Be ye kind...

As a mother, I want so badly for my boys to love each other...and be best friends. Many days this dream seems far from reality. We are a family that is together almost all the time. We school together, eat together, shop together, and play together....and sometimes fight together. :) Jared has to learn to complete his school while his three year old brother is singing loudly, and Jesse has to show forgiveness when J.R. dumps his pencil box out 10 times a day. It takes a lot of grace to learn how to get along! With a lot of prayer, we trust that we'll get there- eventually. Seeing acts of kindness between the boys warms my heart...and gives me a glimmer of hope.

Yesterday was one of those times. Jared and Jesse play Mancala and checkers all the time, but this time decided to play Hi-Ho CherryO just so Justin could play. After the first game, I even overheard Jesse encouragingly tell Justin, "you did pretty good for a three year old." :) I could tell Justin was thrilled to play a game with his big brothers. And I was proud of my older boys for playing a "baby" game to show love to their brother. :)

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

BJ's sweet ride!

We finally sold the Caprice. I know my homeboy will be sad, but he'll get over it! BJ, being the practical man that he is, thought we needed this car during the gas spike a while back. I was pregnant with J.R. and our Suburban is a gas hog. He thought we should have a more economical car for all SIX of us to ride in (it had 2 bench seats), especially on our frequent trips to Portland and Tacoma. It was uncomfortable before J.R. was around, then even more so with his carseat between Beege and I. We have a few very funny memories in that rig...one that is just too embarrasing to share. BJ also received more thumbs up in that car from fellow homeboys while driving in Portland. Once on our way to Portland a man gave us his name and number wanting us to sell him our car! He pulled up next to us in the Burger King parking lot and said,"Excuse me sir, I want that car." I thought "you've got to be kidding!"

Then there was the time BJ went to one of our local coffee drive-thrus (owned by friends) and Jamie Kline who was working at the time told BJ "that car works for you, you can pull it off." BJ said "thank you...I think!"

We bought the car right before Grace Anne (Isaac and Amy's 2nd baby) was born. We drove the car down to Portland to see her and while there Isaac took a picture of us in the car and "doctored" it up a bit. (No we never had 22 inch wheels on it!)

After realizing this car sitch wasn't working, we bought a minivan last spring. BJ drove the car for a little while longer, then loaned it out a couple of times to friends in need of transportation. We finally had the time to get this thing sold. I am sure there will be many more car adventures being married to BJ. :)

This is getting embarrasing....

Tonight while we were shopping as a family at Costco, my six year old, Jesse, said very loudly to Jared "Jared, you should eat pickles like me....they only have 30 calories and 0 fat!" Talk about a dead giveaway that someone in the family is counting calories. (Unfortunately with little success!) BJ smiled and said " Oh don't worry honey, I am sure everyone thinks it is me." :)

Family Outing

Today our family went to Northwest Trek. BJ and I have always wanted to take the boys there and this weekend kids were free, so we thought we should take advantage of the savings.

Part of the experience is a 30 minute tram ride to see the animals. The boys, including the big one, were pretty impressed! Too bad they don't allow hunting in the preserve. My boys of course asked if they could shoot them! :)

These first few pictures were taken on the tram tour. After the tram ride, there is a walking trail to see more animals. It is a neat place and we really enjoyed it. Our only complaint...it was so cold today! I was so thankful to crank the heat in our car when we were done!

Here we are in the WARM craft room.

I had to take a picture of this de-scented skunk.... My husband is known for sleep walking, talking, and sometimes punching (not me, just a guy on a mission trip with him.) One night during his college days, BJ said in his sleep "Skunks make good pets - if you take the stinkers out." Nathan, his cousin and roommate at the time got a kick out of that!

Heart Day

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day!

xxxoo

The Scarf

FINALLY (said like Napolean Dynamite)... I finished this scarf. I knew it was taking me a long time when a friend at church said "You're still working on that scarf?" :) Anyway, it is done and I like it. Jesse was my wonderful photographer. :)

Fun Times!

A few random pictures....

Jesse is pretty proud of his muscles...and daddy helped him pose to show "maximum buffness."

This is from shooting the super cool rocket Uncle Isaac and Aunt Amy gave the boys for Christmas. I only got a picture of the smoke because it shot so fast. We couldn't believe how high it went!
This past Thursday through Sunday, BJ had the opportunity to visit his grandparents in Clarkston with his dad and brother. They had a great time...but we were left behind. To fill our time, Friday the boys and I attended a home school birthday party for Laura Ingalls Wilder. The ladies wore period clothing, had different stations for the kids to try out things of the past, and read excerpts from one of the Little House books. It was a lot of fun! I only took a few pictures because it was so crowded. This shot of Jared helping me with J.R. is my favorite.Immediately after the party, we "hit the road" (as Jesse said) to Grandma Sally's house. We always have a good time visiting there... and are very well fed! Sally let the boys do a messy craft. :) We missed daddy, but managed to have a little fun of our own! :)

Not just for Christmas morning....

A few months ago I found this recipe for Christmas Morning Biscuit Twists . They are pretty yummy! I have made them a few times for an after dinner treat! :) These are great as is, but the second time I added a little less salt, and made only half of the glaze....then you can eat twice as many, right? :)

More snow!

It is snowing this morning! We don't have very much, but enough to get the boys and myself excited! Jesse said he is hoping for a "white Valentine's". Wouldn't that be romantic? :)