Mr. Fix It

Lucas came in the house a few weeks ago and I could see his toes sticking out of his shoes. Maybe its time for a new pair! I mentioned it to Ted when he came home. Well, a little while later I see Ted walking out the door with packing tape (not even Duck tape) and a pair of scissors. As he is walking out the door he says "He doesn't need a new pair of shoes, he is just ruining them trying to stop his bike". I knew where this was headed so I ran to get my camera - I needed evidence.

"GRRR" My Daddy Said

Micah trying to break the rules by climbing up the steps.

Lucas hanging in the window because he disobeyed
and lost the priveledge of playing outside.
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When the boys were smaller they had a Goldilocks book that came with a bear that read the story. During part of the story this bear would say "Grrr my Daddy said". Why am I writing about this - well since then I have adopted that as my mantra whenever something annoying or frustrating happens. As you can image I have had ample opportunity to use that phrase since moving overseas. Today was one of those days. Let me just preface my story by saying that I know that my boys are not perfect. Over the past week or so we have been having more problems with a couple of the boys in our neighborhood. Today one of the boys kept harassing Lucas - pushing his car (with him in it) into the wall, jumping onto Lucas' bike and riding away, and hitting him. Well, I heard Lucas yelling "stop it" for the 100th time so I walked outside to see what the problem was. As I walked around the corner I saw the two neighbor boys spitting at Lucas. By spitting I don't mean a little spray, these were disgustingly huge. I asked them to please not do that again (yeah right - see my next story) and in case no one had ever told them I made sure that they knew that spitting was very disgusting. Well, about an hour later I hear Caleb crying rather loudly so I peek out the window to see what happened. He informs me that a kid (who repeatedly hurt Lucas the week before) had choked him. I could see the red marks around his neck - I was not happy! I ask Ted to go talk to the kid about it. Ted spoke to a man at the boys house who informed him that "it was no big deal". GRRRR my Daddy said!!!!! There are days like today when I want to yell out, like our boys do, "why don't they get in trouble?". My anger turns to sorrow for these little boys as I remember that there is no on in their life to show them or teach them what it means to honor God.

Caleb's 8th Birthday

An Albert Pujols jersey from Grandma & Grandpa

A birthday lunch at McDonald's

Wow, he's getting big isn't he?

Yesterday was Caleb's 8th birthday - shocking I know! Being the emotional child that he is, his feelings about his birthday ranged from the best ever (because he received the Heely's he wanted as well as a few jerseys) to the worst (because there were no friends or grandparents coming over). I think that having moved here just a month ago made this birthday feel a little more lonely for Caleb. Today he was allowed to invite a few of the neighbor kids for a movie (which quickly turned into a game of tag all around the house) and cake. Caleb is all about relationships/friendships so having others to celebrate with him made it 'feel' more like a birthday.

Right Thinking

Last week I was in charge of bringing lunch for Josiah's class. I was given the olive, tomato, cucumber, cheese, and fruit lunch. As I looked at the list and even as I was preparing the food I thought to myself "Why is bread not on the list?" It is said here that a meal is not a meal without bread. Well, half way through the food service Josiah's sweet teacher says "Is there bread?". It wasn't on the list I said but I would run and pick some up. "Do you have your own money?" she asks. "Yes I have my own money. I will be right back." Thankfully bread is never far away and I was back in a few minutes. I was mad at myself for not following my gut. Okay it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that they eat bread with every meal, but I was glad that I thought, as they would, that something was missing. Now if I could only add spices to a meal without my measuring spoons!

Picnic Season

We have officially entered picnic season here. A few weekends ago our neighbors informed us that we were going on a picnic - asap. We packed up and went to a park that was full of fellow "picnicers". It really does seem like EVERY family picnics on Sunday if the weather is nice.

Cookie Bribes Work

As I looked through possible pictures to hang in our new home I realized that I needed to get some updated pictures of the older boys. Believe it or not I have not been as good at taking pictures as I used to be - though I probably still take more than normal! I have only scrapbooked 3 times in the year and a half since I've lived here. Hard to believe considering my previous life. Maybe I will scrapbook these pages of the boys after I ask for a day off for Mother's Day! I bribed them with chocolate chip cookies to ensure that there were smiles involved and that they let me take more than three.

Easter Sunday

It's hard to get a good picture of four boys!

The Congregation


In all honest this Easter was a little 'weird' for us. We did not have a church to go to or other believers to celebrate with. We celebrated as a family, singing together, reading the resurrection story, and listening to a sermon. Though it may not have felt normal or familiar I am grateful that no matter where we are the reason we celebrate is always the same.