We are here in NC and I could not sleep so I decided to get up and blog. I'll be croaking come tomorrow when I have a 12 hour drive on three nights of little sleep. Then I'll work for 3 days and on the road again to DC for a few days visiting Amber. Then on the way home we will head to PA and see Evette's new house and a bit more visiting with them.

The weather here in NC has been wonderful. Yeah a bit hot but the humidity has been lower and NC in Aug. can be dreadful. We have had a lot of fun and Ashlin and Amber coming was a big surprise for Kristian. He was surprised Fri. evening at the rehearsal dinner when Amber showed up then around 10 that night Ashlin came walking in the hotel room. You can see his excitement and even with the hug and kiss and telling him to look this way to take a pic. he could not seem to get his eyes off cartoons! LOL KIDS! MEN! LOL

It was nice to get the kids together that have been friends for 16 years now. Brooke was not able to make it here and we missed her! Karen was not in the Bittmann/Lippert kid photo either because she has her new baby and this pic was taken well after she was worn out for the day. You can see Ashlin holding her bundle of joy practicing up for her baby days. =)

The wedding was beautiful. There was more people than the church could seat (4o0 capacity) so many people were put in the balcony and unfortunately they were only able to see the organ pipes on the back wall and the tops of a few people's heads. Some people were not even able to get seated. What a crowd! You can see my quiet/meek friend sitting on the front pew waiting to see her beautiful daughter. LOL Of course, she was talking right up until Cynthia began playing the wedding march! (OK, maybe not the whole time but anyone knowing Evette KNOWS she can't be quiet for more than a few min. unless she is sleeping!) My mom made the comment when she was in Ohio about her and I and who decides who is going to talk. There is no decision even though I LOVE to talk too I don't get much of a chance! LOL Love ya Evette!! =)

We will be heading to Tori's house today to help get it ready for their homecoming after the honeymoon.

Have a great Labor day weekend everyone!

My Son...I love him so!

OK, I know you have all enjoyed the video's and I have gotten the most comments on the one when the whirlpool tub came on. Some of you think it's mean to scare him like that, what you don't know is Kristian actually knows it's coming and just can't help his reaction. He begged and begged for months to get in but we had to wait on the lift. ( I even got in with my suit so he could see how it would be) I warned him every time how it will startle him and he says "i know mom." So here is another video for you laugh at just KNOW he wanted these worms to play with, even though we fished with them too, but when it comes right down to it he gets nervous. This was Aug. 2004. It's one of my favorites but anything with Kristian is my favorite!

Lift

The ceiling lift was completed and Kristian is loving it. The first thing he asked for, after getting hoisted up, was to sit on the sofa. He got in place grabbed the remote and was in "the zone." What is it with remotes and boys/men?! LOL He then was told he had to come with us so we could learn the ins and outs of running the lift. The following video was taken during that process and his first whirlpool tub that evening. ~~~ Be sure to click the play arrow to watch and turn on your volume! (those instructions were for those who have technical difficulties ;) I won't mention any names!~~~

Lessons on Lift!

Getting a lesson on the lift!

Kristian's first whirlpool video!

Kristian's first whirlpool video!

Kristian's lift is here!

Well, it's been quite a wait but the lift has arrived. They came on Monday and worked about 7 hours then 10 hours on Tue. He was SO excited and couldn't wait to try it all out. We do have some video but I have to get it from the laptop movie maker to the desktop and it will take me some time. Here are some pics to enjoy until I get the video up! What a big difference this makes for my lifting! It was also his first experience in the whirlpool. He LOVED it!

Here Kristian and I are on his first speed boat ride. He was very nervous but then found out he LOVED it! It was a bit of a trick getting him in and out of the boat. Thanks to "handy Andy", as Kristian calls him, for the help! Also, you'll see Kristian and his good buddy Brendan having fun in Kristian's wheelchairs. Brendan also had some fun in the new hoyer lift. Mildred pointed out we have grass growing. As sparse as it may seem it's grass and not weeds, which is taking over the dirt (weeds there is one bright side I have to mow very little however, I have done a lot of weed spraying). We will get it drug,raked and seeded the first of Sept. We decided to wait it out so I wouldn't have to water so much! The ceiling lift starts Monday ...stayed tuned! =) We can't wait!!!!!

Last Friday Kristian's hoyer lift arrived. He loved playing with it and he went up and down and up and down. He was thrilled to be able to touch the top of the fridge and also attempted to touch the light. What is it with little boys always wanting to touch that stuff that is high! LOL So This will be our back up when the ceiling lift has issues. The bad thing is I can't get him into bed with this because he has drawers underneath. We will need to get a bed with a frame so it is open underneath so the forks can go under. The ceiling lift is scheduled to be installed Aug. 11, 12 & 13th. I can't wait. Kristian will love it!