The Competition Begins....

Here is another picture of our beautiful new niece and cousin, Alysia. Isn't she just the prettiest baby? We are enchanted with her here at the Wells' house. The girls are incredibly anxious to get to see her and hold her.

I feel I should send fair warning to the proud Mommy and Daddy: there is a fierce competition among some members of our household to monpolize time with your daughter. Well known as a baby hog, Duane told me, "I hope you don't think you are holding that baby - I am." His reasoning is that if I really wanted another one to hold, I could have one but he cannot.

Upon hearing this, Kaitlyn piped up with "But I'm a big sister and I know how to hold babies the BEST! Auntie Heather will want ME to hold Ali."

To which Sam replied, "I big too! And I NEVER get to be the big sister. I always the little one. Now I the big one and I get to hold baby Ali!"

Great, just great. Apparently I'm going to have to sneak into her nursery in the middle of the night for the opportunity to hold my niece. That's ok though, I have my own means of bribery. I already have an entire large suitcase full of clothing packed up for Alysia. I know everyone makes fun of me for saving all the pretty little girl clothes from Kaiti and Sam but I had inordinate amounts of fun washing and folding them last night and packing them up for my niece.

So, Derek and Heather, you may want to run out and purchase a timer because the competition is fierce! Of course, after reading this you may want to run and hide your daughter in a far away place before we descend and the spoiling begins..........................................

Lots of love to you!

Introducing Alysia Yeon Soon

Kaitlyn and Samantha would like you to meet their new cousin, Alysia Yeon Soon Brown. Alysia was born this morning (Dec.8th) in Portland, OR. Her proud Mommy labored for a very long time (think 18 + hours) before the doctors finally decided that a C section would be safest for little Ali. We are so excited that she has finally arrived and cannot wait to see her in just under 2 weeks! Here are some pictures of the proud parents (Derek and Heather) with their little princess. We wish we were there with you!! Sending lots of love and kisses to Alysia and her Mommy and Daddy from Uncle Duane, Aunt Kelly, and her very enamored cousins, Kaiti and Sam. We love you!

$5 or an outgrown suit.....

Family and Friends -
Just wanted to share some info that was passed on by one of the other wives in our battalion. The following are two charities that supply assistance for wounded soldiers who are recovering and transitioning into the civilian world. For many of these soldiers the transition is incredibly difficult. They are giving up their passion - serving their country - and many are wounded in a way that makes finding civilian work a challenge. The following charities are so easy to contribute to and make such a difference to these warriors and their families. They allow them to start a new life with dignity and hope. The Operation Jump Start charity is an easy way to get your children involved in community action. They accept $5 Gift Cards to restaurants that are local to Walter Reed Army Medical Center so that soldiers who are beginning to venture out of the hospital can ease themselves back into daily life and being around others. Please pass on to any other family or friends that may be interested.

Operation Jump Start. This charity provides mint condition suits to the wounded troops to help them transition into the civilian world. They take suits for men and women. These suits must be dry cleaned and a 3x3 card placed in the suit pocket with the suit size on it. They accept accessories, too. Such as ties, belts and scarves. These donations are accepted year round. They can be sent to:
Ms. Jeannie Lehowicz
11431 Hollow Timber Way
Reston , VA 20194
They also accept gift cards in $5.00 increments for Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Burger King, Macaroni Grill and Starbucks. These are eating establishments close to Walter Reed that the troops can get to easily.

Leadership VA Alumni Association Service Member Support (LVAAA SMS).
This charity is 100% volunteers and was founded and is managed by three Vietnam Veterans. Their funds provide computers, adaptive software and hard, financial aid for newborn celebrations and weddings. One of their big expenses is that they take each wounded person to a restaurant in DC and buy them a steak dinner. This is usually the injured persons first test of themselves in a public situation. It is a 501c3. Donations can be sent to:
LVAAA SMS
PO box 27101
Washington, DC 20038-7102