My cup runneth over!! What a wonderful weekend I had. I got to spend time in my yard, planting beautiful flowers that bring me such joy when I look out the window or hang out on the deck. I got to spend some quality time with my husband, learning a little more about his obsession with investing. I got to spend some time with a treasured friend getting some exercise and just being moms with kids. The sun was out both days, lifting my spirit.....spring is so refreshing after a long, dark winter! Life is so good!

God....today was BEAUTIFUL!!! What a wonderful day to be outdoors. I was so happy to have that chance. My good friend and I spent the afternoon with the kids in the grass. They are both "waddlers" and were tipping around the yard picking up rocks, sticks, and dirt. It was so nice to listen to the birds chirping, and the bees buzzing. The warm sun was caressing my back as I watched my son and his friend move about. The flowers are blooming in the yard. They bring me such joy. Ahhhhhh. It was so peaceful. I needed the peace. My mind and soul have been restless these last few days. So many things coming up in the next few weeks....family gatherings, Derick's 1st birthday party, Easter.....it's going to be a busy month. I have to say, I'm a bit anxious about it all. But, just identifying those feelings helps. I told hubby about it too....just in case I pop off or get a little weird on him. I just have to remember that moment of peace, quiet serenity among the flowers, sunshine, and my boy's bright smile.

Snail Trails & Sleep deprivation:
If you ever have worn a black shirt and had a sick kid, then you know about snail trails and lack of sleep! What was I thinking today??? Poor little D is sick, AGAIN! I swear, I have never seen so many colds in one season in this house before! I try so hard to wash hands and keep the house clean. But, we can't live in a damn bubble. So, poor baby woke up Monday night three times, crying and sounding horse. It was such a eerie sound that it kept Jeremy and I up with the worries. But as soon as I would go in and calm him, he was very normal. Took him to the doc Tuesday, all is well....no fluid in the lungs (one of our 3am panics) just a upper respiratory thing. But, man, it's a juicy one! Even with meds, he's snotty all the time. I don't mean to complain, he's the one with the cold. But it's a long day for mommy with a whiny, clingy, sick boy. He did nap, but only if I was holding him. So, I had plenty of time to think.....
Do you ever feel lonely, even when you know you have friends a phone call away? I just couldn't shake this lonely, sad cloud that followed me today. I just felt very isolated....alone. Even though I wasn't....I talked to hubby, my parents, and a good friend. It helped each time, for a little while. But then the feeling of being disconnected returned. I just felt like I was out of place somehow. It was strange.

I have SO much to be grateful for! I have a loving husband who is loyal and true. His clear blue eyes still sparkle and shine in mischief and in love when he looks my way. We continue to get better at being life partners and parents. I am blessed with a beautiful little boy, who's natural curiosity and energy keep me seeing the world new again. I am surrounded by loving, caring friends and family. I enjoy our home and yard and am looking forward to spring....when the earth re-news itself. I think there is magic in those tender leaves pushing through the dark earth...looking for light and air to unfold into. It reminds me that I can be fresh and new too.

Derick took his first few steps today!!!! Hurray for big moments! I can't believe how fast he's growing. Seems like something is new almost every day. Today, he took a couple of steps from me to daddy. It was sweet. And, he's been standing by himself, ALOT. In the tub (scary), at the coffee table, in the kitchen....all over the place. He's so independent already...shooing my hands away when I try to help him with stuff. Our little bub is turning into a little boy before our eyes. Sniff, sniff. And, he's becoming so much fun. I am still waiting for that first real sign.....he's clearly understanding ours...but hasn't returned them just yet. Somehow, he manages to get his point across, though. It's not hard to read his little face. My dreams will be filled with those bright blue eyes tonight.

My Neighbors must think I'm crazy......but the last couple of days, I have been blow drying my hair-outside. I know...silly, but I have been doing it to keep it quiet in the house while Derick sleeps. Sometimes, he's such a light sleeper.... all I do is walk by his door and he wakes up. I miss having beautiful hair! I used to fix it every day. Blow dry it, curl it....and it looks so nice when I do. I know Jeremy likes it...he made a comment the other day about seeing some of the woman he fell in love with again! It made me realize how lazy I have been in the "taking care of Mommy" arena. So, I am trying to step it up and put some effort into my looks on days when I know I'll be out of the house. It makes me feel good about myself, and that in turn helps my inner beauty shine through. Look out world, there's a beautiful mama on the loose!

