Weekend

What a great weekend this has been. First of all, Derek FINALLY got home. He had been in Pennsylvania for four weeks for work. We missed him so much. At times, Ella Grace would walk around the house whining, "I've lost my Daddy." It was so sad! We were all very glad to see him, especially this exhausted Mommy!

We hit the ground running when he got home. He had his 20 year high school reunion and we went to the gathering on Saturday night. It was so fun. I even got to see one of my fellow blogging buddies, Amy, whom I haven't seen in probably 14 years. Another neat thing about the evening was we realized Evan's new prinicipal was one of Derek's classmates. It is such a small world!

This was Derek and me before we left. When I chose my dress, I didn't think about my tan lines showing. UGH! It was too late to change it by the time I realized. Sigh!

At the reunion, they recognized all of the classmates that had served in the military. That made me so proud!

One thing Derek has been VERY excited about since being home has been sing the swimming pool (that he has only been able to swim in twice this entire summer) and also using his Father's Day gift...his basketball court. He was out there tonight shooting some baskets (with a little helper in a princess dress and water shoes), and I couldn't resist these pictures.

I think my heart may actually explode.

When I went outside, Ella Grace wanted to show me her new "tricks". One was on the trampoline and the other was that she could dribble the basketball. Derek said it was reminding him of the movie "Father of the Bride." My heart just melted right there. That is probably one of my top two favorite movies of all time. I just LOVE it and have to watch it anytime I catch it on TV even though we have the DVD!

What an action shot!

It IS like the movie. Remember that scene where Steve Martin is remembering shooting baskets with his daughter before he walks her down the isle. Whaaaa!

I sure am glad she has now found her Daddy. =)

This summer we have spent a lot of time carting Evan to all of his activities. I wanted to do something special with Ella Grace. She has been such a trooper going with us EVERYWHERE and rarely complaining. So, Saturday morning, we went with some friends to see the movie "Ice Age." Here she is with her friend, Samuel. Derek wasn't so sure about her holding hands with a boy. Ha!

My next post is all about Evan. Tomorrow is his last day of A-Camp. I can't wait to share some wonderful picture of him having a ball at camp!

Hope you all have had a great weekend!

Autism Insurance Reform

I "think" this will be the last thing I post about insurance coverage for children with autism. It's not a promise, but since the insurance reform has reached the federal level, I'm not sure what can happen after that.

You all have been so sweet and supportive over our journey with autism and my little speeches at the capitol. I just thank you from the bottom of my heart.

On the final note of this experience, I am asking you all, if you feel so led, to please go to this LINK and read more about the Federal Autism Insurance Reform. You can fill in the blanks on a simple form to have a letter go to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry M. Reid telling them kids with autism and the families caring for them NEED insurance coverage for the treatment of autism. Imagine if you couldn't get your child the help he or she needed. It's heartbreaking. This will help my Evan and the tens of thousands out there just like him, especially those that are still little bitty and just getting diagnosed. The earlier on they get treatment, the much brighter their future!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my sweet friends. If you send a letter, I'd love to know it if you want to leave a comment. Know you have just done a BIG thing! Also, if you would like to send this link to anyone else you know that would like to support this legislation, please feel free to send it on.

Much love,
Leigh Ann

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe today marks 15 years to the day I married "the boy from church." What a lucky girl I am. We have had the normal ups and downs of life, but I can honestly say even on the down days it is a joy to be Derek's wife, and, for the most part, being married to him is just plain easy! He makes it easy though. =)

I like thinking about our wedding day back on July 2, 1994. It was blue skies and hot as all get out, but I remember us planning to get married as soon as possible and that was the first opportunity. Now, it is so great that our anniversary always falls near a holiday. We usually go somewhere special like Destin, but this year Derek is out of town. Whaaa! It makes me sad we won't be together, but it will be okay. We'll celebrate by going to dinner when he gets home. My very sweet friend, Heather, brought over a magazine, the movie "Sense and Sensibility" (I've never seen it) and a yummy chocolate dessert for one for me to enjoy tonight! I'm looking forward to getting the kidlets in bed and enjoying all my treats!

I loved my wedding dress. I never got it sealed (or whatever you call it). Gasp! I don't much think Ella Grace will want to wear it one day anyway. I loved the princess style of the dress with all the tousle and sparkles. It was my dream dress I wore to marry my dream man. I actually got it out last night and was a little sad that some of the sequins had started to turn yellow. It's still as pretty as I remember though.

Ella Grace couldn't wait to get her hands on my veil (aka "the anniversary hat")!

I still have the copy the pastor that married us gave me for our wedding vows. They weren't the traditional vows. They were a little different. I like them because they were based on "the fruit of the spirit" and were a little different. The verbiage seemed more like real life to me. For all you OBU friends, Dr. Buckalew married us. I just loved him!

We went to Disney World for our anniversary and had the best time. Most of the pictures I have are of him or me alone because the other was taking the picture (with the Kodak disc camera...remember those...ha). I think this is the only one I have of us together.

We were just babies...in our high waisted shorts. Ha!


Happy Anniversary, Der Bear! Now, come home already!