Tuesday, September 12, 2006 (on board the Carnival Spirit; we are on our way to Alaska! :) )~

Dear Kendra~

It sure sounds like you have your hands full: besides worrying about your own brood, you have concerns about other friends who are hurting! You are ever the compassionate, caring soul! You are always in my prayers!

We are doing well: in fact, we are doing GREAT!! As I write this, we are ON BOARD our ship!! We started our cruise to Alaska ysterday; we are currently chugging our way northward towards Alaska, where we will be for two glorious weeks!

We are going on this cruise to celebrate the adoptions of Janica last year from Romania, the additions of Arjun and Rani from Sri Lanka, and our newest Miracle, Gabriel Abrahiam, from Israel! It seemed like the perfect reason to go on a cruise--take the family, the whole kittenkaboodle! :) 

Kendra, you can't imagine the size of this ship: it is larger than the ship we took to Mexico back in June! It is a floating city: restaurants, "living quarters" that are well-furnished, shopping areas, and even gyms and spas! They even have a medical clinic with a team of doctors and nurses, and gambling facilities! There are activities for all ages, and the children are having a ball exploring and meeting other kids who are on the cruise!

We had a great flight to San Francisco, California, once we got past the security (that was a NIGHTMARE!!), and while in San Fransisco, we went to Fisherman's Wharf. We enjoyed it, but Johnny didn't  like the smells: he said it was too stinky! LOL

Gabriel is still quite shy, but it helps having Amina with us: she has proven to be an invaluable help to this scared little boy!

Kendra, I am sititng here on my bed, typing this on my laptop, listening to praise music on the headset. My dear hubby is with the children (as is Amina); I am relishing this "quiet time" emmensely! :) We are truly on vacation: no worries, no fears, no headaches, no stress to be had!! Ahhh! More people should have this opportunity, to go cruising! This is such bliss! :)

I am happy to know that Susis is on the mend. Food allergies are nothing to mess with! I know all too well just how scary food allergies can be! Yet as long as you keep your allergic child away from the problem-causing foods and read the labels carefully, then he or she should do just fine!

Ronee' knows to stay away from nuts, and as long as she takes the necessary precautions, she'll be okay! Ronee' is doing so well with her health it is as though she is a completely different child! She gets around better on her canes better than I do, and she absolutely glows with wellness! She looks just like a typical teenaged girl (acts like one, too, at times! LOL)!

Johnny is doing quite well for himself: no unexpected emergencies (the poison ivy he has is getting better, and he isn't quite as itchy as beforehand; the spots are starting to go away!), muscular dystrophy seemingly entering a stagnant pattern. (Hopefully this will continue!) He does have to use his oxygen because we will be in the mountains, but other than that, he is doing super! :) Johnny is excited about returning to Alaska, and he is looking forward to the possibility of seeing Jenna and her family (as well as possibly seeing Sikik)!

Whoops!! I have to go: someone is banging on the door. It must be Bill. It sounds like him! I will wite in here again soon; take care, and God bless! Love you!

~As always, your (Alaska-bound) friend, Louie May. :)

P.S.: Give your kids hugs and kisses from the Sandusky gang, and tell your daughter Kia that she will be added to our prayer chain at church! I hope she feels better soon!

~Love, me.