the twins are coming!

A little early perhaps. And with Papa and Grandma still in Budapest. All I know so far is that Lori and Jer are at the hospital. More news later.

Sherri


UPDATE: Are Here!

2-2:30 pm. It's a boy...and another boy! Despite all the ultrasound predictions that it was a boy/girl. Ha.

The first baby was 4 lb. 4 oz. 17 inches and the second baby 4 lb. 3 oz. 16 1/2 inches. Lori and Jer and all the babies are fine. Even big-brother Jamus, who didn't get to go to the zoo today.

Now - what are their names?

Sherri

becca is skipping

Skipping school that is. Not in a bad way - she has just been matriculated as a senior at the School for Arts and Academics, which means that she will be skipping a grade and graduating a year early, all things being equal and she stays on current track.

Only Kristen is mad because that means Becca doesn't have to do both a Junior and a Senior project.

In the end, it just means that we will have two seniors next year, Kristen AND Becca. That puts Atreyu the next in line. What a world.

It also means that my college commitment has just doubled. I wrote out the tuition check for Becca's first college class yesterday. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the education funds - we couldn't do it without you!

The Momgoose

cousin jim

The other great thing that happened last weekend when I went to Utah was that I got to spend time with Jim.

There's something great about having a close cousin - it's kind of like a sibling, but without all the rivalry. Maybe because we are the oldest of the grandkids or the fact that we were around when all the rest were just babies. We've got dirt on each other as far back as almost 40 years....that's what I'm talking about.

It was always a much anticipated visit to/from the Wests, and that was long before the twins and Michael. Back when it was just Jim and Tom, me, Debbie, Brad and Sandi. Back when we could all crush into the back seat of Aunt Linda's VW Bug. We've floated canals together, hiked all kinds of trails, shared birthday parties, pinatas (is there still the infamous film?), Easter egg hunts, picnics, frog ponds, baseball games, snowball fights, Thanksgiving dinners, fishing trips, weddings, funerals, births, middle-of-the-night phone calls, writing, emails, thoughts, fears, prayers, triumphs.

More than once last weekend, I was cared for through Jim's perceptive awareness - he took me to get coffee twice, driving around until we found a place the first time. Without stress or drama, he moved us all through a busy evening of nickle arcade, pizza, burgers, movies, and another round of cake at Grandma's. I watched him prepare breakfast for everyone Sunday morning.

I have so much love and gratitude for Jim. He is a man of depth and generosity. He has given me nothing but unfailing love and support.

Thanks, cousin. I carry you in my heart.

Sherri