From Super Heroes to Flying Fish

Brandy asked Kien this morning if he rescued Daddy last night. He said, “I pressed this white button and I turned into a cape. And I flew and got my super hero friend Marco and my super hero friend Jordan (both from his Preschool class). And we flew and rescued Daddy!” Quite the imagination! LOL

Brandy and Jeremy have taught Gabe to flex his muscles.

Then he laughs.


After breakfast, Kien asked me about Kevin’s car. Stunned me for a minute, because the Odyssey they have was purchased by Steve and Karin when preparing to adopt the two Vietnamese babies, Kien and Aria. I didn’t know if he was asking about that or what?! I told him Kevin and his daddy have a small, blue BMW for just the two of them. Then I said, “Kevin has a new mommy! Would you like to see her?” So I showed him some of their wedding pictures. In one of the pictures, we can see Kevin’s blue BMW.


Leaving for church. The black dirt on the sidewalk behind the boys is a fire ant mound which developed overnight!

Taking the boys to their classrooms.



Fellowship Church is always an experience. Ed Young’s sermons are unique and attention-grabbing. Today’s began with a clip from “Pinocchio” with the song “Jiminy Cricket,” focusing on “give a little whistle, give a little whistle, and always let your conscience be your guide.” Conscience was the theme, with the sermon revolving around Schwarzenegger and his escapades. Besides conscience (and Ed usually sang and whistled with each mention of the word), he talked about character, Christian commitment, credibility and much more. Arnold (and Tiger) will lose business, reputation, legacy, respect, as a result. It is what happens when we disobey God’s laws. Great sermon! But a man collapsed during it. Two or three rows of people had to be displaced and the chairs removed for the 9 paramedics to get to him. The end report was that the man was OK. We prayed for the man, and we should pray for those who are ignoring the whistle of conscience.

After church, we headed for lunch somewhere on the way to the airport. Not sure what Greg was thinking, but he kept us all in the dark wondering where we were going as he navigated through all the little streets he could find on the way to the airport. He finally ended up at Razzoo’s – a Nawlins restaurant. He thought I would like something unusual. Ack! Crawfish? No thank you! But I found they do have GREAT “hamboigers!”


Nearby, Bass Pro Shop (next door to the Embassy where their wedding reception was held) has large fish in giant tanks.




The boys liked the boat!

I needed new sunglasses (to have a spare the next time I “lose” mine!). Jeremy liked my choice, so we are twins!

Grandma and Gabe.

When Kien realized we were delivering me to the airport, he said he didn’t want me to go! I promised to be back soon (I hope!)!

Boys, Dogs, and Ball

Daddy's Boy, before Daddy had to leave for work

This morning, I was relaxing on the sofa and reading a book on my iPhone with Duke snuggled up to and on me and Daisy nearby. The dogs sleep with/on me every night I am here. Always. A couple of days ago, I was napping on the sofa. I knew that Duke had climbed up on the sofa and lay on top of my feet. When I awakened, I discovered Daisy was above my pillow AT my head! It is nice to be loved. Of course, I get the same treatment at home with Guinness.

It was my job today to take the dogs to the vet. I asked Jeremy to assist me. On the way home, I stopped at the grocery store for some things for dinner while he stayed in the car with the dogs. Then we stopped at Starbucks. I bought him a frozen double chocolate chip hot chocolate! He loved it and shared a taste with Gabe. Gabe loved it too and ran away with it!


Double duck. Karin bought a backup duck when she discovered how much Kien LOVED the duck. Good thing! It has come in handy many times! This year, the second one lived at Preschool for naptime there. Now he has both at home and was taking advantage of the double dose.

A surprise came in the mail today! A quilt for each of the little boys made by their Great Aunt Ruth in Michigan!!!


We had storytime this afternoon.

Greg took some pix of me holding Gabe, then said. "You look like twins except 60 years apart.” Sweet and honest son…. But he is right!!! And I thought Gabe was totally a Walsh! He has some Herne too!

Tonight was Brandy’s ROTC Military Ball. She looked gorgeous!!!



She and Justin met in ROTC.



For dinner tonight, I made BLTs, corn on the cob, and strawberry shortcake. Before we sat down at the table with plates served, Duke and Daisy helped themselves to one of Jeremy’s sandwiches! :-0 I have never seen them do that before when people were right there in the room with them!!! Kienie Bean wasn’t very happy with his tomato or mayonnaise on his sandwich, but he loved the bacon and corn. Both boys LOVED strawberry shortcake. I asked Cathi how they were doing with it. She said, “Listen…. Do you hear anything?” They were silent and spooning it in.

Greg’s Miata broke down, so Cathi had to go rescue him. She took the two little ones. Kien was delighted that Daddy needed to be rescued. He said, “I am going to turn into a super hero. I’m going to save my Dad. I have the rescue sword.”

End of Preschool

This morning was like an Abbott and Costello show. Gabe and Kien were in the family room with the gate open. Gabe left, closing the gate behind him. Kien screamed, “Gabe! Don’t! Don’t close the gate!” Too late; it was closed. Grandma came to the rescue.

As we were getting ready to leave to take the boys to their last day of Preschool, Gabe was wandering around holding a tube of “Puffs” (or whatever those toddler snacks are called). He disappeared as we were ready to go out the door, so I went looking for him. He was in his bedroom trying to pick up the hundreds of puffs he had spilled on the floor! LOL

I did not get to go with them to school as I was taking the Odyssey in for servicing – something which Greg and Cathi NEVER have time to do. I had to take it in the last time it needed servicing -- 1.5 years ago!

But I did go with Cathi to pick them up at the end of their school day at 2:00.
Gabe sees us!

She took the wagon in, because the kids had all their year-end things plus summer gifts to bring home.


Kien in his classroom playing with a friend.

He sees us!


The teachers made scrapbooks of each child’s year. They are ADORABLE!!!!
Gabe's book

Gabe's first day of school. It took him a couple of weeks or more to become comfortable with Mommy leaving him!




Kien's scrapbook and extra photos:





Kien's ABC book:





Tonight, Cathi had an event at church and Brandy was one of the babysitters. They took Kien and Gabe with them, leaving Jeremy and me home alone. Greg was to come home about the same time they were to be home from church. Cathi wanted me to wait until 8:30 to have dinner out with her and Greg. She fed the boys at church. And Jeremy needed to eat at home alone. He cooked a box of sausage links and several eggs for his dinner. He did a good job!!!! I even sampled some of his cooking.