Sisters

After a great week at camp, Austyn finally arrived home last night. Austyn was the center of our conversation as we soaked up every word of her adventures and some of the minor middle school drama :-0. We stopped along the way home to have dinner together. Sometimes it takes a moment for six people to arrange their seating, and this moment was no exception. Stephen and Wilson were touching each other and bickering a bit, so we decided to play musical chairs once more. When Landon was hesitant to give up her seat beside her big sister, I paused and turned to her. Teasing her I said, "Landon, did you miss her?". She leaned way over to my ear and smirked just a bit, cut her eyes to me and said "Maybe...". Ahhh, my girls. What a blessing to have a sister and to be one. They are finally beginning to understand.

Just when you think he has forgotten...

Stephen and I had such a tender moment today.We were visiting the swimming pool here on the Marine base with some friends. He was playing happily in the baby pool with some pool toys and needed to visit the restroom. A few moments later we were back in the pool playing and he was driving two plastic boats around side by side. Out of nowhere he starts saying "anyoung, anyoung" (Korean for hello). He pointed to each of the boats and said "Mommy, Un Woo" for the first one and "Steepin" for the second. It caught me so off guard that I couldn't understand what he was saying at first, because he has spoken almost NO (read refused) Korean in the past four months or so. He began to say a few more words in Korean while playing with the two boats and he named one of them for his dear friend Jung Woo and the other after himself. I was completely baffled and began to assume something about playing with the boats or being in the pool was triggering a strong memory for him. Strong enough to cause him to speak parts of a language he had not heard in almost 6 months. My heart broke for him at that moment and I began to ask him a few questions. He maintained a gleeful face as he played and seemed to be happy as a lark.

A few moments later Stephen needed to return to the restroom. When the door swung open, the answer to my son's cued recall was blatantly clear. As the fragrance that filled this tiny restroom stung my nostrils, I knew. Korea. It smelled just like Korea. I can't put my finger on it, but it was a smell that I burned in my memory just six months ago for our tiny son and there it was.

Oh, our sweet boy was taken back to a warm place in his heart that seemed to have laid dormant all this time. Precious. That is what this moment was for the two of us.

Summer brings good friends and warm memories

Well, it is officially summer around here, and summer is meant for sharing the warm weather and time away from busy schedules (in theory) with family and friends. We are in full swing here at the Lucas camp. Last weekend we were blessed with a visit from some wonderful friends who just happened to be old neighbors. It seems like just yesterday that Dana and I met at the park and we had four children between us. The oldest ones were barely four and the youngest was just weeks old....and then there were 8. It still amazes me. The kiddos pick right up where they left off, as usual, and it is just like old times once again (only we can no longer borrow butter).

Team Lucas and Team Edmisten :-)

Maia and Landon

Boys will be boys (they had lots of rough-housing to catch up on).

Austyn does love Miss Maia.

Everyone takes a turn at Baggo or Cornhole, or whatever it is called in your region.

Dana and I decided we would always have to be friends, because we just know too much. :-)

Stevo sneaks in a hug for the princess. They both had such a good time playing and watching all of the activity. We truly enjoyed their visit and were thrilled that they finally made it to our home. Thanks Edmistens. We miss you so much.

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Happy Birthday to my sweet nephew, Ethan!

Ethan and Too Too (my sister) blessed us with a last minute visit to celebrate Ethan's 11th birthday and his big 5th grade graduation. We are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished in his elementary years. He is quite the scholar and has really matured into a fine young man. Kudos, Master Ethan. Mel and I stayed up late every night and did what sisters do :-) I love the way she just drops everything and hops in the car and drives 4.5 hours just to see her baby sister (that's me). You won't find a more loving, selfless sister in all the land (don't think for a second I couldn't have killed her growing up,though).

Two days later we rose at 430 am to send Miss Austyn off to youth camp in Hilton Head, SC. She was so excited. She had good reason. She has an excellent youth group and the camp is put on by some of the finest men of God you will meet (Dr. Danny Akin and James Merritt, for those of you familiar with local pastors). Funny thing, though: I missed her as soon as the van pulled away. She has gone to camp before and I missed her, but this time was different. It was as if part of me was leaving. Silly, I know, but I really like her and enjoy her insight and company. It started me thinking about the precious time we still have left to spend with her while she is home...

Silly girls: Landon and Helen took a break after tennis camp to swim for a bit. It has truly been a busy first week of summer. We have had four ballgames, one practice, Adventure camp, Youth camp and tennis camp all in one week.

Even Stephen and his best bud, Christian, were busy at preschool story time at the library. It was a first time visit for both boys and don't think for minute we didn't get misty. You have never seen two prouder mommas when those two boys sang "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" and stood among their tiny peers.

We are off to make some more memories...you coming?

Funny face, we love you!

Thought I would brighten up a slow Monday with some candid shots of our funny boy. He has been home six months this Friday. Where has the time gone?

Just feeding the dog, mom. He loves to give Chaya her "pood". Such a helper :-)

This was the day he insisted on wearing his Panthers hat to bible study with mommy. I had "yesterday's" hair and stuck on a hat and he wanted to do the same. It was workin' so much better for him. What is Spanky's little brother's name again? He is a spot on match for him and quite a rascal, too.

Ballfield woes. He is thinking "its blazing hot and this popsicle is NOT doing me justice". (Still looking like one of those Little Rascals)