February, the month of love....at least for me it is. :) It's one of my favorite holidays. I know...a lot of people think it's a hallmark holiday...forced expression of feelings. BUT, I say, why not take a moment and tell those you love, how you feel? It doesn't have to cost a dime, no extravagance needed...just a simple statement. Especially since life keeps moving faster and faster and its hard to stop for the small things. How many times have you thought to yourself....I should call her....I should tell him I'm thinking of him....I wonder how they are? This is the month to do it!!! Spread the love, people. What better way to help us get through the blahs of winter? With a little love! Brilliant!!!

Consider yourself hugged!

Just made some updates to the Website. I have been a bit delinquent lately. I just finished putting Derick to bed. He is such a treasure. I have put him to bed twice in the last week or so, something I haven't done in a while with Jill breastfeeding and all. He is getting more comfortable going to bed now. I can't wait until he is walking. I'm hoping that will be as fun as it sounds.

Happy New Year to all! 2007 is going to be an amazing year for us, I can just feel it. Although, it's starting out kinda slow for me. Derick caught the nasty cold that was going around at Christmas.....and is finally over it. Just when he started to feel better (and the green snot went away) I got the damn thing! What a doosy....knocked me on my ass for a good five days before I started to feel human again. With all this sickness, we've been home ALOT these first couple of weeks of the new year. Not good for a woman who likes to be on the go, seeing people and doing stuff. I am trying to stay positive....the bright sunshine of the last few days helps. It snowed again on the 10th.....and we got another Arctic blast like the November storm......it's been down around 20 degrees at night for the last three nights. The 5 or 6 inches that we got that night have stuck around....that NEVER happens in Seattle. Yet this is the second snow storm of this winter already. Jeremy says it's El-nino. Whatever it is, snow is here to stay. I haven't been driving much in it.....the Van kinda scares me a bit. I'm just not sure of how it will do. But, I gotta get some practice in at some point. Now that Derick and I are feeling better, we went outside to play a bit. I couldn't find the disk that I know we have...it's buried somewhere in the crawl space. So, I improvised with an air mattress. We slipped down our grassy hill in the front yard, heading into the drive way. If Jeremy had been home, we might have gone for the big hill....but that lands us in the road....and I didn't have a car spotter. So, we stuck to the gentle slope. It was enough to satisfy my needs for a little snow play. Derick didn't seem all that impressed, but he was in his "I am absorbing everything right now, so I'm serious" mode, so I can't tell what he thought. All the photos I got of him were pretty serious faces. Too cute! He did enjoy eating the snow....the cold must feel good on his gums. BTW....he's got two teeth showing, finally! They came in together on the 29th of December. Right in the middle of that nasty cold. When it rains, it pours! There's been lots of changes around here....Derick is pulling up on anything that's taller than him (that he can reach!). He's cruising around the coffee table and getting more stable on his feet. He LOVES to be standing. He also started crawling on his knees....and has figured out that it's much faster than scooting on the floor. Raven is appalled at how fast Derick is getting....I keep telling her, she's going to have to learn to find better hiding spots! I am also feeding Derick three times a day now, and trying to make sure he still gets enough milk for his growth. I think things slowed down a bit while he was pushing those teeth through.....but we've noticed the last week or two, clothes are getting tighter and shorter again......it's up, up, and away again.

Well, I better get a few things done before nap time is over. Til next time......

You know, as a mom, I see alot of body fluids. Really, and most of them don't bug me. Spit, slobber, even throw-up....it's just part of having kids. However, I have discovered that I have a serious aversion to snot. The green, gooey, stick to your shirt kind. Derick has a cold, and it's a bad one. He's struggling to breathe while he feeds and I feel so bad. I try to wipe his nose. But, that green goo.....uck! He hates having his nose wiped too...so he whips his head away....and there goes that goo....all across his face! So, then I have to wipe again, and again, and again!!!! Gross! I find myself constantly swallowing for him. Please, make it go away! I think I might puke..............

