Laurie Skyped us last night.

Said she has just a little bit of bad news... she has gotten Joe's 'flu and won't be able to come.

I said that isn't a "little" bad news, that's HUGE!

The boys were behind me saying, 'Yeah! That's an ocean of bad news! That's an ocean with a tsunami of bad news- ready to capsize all eight of our ships!"

At least she knows she's loved.

After a few minutes and all of us just about crying and Bill getting his back up that she isn't gonna be able to come... you know Bill, capable of the impossible- except for that one leaky spot on the roof...

We all just didn't want little Braeden to get sick- traveling 9 hours in the car with Laurie. Nothing worse than a sick baby.

There's a solution to that.

Bill got her a plane ticket and she'll be arriving any time now! I suppose it's unchristian of us to knowingly expose everyone on the plane to her cold... I'm trying to muster up some guilt.

Joe and Laurie resisted the expense, but Bill is an irresistable force once he sets his mind to something.

And really, it's only money and the crazy thing is- we had set aside some money for a project- and it turned out to be less than we expected- we had exactly the right amount left over. Providence.

Yes, she will be sick while she is here, but we are perfectly capable of taking good care of her. The girls said they will spoil her "like a little baby." And Laurie really wanted to be here.

And we couldn't imagine her NOT being here.

...so while "they often go awry" There's very little Bill can't fix. Except for that leaky roof.

Lord willing, Daniel, Laurie and Joseph will be traveling, this weekend. Please pray for safe travels. We are so excited. Their younger siblings have been very quiet- just trying to get through the days as quickly as possible until they arrive. Darren, Amy and baby Odom will be coming along also. You should probably pray for them, too, as they haven't yet been exposed to the entire Koen household before. Could be something of a culture shock... I understand that Darren is planning a tour of our local eating establishments. Should make cooking a breeze. Jacob will be celebrating his birthday while they are here. Joseph and Laurie are also birthday guests. That will be quite the induction into the family. If you've never been to a Koen birthday you might want to avoid the experience, if at all possible. We sing "Happy Birthday" in our own unique way... No I'm not sayin' how, you'll just have to wonder about it. We're ready to have a great weekend!

The boys are planning a little road trip to Indy this evening for a singing at the Whitsitts. They'll be staying the night and are really looking forward to it. Lord willing they will get to see their brother, Dan and their cousin, Josiah. Please pray for a safe trip and encouraging weekend.

This is the goofball picture. He was creating quite a ruckus- crying and carrying on. His Mama was "poor baby" ing him. Full of sympathy and cooing. I whipped out the camera and you see what happened? The biggest, goffiest grin you ever saw. Somehow I wasn't convinced it was a "poor baby" moment.