Ian Tyler born March 13, 2005

Happy 4th Birthday SuperIan!

My little boy. I can't believe how much you know now. You are so smart. I can't say you've grown by leaps and bounds, but you are getting so big in heart. Your smile still melts my heart and your giggle can brighten the grayest of days. I love you my little boy! You are my darling!

CAN"T WAIT

Looks like we are in the home stretch. We'll be leaving tomorrow after we pick Billy up from school. We'll be in the car a seriously long time - around 24 hours, but I'm sure it will be worth it. We're cleaning house... still... and hopefully will leave it super clean; so that coming home won't seem so sad. We'll be back soon with lots of pictures. I have been waiting for ages- it seems- to treat my family to Disney. See you soon! And if you're my FL family- see you sooner!

The Kitchen Counter

Have you ever noticed how the kitchen counter is like a magnet? Truly. Kids' school projects end up there. Glue, tape and syrup- anything unbelievably sticky. Dirty dishes never seems to miss it- they can't seem to make it to the sink. Milk gets left on it- juice too. Receipts never fail to get lost there. I joke with Carl constantly about needing to find my counter. Foil and saran wrap never return to their drawer once they've hit the counter. Left over dishes, open peanut butter jars, the tape measure you can never find (and bobby pins?). I even found a half-used roll of toilet paper- set aside for nose blowing up there. Now you know why I have to clean my kitchen before making cakes.
Don't get me started on the top of the piano.
See Jodi- I'm normal- perhaps I'm even on the messier end of normal. No pics for proof, because lately I can't seem to download them to the computer, but I certify that this is all true.

The Swimsuit

Look at that face! So cute!
Please?

Love it or Hate it? Tell me now!

I bought Carley a swimsuit a few days ago and in the store Carl and his sister told me it was awful. I love it. I bought it anyway. Now, I'm starting to consider returning it. I don't want her to look back at pictures and be disgusted with me! Girls I asked between 18 and 24 liked it. No one else does. What do you say, return it or wear it with pride? Let me know soon. I have to make this decision by Mondayish, as we leave Friday afternoon. Please be honest!

CAKE, CAKE, CAKE

Today on the way to Cedar Rapids for a housewarming party for Great Aunt Linda, I decorated a cute little house cake. Unfortunately I forgot my camera. You would not believe the bumps and wiggles our van experienced on the drive. That cake was so funny. Oh well, I guess I can't share it with you.

Here's a pic of the lighthouse and Boy Scout (shirt pocket with patches) cakes I've recently completed. Next week I'm planning on a princess cake and a Diego cake. Then, it's off to Disney World for a much needed and CAKE-FREE vacation.

THIS HOUSE... urgh

Looks like we're moving rooms around... again. We are going to accept a placement and create a boys room and a girls room. Our room will move up front. I like the idea of the new layout. And maybe it will make this place feel more like home. I have had some trouble feeling at home here. It's just more cramped than our last place. We're working on it. Just the change to curtains from blinds is going to make a big difference to me. Maybe I'll even get to paint the kitchen. As for that bathroom, I don't think there's any help for it. I'll try to add a pic of it soon so that you can sympathize. It's really the worst. If you know of any show trying to find the worst bathroom- in the way of function, ugliness or whatever, I'm sure ours could be a major contender. Let me know!

Respite

We had our first respite this weekend. Respite is babysitting for foster parents. From Friday afternoon 'til Sunday afternoon we had an extra (a 6 year old girl) and it was pretty fun. There were, of course, a few frustrations, but it wasn't too bad. If you see us with an extra from time to time, think nothing of it. We're just helping out. We are considering a placement also, so please be patient with us if we're not good at answering or returning phone calls. Hopefully, life will fall into place and things will return to normal soon. Thanks for your support!