This spring I posted about traveling to Portland to say goodbye to my brother-in-law before he went to Iraq. It turns out, that was the trip where we said goodbye to Dan's grandma, as well--and it's the only memory my youngest will have of her. She passed away this weekend and will be burried next to her husband on Thursday. Here's a picture of her with my kids in front of her garden spot at the retirement home where she lived.

Dan got to go back and see her before she died. It was a healing time for his family--they were all in the hospital room and gave her a standing ovation as she stopped breathing. They CLAPPED her into heaven!!! His mom told me that she could see God's hand through the whole situation, and I've seen God answer prayers through this trip, as well.

My husband has been inspired spirutally. He said that at church on Sunday (before he flew home) he practically wrote his own sermon while listening to the pastor. And on his flight he started reading the book that I bought him months ago--A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART. He's been convicted to read his Bible more and last night in bed he asked me for five specific ways he can pray for me each week.

I'm so blessed. Everything I have is a gift from God. Even in the hard situations, God wants to bless our hearts.

Check out my son's new blog!!! He's not much of a writer, but he'll be a computer genious someday. He changed my wallpaper on my computer into a picture of a Lego Bionicle. I don't even know how to do that. Leave him a comment, too. It would make his day. http://myplaybook.blogspot.com/

I once read a trilogy of romance novellas based on fairytales like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. I've always wanted to rewrite The Scarlet Pimpernel with a modern day female protagonist so I'm working with my agent to put together a trilogy of romantic suspense novellas based on the classics of literature. The Scarlet Fingernail is my favorite idea so far. What do you all think? What kind of catchy, contemporary titles can you come up with for Robin Hood or The Counte of Monte Cristo?

I also have to add here, that my daughter had a great idea for a story of her own. She wants to write Puppyhontas--a puppy Pocahontas. How cute is that?

Lauren's first day of school is tomorrow. I tried to take her shopping for school clothes this weekend, but I don't think I'll be doing that again. The only things she wanted were summer dresses and tap shoes. Every time I picked out an outfit for her to try on she would say, "I don't like your ideas." Finally I let her pick out a polka-dot dress and pink leggings. She said (with great joy), "Now you have the same idea I have!" She must think I have terrible fashion sense. Here's her four-year-old picture.