Someone switched my baby boy out last night! Poor Derick was up half the night...in tears....crying his heart out. That is so hard for us to listen to. And, not typical in recent weeks. Lately he's been such a good sleeper. Going from 7pm to 3 or 4am before waking. Not last night! He was up at 10pm. I let him cry for a while, but it didn't sound right....So I went in. Gave him some teething gel, and tried to rock him asleep. (this had been working!) He was almost asleep....then POP, eyes open and more fit throwing. Sigh. SO, I tried Tylenol next.....that seemed to help again....almost asleep. Then, more tears. By 11, I gave in and nursed him. Finally, he slept. The next round of tears was somewhere around 1am. It didn't last more than 15 mins....so we made it through that one without going in. Then, again at 3am the screaming started. This time, I went straight for the sure bet and nursed him back to sleep. 5am rolled around and Jeremy's alarm went off. Sheesh! What a night. I got a couple more hours of sleep between 5 and 7.....and then Derick woke up. He's not been himself today either. Cried the whole time I was changing him, fused while playing on the floor, and cried while I fed him. (This was kinda cute for a little while, cuz you could tell he wanted to eat, but was upset at the same time.) I felt around on his gums, there could be something poking though, hard to tell just yet. But something is definitely different today!

October has been a roller coaster of a month for this Peery family. We've had some really fun times, some family surgeries, and some really tough moments. And it's all going by in a blur!

Jeremy painted the house this month, and we finally got it "done." The tan is all painted and the white trim is at least sealed with primer. The deck is not done....maybe if it gets warm enough in the next couple of weeks. If not, it'll have to wait until spring. It was a big job, and Jeremy did most of the work. You did awesome, babe.

We had a wonderful vacation to the ocean mid month....we spent four days camping at Cape disappointment State park, just south of Long Beach, WA. It was sunny during the day....and COLD at night. But, we had the tent trailer, which helped keep us warmer. We sure do enjoy the Odyssey van.....great camping/hauling/family vehicle. After the beach, we headed to Rife Lake to visit Lonnie's property. The house is coming along great....it'll be a nice place for Lonnie to putter around in this winter. He sure has a lot of plans. We're looking forward to more visits in the future.

I've been busy helping out the Sommerdorf's recover from major surgery! My mom is healing wonderfully from a double Knee replacement she had in late July. Her mobility continues to increase and she's even kneeling! (Gingerly still....but it's major progress.) This is wonderful news for a woman who loves to garden and help take care of her home. She is pleased! My dad is recovering this fall from two neck surgeries....he had a bulging disk pushing on his spinal cord again. (This is the second time for him) Both surgeries went well, and he is in a neck brace now until just before Christmas. Recovery this time around is slower, but slow and steady is just fine with him. He is at peace as his leg spasms decrease and he walks more fluidly again. We contiue to pray for healing and positive outcomes for them both!

Derick Lee is growing like a WEED! He's making leaps and bounds every day. Today, he sat unassisted for over 10 seconds....and only fell over when reaching for a new toy! I am so excited to watch his development. He's scooting across the floor, and does this really cute low crawl using one elbow and one foot. He can really cover some ground when he wants to! He's been talking more too....making cooing noises and sometimes it even sounds like words. Our challenge lately is night wake ups. I think they are related to teething-but regardless it's tough to sleep when he's awake every two hours. He wants mommy and daddy....and will scream until we come. He's used those pipes so much lately, he sounds horse! We try to stay strong.....it's tough though. My heart breaks listening to him cry that way. I know, this too shall pass. Most of the time, he's a ball to be with and I am SO blessed to have him as a son. My life is wonderful!

I can't believe it's October already!!! This month always sneaks up on me. Happy Birthday to my sweetie tomorrow.....I am so lucky to be loved by you.

We are making slow progress on the house. As of tonight, all the rotten cedar boards are replaced, the water damage in the back is repaired, and it's been scraped and sanded. Jeremy took some days off work this week to try and finish it up....we'll see if the weather lets us. Lonnie brought up the industrial power sprayer today, so hopefully we can make quick work of it this week. I know getting this done will take a load off Jeremy's shoulders.

Derick seems to be growing every day. He has mastered rolling over, both directions. He can spin in a 360 degree circle on his blanket and consistently rolls off the carpet to investigate new and wonderful things. Today, I had to run upstairs to grab something and came back to find him chewing on daddy's laptop strap....several feet away from where I had left him. Look out world, Derick's on the MOVE. He even is starting to scoot with his knees coming up off the carpet. He's very close to crawling. Looks like it's time to get those baby gates!

I think we will be seeing some teeth soon....he can't get enough of chewing. Fingers, toys, water bottles....whatever is in his reach, goes into that mouth to be chewed! It's pretty cute...but you really have to watch what's nearby now. He's quick!

