She jumped off the diving board, as promised! It was adorable and a very BIG day for a little girl - and I got it on video but the camera is lost at the moment so that will have to be a thrilling encore to this terribly exciting 4th of July post.

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Though she had anticipated the board jumping to be the 4th of July highlight, she did not know the party was going to be featuring a small girly-dog dressed in clothes with a Michael Jackson haircut (to soon?) She actually got to 'babysit' the dog while the owners were outside, and Miss C was pleased-as-punch, supposing punch is pretty pleased.

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Then we piled into the SUV for some free fireworks action, on a chilly 4th, with Grandma and Grandpa. C wore a BIG smile and turned with the sparkling lights in her eyes to say "I LOVE this!" J cuddled in our arms restlessly and mimicking her sister said "I like 'dat one! And 'dat one! And 'dat one!"

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The only thing that could have made this 4th better is if I was minus one gallbladder and plus about 2,500 calories...oh well.

My aunt sat looking at my blog, "You haven't updated for like two days! You need to do that!" So Brandon shot this lovely picture of bra-less me (the WORST part of the whole gown experience) and my forgotten blog. Yes that is a lovely hospital bed, so fun in fact that C has decided that will be her Santa request come December...lovely.

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You see, I went to the ER on Tuesday night with severe abdominal pain (remember the riddle I posed just a few days prior). The way-too-young-and-perky doctor told me it was "just reflux [wuss]" (I read the 'wuss' part into her tone) and told me to just elevate the head of my bed. I left, sad and frustrated.

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The next day my doctor, sensing the amount of frustration and intense pain I was experiencing, admitted me to the hospital for several tests to get to the bottom of this nonsense. They put a camera in my stomach and did another test that required me to lay perfectly still on a plank for two hours (hope that was the last time for that one). In the end I lay looking at the surgeon who said "I think we should take out your gallbladder, don't you!?!" I just thought 'Go get 'em tiger, I just want some Long John Silvers, or Mexican, or both STAT'.

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The surgery has been scheduled for Monday. They have let me come home for the holiday, however the pain intensity brought me to my knees last night at the hospital after eating a fairly bland meal, therefore I am restricted to chicken broth and jello only. I don't want to complain about the fact that tomorrow I will be around buckets of fried chicken, freshly smoked meats, homemade ice cream... ugh. I am grateful that the problem has been identified and I will be better soon.

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I am grateful that we have a healthcare system that works, ever so slowly, but works non-the-less. In Mexico they do not administer pain medicine without an upfront payment. Thank God that isn't the case here or I would have us living in a van down by the river after last night's episode.

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Sorry for the long update, and lack of information the last three days. I hope to post pictures from tomorrow. Carolyn has promised it will be her diving board debut!

The only thing better than having their Dad home is having the goodies that he brought home with him. Candy and little toys and best-of-all new skirts were the reward for 20 long days sans Daddy. They are large enough to bring fashion enjoyment for several years - just as C wants it. Afterall, she stood in my closet insisting that I wear beaded heals to St. Louis on Friday and said "Mommy! A girl has always got to look her best!"

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Some of my Favorite Scenery photos in the China photo share time - and to think the camera broke down less than half-way through the trip, how much more he must have seen. The last one is the moon, the same one the girls were looking at and singing "the moon sees the somebody I'd like to see".

One of my favorite summer activities, our annual baptism service - witnessing an awesome sacrament at sunset on a beach is a beautiful celebration. And it doesn't hurt that the lighting is perfect for memorable pictures. Every year we get some of my favorites for the year. This year was no different. [Check out the 2005 shot linked below, C's first baptism service, she was only 6 months old...*sigh*.]

2008 Baptism Service

2006 Baptism Service

2005 Baptism Service

Fun times were had in St. Louis this weekend. We visited the Magic House, the St. Louis Zoo (free!) and the local pool to cool off after some serious heat. It was great to see our friends and their adorable baby Cora.

Though every summer up to now has involved very little swimming and a whole lot of walking cautious laps around the pool, this year the girls have turned over a new leaf. They grew gils and flippers over the long winter and now they are little fish.

Next up in the China photo share, Food Stuffs (above the group is leaving a restaurant at night, how cool is that street scene? Though no food showing so I guess it's a little off topic)
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B says the food was delicious, looks pretty good

just like HyVee

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All of the plates were plastic wrap to prove they were sanitary I guess
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Not too shabby, and we were worried he's be homesick
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Ok, this I can't handle

literally or figuratively

I think there might be a probe in my future...
or perhaps you can solve the riddle for me?
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About a week ago I started having a mild stomach ache after lunch.
I realized on Saturday that the nausea feels like it can only be cured with more food.
By Tuesday I had to leave work in considerable pain after a Mexican lunch.
I also am getting intense hunger pains, like I'm starved at odd times.
Today I had salad and pizza and was extremely uncomfortable yet again after lunch.
However, the mystery is that my Chipotle dinner didn't irritate my stomach much at all.
It is upper abdominal pain, not lower, and comes in waves.
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What's with lunch? And what's with me?
This is not cool.
I see a doctor on Friday.
Stay tuned for the answer to this confusing riddle.
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[photo from Flikr]

