One of my best friends in the world had her house destroyed this past week while they were away on vacation. A water main burst upstairs and flooded both floors of the house continuously for several days. You can imagine what this would do to the walls, ceilings, floors, and personal posessions in a home. They were told they need to move out indefinitely until the house is livable again. So she and her husband and kids are in a hotel until further notice.

I feel really bad for them. Not a pleasant way to spend the rest of summer vacation. I'm sad too because she was supposed to come on the Cannon Beach trip, and obviously that's not possible anymore. I just pray the house gets repaired quickly and that insurance stuff goes smoothly. It would be nice if they could get fully settled again before back-to-school craze starts.

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I've been emailing with a soldier who's stationed with the Marines in Iraq. I asked to be put on his group email list. I appreciate the firsthand information.

I've been on a few other solidier's blogs which I've heard have been controlled pretty tightly as of late. I also noticed there is a book out called, "My War: Killing Time In Iraq". It's a compilation of blog entries from one man. Anyone read this? Anyone else reading blogs by military personnel in Iraq? If you have any rec's on blogs you think are worth reading, I'm interested.

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Today is going to be very laid-back. I'm all set for my trip to Cannon Beach. Just have one airport run to pick up my sister tonight! I'm very excited to be able to travel with her. I don't think we've ever been on a trip with just us two and not our families. (Have we, Bop? I'm not counting the youth group trips/missions trips. Just vacations...)

I told the kids that Auntie Bop and I will be away for the weekend. Bryant was happy for me. Claire was not. Claire is very attached to me the past couple years. Very. Attached. I like this and don't look forward to the teen years when I, The Mom, could become her mortal enemy. But it does make it hard when I have to leave her at times. She gets very sad. I hate seeing her sad. I think I'm her favorite family member at the moment. ;) At least when she draws or paints pictures of the family, she makes me the biggest. :)

It's very cute actually because she's constantly writing me affectionate notes and drawing me pictures. Recently, she's been typing and printing on the computer too, which opens up a whole new world of "publishing" for her. She's a girl of many art mediums. (Or would that be "media"?)

Her most recent printed note said this:

"I love you because you are my mom. You are a very special mom. Because you are my mom! p.s. love, Claire".

Touched my heart. :)

-bm