life's simple pleasures

Times with Ella (the 11-year-old girl I tutor once a week): "Time for division!" "Nooooooo!"~ ping-pong~ "My favorite color is black... and purple... and green... and I like red, and blue and..."~ "M-m-michigan!"~ "Idaho looks like the Statue of Liberty"~ My Very Earnest Mother Just Served Us Nine (Pizzas)~ banana peel~ jumping on the trampoline~

My family, a few friends, and I drove out to PA for my brother's graduation at SMBI. We made many memories in a short time: Phil trying to hatch two butter cream kisses~ the "dramamine" seat~ Josh's time warp in every gas station~ a wet snow storm~ Mom's "kissing" book~ snacking, snacking, and more snacking~ Dad at the lookout: "I can't even enjoy the view while you are standing so close to the edge!"~ Mom's 24-oz. cappuccino~ Janelle, Mom, Kathy, and Josh bursting from the van at the rest stop~ "swift kicks"~ Elizabeth drinking energy drink... Yikes!~ Janelle's proud looks~ fun family time in the hotel lobby~ seeing Wendell again!!!

Quality little boy time with Andrew: his reading a book to me~ "Giggle, giggle!"~ food all around his high chair until Asta slurps it up~ his trying to get into EVERYTHING~ throwing all of his toys out of his playpen and then crying because he is bored~ hugs~ time outside~

Exciting news: I leave, Dios permite, on Monday morning (April 5th) for México!!! I will spend a month helping at the orphanage in Choix. I probably won't do much (if any) updating while I'm in Mexico... but I'll try to fill you in when I get home. Have a great week... month... whatever...