It Changes Again **updated**

**Brian tried to call and again couldn't get through. He emailed me and said he would try again tomorrow.**
The Army is sticking to it's ways by changing Brian's return again. The date is the same but the "procedure" is different. Now it looks like the guys from this area (Mannheim and Heidelburg) will be going to a place in Heidelburg for a welcome home ceremony direct from the airport and we can greet them there. Still, this is subject to change again. We are hoping to have a meeting with the local FRG leader on Wednesday at 1000 with the main FRG group. We should have more definitive information then.

In "Avery" news she has had an EXPLOSION of communication skills in the last 2 weeks. She isn't so much talking but using body language and following directions. If you ask her if she wants more food, she does a sign for "more" and will shake her whole upper body in a "yes." If she is done eating she will shake her head "no." She goes to bed very well for a little thing, but sometimes it is nap time and she would rather play, so she will shake her head "no" when I put her to bed, but she stays put and falls asleep anyway. She will also shake her head "yes" or "no" when asked (sometimes). She will also blow kisses when asked (sometimes) and we caught her doing it in the picture above. We get excited when she "communicates" so now she does the things she can a lot. Additionally she can follow SOME commands, but is not consistent. I ask her "Where's your binkie?" and she starts looking around and will grab it when she finds it. Or if I say "give that to mommy" she usually will give it up. I think she says "diaper" (though I have thought so for sometime). It sounds a lot like "DaDa" but instead of "Da" and "Da" sounding the same, the second "da" is a lower tone. She says this when she is running around carrying a diaper. Oh yes and when she is hungry she will say "NaNa" or fling herself sideways (think nursing...lol).

Tristan, Sammi and Keagan have been really enjoying this 4 day weekend and I have been enjoying it with them. WE HAD A FANTASTIC time with all the girl scouts here. 7 ended up coming, with Sam that is 8 and with my kids plus the other adult we had 13 people to feed dinner and breakfast. For dinner I had pre-cooked some chicken and steak strips and chopped up about 7 different types of veggies and made some rice. The girls (and my boys) got to pick what food they wanted and then cooked it up themselves in the wok. The other adult, Ms. Nina, brought a wok as well so we could do two at a time. Dinner was DELICIOUS if I do say so myself. In the morning we had special drink (vanilla yogurt, bananas and 2 types of frozen fruit), eggs, beef sausage and pancakes. Sammi (with some help) had her turn being troop "leader" and helped the girls earn two patches while at our house (on computer use and safety). That was a lot of fun too. The last girl asleep was Sammi at 1 am!!!! Crazy girl was still up just before 8. Meanwhile the boys and I went to bed at about 2200 and got up at 0630 (Ms. Nina is more of an evening person and slept in the livingroom with girls). The boys had a fabulous time playing on the computer in the back and watching movies all night. Avery loved being the center of attention. The girls were all aged in range from 7 (Sam is youngest) to 9 and they played with AJ and "ooohed" and "ahhhed" with her all evening and in the morning. AJ LOVED IT!

Well, tomorrow is my 34th birthday. I plan to cook nothing all day. Ms. Nina is taking me to lunch, and I am taking me and the kids to diner and then the movies (gonna see Night at the museum). Each of the eldest three bought me gifts and wrapped them by themselves. Ms. Tina is taking me to the brunch in Ramstein on Sunday, so I am really getting spoiled.

Brian is supposed to call here in a little bit. If he does, I may have another update today. He was supposed to call yesterday and then couldn't get a line out so I am hopeful, but not holding my breath.

Okay so this has been long huh? I have a bunch more photo's at the picture website. I deleted all the old save for one. There are a few of the Girl Scout sleepover and some of me, Sam and AJ playing. AJ and Sammi giggle so easily and the smallest thing makes them laugh... ah to be young.

http://groups.msn.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

Oh MY how could I forget MLK today!!! Happy birthday to him (as today is the actual B-day too I believe). I hope you all take a moment to reflect on how far we have come, and on how far we have to go to complete equality. I know I will.