We have started solid foods too. Derick had his first taste of rice cereal mixed with brest milk last Sunday, September 24th. He took to it very fast...I feel like we didn't really have to practice much with the spoon. Guess he's been watching Jeremy and I enough to know what to do. We fed him at Nonna and Pappa's house Tuesday and they got some cute video and photos. I'll post the pics as soon as I can. I am looking forward to introducing more foods....but we're taking it slow, watching for allergic reactions like good parents. :) I love to watch him eat....get messy...it's fun until you have to clean up! We really do have a little boy now....he's growing up before our eyes!

We have a sick baby....Derick came down with his second cold last night. Poor thing....I think he caught it from one of the play groups that I went to on Thursday. He was interacting with this little girl that had a runny nose....I was doing my best to keep him from touching her, but I must have missed it cuz he woke up at 9:15 last night super snotty. He was pretty upset, which of course, made it worse. I gave him some tylenol cold and did my best to comfort him. He calmed down after coughing up what he had stuck in his throat. I won't go into detail....but it was gross. Just when I think I've seen the worst of body fluids....I get re-educated by my son. He crashed out on my chest, being upright helped alot. So, Jeremy and I finished our program on tv and then bedded down with Derick, sleeping in his car seat in our room. Derick slept until 3am-when he needed more meds and a feeding. The car seat worked pretty well-keeping him inclined for drainage, until about 5am. I woke up to the sound of my wooden stairs banging next to the bed. I looked over the edge....there was Derick, on the floor, kicking my stairs! He had slipped out of the car seat. Sheesh...that was a shock for a bleary eyed mommy. I picked him up and rocked him back to sleep. But we were awakened again at 7:15 to the sounds of Derick slipping out of the car seat again. This time, I saw it happen....not hard on him at all since the seat rocks. He just arched his back enough to get the seat to rock, touched his feet down and scooted right out. Stinker. We brought him into our bed, but it was wake up time for him, so we all got up-Jeremy and I having about 5 to 6 hours of sleep in total. He's napping now....another dose of meds and some milk took him right out. Jeremy helped me rig up the changing table pad in the crib, so he's got a better place to sleep than the car seat. And safer too!

Well, Jeremy is out working on the house-I better wrap up and get some stuff done before the babe awakes. Go Seahawks!

...Ya, there is no way the house will be painted this weekend. Homey Depot didn't even have the paint I wanted and even if they did, I would have had to wait an hour until they mixed it. I will be there bright and early in the morning so I can get my order in. I am in the scraping and sanding phase now so it may be a few weeks before I get to paint; that's fine with me since it needs to be cooler to paint anyway.

It looks like the alternator in my pick-up is dead again. I replaced it a few years ago, but it looks like it may have died again. It doesn't seem to be charging. I have charged the battery but when I go to try to start it, it's dead. I'm wondering if there is something draining the battery. I hardly drive it anymore so I don't know what it could be.

I got a nice financial windfall this week. A few weeks ago, I discovered that the USPS has an agreement with University of Phoenix where I got my degree. UoP will reimburse me for one class ($1080) because I am a USPS employee. I got the check at the beginning of the week and promptly paid of my Buell and had a few hundred dollars extra left over (which after drinks last night, a part for the Buell, and paint supplies, is pretty much gone). That helps a lot; it will add about 120, much needed, dollars per month to our budget. I told Jill that it was a reward for treating our money with respect and learning new ways to save and invest (we opened a Money Market account with Capital One Bank so our savings would grow faster). I recently finished Suze Orman's new book 9 Steps To Financial Freedom; I highly recommend it.

Well, that's about all there is for now.

We went on a date last night.....our first time away from Derick since he was 2 months old. Becki and Rachel watched him for us last night. It was Jodi's 30th birthday and we met all her friends and family at the bar Sport, in Fisher Plaza. Jeremy and I had a good time mingling with the peeps. Jodi was the star of the show....and handled it well. She's a great sis! I had a couple of drinks-boy, am I a cheap date! It felt good to get dressed up (I have to say, I was looking good) and be with adults for a few hours. I missed my little punkin, but I enjoyed the time apart too. He did pretty good with the girls, went to bed on time, but woke at 10:30 and wouldn't go back to sleep. So, we took him home at 12 and he conked out. Then, we hit the sack too. The end of September brings our three year wedding anniversary. (Can you believe it's gone so quickly?) We'll have to plan a date sometime around then too. It's good for the marriage. :)