First up in the China photo share time is SIGNAGE, he saw some beautiful (see above, that would be gorgeous hanging in a kitchen - love it) and some bizarre (see below).
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Do not make noise in the civilized ancient town, nuf said

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The Fat Sister's Yak Meat
if I ever start a restaurant I now have name
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This billboard is an advertisement for insurance,
B pointed out how interesting their values are displayed,
particularly the one-[male]child and the fact that they are sitting on top of the water

The rumors of his return are true, and I've got the pictures to prove it.
There are funny signs, adorable children, gorgeous scenery and freaky food.
These are a preview of some that make me smile.
For now there is sleep to be caught up on.
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And my next class on Luke to prep for, I'm a procrastinator what can I say?

Their mouths are opened because they're saying "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!" Their faces are smiling because their Daddy loves them very much, and so do their four Grandpa's!

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See all the photos in the sweet white dresses here (this is for the Grandmas ;-)

After an early morning pick-up of her Daddy, Julia was a very tired girl. She and her Grandpa Chris crashed hard at the Father's Day festivities, stealing several zzz's before she was off to more fun. Everyone is resting a little easier now that Handsome B is home.

Guess who's home!?!

To take our minds off the troubled travel plans Jill and Suzanne took us downtown for some artsy fun (aren't you proud Michael!?!) - we enjoyed bunches.

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By far the picture highlight is below - at Crayola Cafe while Aunt Jill fixed C's wild hair...both faces are priceless - totally made my travel-plan-blues day!

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She puts her blankets in her mouth for comfort.

I know its weird.

She's wondering when on Earth Daddy will get home.

His flight home has been canceled - bad weather - grrr.

She'll just wait here until we get the good news that he's KC-bound.

He's getting on a plane soon, and we talked about it around the edge of the pool. Mostly the girls thought about water, and how to maximize the fun to be had. Julia learned she can walk in the shallow water all by herself "I DO IT!" and Carolyn practiced some dance/swim moves. So much to be thankful for.

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We came home and called Daddy for one last brief 'hello' before bed. Handsome B is anxious to tell us all about the other side of the world. He started to explain what was just outside his window - but we remembered this was a $1.99/minute telling that will be free-of-charge in just 24 short hours (hurray!) So much to be thankful for.

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The girls cuddled up in the bed they've been missing and dozed off to 'sleepy-swimmer' land (a summertime mother's favorite land of all). I made homemade ice cream for my Grandpa's Father's Day festivities...my Grandma's recipe...mmmm. So much to be thankful for.

at the donut shop with Anna

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Dear Handsome B (awake while we're asleep),

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I think a lot, about you and other things. And not having you here to discuss at length the thoughts that wander in and out of the space between my ears is nearly killing me. Between your free-counseling now costing me $1.99 per minute, and a persistent nausea, this week is about the wipe me out. Come home soon, K?

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Don't worry, I exaggerate (you knew that by now I'm sure) and mostly this week is just full-to-the-brim with excitement over your return. The girls will want to tell you about swimming, and Miles the dog, and all of the places they got to see and people they spent time with. I will just want to hold your hand, and maybe give you a kiss, and then just hold on tight because I never realized how much I just enjoy having you (physically, emotionally, spiritually) close.

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And I can only imagine the things you'll want to tell us. I hope you can remember every detail, every smell and taste and color - and how you felt and what you heard and what you learned. I can already tell in your voice during our 2 minutes ($3.98) phone calls that you sound bolder and more alive, excited about something beyond my understanding - excited to be a small part of a big picture far, far away.

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I am so grateful for this time, for you to experience all that you have, for our friends and family to take such good care of us, for the girls to learn that there are causes in the world worth sacrificing a little time or money or energy for, and for me to realize how much you do for me both around the house and in my heart.

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You are the love of my life,

K

It was a long time coming, but she has finally embarked upon her dancing career. She beamed (glowed, was elated, thrilled, how else can I put it?) It was fantastic to watch her trying so hard, listening so intently, and following every direction as best as her little legs could. It was ... perfect.

Julia watched from my lap, and the teacher commented that she looks about the same age as her sister. The two year age difference is hardly distinguishable when they weigh exactly the same (32lbs per my parent's scale last night) and wear the same shoe size (8 1/2) according to the friendly Payless worker.

Why Payless? Because ballet slippers must be switched mid-class to tap shoes. And when you're adorable and four-years-old and totally bummed that the entire Payless store is carpeted but all you want to do is TAP - no worries, they will open up the tiled-floor employee lounge in the back and clap for you when you do a little number for them in your tutu and brand new taps!

behold, the start of a darling (beautiful) thing