A Whit funny

With the hot weather and now the rain, ants have found their way into the house in a few locations. I bought some ant bait traps, the kind you sit on the floor or window sill. Anyhow, this morning at breakfast, Whit noticed one of the bait traps in the window sill and ants crawling around and in it. He asked, "What is that, and how does it work?" I explained that ants find their way in, pick up the poison and then take it back to their nest so that the rest of the ants can die miserable deaths. Then, he paused and asked, "Can they hear you?"

Solar Flare Update

I noticed that the outside thermometer in my car today read "106." The interesting part is that I was still in the parking garage at work. Texas has somehow moved closer to the sun. Some people are being incinerated instantly as they step out into the sunlight. It really doesn't feel hotter than 100, and it's a dry heat, so at least we have that.

Things are rolling along. Whit is doing so well in Reading Camp, and can now read books beyond his grade level. He's also eaten more donuts and Dr. Pepper in the last three weeks than in the past 6 months. He burns it off though. Jack is hanging out at the house doing summer stuff like playing the Wii, seeing movies with friends, reading, etc. Leigh is busy planning her trip to Iraq and running the clinic. I am having to work much too hard as a college professor teaching a stats course everyday to a bunch of fast-fading graduate students who must really want to graduate.

We do all these things knowing that in a few weeks we will pass a second year without our Paulie. We went to Six Flags last weekend. We found lots of coins and told lots of Paul stories. He is firmly in our hearts, and this time of year magnifies his images and memories so vividly. It hurts to remember that two years ago at this time we had given up. Giving up was not in our vocabulary, but at that time, it was reality. These weeks two years ago were the hardest. Because you knew what was coming, and you were powerless to stop it. I have watched many other families over the the last two years go through it too. Anyways, we continue to remember our sweet Paul and remind ourselves how fortunate we were to have him in our lives. It just wasn't long enough.

Early summer update

Whit conquers kindergarten

I left Costa Rica behind but came home with wonderful memories. The program of study we have established there is truly an amazing and challenging experience for students and faculty. I can't wait til next year!

So, here is what is happening around here: the day after I started teaching summer school Jack and Whit wrapped up their school year (which stinks). This week, Whit began going to "Reading Camp" - a Baylor sponsored program for kids who need a "little extra." Whit loves it and does very well, but my guess is that he loves the donuts, ice cream and Dr. Pepper as much as the reading...but just a guess.

Jack is a homebody. He gets up earlier than any of us and reads, plays on the computer, plays with his iPod and works Legos. He was so excited to escape 5th grade without getting his hair cut (they have a strict hair length code), and he was already out of compliance the last week. He looks like a Bay City Roller band member right now, and I can't imagine what he'll look like when August gets here. Anyway, at least he'll have some good hair photos to laugh at later in life.

Leigh is planning her second trip to Iraq (see her blog) and enjoying her work in the Mission Waco free medical clinic. She just about has all the docs and nurses whipped into shape there.

So, there you go. Up to date. My next project is to create a new video to remember Paul on the second anniversary of his leaving us behind. We have missed him inexplicably as the school year ended and as milestones he would have met pass on by.

Thank you all for following our blog and for keeping me on my toes.