We are Lucky

I have some 11 month photos of Ellie to share, and I will try to edit and upload them during nap this afternoon.

All I can think about at this moment is how completely lucky we are. Our little family is healthy and happy. We have two beautiful children who were born without complication. They grow and amaze us every day.

Others are not so lucky. The small F16 community has had more than its fair share of loss lately. While I don't any of these families personally, I feel like I do. The community is small - each is a friend of a friend. And because of the unique challenges of Kevin's line of work I feel an immediate bond for others in the same position.

Please send love, good thoughts and prayers:
(You can click on the name to read the family's blog or the relevant news article.)

The Sullivan Family: On September 22, 16 days after delivering a healthy baby girl, Sara Sullivan lost her battle with cancer. Brady and baby Chloe are adjusting to life without his wife and her mom. Here's a news story, too: Breast Cancer Claims Young Mom (Thanks for that link, Lesli.)

The Giglio Family: Captain Nicholas Giglio of Shaw Air Force base was involved in a mid-air collision on Thursday. Thankfully, the other pilot involved was able to land safely. Capt Giglio is still missing.

The Friedman Family: Katie died yesterday shortly after delivering a healthy baby boy. Her husband flies F-16s at Aviano (Italy), he went to the Academy with Kevin and now has two young boys to care for alone.

Now that I've thoroughly depressed us all, I'm going to hug my kids.

Future Models?

Obviously! And their time has arrived.

Like a giant loser, I've entered Jack and Ellie in the Gap Casting Call. But, hell, you get a coupon code just for entering so why not?

So while you're over there entering your own little one, can you throw a vote or two our direction?

CLICK TO VOTE FOR JACK & ELLIE

You can vote once a day until November 17. (That is code for bookmark the page and return every morning to vote for the Lord kids.)

I can submit a couple more photos. Do you have a recent favorite of either kid I should include?

Meet Nemo

To say that Jack enjoyed Disney World would be a major understatement. But of all the characters we met, rides we rode and shows we saw one is a clear favorite. The Finding Nemo Musical. How do I know it's his favorite, you ask?

Exhibit 1: This video of Jack, I mean "Nemo", singing "Big Blue World" from the musical and then telling me our names.



In case you missed it, Jack goes by the name "Nemo", Ellie is "Dori", I am "Mr. Ray" and Kevin is "Mr. Shark" - all characters from Finding Nemo.

Exhibit 2: School yesterday. Hysterical. Kevin took Jack to school in the morning. When he was preparing to leave the teacher said, "Jack say goodbye to your dad" (because, as usual, Jack had run off to play with not a care in the world). Jack said, "I'm Nemo!" to his teacher and turned to Kevin and said, "Goodbye Mr. Shark!"

It was more of the same when I picked him up. As all the other children we squealing "Mom!", my son saw me and yelled "Mr. Ray!" as he came bounding toward me for a hug. His teacher must have been corrected enough throughout the morning because she correctly said, "Goodbye Nemo" as we left.

This isn't the first time we all have to go by character names. For a while, I was always "Sally" to Jack's "Lightning" (Cars). And sometimes he is "Alex the Lion," I am "Gloria," Kevin is "Melman," and Ellie is "Moto Moto" (the fat hippo ha ha!) from Madagascar.

Oh, and when we were at Disney there was one day we were all princesses. Jack was "Aurora," my mom was "Cinderella," I was "Belle," and Kevin was "Prince Charming." Who was Ellie? "Princess Castle Sidewalk." I kid you not. I could not make this stuff up if I tried.

In any event, even with all the imaginary play and names we have had over the past couple months none have stuck quite like Nemo.

Phew, this was long. I'm off to make Nemo's breakfast.

Disney World Pictures

The trip was awesome, the buffets were even awesomer, and Jacks reactions to all the festivities was the awesomest. We are looking forward to our next family adventure.

Figured a little slide show would be a lot more interesting then just normal pictures.

Boy's Weekend

Kate is on her way to Vegas. She has only been gone for an hour and I
am already reverting to survival mode... Which means he wants to watch
Cars with his fancy headphones. At least I was able to get my iPhone
out of his hands for three mintues to make this post. Wish me luck to
survive without Kate and wish Kate luck at the big expo.

It's Not Possible...

for them to be any stinkin' cuter.

And just ignore that little scab on Ellie's face. She, um, had an incident the other day. What else is new? Oh, I'll tell you actually - she took two steps last weekend! I maintain that she is no where near actually walking. She is just brave, has no fear and tries to walk. Sometimes she gets lucky and gets a step or two in and sometimes she lands square on her butt in a second flat.

Jack started school last week and is loving it. I just love our conversations on the car ride home when I pick him up because he has all sorts of stories to tell. My favorite Jack moment recently was last Sunday. We were watching tennis and cheering, saying things like "Hit the ball! Go! Yay!" Well, after a whiff or missed point or something Jack said, "He not hit the ball. Dat's a bad choice. Dat's not a good choice." Clearly he's picked up something I've said when disciplining him and telling him something "is not a good choice."

Go Bucks!

Ellie's dressed up for the season opener and she's recently started dancing. In other words, this is quite a cute little video.



I think it's important you know that as I type this, Ellie is slurping up spilled juice off of her high chair tray. We're trying to get her used to a sippy cup. Apparently, it is easier to spill the contents of the cup on the tray and press her face into the tray. Always the lady, that Ellie.