[h]i Jamie!

John began speech therapy on Monday. Yes, two months later...he finally had his first appointment. His SLP is Jamie and she seems to be really good at what she does. Of course, she can't just turn on the speaking switch in John's brain--like I wish she could--but she does seem to have kid skills. She'll come to the house every week until preschool starts August 11. She actually got him to try saying "een" (green), and "n" (no).

One thing John is not struggling to say is hi. He greets neighbors, fellow shoppers, kids, dogs, birds, creepy men. No discrimination with John. It's great, though sometimes also embarrassing, when he wants to keep calling out "i!" (it's a silent h for John) to the same neighbor over and over. I do admire his happy heart and try not to discourage him from being friendly. After all, I can't ask him to not talk after all these months and months of trying to convince him to say something.

[h]i little buddy! Someday we'll continue that conversation you're trying to begin.... And [h]i Jamie! Let's get to work!

back in business

"Normal" life begins today after two full weeks of fun, out-of-the-normal times. June 11 we traveled to Sanford, North Carolina, to meet a precious little nephew Ezekiel. We hadn't seen the rest of the Lewis family in many months so it was a sweet time to be together.


Cambria and John had tons of fun and only some squabbles (it begins--sigh). One day the adults were in the kitchen and J & C were in the sun room. Billy went to check on them and immediately came running for the camera. They had somehow managed to both get on the bike at the same time.

After four relaxing and sweet days together, we said goodbye to the Lewis fam and drove from Sanford to Washington, D.C. for some sightseeing. On the 16th, we went to the National Zoo (and later were caught in a huge storm!):

On the 17th, we went to the Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, reflecting pool, World War II Memorial, Washington Monument, and then spent the afternoon at the Air and Space Museum:

On the 18th, we spent the morning at Arlington National Cemetery and the home of Robert E. Lee (the "Arlington House," which is in the middle of the cemetery). Then it was on to the FDR Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial:

On the 19th, we took the short drive from D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland, where we visited the National Aquarium. So cool! John loved all the fish, sharks, rays, and of course, the dolphin show:

That night we landed in Phoenix. My mom picked us up from the airport because she had just come to the Valley that morning for a visit (along with my youngest sister Anna). My mom was here for five days (she just went home yesterday afternoon) and we had lots of time for visiting and relaxing. She was also a huge help with the kids as we adjusted to being home after being on the road for nine days.

To top it all off, we even got a one night visit from Kathlin Goodrich who we have been wanting to see for a long time!

So yes, life has been enjoyably abnormal for the past two weeks...and now it's back to the sweet smell of mustard gas and killing (that's for all your Major Payne fans). More soon...it's good to be back!