It's a beautiful day in central Iowa. I'm sitting on the patio under the shade of the deck. There is a cool breeze blowing across the backyard. The cottonwood trees are losing their cotton! The birds are singing and I'm watching a dove building a nest. She flies back and forth bringing twigs to build her home. The birds are singing... Sounds peaceful doesn't it?

Of course, I didn't tell you that the constant sound of "Sydney, don't hit my chair with your ball" or "Mommy, throw the ball into the grass and mark the spot" or "Stop bothering me" or...well you get the picture.

I have a new laptop and it flies! I love it! I was buying one for Hannah for her graduation and so I decided that I really did need a new one. After all, the last one four years old. The technology continues to improve. I remember the first PC that I used...two floppy drives...one floppy drive had the operating system.

Last night we had a shower for Callie and Brian. It was very casual...we grilled out and just had a nice time. Dad, Cliff and Pat were all there. I wish that Jack had been able to come from Oklahoma. It was fun to listen to them tell stories. And it was very strange to realize that I wasn't part of the "younger" generation. Two of Marcia's kids were here and one of Mike's daughters and they were all young adults...all in college.

Life moves so fast. I wish I could freeze time! But if I could, what would I miss? What is around the corner that is magnificent that I wouldn't want to miss for anything?

Here are a couple of pages that I just did. Is it possible that she was really this little?

Last night was Saturday. That means "sleep with Mommy night". We say that I'm the peanut butter and Sydney and Shaun are the bread. So, I'm the middle of the peanut butter sandwich. Can't imagine why Daddy chooses to miss this opportunity each week! So last night we were lying in bed together, the three of us. We did prayers and Shaun's first prayer was "Thank You Jesus for not making me live at foster mama's house." Fortunately he and Sydney kept praying long enough for me to regain my composure! And indeed..."Thank You Jesus!"

We had a beautiful day here in central Iowa today. But the flood waters continue to move further from the rivers. It makes me feel sad. I'm very grateful that it isn't hurting me...but I know that it is hurting many Iowans...and I feel sad.

I had PTO today and that was nice. I got several scrapbook pages done.

I haven't written anything on this blog for ages. And while I love the digital scrapbooking, I miss capturing some of our day-to-day life without blogging. So, I'm going to try to correct that.

As I sit typing this, I hear the rain falling. It seems to be a constant sound now. So many people in Iowa are suffering from the floods. The Court Avenue area of downtown Des Moines is flooded. Since I work downtown, I'm very interested in that. So far, so good.

This morning we are taking Sydney to a special pediatric dentist. It appears that she has three cavities and one will require a pulpotomy (sp?) which is the equivalent of a root canal for her baby teeth. She has not done well with dental visits in the past but this particular group specializes in children. We will see what comes out of this visit...which is only a consult this morning.

Also, I've heard from Haoyi! It is so much fun to correspond with her as we wait for her arrival for the school year. I am very anxious to have her here for the fall.

Sydney and Shaun had gymnastics. This was Sydney's first week of having two classes but she loves it! She was so mature in her class on Tuesday. And she really put forth a great deal of effort. She is a competitor...you can see it on her face as she watches what the other girls can do.