Update

Just want to report on the rest of the family before I forget a few things.

First of all Brennan and my brothers went golfing the other night (don't worry the big kids were at my Mom's under my SIL, Rebecca's, care and Benny rode in the cart with the golfers) and when he gave his name at the clubhouse a teenage boy overheard and somehow actually recognized his name. "Didn't you qualify for the State Am?" Brennan was kind of stunned but told him that he had indeed and chatted with him for a few minutes about the tournament. I'm not sure if this cute boy memorized the list of everyone who qualified or what, but he was treating Brennan like a celebrity. When they finished golfing he saw him again and the boy came up and shook his hand and told him his name. His very first fan. We love Brennan.

Anna has been DYING to hold the baby. It's killing her that he has to be under the lights all the time. She dotes on him and wants to be my trusted helper. She even said, "Mom, in the middle of the night when you're tired and the baby is fussy will you come get me so I can help him?" The other morning I told her not to worry about folding the clothes because they were going to the water park early. She quickly said, "But Mom, I don't want you to do it." I feel like she's already grown up so much since Monday. Yesterday at the lake they had rented jet skis and Anna was LOVING it. I'm glad I wasn't there because Brennan admitted she was scaring him to death with her wild ways. She tends to be a little trapped sometimes with some compulsiveness so I love it when her free spirit side comes out. We love Anna.

Sweet little Abigail survived a very rough few days when we were not all under one roof. She is the one I can count on to tell me exactly what they've all been up to and what I missed out on. She has an amazing memory, is super observant and loves to chat so I know I'm getting the whole story. She's loved spending so much time with so many of her aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. I think it's been a little hard on her to be away from home so much though. As social as she is, she's got a little homebody in her. We love Abigail.

The other day, pre-Joshua, Nate brought me a can of root beer to open for him. I opened it, took a little sip and then handed it to him. Without missing a beat he quickly groaned and said, "Oh no! Now I'm going to be preg-a-nant!" He was joking but did it so dead-pan and I was so caught off guard we all laughed hard. He's really getting funny. He is kind of obsessed with Joshua and is constantly begging to hold him. He's also been so sweet with Ben and everyday asks Benny if he forgives him and if they're still friends. We love Natey.

I can't even begin to explain how incredibly good-natured Benny has been about being crippled, having a heavy hot itchy-cast, missing out on a LOT. What a HUGE blessing. We were so worried about him, but he's been amazing. He gets tired and restless and cranky every now and then, but for the most part he's been great. He seems to just understand he can't swim and play like the other kids and has accepted it completely and cheerfully. This is my child who is always on the go and always running, I really don't think he ever actually just walks. It's about the cutest thing in the world to watch him scootch himself around on his bottom with that huge old bright green cast in front of him. He loves his new baby brother and always wants me to have the baby sit by him. We love Benny.



Joshua is magically delicious. Sweet and lovable as can be. We love Joshua.