Live life....

Ed Marshall (Lewis's half-brother), Jennie his sister and Lewis

Paddling around sandwash

Ryann and Basal trying to figure out how to escape

Wes and Lewis laying the crappy sod....lots of water and prayers are all

that will save it...haha

Lewis after his father's funeral

Well alot has been happening to the Casper's lately. Last month we sent Klara home, and since then it has been an adjustment. I lovede having her around to talk to, and she was really fun to get to know. Life of course moves on even if we don't...so basically we have been trying to keep busy.

Wes started his fourth year of swimming lessons....level 1....a step up from "preschool". I thought "here we go again".....this boy has hated the water with a passion since he was about 18 months old. Long story about a traumatic diagnostic test...involving water. ANYWAY.....Wes has surprised me and come into his own with the water this year. He was dunking and diving the second day of lessons....and most recently he gave me a near heart attack by doing a cannonball into the water. Can I just say AWESOME....I am so glad that he is getting over the past and moving forward.

Speaking of moving forward and getting over the past....the most recent and surprising event has been the death of my father-in-law. As most who know me have known....Ed and I did not see things eye to eye...We had not gotten to the point where we could even be around each other without much tension. I have just found out the hard way...that harboring a grudge is never worth what you miss out on. Ed collasped of a massive stroke the day after Father's Day, and he never came to for anyone to talk to him....so I had to make my apologies to him in the hospital before he passed away, and I regret not being able to do this before this happened.

Lewis is taking over his dad's business and I really hope that it all works out for him and his mom. Life is just full of surprises and I have decided that it is how well you take on the challenge that determines how well life is for you. As long as I can keep a positive attitude even when life hands me the "lemons" I will be okay.

We have been trying to not put off things now because of all this....so this last weekend we went to the lake and Lewis and the kids paddled around in the canoe...which I lovingly refer to as the "tin can".....I went out and it was way to traumatic of an event for me to continue. They had fun and I learned a valuable lesson..."little swimmers" are not of the same quality as regular diapers.....UHM....you canno put them on and then feed a bottle and then travel to the lake....major diaper explosion. Ryann was completely wet and so was the carseat. NOTE TO SELF: change baby at the destination...not before!