Happy Birthday, Katie Lea

Kittenfur, Kitty, Kit, Kate, Sissy. These are all names our Katie Lea has acquired over her now 24 years on this earth.

I'm so grateful that God allowed Katie Lea to be OUR daughter. At times her strong will and my will collided until I began seeing our strong willed little girl becoming a woman of passion.

All during my pregnancy with Kit, Vann and I prayed that she would not be a vanilla person but rather a flavor like snickerdoodle or raspberry with chocolate or tutti frutti. God gave us the desires of our heart and blessed us with a daughter who is dark chocolate with a smidge of tabasco thrown in. :) It's a great combination!

I've never heard of another lady who had to be induced 4 times (yes, that's right...4 times!) in order for the baby to come. But I, my friends, was induced 4 times. It was as if Katie Lea had her hands and feet on the wall of my uterus and was saying to us, "I'm just not ready! Back off, Jack!"

God has blessed this precious young woman with passion, artistic ability, an abundance of love and many friends. For this I'm so grateful. (And, she'll never give up on my trying to do "glamour lips" with her even though I've told her thin-lipped women just can't do it!)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Kittenfur. You'll always be our precious little girl.

Kitty Crazy,
Lila

Meet My New Grandson!

This is Oliver Ferdinand Conwell. Yes, of course we name our cars! Don't you? My car's name is Dora (the Explorer), Vann's car is Silver Streak. Serge didn't have a name for his car and couldn't believe we did. We decided to name his car Serge, Jr. He liked that. Caroline's car is Jesus (pronounce Hay-Soos - the hispanic pronunciation.) Weird? How many of you can say, to your CAR, "Thank you, Jesus for getting me here?" :)

Anyway, back to my beautiful grandson. Katie Lea (our oldest) has been saving for a new to her car...not just any car, but a Doodle Bug. She found one she liked a lot (thank you to the Hanner's) but it wasn't in the color she wanted. But the price was right. She took it to get a paint job and Oliver is good as new.

He's so handsome, isn't he? He's a pale mint green. Just delicious.

Funny. Cheryl, my friend at work, got a new Doodle Bug about two weeks ago and now Katie Lea got one. I want one! (Sorry, Dora. You have been good to me and have many miles left to go.)

Gleeful grandmama,
Lila

Peggy Lipton

You may remember I wrote about Peggy Lipton from the Mod Squad in an earlier writing. I got the sweetest surprise this morning from our oldest daughter, Katie Lea. I went into the bathroom to prepare myself for the day and there on the counter was the new book, Breathing Out, by Peggy Lipton and David and Coco Dalton. Kate left me a note saying she was glad that Peggy and I were both smiling now. Me, too! Thank you, Kitty. I can't wait to read it!

I'm so thankful for my thoughtful family and friends.

Gratefully receiving,
Lila