Monday, August 23, 2010

I told you so...

Little kids are so honest - they often express sentiments that adults also feel, but are no longer free to express.

We are potty training Bubby - he is having a bit of a tough time with it, and although he is now officially in "undy wears" as he calls them, he still often forgets to tell us when he needs to go and sometimes puts up a fight about going potty when we call him, insisting that he doesn't need to go. This evening I tried to potty him and he was insisting that he didn't need to go, but finally agreed reluctantly to try. Sure enough, he sits down and immediately starts peeing.

"I told you so..." I say, triumphantly.

He looks at me and says, "Mom, stop tolding me."

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Lullaby



Here Ethan sings his latest composition to his brother.

Friday, August 13, 2010

A Happy Ending

You know that sinking feeling when something bad happens - you loose something important, something that is going to cost you a lot of time and money to replace? Well, last night Stephen and I were both pretty much overwhelmed with that feeling, as his wallet and cell phone disappeared. He had absolutely no idea where they were. The last he could remember seeing it was after working out at the gym, and after discovering at 9:00 at night that they were missing, he went to the gym to see if it had turned up and even searched the locker room, all to no avail.

He called the cell phone over and over, and it just rang and then went to the voice mail. We walked all over the house, hoping that it was just misplaced, listening to hear it ring. No good. Finally, around midnight, we called our banks and put all our credit cards/debit cards on hold and went to sleep with heavy hearts. The wallet itself is not that valuable - however, it had about 200 USD in it, all Stephen's cards (Credit and debit for here and the US), COSTCO, Sams' club, an irreplaceable bank card (long story), and his driver's license, which can only be reissued in person! The cell phone was a bigger loss, as it is Stephen's "office" and contained numbers that were only in the cell phone which he needed for his business and projects. All in all it was a loss not only of money, but also of the time it would take to replace everything in that wallet and find the numbers, get a new cell phone and get people calling it instead of the old one. WEEEEEEP!

We prayed and hoped and today he went back to the gym for one last check and what do you know, the locker cleaner (probably makes about 3 bucks an hour, max) found it, knew Stephen was one of the missionaries that the gym donates passes to, and saved it completely intact for him! When Stephen tried to give him a reward, the man refused, but Stephen explained that when he was praying about why he lost his wallet, he felt that whoever found it needed the money. The man then teared up and explained that his family is going through a really difficult time and gratefully received a reward. It was totally worth it, to get those valuable items back and to see the smile on that man's face!

I feel like Someone was watching out for us, and my heart is warmed to know that there are still honest, good people in the World! I hope if I was in his shoes, making as little money as he did, that I would have the integrity to give it back and not be tempted (or at least not give in to the temptation) to keep it!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Goodbye

We said a sad goodbye to Mom and DC and Grandpa this last week. Mom and DC threw an incredible "goodbye party" at a very quaint "Pozole" restaurant. They invited all their close friends (about 25 people) and many people drove for hours to see them and say goodbye! Just shows how loved they are and how much they'll be missed. Sniff! The meal was wonderful, traditional Mexican fare (specifically from the State of Guerrero) and there was some lovely Mezcal (sort of like Tequila, but with a stronger taste) and a lot of laughs and tears.

The night before they left the girls and I went to their house to say goodbye. Poor Bubby came down with a fever (he is still stick with a nasty flu!)so Stephen stayed home with him. We took pictures, ate ice-cream, cleaned out their fridge and generally tried to be merry on such a sad occasion! They will be so sorely missed. I know I have been very blessed to have had them so nearby for so long, that my girls and Ethan have gotten to know them well and that even though they are moving, at least we are on the same continent! (Gotta count those blessings!)



Four generations!



Do not be fooled. He is not smiling. This is a poop grimace.



The long-necked aliens have arrived.



Good bye Grandpa, Gogee and Great Grandpa! We love you and miss you!