Odessa has been back to her normal healthy self for some time now. We still don’t really know what caused her sudden illness. Now, though, she is constantly on-the-go and loves to play games and listen to music. She enjoys board and card games as well as such car-trip classics as “I Spy with My Little Eye” and “We’re Going to Grandmother’s House.”

Tonight, while playing “I Spy” up in her bedroom:
Serena: I spy with my little eye, something that is yellow.
Odessa: Is it cheese?
Serena: Um…no
Odessa: Is it cheese throw-up?
Serena: Do you see cheese throw-up in your room?!
Odessa: Well, no…

Odessa’s nursery school just did a unit on building and what makes a house a home, which was capped off by a tool drive for Habitat for Humanity. She was pretty excited for her class to “build” their own house in the classroom and enjoyed being able to present her tool to a local fundraising director for Habitat.

Leo is an active little boy. He runs and tackles and screams. Lately, he has started to use more words consistently. His first word was “kitty” at Grandma and Grandpa Von Ruden’s house, accompanied by a patting motion on his leg to call their cat over to him. He also has words for “Dessa” and occasionally “Mama” or “Dada.” When attempting to communicate, Leo uses a sweet little sing-song voice with words that all pretty much sound the same to us. He likes to try to point to what he is talking about, which helps. Today, Scott taught him how to give kisses – which is still sometimes a hit-and-miss endeavor, but very sweet.

We were able to visit last night with some good friends who just had their first child a week ago and Scott and I were thoroughly smitten with their adorable new baby. It’s always hard to believe how tiny they are and how fast they grow!

I am finishing up a rotation at Target and will start my last rotation in two weeks. It’s amazing that we are so close to being done after our 5 year long odyssey towards a career change. We are looking forward for graduation on May 13!

This past week, my beloved grandmother, Lorraine Helen Thorson Sturm, passed away surrounded by family. Scott, Odessa, and I were very fortunate to be able to spend part of her last two days with her and say goodbye. Thanks to Dave and Paula for watching Leo. Grandma truly lived her life for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren giving us all more unconditional love than we could every repay. We love and miss you Grandma and are better people because of you. We will never forget the way you doted on us, never forgot birthdays, and always asked about “your” little Odessa and Leo. We will also remember our time with you in New York City and Alaska, and special memories baking Christmas goodies together and eating your delicious cooking. You can read her obituary here.