Thanks for the book tips, too! We’ll look for those at the library.

I look forward to seeing you sometime soon! Another mall date, perhaps? :)

I always love your year-end updates! Thank you also for your sweet note re: our Christmas letter. I hope to be able to see you again sometime soon now that we’re into the new year.

I thought of many comments as I read your post, but the one thing that I want to be sure to mention is a music suggestion for kiddos: Elizabeth Mitchell is lovely. Her music is folksy, warm, and sweet.

And for the record, I also strongly dislike “Cars and Trucks and Things That Go.” Thankfully, it resides at my mom’s house so my exposure is minimal. If you don’t already own them, some fun kids books are by Leslie Patricelli – “Yummy Yucky,” “Quiet Loud,” etc. :)

Hope you have a great weekend. Say hello to Harry for me!

Carrie :)

I now want to get Go Dog, Go! from the library. We’ll see if I regret it- at least the library gets it back after a few weeks. I find comfort in knowing that most parents have struggled with the monotony of repetitive book reading. The latest challenging activity has been completing the same two puzzles over and over again all day long. At he’s now able to do them independently and pretty happy if I’m just nearby :)

We do have a diaper sprayer and I’m so glad…I do manage to get sprayed, though, and rarely walk away “clean.” And it leaks. We should probably fix that.

Shannon, I look forward to reading your post…and hearing about peanut!!! Can’t wait :)

Lauren, I was an exchange student in the Netherlands for a year and one of my host sisters sent those to Charlie. They are currently being worn by a stuffed bear. I am glad you’re enjoying your job. It sounds like a nice change of pace for you. I haven’t read The Shack, although I’ve heard of it. I’ll look it up and see if it floats my boat. Thanks for the tip.

Carmen, I am so glad you got to enjoy one of our posts for a change. Your blogs about Zambia, and now NYC, are so delightful and inspiring. I really hope that our paths cross again sometime soon. I miss our random conversations and meetings.

Leslie, wonderful to hear from you! I’ve been meaning to email you a picture of Charlie & his quilt after seeing your quilts pics on FB. You are so talented. And trust me, I miss CC dearly. I can’t visit without balling. I wonder when that will change!

A big hug to you all…whose presence covers all the US corners but the SW! :)

Congratulations to both of you for being brave, supportive, and clearly growing stronger and closer in the process. You both are such an inspiration!

Miss you at CC but I’m glad you’re thriving there.

Hope 2009 is a great year for all of you.

Leslie

Thank you for the wonderful window into your lives this year. Isn’t it amazing that no matter where we go, God remains faithful, moves through the creativity and bravery of those around us, and gives us strength and humor we didn’t know we had.

And you people are stinking hilarious!!! Love to you all Love’s!

And no kidding, hats off to Angie Lai. Whew.
Carmen

Thanks so much for sharing. It was great to see you when you visited. Miss you at Calvary Chapel, but it is good to know that the Lord has kept you and blessed you.

Charlie is adorable. I love the Dutch shoes photo – is your family Dutch?

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is one of my favorite books. Kids never stop amazing me at how they can entertain you. Even when they are 19 – Katy the other day had us watching Mel Gibson’s 12 chairs. Crazy comedy, cold war era, and very satirical.

I switched after six years with public school and Special Ed to teaching English Lit at Shoreline Christian, and love it. Totally different environment, and perfect part-time hours. I find I am still stressed with over-achieving students as I was with under- achieving, and a Christian school is another whole ball game. Very fun to teach from the Bible and give a Christian world view on literature.

Miss you. Have you read The Shack? That book had an impact on me this year, and I loved it.

Take care,

Lauren