Magic Moments

We've made progress towards independence this week. Sage made his bed by himself and then proclaimed, "I did a great job!" Aiden got Sage dressed for bible study. Sage managed to put his pants back on by himself after going potty (he's the baby of the family and it shows). And...drum roll please....Aiden emptied the ENTIRE dishwasher by himself. This is a chore that I hate. Every morning I wake up to a dishwasher full of dishes starring me in the face waiting to be put away before the day can move forward. Well, no more! This job has been passed on to the next generation. And the passing of the torch didn't come a moment too soon because our family is growing! Baby #3 is expected in mid-September and so life is going to be interesting to say the least. I feel like death warmed over and wouldn't you know it....when the boys actually HAVE to do things by themselves they rise to the occasion. I was trying to get a picture for a cute Valentine's Day Car...

Here we are. January 23 and it's been warm enough for the park several times this week. YAY! Other than taking Tucker outside we've been doing school, seeing friends, reading!!!, and yes...dancing. We are keeping the winter blues at bay. 0123151507.mp4 from Jenny on Vimeo .

Two events that stand out from last week are loosing Tucker and going to the SeaLife Aquarium at Mall of America. Tucker ran away from Tom while they were at the park having a training session. Tom called and said he had lost Tucker and needed help so I loaded up the kids and drove to the park. I knew the situation wasn't good. It was dark and Tucker could have run in between dozens of houses, down allies, into streets and who knows where. The kids were distraught and I just started praying. Not even two minutes later my neighbor called. A lady from down the street had found Tucker and brought him to my neighbor's house trying to find his home. It just so happens that sweet lady took Tucker to the only neighbor that knows Tucker and has my phone number. God does answer prayers. I gave that lady a huge hug! The whole scenario was a great object lesson about how we run away from God but he always tracks us down and brings us home, like the lost sheep. Thursday we went to the aq...

It's January. January seems to be the worst month. It's so long and dark and c-o-l-d. The boys are upstairs playing in my room. From the sounds of it all my pillows are on the floor and they are jumping from pillow to pillow pretending that the floor is lava. But, there is a whole lot of arguing going on which is a clear indication they need to go outside. Yesterday we did go for a walk and the boys spent some time in the yard. It took coaxing to get them to go out and I preached about the responsibility that comes with having a dog and how the dog needs walked. We are also reading the book Farmer Boy . According to the book, Almanzo played outside ALL afternoon when it was 40 below, plus they did chores no matter what the temperature. So, I think we are getting soft. ;) We all ventured outside and walked to the park and back, but it was the dog who started shivering first and made a mad dash for the door when the yard came in view. Thankfully, the boys were happy outside for ...

This is Tucker. Almost 8 weeks. Tucker (whom was thankfully given his name by Santa Claus because the boys wanted to name him snowball) came to our family on Christmas Morning. The boys LOVE him. I sometimes tolerate him, but he is growing on me. Tom has become the dog whisperer. No Joke. Tucker is becoming mans best friend. I don't have words to sum up being a dog owner. We have had some horrific moments and I'll spare you the details. In the short 2 weeks he's been with us we've already called the 24 Vet hotline at U of M because Tucker ate candy and got sick. He's had numerous baths for various reasons including, but not being limited to, being covered in yogurt that a certain three year old spilled all over him. Come to find out having a puppy is much like having a baby. You have to get up in the night with them and watch them every single waking second. Tom has lost (slightly) more sleep than I because the deal was I don't get up with the dog. I...

We spent the weekend back up at the cabin with Pappy and Marme and Uncle Erik celebrating Christmas. Ami and Uncle Will couldn't come home but we are all hoping and praying this will be our last Christmas that involves Skype. The weekend was cozy and and quiet as possible with two boys, a dog, and an Uncle Erik. :) We're home now and tomorrow we're back to work, back to school, back to normal...or as normal as you can be with a puppy. Slippery! The lawn mower drives pretty well on the ice. :) Christmas with Ami and Uncle Will on Skype. Thankful for modern technology. Christmas Story with Pappy

Here are my last two pictures for the photo project I did this year. I love that I have a picture with a theme from each week of our year and I can't wait to make an album for each of the boys. That being said, I think this year I'll probably take a break. With a puppy to train I've got a lot on my plate. The Christmas Eve gift is always jammies to help you sleep while Santa comes. :) The boys and their long anticipated Christmas puppy, Tucker, together at last.