Quick Takes • The Calm Friday Edition

Seven snippets from life today.

1. Bellarmine and UP grad Molly Hightower's body was recovered today in the rubble from the Haitian earthquake. Our family said a rosary today for the repose of her soul, and for her family during this time. She was volunteering with special needs kids in an orphanage through NPH. If you have a few minutes, you should read through her blog that she wrote from Haiti. Her sister, Jordan, has been keeping things updated on her Twitter feed. There have been Masses and prayer services offered across the U.S.
2. There are a number of ways to give right now. Especially through Catholic Relief Services and World Vision. Two fantastic organizations to give through. A very cool concept through Fast For Haiti - where your family fasts for a meal, and donates the amount that would have been spent on the meal.
3. Feeling very grateful right now for all we have.
4. Mom has started updating her Caring Bridge site on her own -- yea! And to think she used to only think she could play bridge online... :)
5. Had a very good evening last night at the house at Mom and Dad's. Mike and Avila were able to come out and we all were able to celebrate Mom's homecoming. So grateful for our every-other-Thursday nights together. Thomas loves the bonus Grandma time in the afternoon too, since she's not working right now!
6. Do you remember the little ghost called "Not Me" from the Family Circus? Whenever something bad happened, it was always Not Me's fault. I think he has taken up residence here on the farm...there was a mysterious bite taken out of every peach in the fruit basket (and placed back in the fruit basket), and a few tiny bite marks in the satsumas...every bottle and jar was removed from the bathtub and placed on the bathroom floor, food from the pantry keeps ending up in the bathroom, and the Wiimotes keep finding themselves in new places in the living room. I'm just glad that I don't have to feed Not Me too. :)
7. Loving Skype. Grandma has gotten all set up at home, and we've talked several times today via Skype. Thomas loves showing her what he's doing, and she loves hearing his voice. I truly had no idea how easy it was and am kicking myself for not getting on the bandwagon sooner. Here's Grandma waving and Thomas, and Thomas jumping up and down on Mommy. :)