The other night, Lydia wanted to climb into bed with Braden, so I let her. He read to her from a "funny book." It was really a children's science almanac, so I think Braden was ad-libbing. It makes me so happy to see how much they love each other. They play so nicely together, even though Lydia is obsessed with Barbies and basically anything pink, and Braden is all boy, and always wants to play with cars and trains. They love to pretend together and giggle together. Their latest past time is finding little things around the house like pennies, rocks from Braden's collection, plastic rings from Lydia's jewelry box, etc., and wrapping them up to give to me. They always make a card to go with it. Braden is getting very good at writing "I love you Mom." I find the notes near the computer and by my bed, and it always makes me smile.

They have been kind of sick lately. Lydia is going through her second round of antibiotics for bladder infections, and Braden was just diagnosed with strep throat today. But they still have energy to spare, and are happy.

I have been keeping busy with the Young Women at church. Right now we are working on a service project -- collecting items and putting together hygeine kits for the hurricane victims. We are also planning a fall "Hoe Down" at the church, and we are inviting all of the youth in our district. We will (hopefully) have a hay ride, bobbing for apples, country dancing instructions, etc. The youth all have assignments and are working hard on putting together a fun activity.

Morgan will be home in less than 40 days. I am finding it difficult to be patient during this last stretch. When the days we too numerous to count, I didn't pay attention to time, so it seemed to go by much faster. But now that we are numbering the days, they just seem to drag on. But we are keeping busy, and that helps. We are just praying for his safe return.