Summer dress...

My cute Hanna Andersson dress...

Fun times...

Nothing like sharing some ice cream with your dad...

Angelica Walking

Sorry I am just now getting to this....Angel has been walking for over a month now...fun to follow her around!!

SGT Joel Lewis, We Remember

1978-2007

Back in May, I made the sad post that a best friend of mine lost her fiance in Iraq. Julie and Joel were engaged to be married and we had met him on several occasions. We attended his service and burial and I have been wanting to post something in remembrance of him and how deeply touched I was by the whole day. I was so moved to see people at his service that didn't even know him, such as another soldier's mom who lost her son and now goes to as many service like this to be of support or that of a man who stood up and gave a beautiful speech on how much these young men should be admired and thanked for their service. I was deeply moved by the presence of the one survivor from Joel's Stryker group that day. Larry, with his arm all bandaged up, was there and even said a few touching words about Joel. The impact that this had on my was so profound and I just pray that Larry can get through this hard time as well. The full military honors were beautiful and yet hard to watch and realize how many families were experiencing this same loss. Joel was buried at Tahoma Cemetery and Julie is able to visit him as she wishes now. Please keep her in your prayers and she struggles with such a huge loss. Julie, I love you so much and know we are here for you. Your scrapbooks you did for Joel and a treasure and I hope a comfort to you. I will never forget the dinner we had with Julie and Joel and will probably never be able to eat spaghetti the same way again. Below are just some pics I wanted to share of that special day when we honored this true hero and a couple links about him. I had to laugh, becuase in the video, Joel is always the one shown in the silly outfits...at least we know they were able to make themselves laugh in a hard situation. We will always remember...

http://www.iraqwarheroes.org/lewisjw.htm

http://www.strykernews.com/archives/2007/05/10/sgt_joel_w_lewi.html

http://www.soldierwall.com/wall.php (he is last one in row 521)

Baby Hartsell - 16 weeks

Amazing that this week the baby's toe nails are forming, the circulatory system is working and his/her scalp pattern is developing. The baby is probably around 4.5 inches long and weighs around 5.5 ounces.