All About Katie

A brief trip down memory lane (10 months ago...) Katie's 1st day of Kindergarten.My, how time flies!

Katie and her BFF Madison, on the last day of school, doing crafts & bubbles at the party.

Mrs. Schoep & Mrs. Chambers were Katie's wonderful teachers this year. We are so thankful for their Godly example and wisdom in teaching her all of the things she needed to learn this year.

Finally, and most importantly, I got the best birthday present I could ever ask for last week.

At VBS on Thursday, Katie asked Jesus into her heart. She has been asking a lot of questions about God this past 6 or so months, and we actually talked quite a bit about it while we were at camp in Texas, what it means and how you will continue to grow and change for the rest of your life to become more like Jesus. So then that night they were talking about asking Jesus into your heart during their small group time at VBS, and she asked her leader to pray with her. Katie came right away to tell me where I was working in crafts and it was really special. I believe that for almost 6 years old, she has a pretty good understanding of what it’s all about.
Please take a moment just to pray for her to continue to grow in her love and understanding of Christ, and praise Him for another transformed life.

Happy Father's Day!

TEN REASONS WHY WE LOVE OUR DAD:
1. "When Dad babysits he lets us make a big mess and we don't have to clean it up." -Katie
2. "He does the drying machine after we take baths." -Sydney
3. "He is super silly and makes us all laugh." -Katie
4. He is really just a big kid himself. (me)
5. "He plays basketball with us and I can dunk it." -Sydney
6. "He likes to take us out for ice cream." -Katie
7. "Daadaaadadadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa." -Will
8. "He catches the most butterflies." -Sydney
9. "He is really strong like a donkey." -Katie (yeah, she really did say that.)
10. He works hard for all of us and we appreciate him! (me)

Highs and lows of the Lone Star state.

Lows.
1. Texas is really, really hot in the summertime.
2. There are bugs as big as the state...well, almost.
3. It is incredibly humid.
4. Woman in the ER actually had her children on dog leashes and was barking at them. Not kidding.
5. Exhaustion. And then there's heat exhaustion.
6. A crazy horse named "Doc."
7. Did I mention it was either 100 degrees or close to it EVERY DAY?

Highs.
1. Family camp with amazing, Jesus-loving counselors that have cool names like, "Handy Dandy," "Happy Feet," "Spitbawl," "Missie Mouse," "Duck Tale," and "Spaghettio."
2. Syd's crazy curly hair in the humidity.
3. Cold Starbucks beverages.
4. Boutique shopping.
5. My kids having the time of their lives with friends and family.
6. Good conversations, sweet fellowship and fun memories.
7. A crazy horse named "Doc."
8. Sweet Tea.
9. Sam Moon. Enough said.

Monkey see, monkey do!

Ummm...not quite right. (Bubble courtesy of Katie.)
Getting closer...
Look at those lips!
After many, many attempts (and at least 100 pictures,) he finally figured it out! Yay! I hope that whoever invented the spill-less bubble tumbler won some kind of award!

Memorial Day "Camp Out"

Thank you Uncle Scott & Aunt Carrie for the fun camping kits! It was a bit too cold to sleep outside so we camped inside. We watched Kipper from our cool inflatable chairs and then we each slept in our own pup tent.

Will thought the chairs were really neat except he couldn't figure out how to sit in it without it sliding out from under him.
Success at last!!!

Final London Post

Iofina opening the London Stock Exchange on Friday, May 9, 2008.Ringing the bell. The glowing spheres move up and down while the market is open each day.
Us with Julie & David Schneider. We have our hands on the globe/buzzer the guys pushed to open the market. This is what they call, "ringing the bell." Interestingly, after 9/11 happened over here, the London Stock Exchange went to an all-electronic system for safety reasons. They switched buildings in 2003 to a state-of-the-art facility where safety is their top priority. There are no longer traders on the floor, they are in various offices around the main lobby, and shortly after the opening we were all ushered into a private room.
Us with some of the fine folks who helped make this happen. Everyone worked hard and treated us so nicely. It was a wonderful experience. Now Lance says that the really hard work begins...
Richard Webster-Smith from the London Stock Exchange welcoming and congratulating Iofina.

The entrance to the London Stock Exchange, early morning it was already bustling with activity.The entrance to the Exchange and the rest of Paternoster Square from the top of Saint Pauls Cathedral.
My handsome hubby on the morning of his big day...