holding hands with a child

I have decided to hold hands with a child is to touch the world

lest you think i am being incredibly and uncharacteristically sweet let me explain. i hate touching handrails. i wait for someone else to brave the germs of the public restroom door handle. if it doesn't look like I'm going to get out any time soon i will with some trepidation use my pinky finger at the very top of the handle to open the door. i tell myself that anyone that would touch there is as big a germaphobe as i am. i used to use anti-bacterial lotion in vast amounts similar to that used by jodie foster in "nim's island." (i have really cut back).  i wash my hands all the time and insist g'kids do too--wipe off my doorknobs and light switches at home with clorox wipes on a regular basis etc. etc. etc. 

in spite of repeated threats and warnings it was amazing to me how many surfaces a child can find to run their hands along.  i watched them walk on tiptoe to be able to reach a ledge way above their heads--just in case they might have missed some readily available germs. where is this skill and attention to detail when it comes to dusting? "hey, wait you forgot a a window sill. if this had been disneyworld you would have done that and the window casing above."

they were crawling around over and under everything--collecting snails with uncle adam and putting them in a new puddle in the parking lot and then they want to hold hands with g'ma, snuggle up and be held and because i love them to death i am happy to do it and then we all wash our hands, feet and faces---before bed at least.

the shower for ellynn was awesome and quite the group effort--darla julia, the missionaries, even our 85 year old neighbor and her son-in-law got in on it helping bake the bread bowls that rose all at once.  what a riot, i will let them give you the details.

life is so good, we had fun visiting with almost all the robbins family and a week later getting to take kel for breakfast on his way back through portland. he is honestly the cutest kid ever!!!

love to all, aunt le anne