He's Coming....

Two weeks from today we will be on the road to OHIO for Thanksgiving. We just received approval to take Isaac out of state and we are VERY excited for you to meet him. So get ready for that terror on wheels........... he is coming to a town near you!

Can't wait to see you for Thanksgiving everyone!
The Crew

Football Buddies

Bryton and I are in love with college football. Although we don't have a tv, we follow the games in the paper, via Sports Illustrated, and at the stadium when we can get tickets. This photo is a pic of Bryton and I at the MSU v. Jackson State game. We won the game and had a great time getting wet. I made one crucial mistake. Blue ponchos -- Bryton said, "Mom, blue is for the other team. What were you thinking?" Clearly, I was thinking, "Stay Dry." My priorities are so out of line!

Another Photo

A better picture of the boy! Eric thinks he looked too scared in the first one. Oh, and can you spot the diva on the phone? And, who is hiding behind Isaac?

A Heiselt Family Update

For my monthly post, we have a BIG surprise!

First, an update on the crew.

Eric - Doing well at work, 4 classes left of PhD coursework (WAHOO!), got to travel to DC and was on CSPAN.

April - Was in the news a bunch, got a $355,000 grant, and is working toward tenure!

Emoree- Unfortunately, everything was cancelled this month for Emoree. She was supposed to have her first dance at school, her first YW campout, and her first band concert with the high school. Next month is looking up! She did, however, get a 100% on her Algebra Test as the only 7th grader in an all 8th grade class. YIPPEE!

Bryton- Was a rocket reader this month and is doing great in math. He is making friends and enjoying Scouts.

Shae- Was picked as the Kid of the Month for her class (a very prestigious honor). She is becoming a great reader and is a diva in every sense of the word!

And now.... our newest family member... (at least until December)...

MEET ISAAC!

Isaac is our newest foster child and we are enjoying spending time with him. His file goes up for review in December and we will know more then. We are just so happy to have his sweet spirit in our home. Bryton is so happy to have a little mini-me (as is Eric)!

Love you all!
April

p.s. Esther had a grand mal (sp?) seizure and is spending next week at the children's hospital in Memphis. Please keep her in your prayers.

I'm Sorry... and Thank You!

I start this blog by apologizing and then thanking everyone. First, the apology. We had a GREAT trip to Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Indiana. Everyone was awesome and the kids has a blast. I created this great blog entry with tons of photos, sparkling comments, etc. Then, our computer crashed (after 40 minutes of working on my project mind you). So, none of you get to see the great photos or sparkling comments because when am I going to find 40 minutes again? Rats! I do plan for more photos, but it might be in another venue (our home computer is too slow!).

Now the big THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone who put us up, allowed us to stay, fed us, and in general were just...swell. I love knowing that Kent does exist, that Eva is as super cute as she is in photos, that there actually are 10 Rodriguez kids, that I love my sisters-in-law as much as I knew I did, that Grandma H. is a mean bike rider, that the Jiffy factory is in Michigan (can't wait to go again Mel), that I had the chance to be an Aunt and join my nephew and daughter in the temple, that I got to celebrate a 12th birthday with my other nephew, that I got to play outside, enjoy cool weather (and I mean cool -- did I mention it gets hot in Mississippi?), that my sister and brother in-law are awesome guitar hero players, that my friend from college is now a great friend out of college, that Laurissa is as sweet in person as she is in photos, that Lexi is so tall, that Shane is super smart and is willing to share his talents with others, and the list goes on and on.

Other things I learned on my trip: I do not need to return to certain parts of Indiana in the near future, that I need to teach Emoree more geography, that I love GOOG411 (thanks Mel), Grandma H. makes a great chicken tetrazzini, and turkey burgers, that my nieces and nephews rock.

Thanks again and I can't wait to do it next year. Perhaps next year...Virginia...or New York!! :)

The Piano Recital

This year's piano recital featured Emoree AND Bryton. I only caught Bryton's piece on tape (Dad got Emoree's on the video recorder) but they both did a spectacular job.

In fact, their piano teacher said that they both made a tremendous amount of progress this year and that she was very proud of them. Next year, Shae joins piano lessons...hang onto your hats!

Another Hole in Her Head (two actually...)

Emoree turned the big "12" last week (she asked for 12 roses on her cake). That means Young Women's and at our house, most importantly... permission to get your ears pierced. So, two days after the big birthday we headed over to Claire's...

Emoree was pretty calm before the lady started marking her ears. You can see that her face was a tad bit nervous...

But she toughed it out (I think she squeezed the grips off the chair) and now she has two more holes in her head. Yet, these have diamonds in them. For the next 6 weeks she has to keep these in and take care of them. After that, she can wear post earrings for a year and then if all goes well (both her Mom and her Grandma have metal allergies) she can wear whatever she wants.

Happy Birthday big girl!!