Fear the ... Fighting Squirrels?

Penn State has the fierce Nittany Lion, University of Maryland has the ferocious (?) Terrapin, and Mary Baldwin has the undeniably furry, and um, fighting Squirrel!

Friday we took Cearra and Shay to MBC to officially become future freshman and pre-register for classes, sign up for dorm room assignments, and cruise the bookstore for car stickers and hoodies.

Mary Baldwin is a private, all-women's college nestled in the rolling hills of Shenandoah Valley. It's a beautiful campus - all stately old buildings and huge trees. Everyone we met, from current students to teachers to campus security was welcoming. The student body totals about 800, and all the classes are small and really student centered. The professors and administrators make a point to get to know each and every student and I think it's an environment in which Cearra will shine. We are so proud and excited for her!

And oh, the story behind the rather unusual mascot? The college is named for a past president - Mary Baldwin herself - and her family crest contained a squirrel.

Happy Easter

My wonderful mother-in-law came to our house for Easter - and she brought the dinner! I know - how lucky am I? She also "brought" Todd, Maria and Hannah, as well as a super big Easter basket (actually a wagon full of fun stuff for Owen to enjoy) and beautiful baskets of goodies for Cearra and Shay.

That's right ... Cearra and her good friend (and future roommate at Mary Baldwin College come Fall 2008) also came up to spend the week with us as its their high school's Spring Break.

So we had a house full of family, friends, and great food! Hope your Easter was equally blessed.

Messy Fun

Since our last post Owen has decided he can hold and drink from a cup by himself - and here we present the result!

Spring is in the Air

As we head into a new season - yeah Spring! - thought it was time for a quick update on some of Owen's newest ways to make us smile and sigh. We can't believe how grown up our little hamster is becoming ...

Our yard is filled with robins and Owen likes to point them out and say "ca-ca", his newest animal sound and word for bird.

He loves playing peek-a-boo and will often initiate the game by "hiding" his face behind a couch pillow until I notice him and say "where's Owen?"

For a time Owen loved to pull on the drain plug whenever he was in the bath, and I would have to tell him "don't touch or you'll have to get out". Now, when I ask him if he's ready to get out of the tub he smiles mischievously at me and pulls the drain!

Guaranteed to make him laugh - put something (book, car, hat, etc) on your head, then slowly tilt forward until it falls off. He thinks it's hysterical.

He has a toy computer that says "good bye" if you close the lid or stop playing for a few minutes. So when he hears this, he waves goodbye, even if he's already across the room.

We are getting closer to the "terrible twos" and Owen has definitely decided one way to show his growing independence is to refuse foods he previously liked. One thing that sometimes helps with veggies is a little ranch salad dressing as a condiment, although he prefers to dip his fingers in the ranch and then pick up a piece of food rather than the other way around.

But he does like to drink out of a cup (with a helping hand) and he thinks the ice cubes are great fun.

He loves anything with wheels and often pushes his trucks and cars around the carpet (or over Mama's legs) saying "rroom, rroom".

When we go up stairs he holds on to one of my hands, grabs the banister spindles with the other hand, and alternates one foot for each stair (as opposed to stopping with both feet on each step).

When I sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" he tries to do the finger motions for the spider (see picture).

He will shake hands with people when he meets them.

And he still loves being thrown in the air by his Daddy!

Family Matters

My Nana and Uncle Tom have left this earth, but because they lived their lives with faith and joy and love for others, their spirit lives on and our hearts begin to slowly heal. During the services I was very aware of how blessed I was to have had these special people in my life and of how deeply I love my family. We are there for each other, we care about each other, we are dedicated to carrying on.

At one point I stood in a little circle with my cousins Beverly and Scott, the three of us holding hands. And I was reminded once again of how important it is that we stay connected as a family. To pass down stories, keep traditions alive, share wisdom - in short, to keep our family strong.

One year ago last Friday, Bob and I brought the newest member of our family home (oh my how he's changed!). It was a long, tiring, sometimes agonizingly frustrating trip of three airports, two planes and more than 24 hours. But pushing the cart loaded with our luggage through the doors of Dulles' Immigration Center and introducing Owen to our waiting family (and friends) was one of the happiest moments of my life, in part because we were growing and continuing our family. Not just for Bob, Cearra and I, but for all of us - our cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers on both sides.

I hear the happy babbling that signifies the next generation just awoke from his nap, so I'll sign off for now. On behalf of my family, thank you all for your heartfelt comments, your calls and cards. Cherish each other.

Prayers for the Waltons

My family suffered another loss yesterday. My Uncle Tom passed away after battling brain cancer since last June. He was a man of tremendous faith and optimism, and he fought valiantly against this dreadful diagnosis. Please keep his wife Linda, his children Scott and Chrissy, his sister Mary Beth and his brother David, as well as their spouses and children, in your prayers.

Letter to My Nana

A life lived with beauty, grace and joy ... Helen Virginia Pisle
July 8, 1917 - February 29, 2008

My beloved Nana passed away in her sleep Friday night. I am so thankful that I got to see her two days earlier, to hold her hand, to tell her once again how much I love her. Although my heart is breaking and I can barely see through my tears, I'm happy she's at peace now and I know we will all be okay. I was writing the following letter to her, and although I never got the chance to send it, she already knew every word.

My Dearest Nana:

I have always known how very lucky I am to have you as my grandmother. From the time I was a little girl fascinated by your glamorous vanity table and colorful tubes of lipstick, you have been my stylish, artistic, beautiful hero.

I have so much respect for you and the way you've lived your life. I always thought you could do anything. I remember visiting you in your office in Harrisburg and being so proud of your career achievements. You spoke with honesty and wisdom and wit - even if it didn't always make you (temporarily) the most popular person in the room. Your beautiful paintings graced the walls of the comfortable, welcoming home you created. You brought light and laughter to everyone you encountered - your church family, your friends, your foster daughters, your bowling league.

Over the years you've taught me much - how to be an intelligent, questioning person and still have faith; how to be a strong woman but still be gentle; how to graciously accept others' gifts while sharing my own; and how to open wide my heart and home. Your support and example played a huge part in bringing Owen home; I'm grateful you got to know him. In so many ways you have helped me become who I am and are part of the life I have created. And I hope, as I always have, that I've made you proud.

We've had so much fun, haven't we? Whether playing cards, shopping for hours (no one else could keep up with us!), or solving all the world's problems together, I've cherished all the times we've shared. Every vacation was made better by your presence, every holiday was sweeter with you around, every family gathering complete with you there.

Nana, I know that someday your journey here on earth will end and you'll join Pop-Pop in heaven. That will be a really hard day for me and all of us who love you, but I know I'll have another angel watching over me for all the days of my life. I'll miss you so much, but the love I have for you will be stronger than the sadness. I promise to treasure our memories and share them with Owen as he grows.

Thank you for being a faithful wife, a loving mother, a caring sister, a generous friend, and most of all, the best grandmother.

I love you forever,
Jodi