Happy Birthday Cyra

On July 21, 2007 Anitra went into the hospital for having preclampsyia, they admitted and induced her. It was a long night, but Tante stuck around to be there for Hetra and the arrival of Baby Cyra. I certainly wasn't going to miss this....

At about 1300 the lady next door started screaming BLOODY MURDER! I imagine she was delivering a 13lb child at the rate her lungs were screaming. Anitra and I woke up, began to talk and talk about everthing.

We started this long venture together patiently awaiting Cyra's visit. I was so excited, I can't explain how my impatience grew, I had already waited 9 months and the next 15 hours seemed like an enternity.

Finally that evening, my blessed niece made her appearance. Today is her 2nd Birthday! It's amazing to see how she's grown from the wee lil' one pictured above. She's developing her character, her voice, her disposition....EVERYTHING. This Tante feels as though she's missing out on quite a bit with them being overseas. But I know I'm probably not.

She's been the best gift I could have ever asked for, my child or not...she's mine no matter what anyone says. I imagine Anitra would argue that she atleast looks like me. :-) She's the apple of my eye, the joy of my heart, the blessing God intended for our family!

Cyra - Tante Loves you always & Forever!!! Happy Birthday!

Granite

The house is coming along nicely. We've been given a date of closing of August 28th. WOW, how the time flys when you're busy with everything. Here are two pictures of our granite and cabinets together. I think we have a nice touch. I'm also including our kitchen sink faucet; Anitra's comment..."Class all the way Chuck." I hope so!

Thoughts?

Chicago

So as some of you know, I took my first trip ever to Chicago, IL. WOW, what an amazing city! We stayed at the luxury Penisula Hotel - wonderful beautiful and exciting. Here are some pictures from my amazing business trip. The conference was okay, but the location made up for it in all the right ways! :-)

Happy 4th of July!!!

Growing up, I watched movies that celebrated the 4th as a hot summers day where children played in tree lined streets chasing each other with sparklers. Classically a midwest captured moment in my opinion. Anyone that's lived in Lompoc knows that's not EVER been the case for us. Lompoc, Ca is celebrated with beautiful hues of foggy fire works, sweatshirts and hot cocoa.

When we learned we were moving to Kansas, there were two things I was most excited about in regards to holiday's; snow at Christmas and hot summer day for the 4th of July! Ha! :-)

Our 4th started off with us sleeping in; for those of you who know of our lives at this moment in time, every Saturday is accompanied by an early trip to the Cancer Center of Kansas (CCK) to have mom's chemo bag taken out for the weekend. But on this particularly day; she allowed me to sleep me...thanks MOM! :-) Our plan for the evening was to go to the local baseball teams game, the Wichita Wingnuts. We enjoyed the game, and then watched and celebrated our nations Independence day at the stadium. It was everything I've ever wanted a fourth to be like, ball games, great summer day with a medium breeze, hot dogs, and FIREWORKS along the Arkansas River. PERFECT!!!

Of course at the end of the game; the real show started with our hosts of a local morning show here in Wichita, taking some time to introduce some home town heroes. It never ceases to amaze me to live in a city where people aren't afraid to show much they love their nation. After a moments time, one of the hosts asked for all current military and veterans who have served our country to stand; I could hardly count as those standing around me were a plenitude; complete silence as men and women all around us stood up and remained standing as, one clap turned in to two, three, a hundred and so on. Granny leaned over to me and asked, "I bet that makes you proud?" motioning towards Justin. Yes was my reply. I am very proud of him!

Someone once asked; what purpose does it serve to celebrate our Independence and why is it important? The only answer I can give, is that this celebration reminds us of our fight for all our freedom's. The ability to attend America's favorite past time (baseball). To practice our faith amongst others, to wear what we want in clothing, to even ask the question. As I've grown in my faith, God created us to be creative, not to be one in the same. In this celebration of the 4th, I think we created something that preserves life, pursuit of happiness, and allows us as Americans to be bold and strong. Talk about God's genius!! Wow, thanks GOD! :-)

I love America - may she reign many more days to come!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

BTW: WICHITANS are nuts with FIREWORKS!!!

Another movie

Took this as we were leaving the house today!

Movie of the House

The following is a movie of a tour of the house. I'll attach another movie that shows the basement. Enjoy the movie & pictures!

AMPHI....WHAT?!?

It never ceases to amaze me the individuals my husbands works with. All are very unique, remarkable and genius. Justin works for Lockheed Martin and works in a two man shop; he and another gentlemen by the name of Scott.

Justin tells me that Scott has an Amphicar. You can only imagine my response; "AMPHI-WHAT?!?" You mean like a car that goes in the water...yes. How's that possible? Well, leave it to the Germans. The Amiphcar is a German vehicle and only 3,000 were ever constructed. The car is hollow; very similar to that of a bathtub. It's licensed as both a boat and a car. Still in disbelief; Scott insisted we go out for a ride...

Justin and I took our lunch breaks; drove down to the Arkansas River (pronounced, OUR KANSAS) River and we hopped in. I will say, I did hold my breath as we drove into the water...hahaha...but sure enough we floated and navigated the river.

Here are pictures of post excursion - very fun; and a rule of the amphicar per Scott, "YOU HAVE TO WAVE!"



Justin & Scott

Scott getting in to leave....