Sundi

The words to the hymn "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good" keeps popping into my head lately. Actually, just that line does because I do not have the rest of the song memorized. But that phrase and the idea that each life that touches us for good is a blessing and a strength and a reflection of christ and His love for us keeps coming to my mind. 

We have been blessed with some pretty wonderful people in our lives here in Washington. I could make a looong list of the amazing people that have inspired me, taught me, and strengthened me. Maybe I'll write that list in my personal journal. Because I would forget someone if I tried to do it in a post. Or maybe it would be weird because some people I would mention are people I've hardly ever spoken to, but their example or their words have made a big impact on me. Does that happen to you, too? Small things or moments make a lasting impression. But I can't be seen as distant, secret admirer. and then go public with it. That would be weird. So I'll move on now to my point. Because Sundi knows how much I love her.

Sundi was an absolute answer to our prayers when we got Layla and Perry and I was working part time. She came to my house and cared for my children with such love. And she did my dishes and cleaned my kitchen! And when I didn't need her to watch them while I taught preschool anymore, she volunteered to watch Layla once a week while I took Perry to therapy. See, she is wonderful! And I didn't even mention that she showered my children with gifts and candy on birthdays, after broken legs and smashed fingers, and just because. And she let us park our trailer on her property until we sold it. I have loved talking with her over the years and I have appreciated her counsel and our friendship.

And then she sold her house and moved out of the area.

And I thought to myself, "Well, this lady deserves a party!" There are countless others I know she has blessed, too. But we just collaborated with two other friends who adore her and invited Sundi over for a brunch.

After the yummy food and visiting, we played a game that Layla and I made--Pin Sundi on her new house!

We gave her letters and gifts.

We all love Sundi. We will miss having her close by! She has brought so much good into our lives.

These Days

We have just two more months. Can it really be? Just two more months until our life in Washington winds down and we head on our way to begin again in Arizona?

We have so much to do before then.

Though it's made a little more progress since these pictures were sent to me, our house has a long ways to go, too.

But after this week all of my other "things" will be finished and I can focus in on the packing and cleaning and all the horrendous details of moving.

I need to sit down and document all of these other "things" that have filled up my time. Instead, today I am sharing some of the everyday things.

Like Layla's puppet shows.

And Perry's "mad" faces. I had to try and take pictures of him when he was mad, sad, and happy for an ABA program. This is what I got one morning.

His little faces forever crack me up. I need that. He needs that. His cuteness saves him. Like last night. He was OUT OF CONTROL at bedtime. He hit, he threw, he dumped and kicked stuff at me. I took just about everything out of the room then resorted to turning the door knob around to lock him in his room until he calmed down and was safe again. He destroyed the closet and threw some leftover furniture around. As soon as he was quiet, I opened the door, he asked nicely to go to the bathroom, then, just like nothing happened, he sweetly let me tuck him in and he fell asleep. Goodness. And good thing he is so cute.

She was a cutie too. Layla still talks about her.

We spend hours each week at Kacin's baseball games and practices. The weather has mostly been nice. And we find bunnies and woodpeckers by the field, too.

After one exciting game, Eric and I took Kacin on a date to get a treat.

Sometimes the stuffies have fun parties while we are away.

Warmer weather means yard work and trampoline time. One of Layla's saturday jobs was cleaning off the trampoline.

I got to be a chaperone on Kacin's field trip to UW Engineering Discovery Days.

 Kacin has pitched a few times.

For Perry's date, we took him to Mod pizza. He loves going on dates, especially when they include his own drink. This lemonade is our favorite.

His "mad" face again.

We also had Perry's IEP meeting. Layla came with us. I normally wouldn't have this documented in photos, but Layla was with us and during this two hour meeting, we had to pull out the phone for her. We feel so blessed to be working with such a wonderful team. We feel confident and good about the outcome of the meeting and his IEP for his new school next year.

Perry was beaming when he got off the bus one day. He told me how he and his friend Max had each tied their sweatshirts around their waists. Whether he was excited because he had tied it himself or because it was a friendship thing with Max, I don't know for sure. But I was so happy to see him so happy.

It's not a picture session without the "mad" face.

I'll end today with Candy Land. Perry keeps bringing this game to Eric to play together.