I Would Make a Good Daddy

I'm Quite the Good Daddy aren't I? Now DRINK UP...DO IT_EXECUTE!

Funny Prayer

Tonight Ava had a nice little prayer. I will give you a little part of if. "Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for my family. Thank you for Daddy. He is the perfect woman." Try not to laugh too hard. I though you needed a smile today!

Alligators and Care Bears

Ava and Isabel were playing a game about keeping away from alligators. Ava had a Care Bear in her arms and Isabel had a stuffed puppy in her arms. Ava exclaims in a emphatic voice, "Alligators only eat puppies, but not Care Bears!" The rules of the game are very flexible.

Gabe, Michelle, and Kids come to LA!

Caleb is loving his food!

We celebrated three birthdays when my family came down. Ava's a little late, Elijah's on time, and Isabel's early. They had lots of fun celebrating together and opening their gifts.

Sterling was hanging out with Uncle Gabe and eating cereal for breakfast.

Isabel and my niece, Briana, played dress up and restaurant a lot. It was so nice to see the girls having so much fun together! When our family left, Isabel was very mopey and just laid on the couch for a couple of days. Briana also was crying on the the way home because she missed her cousins.

What a cutie! Here is Caleb looking surprised--or maybe surrendering to police? Either way, he was a delight! He is giggly, sweet, and very mild mannered.

Michelle is giving Elijah some Mommy love. Elijah is only 10 days younger than Ava.

Happy Caleb!

Sweet little girls! Lily, Briana, and Isabel just hanging out.

While my brother was here, he put together a play set for the kids. It is wonderful! He, of course, did a fantastic job and put it together very quickly. If Josh and I were to do it I bet it would have taken us all weekend! Thank you so much Gabe!

We had a wonderful time with Gabe and Michelle. We were so happy that they came down to visit us. After all, we know that DeRidder, LA is not a vacation spot. They came to see us. I know it is a long hard drive with three kids. They definitely showed their love for us by coming down here. We were blessed by their presence. We miss you guys! Thanks for visiting. See you in July.

Cute conversation

I don't have a lot of time, but I will leave a little post. My brother and his family came down for the last week. It was awesome. We miss them so much! Anyways, as soon as I have more time I will post some pictures and commentary.

The other day as we were eating supper, Ava and Isabel had a cute conversation. I will give you a little background on the topic. Two Christmases ago, Bel and Lily received leapster games. Ava just now received a leapster game for her 4th B-day. Ava's is an upgraded model compared to Bel's and Lily's models. So, as we are eating Bel says to Ava, "Ava, your leapster is so cool." Ava grins and replies, "Isabel, your leapster is cool too." "Thanks, Ava," Bel replies. "Your welcome, Bel. I love you," Ava says. "I love you too, Ava," is Bel's answer. How cute is that?

Kids

It has been a while since I have posted anything on our blog. Josh has taken it over for a while. He also lets the kids post their pictures they have taken of the cats. He is nice that way, unlike me. (: Anyways, the kids are funny as usual.

Yesterday, Ava said two notable funny things. I was grocery shopping with the kids and I was buying more groceries than usual. Ava took notice. She kept saying, "Mom, you are getting too much food." I just smiled and kept right on adding things to the cart. Again Ava said, "Mom you are getting too much food!" I then said, "Well, you do like to eat food. Don't you?" She then said, very seriously, "And how do you expect to PAY for this?" I think that is a line right from my mouth. They do absorb EVERYthing.

Okay, the second funny. Wednesday nights Josh and I teach a little kids class at our church. Right before we start the lesson; we ask if anyone has anything they would like us to pray for. The usual responses are: please pray for the scratch on my leg, please pray for my sick Grandma, and please pray for my dog. Those are the typical prayer requests. However, Ava's request generated some giggles. Ava raised her hand and I called on her. She said, "Momma, we need to pray that the kitties don't poop in the garage!" Silly girl!

Hyon and Cole Go Home

January 16, 2009 Ken's wife passed from this life to the next. He stayed home from work that day not realizing (though he may have had an intuition) it would be his last day with her on this Earth. Ken would call Terry that night and I would be honored with a call from him the very next day. He asked me to be a pall bearer. On Wednesday, January 21, 2009 he had his wake. I took my children and my wife. It was Ava's fourth birthday and we took her to Arby's and let her have some curly fries, a roast beef, and a chocolate shake. The children were fairly good and we stayed about an hour. Ava made a few people happy by coming up to Hyon's body that was dressed in a beautiful Korean traditional garment (hahn boke). I was telling Ava how Hyon had gone up to heaven, and Ava just says, she is very beautiful...those in the first row on the right side could here it and I could tell they thought it was very sweet. On Thursday, January 22, 2009, Paula came over and watched the children so Stacy could accompany me to the funeral. We arrived right around 1200. They had some food already prepared and ate before the funeral. In hindsight, it was a better arrangement and allowed people some nourishment before the additional emotional trauma that was sure to follow (no one would pass out or anything). There was a great coconut cake, some great pudding, beef tenders, potato salad, garden salad, and some deviled eggs as well as chicken and dumplings. The little church, Arkadelphia Baptist Church, was quaint and beautiful. The weather was about 70 degrees and cloudless..in a word, perfect. The plot right out the church had only a few occupied sites and Hyon would be buried next to Ken's father who also had passed on after a bout with cancer (the year prior). Ken performed remarkably in his eulogy and even was one of four carrying the casket. He was emotional, but help together the entire time. He was able to get through a dedication/eulogy to Hyon and there was narry a dry eye in the place. Ken has already said that he plans to be back to work on Monday...yes, just a few days after the funeral. We are praying for the family that they continue to be strong and Ken's faith has been an inspiration to those that know him.

We had the misfortune of being so far away from our extended family for little Cole's passing. This said, my parents kept us informed and it made for an even harder week for us and for many others. We understand that his funeral will be this Tuesday, January 27, 2009 with the wake the night earlier. The specifics of Cole's passing are hard to get into to. It was sudden and shocking. I do know that Jesus claimed him as his own and that passing away means entering some place far better. Our prayers to the family...especially the Buckinghams and the O'Briens, but for everyone. I understand that little Cole has helped others with his Cornea, Kidneys and Liver and this is no small gift! Here is a copy of the obituary for little Cole!

Cole James Buckingham
Buckingham, Cole James age 4, born June 27, 2004, died unexpectedly on January 21, 2009 at Minneapolis Chil- dren's Hospital. Cole was an absolute blessing to all of us and we know our lives will never be the same without him. He had a spirit that lit up any room he entered and you couldn't help but completely fall in love with him. Cole is survived by his parents, Jesse and Shannon (O'Brien) Buckingham; his adored brothers, Casey and Anthony; his grandparents, John Buckingham, Carole Buckingham, Phil and Vonnie O'Brien; great-grandparents, Delores Rouillard, Adeline May, Don and Elaine O'Brien; aunts and uncles, Jennifer Buckingham, Jason Buckingham, Molly (Tony) Hines, Katie O'Brien, Jennifer (Patrick) Jordan and cousins, Erin and Jordan McEachern, Jonathan Buckingham, Sam, Charlie, Joe and Stevie Hines, Lauren Jackson, Drew and Abby Jordan; as well as many family and friends. Cole was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Norbert May, Roger Rouillard, John "Jack" and Dorothy Buckingham. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, January 27 at 11 AM at Mary Queen of Peace- St. Martin Campus in Rogers. Visitation will be held AT CHURCH on Monday from 3-8 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to Mass. Burial to follow in St. Martin's Cemetery.