Derick is 4 and a half months old now......and such a doll. He's continuing to learn how to voice his feelings with grunts and squeals. Mommy doesn't like the squeals so much-hope he grows out of that when the words come. He's so ready to be under his own steam and moving around himself. I am challenged some days at keeping him busy and occupied.....he goes through toys and "fun stations" so quickly. I just keep trying new stuff....Rotating the toys and getting out of the house as much as I can around his nap schedules. He is starting to show a little routine now....which I enjoy. 9:30 seems to be the am nap time, and the afternoon nap comes anytime between 12:00 and 1-depending on how long the am nap is. (Blah, Blah, Blah....am I boring you yet?)

Anyway, all this to say, Derick is the light of my life-next to my lover and friend-Jeremy. I am so blessed!

...started blasting all the peeling paint off the south side of the house yesterday, a project I have been procrastinating for a while. With the summer being so busy, its been hard to get started; now I am committed because it looks like doodoo. Now I need to determine what the next step in the prep is. I am hoping to get it painted next weekend; we'll see.

I am noticing that the web log phenomenon is developing into quite the avenue for self expression. People who are otherwise somewhat reserved and personal are becoming very open and expressive in their blogs; something I question. Is making your innermost thoughts public domain really a good idea? Everyone from pimply teenagers to 20 somethings trying to find themselves to politicians trying to spin their life's mistakes are finding that sharing in this medium is a path to enlightenment, or at least getitofmychestenment. I guess if it allows someone to let go of the burgeoning thoughts that fill their head its ok. Besides, most of the stream of consciousness blogs are so cryptic as to be interpretable in a myriad of ways. Just remember, anyone who wants to can read those thoughts, even if we have to guess at what they mean.

Derick's 4 month old doctor apt was today. We had all good news. Doc said he's doing very well and she was impressed with his physical strength and alertness. She said he's seems pretty active and we have to agree. He's a mover and a shaker alright. Derick weighed in at 15 lbs, 1 oz and is now 26 inches tall. That puts him in the 69% for his weight and 90% for his height. Doc said that he is right on track for his sleeping and eating habits. After all that good news, we had the dreaded shots. Mommy and Daddy forgot the Tylenol this time, and Derick let us know about it. Lots of tears that wouldn't stop until we left the examining room. That is so tough on us. But we know it's for the best, so we hung in there and our sweet boy crashed out on the ride home for a much needed rest.

He sure is becoming more comfortable rolling. I think it happens so easily now, sometimes he doesn't really mean it. He is rolling from his back to his front-on both sides. But he still gets stuck on his tummy and gets fussy when he's been there too long. We are trying to encourage him to learn to roll back onto his back. But, he has yet to master this move. When he does....look out world!

We attend two family weddings this weekend and a birthday party for a friend. A good time was had at all the events. And, Derick was quiet for both weddings. (With a little of Mommy's help)

Other family news-my mom is recovering beautifully from her double knee surgery. She's almost to the 4 week mark and walks well with a cane. She's had such a positive attitude, believing in herself and her healing the whole way. My Dad is preparing for another surgery on his neck. He's got a bulging disk that is pressing on his spinal cord and it's creating increased leg spasms and some pain this time around. We are praying for a fast recovery for him as well. September 21st is his scheduled surgery date.

My sister is going to celebrate her 30th birthday Friday, September 1st. I can't wait to put one down with her. Jeremy and I are going to get a sitter and actually go out! I am really looking forward to a date with my man. Still a little nervous about leaving D, but I know it's good for us to do.

Well, that's all for now. Hugs to everyone!

Ahhhh, we are home, unpacked, showered and Derick is asleep. Our annual Waggoner/Peery family camp-out was a success! Jeremy, Derick, and I had a wonderful time in Westport, WA. We stayed at a very nice RV park that had tent sites too (American Sunset RV). The tent sites were very nice....Spacious and surrounded by trees. We had one of the best fire pits in the camp and we were close to the bathrooms and the play area. Jeremy will tell you more about this, but the Honda towed the tent trailer very well and I was glad we had it along with us. It made camping with a 4 month old much easier. We weren't changing diapers/clothes on our knees all weekend and we had a little more protection from the cold nights. And they were cold! I came prepared this time, and brought some great warm sleepers for Derick. The only bummer about this RV park is that it's not situated right on the ocean. We have to drive.....but it's a small thing and not very far, all other things considered. I think the family got spoiled at the old location, Ocean Gate. That property was sold and is being developed with condos now. We have decided to keep the camp out on the second weekend of August every year, and we'll be heading back to American Sunset RV Park until we decide to change it. I think this is a good idea, so that everyone knows what, when, and where the camp out will be.

