Dear Journal,

Yesterday we got an e-mail about an all day class for families with a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. We signed up. It'll be a great learning opportunity, and I'll take all the training I can get!

Interesting day today. Carrie's school had kindergarten orientation today and we realized that Joshua would be getting ready for kindergarten! I forget that he'd be in the same grade as Kalli and Emma! Craziness. I'm too young and inexperienced for a kindergartner! If I had a 5 year old, I'd hope to be as good of a Dad as Mike and Doug though.

Found out that the birthmother from the Burgi lead decided to keep her baby. I was pleased that I felt happy for her and her baby. Every situation is so different, so I aspire to be like the counselors at LDSFS, and recognize that there is no absolute right decision. All they try to do is give the birthmother as much information as possible about each of the possible decisions, so the birthmother can make the best choice for her baby. Education and Agency, what a great method. Anyway, I wish her the very best.

We stopped by Carrie's parent's house tonight to say hi. Carrie's Mom is an incredible caretaker for Lucille, Carrie's Grandma, who has had dementia for some time now. Since Elaine was starting to get Lucille ready for bed, Carrie decided that she should know how, just in case the need arose in the future. So I was just thinking about those three great women in there. Lucille is a great artist (we have a couple of her painting in our house) who clung to the gospel for support throughout her life. Even now, the most comforting thing she can do to pass the time is watch conference on TV. It soothes her spirit. Elaine is amazing in so many ways. She is creative and artistic and has a great ability to teach others all that she knows about so many things. She is caring and very cognisant of others needs. I couldn't ask for a better mother in law. And then there is Carrie. Don't even get me started :o) Suffice it to say right now, that Carrie continues a great legacy of strong, loving, faithful women. Her desire to serve others drives her to want to know all she can so she can help at the drop of a hat if necessary. I can't help but be excited to meet the next in this line of women. What an honor it will be to meet her and learn from her. I enjoy picturing my very own daughter in there with three generation of experience and faith and love, teaching and growing and helping each other. I can't wait!