When Karuna Comes to Visit

We have some very great friends here. One of those couples includes Christo and Melissa Philip. I was browsing through my pictures and came across some pictures from when we babysat for their daughter, Karuna (supposed to be pronounced with a rolled "R" but good luck!).

Christo is a first year medical student. We were put in touch with Melissa and him before they came to Mayo. They were a little nervous about coming so far from family and wanted to "hear it out" from a couple who had done it.

John started emailing Christo, I started emailing Melissa. Melissa was due to have Karuna only weeks before they would arrive. She was also a school teacher, and they were fantastic Christians. We ended up picking out and doing all the walk throughs for them on their new condo. We took digital pictures of every nook and cranny. When they got here, we became instant friends.

Christo and Melissa definitely win the award for bite off so much I don't know how they don't go out of their minds! Last year they decided to become foster parents. This meant that after Christo sat in class from 8-5 each day, on Thursday nights, they would go to 4 hour parenting classes. I, however, loved Thursdays, because Karuna came to visit.

Karuna, only really likes to do one thing when she comes to visit and that is, sit on the couch next to JB and hit his computer. This doesn't work well when you are studying for boards. But JB and Karuna came up with a good plan to comprimise. She could try to hit all she wanted. He, however, could block as much as he wanted. This realationship went on for hours. These pictures were taken over the course of a few hours on one on the nights. Well, maybe not that long. After a certain period, JB's right arm gets cramped and he says I must find something else that Karuna likes to do. I haven't found it yet.

I am dissapointed that foster-parenting classes are over, but Christo and Melissa assure us that they will find something to do on Thursdays nights that will allow me (and JB) to continue to bond with now one year old Karuna!