Carson has arrived.....

Linda certainly hangs on to her pregnancies as long as is prudent, and then a little longer. But when she decides she is done, well....believe, she is done! She had a terribly elongated labor, maybe 45 minutes and then we had a handsome young Carson Lawrence Kincaid. He was just shy of 8 pounds and almost 22 inches in length. He is not a tiny boy, more favoring Logan than James I would say. He came out hungry and got right to task, took a nap and went right back to the eating routine. If his beginning is any precursor to his personality he will be a very easy to please and happy kind of kid. Needless to say, Linda is doing great, she will get more rest in the hospital than she has in months I suspect. They are talking about keeping Carson 48 hours and will keep Linda there too (and hopefully not in a chair like they did to Nancy).

Emily took Linda up this morning at 7:00 a.m. for check-in and stayed to assist and entertain. It is a pretty powerful experience to do that, I know, I have had several opportunities to do same. Both Mother and Aunt fared well this day, but I think both are kind of tired. Emily presently has Logan and James for dinner. Larry was watching James but he was at her house so James is blended in with her kids. Logan has been my side kick most of the day but ended up in Emily's care too. Larry will bring the boys to the cabin after dinner for some play, and then they head off to their own beds where he has offered to spend the night with them. Tomorrow the boys will be mine for the most part, and James will be able to meet his new little brother. Logan had that opportunity today and was almost pleasant. Children do not comprehend hospitals and are pretty Leary of interaction.

Here's Hank....

Meet the newest Campbell...this is Hank, one bonenified Russian Terrier puppy. He isn't new to the family but a new Campbell. Curtis purchased hank when he was a couple of months old, but his life style didn't work out for the long run and he gave Hank to Emily and James. I think he is something like 7 months old and definitely still growing. He has beautiful black curls but has been clipped short as his hair was totally matted. He is handsome young lad but all puppy, all very big puppy. Daisy says we should send him back to where ever he came from, but she tolerates him kind of. He can not make sense of the snipped little white dust-mop on the floor but is so curious that he puts his gentle nose down and Daisy snaps at him. He bows to her geriatric demands and all is well for a time, and then he forgets and tries again!

And while meeting the newest Campbell we are also hoping to meet the newest Kincaid. Little Carson is way past due and Linda has an appointment today to see what is next, we are thinking induction is next and, believe me, Linda is more than on board with that thought!

So life is complicated but it sure is good too. And we might even have a sunny day to thaw out my cold little Daisy. I don't think building a fire is called for when you know the cabin will heat up with solar energy eventually....and it isn't all that cold really. I think the cabin is 62 degrees at present, the day is in the low 50 range, but it is still early and the sun is already out there doing what it does.

What a cute set of cousins we do have in our family. How similar and how different. Amy has those amazing turquoise eyes and Logan has green. Both very unique in coloring and neither showing well in the picture but I know they are amazing even if the picture does not confirm the fact! Amy loves to look out after Logan and he is not so sure he wants to deal with his older cousin as a care-giver. They are just so cute when they interact.

The rewards....

My friend Gloria came over for a short lesson this afternoon. You know, there is a reason that I do what I do. It is hearing someone like Gloria play that makes all of it worthwhile. You spend so many hours with children that do not have adequate support to succeed, adequate interest to suceed and many others area that fall short. But in life there are those that come along with all their ducks in a row and they are the reason we teachers do what we do. Gloria sat down and played the 1st Excursion for Piano by Samuel Barber. What an experience to listen to her play that. I have played it and it was a pivotal piece in my life, it taught me there was music that didn't follow the rules established by Bach but that was still wonderful music. What a joy to hear her play and to know that I had a real part in this journey. I listen to her today for free but there is a day coming all too soon when I will not be able to afford the tickets to hear this young lady. She plays my recital on the 4Th of June and Benaroya on the 5Th for big money. Yah, this one is going places and I will enjoy every step of the way knowing that she will succeed because she has family support and willingness to invest her considerable talent.

And the other side of the recital, we have lots and lots of beginners playing this year. It is always good to have beginners and most are from Emily. She does a great job with introducing students to the piano and I think the recital will show that. And the other positive side.....having the recital done means I have yet one more chunk of time open up for summer kind of things. Yah, it is a good thing.