Derick was such an awesome camper! Both Jeremy and I were so pleased. He slept well in the trailer, going to bed at his usual time (8pm) every night and only waking once, all three nights, at 3am. He did pretty good on the naps too....I think the dark curtains helped. I might be putting some dark shades in his bedroom to see if that helps with naps here at home. Jeremy and I tried out this back pack/stroller thing that Brian and Senta gave us. We LOVED it. Worked well for walking around town and for holding Derick while we cooked and ate dinner. Derick got his first taste of the ocean....we dipped his toes in the cold water and warm sand. We think he liked it.....he had that concentration face on most of the time we were out there. In town, we purchased his first kite and flew it for a little while today before leaving. He's a little young yet, but I could see into the future and he'll be running down that beach with the string gripped tight in his little hands! Jordan, Jewel, and Francis sure enjoyed the beach and the pool at the camp ground. It was fun to watch them interact with Derick. Next year, he'll be chasing after them on his own steam!

Jeremy and I had some great evening conversations around the fire with the clan. The Peery's sure do tell some good stories. I haven't laughed that much in some time. It was great to be with family that we don't get to see often. All of Jeremy's immediate family was present, except for Joe who is preparing to move to Arizona soon.

A great time was had by all. We look forward to next year already!

I currently have the settings configured so that anyone can comment on our blogs so I'm not sure why some of you cannot make comments.

Anyway, I am in Dallas since yesterday, and 'til tomorrow, getting training on some upgrades that USPS is doing; I may have to go to Alaska in the winter. It doesn't look like Jill has had time to post any blogs in the last few days probably because she is pretty busy.

I found a new Web Design tool from Microsoft that I will be using to build the Website from now on (thanks Brian Kunz). It is also free but works as well as a 'for sale' version (the free version I was using, makes the typing so slow its nearly unbearable, but its free); I will probably be removing their logo from the site. It may also allow me to build some things with the Website that I cannot do now. I will also continue to change the look of the site until I get it to look like the blogger page. That will give the site a professional look and be a learning experience for me; what a cool hobby web design is.

By the way, If you have not seen the other two Featured Websites linked from the home page, please check them out. I have a link to Josh Peery's new Auto Transport Website and Jake Peery's First Aid Training Website. If you have a need for any of these services, just go to their respective site.

I'm sure Derick is just doing great today and mostly becuase Jill is doing a great job at home taking care of him. Jill, just remember that it will not always be this hard and all the work you put in now will come back to us someday. He gets cuter everyday and we think he is on the verge of laughing. That will be cool. He is consitently sleeping through the night in his own room now, albeit in the bassinet. We will transition him into the crib eventually. The only reason for moving him now was to establish a nap routine so Jill could get some personal time during the day. I am more involved now in the evening so that is helping. Jill is filling a bottle for me in the morning that I feed to Derick after I get home from work. That gives me some quality time with him and Jill a little 'separate time'. Something that every 'at home mom' needs.

I am excited about the family campout. Jill and I spent some time getting the tent trailer cleaned up last weekend (we still have to put it back together) so that it will be comfortable. Its not a gem but it will be nice to have hard sides with Derick in the equation. The verdict is still out on how well our minivan will tow it but it should be fine. The older I get, the less of a hurry I seem to be in, so if we go slow, oh well. I installed the new hitch last weekend. It bolted right up; I just had to drill one hole. I purchase the hitch from U-Haul; it was the best value for the price. I still need to install the trailer wiring but that shouldn't be too difficult. We will be pretty loaded down so well see how it goes. What a lot of work for one weekend vacation but the investment will pay of in the long run and I got to tinker with new things.

Jill's mom is recovering nicely from getting a dual knee replacement surgury; she is pretty brave. We will be helping the Sommerdorfs out for the next few weeks while she gets back to 110%.

Does everyone know that Rachel and Becki have their own apartment now with the girls. I haven't been there yet but they are only down the street. Josh and Joey of all people helped them move in; well, and Lonnie helped too. I think they will enjoy being on their own; its time.

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