The mornings are quiet these days. Josh is usually up first, and then it is a toss up between me and the two boys going to school. Sometimes I am up before them drinking coffee and writing and reading. Other times I am in bed and get up when I realize I really want to say goodbye to them before they leave. They pack their lunches and fill their water bottles. We stand at the door and hug them goodbye every morning.

Ethan and Laura called this afternoon to say they are having a girl. I was on my way into town to do some shopping for the kids’ birthdays. He couldn’t talk long because he had to go to practice, but I was happy to hear their news. I called Elianna when I was in Sierra to tell her. She was happy too. They had a whole section of cat furniture and beds and climbing trees that I took a picture of and sent to her.

She said she used to want to fill a whole room with those. If we were rich I’d buy them all and make the garage a cat paradise. After finding a few gifts I met Dad and the boys along with Grandma and Elianna at Culvers for the junior class fundraiser. Grandma paid for our supper and then bought everyone ice cream for dessert.