Saying Good-bye

The past couple of months have been one of the best summers of my kids' short lives. My sister Julie has been visiting from Texas with her 5 kids since the beginning of July. We have packed in lots of cousin and sister time while they were here. Of course to kick it off we spent that week in NH together, but once we got back we saw a lot of each other: they spent the night several nights, we went swimming, the oldest three and my dad joined us for free movies a couple of times at the movie theatre, we went to the huge castle playground together, we went over to my parents' house for short visits, the kids and E went to Sunday School together, Amanda celebrated her 9th birthday with a party at our house, they joined us for playgroup one Tuesday, we had a girl cousin picture session at the mall, the guys even had a babysitting night where Rob, Rusty, and Ed watched the children while Julie, Katherine and I went to a cousin's bridal shower. And Julie and I spent countless hours reminiscing about the past, talking parenting talk, discussing current family issues, and just laughing and having fun together.

Last night we had a final big family dinner at my parents' house before saying goodbye. It was a tearful farewell for Julie and me as we hugged each other and the kids goodbye. Many times the past few weeks we have talked about "next time" they visit the kids will most likely be three years older, since that is usually how long it takes for them to save up enough to fly everyone here. I guess it really hit both of us as I handed K over to Julie for one last hug, and she and I both realized this would be the last time Julie hugged baby K-- next time she would be a big three year old. We both kind of looked at each other and welled up as we hugged and Julie said," This is a testament to God's redeeming work in lives, because I wish we could live near you." I agreed, as our relationship hasn't always been close, and commented," So you don't want to karate chop me anymore?", a reference to our first meeting when she threatened to karate chop me if I did anything to bother her little sisters (Katherine and Sandy). I kept trying to convinced her that they need to move up here to PA, but I don't think that will happen. So maybe our family will have to plan a trip down to TX to visit sometime in the next couple of years. E said it best on the way home when she said, "I wish it were the Fourth of July again".

Watching the Parade:


After a swim in NH:


Swimming at Aunt Linda's


K and Aunt Julie:


The Estradas:


Our Family (minus Andrew, Erin and the Laiyus):

NH '07

This year we went up to the island with my sister Julie and her 5 kids ages: 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. They live in Texas, so we only get to see them every couple of years (the last time was in 2004). The kids had the best time fishing, swimming, making a "secret" hideout, and just running around together. We had several trips into town, one of which we went out to dinner with my aunt, uncle and 2 cousins who live there. Julie went home Friday, and we stayed until Sunday. Another vacation with great memories.
Ed took the kids around the island in the kayak-- 4 trips in all



The older children went behind the boat on the "mambo"



N absolutely loved the boat-- his favorite part of every days was when he went on the boat "My go fast, fast, faster!" He insisted on sitting in the very front, even if he was all by himself, and he would say "This is going to be fun!" when the boat started to speed up.




Everyone loved the hammock, even K fit in a little nap





We made a fire the last night the cousins were there, and roasted marshmallows.

Baptism Gown

I know this post is more for me than anyone else, but I did a photo shoot today with K in her baptism gown, and I was pleased with the results. I wanted to get some pictures with better lighting and background, and less hustle and noise than last Sunday. Here are some of my favorites (I took about 30 pictures-- this child is not going to be able to complain I didn't take any pictures of her!!)

Snuggle Bugs

When K wakes up for her early morning feed (anytime after 5:30) I bring her into our bed. That way I can nurse her and catch some more sleep until the rest of the kids wake up, usually at 7:00. Some mornings K wakes up at the same time, but other times she is so cozy that she stays asleep in our bed while I shower, dress and eat. This morning E joined her for a little snuggle as well.

K's Baptism

This past Sunday we had K baptized. She wore the gown that my great grandmother made for my mom, and that E wore for her baptism as well. It was a wonderful day with family and friends as we celebrated God's promises for her. We had a party after church where we invited everyone back to our place for lunch. We were so thankful that we had some special guests from far away who were able to celebrate with us. My brother Andrew, and his wife Erin were visiting from Chicago. My sister Katherine, her husband Rusty and their two kids drove up from Virginia. And the Landis family who live overseas were also able to come. It just made the day extra special to have them all come.

Another reason it was neat to have the Landises there was because we had decided to copy something that they did for all their boys for K. A few years ago we went to a birthday party for their oldest son. Before we sang "happy birthday" we sang "his" hymn. Apparently George and Mardel picked out a hymn for each of their boys to sing on their birthdays. I always thought that was a neat idea, but at that point E and N were already 1 and 4, and I thought it was "too late". But once K was born, the idea came back to me, and I thought we could sing a song at her baptism party, and then at the other kids' next birthdays introduce their songs as well. So a few weeks ago Ed and I looked through the hymnbook for a song we wanted to dedicate to Ka. We wanted something to do with "love" since her name means "beloved", and we wanted the song to express God's love for her, and/or the love we hoped one day she would have for Him. I think we found the perfect hymn, and one day, I hope she claims these words for her own, and it becomes her prayer:


My Jesus, I Love Thee


My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.

I love Thee, because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree,
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.


Here are some pictures of the day:

Kaelin and Ellie before church


The Baptism


Family and Friends eating lunch


Kaelin slept through most of the party


Cranes, Spauldings and Landises


After everyone went home, she woke up!

There is nothing quite like the feeling...

of a tiny head resting on your shoulder



Some of the sweetest moments with a newborn are those when they are resting in your arms. You can feel the softness of their hair against your cheek, hear their squeaks and grunts as they sleep, examine their features in repose, smell that special baby scent... it is a complete sensory experience.

Last Day of Kindergarten

I couldn't have asked for a better year for E She had such a wonderful teacher- Miss W really loved the kids, was enthusiastic, motivated, committed and sensitive. She really was the key to making this first year of school a success. E got along with everyone in her class, and made many new friends, but it was special to see her solidify her friendship with Kyra. The two girls became "best" friends through the year, looking out for each other and being sensitive to the other's needs. In fact their teacher would have the girls sit together on days that one or the other was having a rough day, and they would comfort and cheer each other up. I am so thankful that E could have a friend like that, especially starting at this young age.




I was apprehensive at the start of kindergarten, sending her off on a full day seemed like such a big step, and she seemed so little. But I have been reassured throughout the year at the excellent education she is getting, as well as the assurance that this is right for her, and our family at this time. I was struck at the school fair at the number of people I knew there, from different circles (neighborhood, soccer, dance, as well as school). It was exactly what I had hoped would happen when we put E in public school-- that we would be a part of the community, getting to know and be involved in our neighbors' lives. As these relationships grow and we develop new friendships through the years, I am confident that God will use us in this community to draw others to him.