Dillon's grandfather passed away on 9/14/02. He went in the hospital for a fever on 9/8/02. He had an infection in his leg and pheneumonia. Aunt Deanne was here by Monday. Wednesday we were told he would probably not make it. Thursday Wanda and her family left and arrived here on Friday. The entire family was able to see him and say their good byes. We were even able to take the kids in the ICU. The last time I saw him he was able to talk to us just a little. The funeral was on Tuesday at Grandpa and Grandma's church in Leesville. The burial was Thursday in Buckholtz, TX where he is from. We were able to make it to both.

Leia and Chloe will probably not remember him. He always called Leia a "corker" because she was so funny and cute. One special memory was when we were at their house and about to eat. Leia said let's pray. We all bowed our heads. It was kind of funny because no body prayed out loud, but I believe we all said our own silent prayer. He was loved and we will miss him.

Last weekend was Labor Day weekend. We went to Deanne & Richard's house in TX on Friday and left on Sunday. We had a lot of fun. On Saturday evening we went to the fair and rodeo. Leia liked the bull riding and called it "cows doing tricks".

Leia has been enjoying her "pond", a little pool that I bought her. She puts on her "fwimsoup" or swim suit and goes and splashes and plays.

Chloe can sit up very straight now. She still crawls on her tummy, military style. She can pick things up with her thumb and first finger. She studies things a lot. She likes to get on the floor and play with her (and Leia's) toys. Hi is her newest word. Instead of kisses she will but foreheads softly. It is adorable!

My Mother was able to come and visit. She came by train on Sunday the 4th. She was able to stay until today, Monday the 12th. We had a wonderful time. She spent loads of time reading to Leia, playing at the park, holding Chloe and just giving all of us all her love for a whole week. I unfortunately, had to have my wisdom teeth pulled and thank goodness she was here for that. I had the surgery on Friday. I was down for that day but after that I was fine. I took 2 pain pills on Friday and none after that. Dillon and I had optometrist appointments so it was good to have Mom here to watch kids for that too.

Dillon's Mom & family also arrived in Louisiana on Sunday the 4th. We saw them on Monday evening and again on Thursday evening. Saturday we all went to Leesville to spend the day together. Visits with both sides of the family went too fast.

Chloe stood up! She was playing with one of Leia's toys, a little box, and put her hands on top of it and stood up. If someone stands her up she can hold onto the top of her play pen and stand for a few seconds. She has been saying sounds like DaDa, PaPa, ByeBye.

Leia is learning new things all the time. She can say almost all of the ABCs, count to 10, knows her shapes & colors. She can put on her own clothes. She loves to sing. What a joyful little girl!

Summer school will be over next week. I have 1 test tomorrow (Saturday, yuck) and a final on Tuesday and the last final on Wednesday.

We have been able to see Bill's kids a lot this month. They have come over for night twice. They are 13 (twins) and 16. We celebrated the twins birthday last weekend. They have to leave on the 31st. My mom is talking about coming for a few weeks. I will like that. Dillon's mom & family are coming after August 1st, which is always fun. If all works out, our mothers can meet for the first time in nearly 10 years.

School is getting crazy. I have just over 2 weeks to go. I have about 4 assignments and 3 tests to go. After that, though, I get about a month break. Work has been keeping me busy too. I usually make it to the office by 10 or 11 a.m. and work till 5 p.m.

Chloe is learning how to wave. It is funny to watch her. She and Leia are interacting some what. Leia will push her face against the play pen and make Chloe laugh. Leia will come and hug and kiss on Chloe when I am holding her. They both love to sit on my lap at the same time. What is going to happen if we have a 3rd? Maybe I will try to grow another arm!

The 4th of July was a lot of fun. We went to Fort Polk where Dillon's Dad works. They have a big to-do. We got there around 5 p.m. and brought a picnic dinner. The fireworks were fun. However, before the show they do a 50 gun salute, one pow for each state. It is very loud and takes quite awhile. Chloe screamed throught out. Leia held her ears. After the fireworks started Leia still held her ears. After the fireworks were over we told her to put her hands down. Then they would shoot off one more and she would put up her hands. That happened at least 5 or 6 times, no kidding!

Chloe got to meet her Uncles James and Jeremy and her Aunt Jessica O'Brien. Leia doesn't remember them so she got to know them all over again. She is partial to James. James came over Thursday night and the twins joined us all on Friday night. PaPa bought a new truck on Friday. His caught fire and the insurance company totaled it out. He was borrowing our truck. On Saturday he picked the kids up in his new truck. Today we went to visit them again and pick up our truck. I am glad Leia is getting to know them. Since they live in North Carolina they only come to visit once a year.

I have decided to go back to work almost full time. Since Dillon works from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m., I would be able to be at work by 10 a.m. and could work till 5 p.m. After I got home Dillon would go to bed and sleep till midnight. It will help pay the bills and have a little to spare. I will dearly miss being with the children all day long. However, we will make the best of our situation.

Chloe has been progressing with her crawling. She is getting so fast. She also "talks" more. It is cute.

Leia is doing very well with potty training. She doesn't even use her little potty chair. I guess I can clean it really good and put it away for Chloe.