Totally Jealous = Me

Katie (my super cool little sister) just got accepted into the London Study Abroad program at BYU.

We might have been best friends, but forget about it.

Classes

This is what I do while Pete is learning to become a doctor. Heck yes.

PS... for those who are truly interested in my incredible art work-- just wait till you see my frog cycle picture. It's AHHHmazing.

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Daddy's birthday. Mommy made him quiche for dinner (his request) and a yummy a carrot cake-- I KNEW I like carrots! Daddy doesn't like it when anyone makes a big deal about birthdays, but he let mommy have some friends come over to eat cake n' ice cream and sing some silly song.

So happy birthday pops!

Love, Caleb

How Far We've Come

My mom grew up in a two bedroom home without indoor plumbing. She always clarifies this by saying, "We had a pump in the kitchen, just not a bathroom. We got it by the time I was six." She was fifth of seven children. All seven siblings shared a room. Her grandparents lived with them for a long time, since they were unable to take care of themselves. Her father was a remarkable man who was known for his caring and concern for everyone he ever met. He dropped out of high school when he was 16 so that he could take care of his three sisters. Her mother (who is still kickin' it at 92) dropped out of school after 9th grade so that she could take care of her own parents who were aging.

Her parents encouraged education beyond belief. All of their children went to Catholic schools and worked to support themselves. Even though they did not have even a high school education, five of their seven children went to college.

This is the way my mother grew up. She is so incredibly proud of where she came from-- who her parents are and all that they did to give her a better life. Tears fill her eyes when she begins to talk about all that her father did, and that her mother continues to do, for all of their children.

Which brings us to today.

Today, I purchased an application for the iPhone. My brother owns the company that created it. My mother's indoor plumbing consisted of a pump in the kitchen and my brother is writing applications for smart phones. Shayla, my older sister, worked to put herself through undergrad and medical school. She's now a very successful doctor-- working as the first D.O. at the University of Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Residency Program. My other brother is currently enrolled in one of the top programs in the nation for his Masters in Accounting and my little sister is smarter than any of us.

To top it all off-- my mother is currently working towards her Masters in Nursing.

I just had to take a moment to be all sappy and say how much I appreciate who raised me. I also have to thank my lucky stars that we live here in the USA. This country is far from perfect, but it's the best place out there. A smart man once said, "America is the worst country in the world, except for all the rest of them." We don't do things perfectly and sometimes I get caught up in my disappointment of America, but I am grateful that I am reminded of it's greatness.

The best part is-- my family is not unique. We are not oh so special. We are Americans. And sometimes, I'm not particularly proud to say that. But on days like today, I am.

I am very proud.

PS... want to check out my brother's iPhone app? It's called "How Long 'Til" and is created by JadeTower.

One Day

Over the last week in particular, I have gotten a lot of comments on how much Caleb eats. I didn't think much of it, but since he is going to be tested for some mal-absorption problems, I am supposed to keep track of what he eats in a day.

Here is what I have down for today:

(3) bowls of cheerios with lactose free milk
(2) bananas
(2) pieces of oatnut bread
(4) granola bars
(2.5) peanut butter sandwiches
(2) Tilapia fillets
(2) cans of carrots
(1) can of green beans
(3) 8 ounce sippies of lactose free milk
(3) 6 ounce sippies of apple juice
untold amounts of water, puffs, raisins and I'm not even going to guess what random things off the floor he consumed.


And he is currently standing next to the couch yelling at me because I am eating a sandwich and he wants a bite.

So yeah, I guess he eats a lot.

Say Please

There is a museum here in Philadelphia called the Please Touch Museum. Geared towards children (as well as stir crazy moms and dads) The museum has a ton of displays for kids to run around and play on. They have half a SEPTA bus, cars, grocery stores, a McDonalds, a house, a dump truck, etc. All in effort to get children to interact and play! Pretty much, a mother's dream come true.

The other day I went to purchase a pass (I had been bumming entry in off of my friends' passes) of my own. When I showed them my ID, they said, "You're military? You don't have to pay."

Reason four thousand and eight why I love this museum :)


Here are some pictures of our last visit:

Playing in the car with Taegen.

Apparently his life's mission is to be a mail man. He would have played here all day.

Caleb is always trying to steal someone's food. I can't figure out why he's not 85 pounds.

Remember Me?

How do you make the happiest little boy even happier?

Let him find the package of Oreos!

Tell my mom I need a haircut!

I'm not so sure about this, I think you need to bribe me.

Yupp, Thin Mints will do!

PRE HAIRCUT:

BABY BOY

POST HAIRCUT:

BIG BOY