First, I wanted to remind all of our fast this Sunday for Ellyn. Both Brooke and I feel that we should exert all of our faith to help Ellyn learn and progress, especially that she can learn to speak to communicate to all of us. Faith can do miracles...they sometimes happen slowly and not instantly (patience is not one of my greater virtues!!!) Therefore, we are anticipating having a special fast like this about every 3 months...We appreciate all who will participate!!!

An except from Brooke's posting on the Bennett site (it makes her sick to sit too long at the computer screen!)...

I'm feeling better most of the time now. I still feel really bad when I don't have food in my stomach and now that I'm not throwing up half of what I eat I am beginning to increase my poundage. I am not feeling at all attractive, just ponchy and pastey. I should have left my hair long because now if I don't do it, which is most of the time, it-I- look like crap. I am still trying to play catch up on the house because I still don't have alot of energy and it is pretty well zapped by my lovely and demanding children. Let me pause here to say however that Jane has been my lifesaver. There had better be a special place in Heaven for oldest children (I will be there too of course). She has really been an amazing help and I am so proud of her for stepping up and doing so much without complaint (much anyway). She is such a cutie, as are my others, just much less helpful. Mike got home from two weeks in the field on Wed. last week and yesterday morning they told him at work that he is needed to fill a captain slot for the rest of this month and part of April. Let me tell you that I am not at all pleased. I think he might have secretly bribed them to take him away. My wife goes to bed at 9, she is getting fat, she never feels good, my house is a mess, when I'm home I have to do extra work... You know something along that line.

Back to Barb....
I am sure that Mike did not volunteer for it with the sound of his voice yesterday...he is not very happy about it!!!!

I am starting to do a bit more work again. I am going over to the Tri-Cities on Thursday...staying with Melody and John overnight and coming back on Friday afternoon. Hopefully, that will not make me quite so exhausted!!! I need to be more in touch with what is happening over there so I can be of more assistance.

Other than that, I have been busy trying to get the countertops arranged. They have been scheduled to have the template measured on the 5th...the day before we leave for Germany. Then they will be installed on the 19th...three days after we return. That will help since our kitchen will be TOTALLY unusable during that time. My big problem has been to get someone to reasonably remove the old countertops and two cupboards. I had two quotes that ranged from $1100 to $1800 but I'm still looking for something a little more reasonable but still qualified! Kim suggested calling LDS Employment Services and I already have a couple of leads so hopefully I'll be able to find something that works.

After we get the countertops in, we then need to select and arrange for the backsplash...then the bookcases and the painting. So our house will be in a fair amount of disorder from the beginning of April probably through June...If it happens faster than that, I will be delighted!!!!

I've been trying to keep up my exercise schedule. Yesterday, I did 1 1/2 miles on the Elliptical, 2 miles on the Treadmill, Curves and then in the afternoon I ran/walked 3 1/2 miles on the path in the Salmon Creek Preserve. Today, I did my Yoga (1 hour) then I went to Isaac's spelling bee...unfortunately he was out in the first round along with most of the other kids. I know he knew how to spell the word but that microphone and nerves took their toll. As all of you know from my disastrous family Jeopardy experience...I don't think well under pressure either. However, Isaac still has two more years to try. The pool of students was from 6th to 8th grades so he was one of the youngest! Quite an honor to just be part of the group in 6th grade!!!

I then have sat through a meeting from my work and I'm going out to lunch with Maylene Perkins now. I think when I get home from that, I may dress down and go to Curves and then try the run in Salmon Creek Preserve again...we'll just see how energetic I feel!!!

Love you all,

Mom