Look at how the kids have grown!

They grew up! It's amazing what 10 years will do. Derek used to be the shortest one and Rose the tallest. My how things have changed! I used to buy the girls matching clothes (see the blue vests). Now they would KILL me if I did that. They each have their own style, but are quite a good looking group of kids. They are even really GOOD kids too. We are very blessed!

She picked a college!

HALLELUJAH! My darling daughter, who has a really hard time with decisions, especially ones of this magnitude, has decided on which college she wants to attend. She was having a really hard time deciding between Western and Concordia. She tossed out PLU a few months ago when she learned she would have to live at home if she went there. That was not her most favorite option, so PLU fell WAY WAY down on her list! After visiting Concordia again yesterday with her dad, I got a text message that said, "I'm ready to send in my deposit". Whoo Hoo! I have the check written and sitting on the counter for her when she gets home from Target later this evening. Kaitlyn is going to be a Concordia Cavalier!

We're Back!

We had a great time in Hawaii but we are freezing cold now that we are back! The weather was sunny and 82 degrees the entire time. We had several rain showers, but they passed quickly and it was still very warm. The week went by way too fast!

My Monkeys

Climbing trees in Honolulu!

ALOHA!

Just arrived in Waikiki yesterday, while waiting for our room to be ready we headed down to the beach. In the hour and a half that we were there, Rose got really red. I got a bit red myself, but by this morning (yes it is only 8:30 a.m. here) my redness has soaked in and I'm good to go again. Rose will be wearing heavy duty sunscreen today! Our condo is REALLY nice! There is plenty of room for the 6 of us. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, washer & dryer, dining room table that seats six and the living room. There are 3 flatscreen TVs and 2 lanais (patios). It is paradise!

Beauty and the Geek

There shouldn't be any question as to which one is the "beauty" and which one is the "geek"! It was Tolo 2010 and the theme was "Beauty and the Geek". Charlie really got into the theme, as you can see. Kaitlyn is always a beauty, so it wasn't so hard for her! The event was at Family Fun Center in Tukwila. They rode the go-karts, played laser tag, and other games. After they left FFC, they went to Sonic for burgers and then to a movie. Kaitlyn strolled in a little after 1:00 a.m. Oh to be a teenager again!

Here we come......

Next week we are taking all of the kids (plus an extra one!) to Waikiki for 7 days of surf and sunshine.It is our Graduation gift to the kids. However, with all 3 of them graduating one year after the other, we knew we couldn't afford to go 3 times. A few years ago we decided we would go when the middle child graduated. That would be Kaitlyn this year. Rose graduating in 09 and Derek will graduate next year. We are taking Kaitlyn's best friend Mackenna with us. We rented a condo that sleeps 8 so there should be plenty of room. I just can't wait to get on the plane and then to get a Mai Tai in my hand when we land! ALOHA!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wishing you all the luck of the Irish today and everyday!

Concordia Visit

This weekend Kaitlyn and I took a road trip to Portland to check out Concordia University. She attended a writing workshop, took a tour of the campus and spent about an hour with her admissions counselor. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. This campus has some of the nicest dorm rooms that I have ever seen. I was amazed at how big they were, especially compared to the rooms at Western! The only "maybe" about this college option is the size. It is tiny! The education program is only 4 years - including her teaching credentials, which is a big plus. It is a 5 year program at Western. That's one more year of tuition!

I know Kaitlyn will make the decision that is right for her. It's a tough choice and really scary when you are 17! She is a smart cookie and hopefully will have a very successful, fun, and happy college experience - whereever she decides to go!

After we did the college-thing, we had to do the shopping-thing! Heck, it is Portland and no sales tax! That just demands shopping! It was really fun spending 2 entire days with Kaitlyn. I have a feeling it will be one of the last times we have just Mom & daughter time for quite awhile!

Love you babycakes!

Kaitlyn's Mission Trip

Kaitlyn and 16 of her classmates went to New Orleans this last week to continue the recovery from Katrina.

The "Seniors" in the group on the beach at the Gulf - freezing!

Provost Scholarship

Pacific Lutheran University has awarded Kaitlyn the Provost Scholarship worth $17,000. It's renewable for all four years, so it is worth $68,000. WOW! Great job Kaitlyn! Too bad that tuition, room and board are $37,000 at PLU. Its still mighty spendy, even with the scholarship. If that's where she really wants to go, I'm sure the Lord will provide a way. It might mean she has to live at home...not sure she's willing to make that sacrafice! She wants out of here!
Now we just wait for Western. Being that is a public university, we aren't expecting much in the way of financial support, but who knows!

This just in......

Kaitlyn's admission's counselor from Concordia University called tonight to inform us that Kaitlyn was accepted into the HONORS PROGRAM at Concordia. She is 1 of only 25 students that are accepted each year. After reviewing her application, essay, and recommendations, the Dean said she was a "slam dunk" for Honors admission. Being admitted into the Honors Program guarantees you a 50% tuition scholarship for all 4 years (as long as you continue to meet the requirements). WOW!
Congratulations Kaitlyn on your outstanding achievement. We couldn't be more proud of you!
Mom & Tim

College Choices

My little girl - the one that just went off to preschool carrying her stuffed Barney - is deciding on colleges. Where did the time go?

Tonight she heard from the 3rd school she applied to. She has now been accepted by all 3 colleges: Western Washington University, Concordia University (in Portland), and Pacific Lutheran University.

Concordia is courting her pretty heavily. They call and write regularly and even sent her a Concordia t-shirt. PLU has called a few times, but now that she's been officially accepted, the calls should be more regular. Both Concordia and PLU have offered her scholarship money, with more available if she gets into the Honors Program at Concordia or receives the Regents scholarship at PLU. Both of those would significantly reduce our/her out of pocket costs. Haven't heard much in the way of scholarship funding from Western, probably because it is a state school with much less funding. We're hoping they come through with some form of aid. I think that's where Kaitlyn is leaning.

As her Mom, I really don't have a preference. Any of these 3 schools are within a few hours driving distance. I can jump in the car and get a "Kaitlyn-fix" at any time. Plus, I like the fact that I can get her home just as easily if she needs to be around family - without the cost of a plane ticket!

Things should play out in the next few months. I can't believe she will graduate from high school in 5 short months. Wow!

Rest in Peace Uncle Bill!

Merry Christmas!!

It was a very laid-back Christmas day in the Babbitt/Lewis house! We got up and I made breakfast - cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole. Kaitlyn. Tim and I opened presents and just hung out. My Mom came over about 2:00 and we opened presents again. Then we had a killer dinner: turkey, 2 kinds of stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and ceasar salad. It was really good, but my kitchen was a disaster and I HATE to do dishes, which I did several times today. After vacuuming up the nasty wrapping paper bits and christmas tree needles, I am relaxing with Tim in the living room while Katie watches a movie in my room. Charlie will be here soon and Kaitlyn will open presents yet one more time today.

Rose and Derek came over on Wednesday night. We went out for dinner to Red Robin and then they came back to the house and opened their presents.

Christmas is so different now that the kids are almost grown. I miss the craziness and excitement of little kids at this time of year. I can't wait for about 10 years when I'm a grandma and get to have the little kid sensation again!

Merry Christmas everyone!