Weds., May 17, 2006, 9:30 a.m., M.T.~

Dear Louisiana~

Congratulations! Oh, that is wonderful news! I can only imagine just how excited you must be feeling now! I am so happy for you, and I am happy for little Vlademir Aleksander! It is always exciting to hear when an adoption has been approved; and seeing you have plenty of experience in that department, I didn't doubt for even one minute that the adoption would not be approved! You are doing the work of the Lord, and He is rewarding you with His blessings!

I am glad you had a good time in Louisiana and that you have the CMA Music Festival and the cruise to the Mexican Riviera to look forward to (as well as the arrival of little Vlademir!). Life is certainly on the up and up for you guys; good for you! I am happy too, and I only hope that one day that the Lord can bless me and my family like that! :)

The weather here is sunny and hot, temps in the upper 80's to near ninety, really summer like here (although the nights are cool, with temps in the fifties). The kids have been spending time at the swimmin' hole in our yard trying to cool off, and I have been trying to get some needed yardwork done. Hubby has been helping me, and it's been wonderful! I hope the weather is good where you are at; I know it has been cooler than average up your way. I hope it warms up there soon!

I have been following along on the Weather Channel regarding the situation in the Northeast. Boy, oh, boy, it has been bad up there, hasn't it? Do you have any friends up that way? I certainly hope that they are okay! Let me know if you hear from any of your New England friends! I will say a special prayer for them!

So did you go out for Mother's Day to that Fire Mountain? I hope you were fed well, and I hope that the kids treated you like the Queen you are!

My Mother's Day was good, but I found out that my cousin's little boy died Saturday the 13th, so that kinda' put a damper on things. We have to go to the wake later which is at 3; my cousin's son died when he got stung by several bees and sustained a life-threatening adverse reaction. The doctors couldn't save him; by the time the ambulance got him to the hospital, he was already pretty far gone. It was a tragic situation, and I am reeling over the death of little Damien Grayson.

He was just a little boy; he was only three.

Say a prayer for my cousin and her family as they get through these next few days and also the days (and months) ahead. Boy, talk about a bad Mother's Day; no mother should have to say goodbye to her child, especially on a happy day like Mother's Day! My cousin's name is Denise Garrett, and she and her family live in Aurora.

Well, Louie, this is about all that is new on my end. I do hope to hear from you again. In the meantime, I finished your book, and I really enjoyed it! Thanks again for sending it! God bless, and have a beautiful day!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Denver, Kate Grimswold. :( (sad because of the untimely death of my cousin's little boy.)