentines day.

The gold man in the park that did tricks for you.

The train station.

The shop with the BEST chocolate I have ever had!!! They make it fresh every day and just break pieces off when you order.

 

Having fun with Tante Meike.

The beautiful Swiss Alps.

The monastery in Engelberg.

Watching them make cheese.

I love it when you always beg me to take pictures of you! My beautiful niece. We need to make sure we get a really cute one of the 2 of us next time.

I can’t wait to come and see you again next month! Where shall we go this time?

361 days and counting

This Friday it will be exactly 1 year since Kira was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. What a long, strange trip its been. The things that I once thought were really hard are not nearly as difficult and some of the stuff that came so easily is now giving us nothing but grief. The only constant is that it will always be changing. At least for the next 7 years or so. Wow do I sound vague. I was trying to avoid the humdrum details. Rereading what I have written just makes me sound ridiculous. Oh well, I know what I mean. Anyway what I really am wondering is if we should celebrate the 1 year mark in some way? A party with friends over…  Kira’s queen for the day… a pajama and sappy movie day… do something entirely different… go back to Primary Childrens Hospital and visit any kids there that are newly diagnosed… ??? It was such a life changing event for all of us that it seems like we need to give it some recognition. I would LOVE to hear some of your ideas.

And here are a few pictures that I didn’t have the courage to share back then.

This is the nurse in the ICU showing her the syringe that would administer her 1st shot.

This is my brave girl breathing through it.

This is Kira showing me that she is going to be just fine.