Dear Lucy,

     Aunt Kate is spending the week with us this week. She decided to come visit on spring break and so far it has been a lot of fun. She likes getting to spend some quality time with you, and you seem to be enjoying it too.  It's good for you guys to have some one on one time and not have Nonnie and Poppie hogging all of your time.

    You're starting to stand up on your own. It's super scary!! Lots of people keep saying you're going to start walking soon! I can't believe how quickly you're growing up. Just in the last week you've started waving back when someone waves at you. I love watching your personality develop. You haven't started talking yet and I'm not really sure when you will. Everyone always says babies are different and develop at different rates so I try not to worry.

     Daddy and I are talking about having your Grandma Stitt come and stay with us for the summer. It would save us a lot of money on day care, and money is one thing we don't really have extra of right now. I'm not sure how we'll be by the time you're reading this, but I really hope it's better than we're doing now. I don't want you to get the wrong impression. None of us are deprived of anything. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and a little bit of money to play around with. A very little. That's how the economy is for a lot of families these days. I hope when you're older, we have money in the bank, and the ability to help you out financially. I don't ever want you to worry about Daddy and I like I've worried about Nonnie and Poppie. Like I said, no one has ever been homeless or starved, but money has never been something I've had in excess. Hopefully with Daddy's new job at the railroad things will start to change.

     When you grow up and graduate from high school, Daddy and I want to be able to help you out if you want to go to college or any kind of higher learning. We want to help you out even if you don't go to a post high school school. Our goal is to be well enough off that you don't ever worry about getting to do something because of the money, but also know the value of a dollar. We want you to work in high school and help pay for your own car and phone, but be able to help you out when you fall. . . and you will fall. Everyone does. I hope that by now you know that Daddy and I will love you when you fall. We will be there to pick you up and hold your hand while you learn to walk again. Much like we're doing with you now...holding your hands while you stand up until you're ready to let go.

All my love forever and always,
Mommy