Seth scored a goal

I keep being so excited that Seth had such a great time at his soccer game that I keep forgetting to say that he actually had one goal and one assist. It actually seems silly to even report his stats because the game was so-not-competitve. I mean there were goals and all, but at the end "they tied", even though we really won. One time, Seth's teammate took the ball from kick-off and dribbled all the way to their own goal and scored. Seth said, "Not that way!" and then gave his friend a huge smile. Well, we're gonna be grateful for the friendliness now because he will be elbowing, slidetackling, and kicking girls in the stomack in no time. Wait, was that just me and probably Lacee and Misty, too. Now that doesn't sound very nice... hehehehe!

Trains and kitties

It's Sunday evening and I'm trying to catch up. We played on the trains and practiced their parts for the Primary Program. Yesterday and the day before we went around to the shelters looking for our new kitty. We found "Sharpe", soon to be "Sockeye" (salmon, for you non-Alaskans). We found him Friday, but went to another kennel on Saturday just to be sure. The kids were pretty definite that they didn't want a different one, so did the "please Daddy, can we go visit Sharpe again. You'd think we were adopting a child- the process takes forever. But we are finally going to bring him home tomorrow night. What a great FHE! The kids have been making toys for the last few weeks, so this is going to be one loved kitty. And Adam says he doesn't want a cat, but I've seen him hold them at the pound and I'll report back when Sockeye is snuggling on his lap every night.

High Note!

The following story may not be appropriate for some audiences...

Seth was going to the bathroom and let out a long stinker and said "High Note"!
I asked him, "Did you just say high note?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because it was like a high note and loud."
"Did you just make that up or did Daddy say that before?" (that tells you way to much about Adam)
"I just said it."
I told him, "I'm going to go tell Daddy and he's going to think that is soooo funny!"
That got a giggle out of Seth and later, a huge, laugh out of Adam.

Seth, your future wife will be so proud!

Seth is down one tooth...

Seth got his bottom front tooth pulled today because the one was already coming in behind it. So he wouldn't be afraid if he had to get a shot, I explained that there was a good chance that afterwards when he took a drink he would drool everywhere. Everything went great except that the dentist didn't have to numb him deep enough so there was no water drooling. Ryan, especially, was very disappointed. But they cheered up finding his tooth holder which is under his pillow in Ryan's room for their movie sleepover. Now the "tooth fairy" needs to remember to trade his tooth before morning this time...

Squir-la

another word in Ryan language:
Squirla = squirrel
when we try to get her to say it correctly, it moves to...
Squirler = squirrel

Another Twilight Groupie

Those of you who know and love Twilight will totally get this... the rest of you can just skip to the next entry because you'll just think we're as big a dorks as you did when we first started reading these books.

So I told Melissa (my next door neighbor from Astoria who lives here by us now) about Twilight which she, of course, read and loved and was so sad when she finished the last book in the middle of the night, she googled "What should I read after Twilight?" And it gave her an answer, Poison Study Trilogy. So... we are not alone...!

Ryan's Bday at Chuck E. Cheese

Ryan, Seth and I went to Chuck E. Cheese for her birthday. We had a blast as always. We were down to the last few tokens after two hours and the kids had talked about pooling their coins and splitting them. When I saw that Ryan had a couple more, I told her to keep them because Seth had used quite a few more already. Seth happily ran off to use his last two and Ryan and I went to use hers. After we had played one game, she took out her last coins and said, " Mom, are you sure I can't share one with Seth." What a sweet sister! I told her of course and she with a big smile, she skipped off to find Seth.

Then, just to top off how great the kids are, Seth uses his tickets for Ryan. After playing, we spend almost as much time choosing what they are going to get with their tickets. Ryan wanted a magic wand that I was going to have to add money to because it was too much (but it fit so perfect with her fairy princess outfit Adam and I had got her). I whispered the reason to Seth and he was super excited and didn't mind at all that she was getting a way bigger prize than he would get. Then, he whispers to me that the bracelet he had told me about earlier was for Ryan, "don't tell her, OK, Mom." He kept it until her party and was so happy to give it to her.

I know everyone is going to think Seth and Ryan are perfect. Well, they're not, but, I swear, they're pretty close. We are really blessed... and I hope I don't mess them up!

Swinging Fun

Seth and Ryan spent hours swinging outside together. At first, it was regular swinging, but once they found the strings they used to play with "Lucy/Lucifer", the cat, they tied their swings together and started a whole new level of fun!

Talking to Daddy

The kids and the creatures at Aunt Cheryl's

Jumprope Competition with Uncle Kent

Uncle Kent can't stand to lose, so after about 10 rounds, he was winning at 27. The kids were close, but I had to go ahead and whip him with a whopping 35. I know, pathetic! I had to beat Uncle Kent who's 70, but man, can he jump a rope. He said it was from his old boxing days. Yeah, who knew! Well, he may not have beaten me jumping, but he whipped us all sawing a 2x4 at Easter (well, not John, but that's between them).

Seth and Ryan hanging out with another pilot!

The flight attendant was sweet enough to let the kids go into the cockpit and even grabbed my camera to take their picture while I was getting into our seats. I'm telling you--airplane flights really bring out the best in people! I have so many sweet people hlep the kids and I while we have been traveling.

Fireflies and Humidity

Ryan catching fireflies and Adam "sweat-print" after running in the "beautiful" Virginia weather.

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED!

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:

Men Are Just Happier People--

What do you expect from such simple creatures.

Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

(from Noelle, Brennon's mom- Seth and my friend's from Alaska)

I love my sisters!

We finally made it back home to Adam. We were so happy to see him, but having said that, our vacation was wonderful. We had soooo much fun. We got to do so much stuff and see so much family. How grateful I am for my sisters. I was weighed down with things happening in my family and just feeling so confused and discouraged, but Shanna, Lacee, and Misty each supported me when I was down and shared the burden I was feeling. After talking to each of them, their sweet spirits and encouraging words lifted mine. Then I was so grateful again to my other sister, Nicole, who carried the burden for both of us when I knew I could do no more. What great examples of Christ I have in my family! I am truly blessed and hope they know how much I appreciate them. I love you all!