SWEDEN!

Joe is now getting his Masters Degree through a program at Lund University in Sweden! All expenses paid -the course and all the travel! What a blessing! It is the most incredible opportunity, and the hand of the Lord was, no doubt, in it all the way. Joe has often talked about wanting to gain a masters degree, but didn't know the right time to spend the all time and money that it would take. When this chance came along, it was an answer to desires of his heart. And, as a perk, the Lord gave him all this, and then made it only available out of the country! Joe has always wanted to travel outside the US, and here's his chance to go (on three separate occasions) FREE! The Lord is great and wants to bless us in all things -not just the important things, like getting a degree, but also in the ability to have an experience you've always wanted. I'm so grateful for this blessing for Joe and our family. 

Joe was in Sweden for 10 days, was able to do a little sight seeing, even though he had class every day, and  it was freezing temperatures outside (January in Sweden -yikes, cold!)
and he had lots of homework. Here are a few of his pictures.

 The main building. Isn't it a beautiful building. Lund is one of Europe's oldest universities, and consistently ranked one of the top 100 universities in the world! Sweet!

 "Ramklints" was a little pastry place I had found on Pinterest, and begged Joe to find and go visit. He obliged me and ate a couple treats here. Oh how I wish I could go there! It looks good.

 His hotel room. Old and European.

 Inside a cathedral near the school.

 The library. Again, beautiful.

This was inside a grocery store. Joe said it was packed as if it were a holiday event, even though it was a regular day. Haha. Fun experience. He brought back goodies for all of us.

 

I am so glad Joe got to go. I was able to talk to him every night just before I went to bed, and right after he woke up that morning. It was interesting to know he was beginning his day while I was falling asleep after mine. We are blessed, and we are grateful! The Lord has been so good to us, and I have no doubt all these things will lead us to greater things. My cup runneth over.

Sad Story but Sweet Boy

Today I got a call to "let me know" that Ben is fine, but a boy in his class just snipped some of Ben's nose off with scissors. The lady from the office told me Ben begged her not to call or send him home. I guess it wasn't that bad. She also said that "Ben's a super sweet kid." He had asked her to "please not get the other kid in trouble."

I told her, "I think I know which kid it is who did this." And, she said, my guess was probably right. But, this incident had been the last straw, and the boy was now expelled from Vista indefinitely.

This boy in Ben's class has struggled from the very first day. Ben would come home and tell me how bad the kid had acted that day. Usually, I would remind him that when people are acting badly, it's probably because they're having a hard time or haven't been taught any better and don't know. I told him to be a friend, and to forgive. Ben took my advice to heart. He made friends with this boy. There were many good days, but also bad. This boy has major home problems and probably in need of medication and counseling.
One day Ben came home and told me that this boy had hit him. Ben said, "I told him, 'I don't care what you do, I am your friend! And, I'm always going to be your friend!' " He really wanted to help and support this boy, or at least give him one steady friend. I admire his dedication and charity.

I'm proud of Ben for his efforts to help this boy, however seeing that this boy had so quickly grabbed scissors, rushed in front of Ben and snipped at his nose (only cutting each side and not snipping skin off) I realize how quickly Ben could have lost an eye, or something more dramatic. I started feeling relief that Ben would no longer have to be around this child who needed so much more help than a good first grade friend could give.

 I'm grateful that Ben had the chance to grow and have this experience. I am grateful that the Lord blessed Ben and kept him safe. I want Ben to help others, but there will be those he can't. I pray the Lord will bless him and me to know the difference and keep Ben safe throughout his life. I'm glad that things weren't worse. I am glad my Ben thought to plead for this child not to be punished. We will pray for this other boy.

Sweet Brothers

In the car this morning:
Kade: "Hey, Carter!"
Carter: "Huh?"
Kade: "I love you."
Carter: "Wuv oo."
Me and Kade: "Awwwww."
Kade:"When we get home, I totally owe him a hug."

The Perfect Begining of Me vs. Three Week.

We've literally been home, from Vegas (after dropping Joe off at the aiport to go to Sweden), for mere minutes when Carter askes for a bath. I get the water ready, put him in, and go start a load of laundry. I come back to a tub filled with "#2" floatin' around and several bigger pieces lying on the floor, which Carter threw out of the tub to help clean out the water. Wish me luck with my Me vs. Three week -the fun has already begun.

Kade's Five!!!

Kade is FIVE! And, he had his first friend party. We rented a party room at the Washington City Community Center. (We had the party a few days before his actual b-day.) We had pizza, veggies, drinks and cupcakes! Then after opening gifts all the boys got to go swimming! Who has a swim party in the middle of January? So awesome! All the kids were thrilled. Thank heaven for indoor pools! I wish I had gotten pictures of the swimming. Aunt Nattie and Grandma came to celebrate and swim. It was a great party.

It's nice when you get two parties! Even with a friend party we were still going to celebrate on his actual birthday. Kade is incredible. He is so creavtive and inventive. He is SO thoughtful of others, and wants to take care of every body. He's amazingly funny -I swear he's funnier than most adults I know. Kade is always good for a great hug and kiss, and a humorous conversation. He is such a great kid with so much motivation, so much wonder and such a deep thinker. He's the best middle brother. He's the best friend to Ben and the best helper and teacher for Carter. We love him! I'm amazed by his growth and maturity. He's just getting so big! Happy Birthday Kader bum; we love you!

Oh my Goodness.

What GREAT DAY! First, Kade is FIVE! and second I got to go to Moms and Muffins with Ben at school. Very fun. I wish I had gotten a picture. If I don't remember how Ben looked, I'll remember how I felt getting to spend some one on one time that morning at school over some juice and muffins. I love it.

Since I was needing to be at the school with Ben, Joe took the younger two boys to work with him. When people at Joe's office asked Kade how he was doing,  he proudly announced, "It's my birthday! I'm five and I'm old enough to wipe my own bum!" Hahaha
He's known how to do this feat since he potty trained himself, however, Joe or I would help him out on occasion. However, we told him, "Once you're 5, it's all you. You're big enough to do it every time." SO, now he's five and he's old enough to wipe his own bum! Haha. I'm sure Joe LOVED the great entertainment our boys always provide his office.

Love comin' Home.

At the bus stop, Ben came running to the car with a huge smile.
I said, "Hey, happy *big smile* boy."
Ben, "It's because it's my favorite place -home. Home is my favorite place."
...now I have a big smile on my face

Just a Couple Quick Stories.

Joe just put Carter in his bed, then left to get a sippy cup. When he got back in the room Carter was *fake snoring*!! Then he cracked when Joe started laughing at him. Where did he come up with that? Too funny.



Admittedly, my fuse is a lot shorter when I don't feel well. And, my boys seem to know that compliments go a long way with me (to make me happier). So, Kade has been finding any reason to compliment me. He just said, "You are so good at making grapefruits. Cutting them and all." Hahaha. Thanks, Kade. Sorry I'm ornery.

Lego Land the San Diego Zoo and the Beach.

The best time for our family to go on family vacation is any time other than summer. Joe is more busy that time of year, obviously, and so if we want Dada around, we pick wisely another break. During Christmas break we all went to California. Grandma Lana suggested taking the boys to Lego Land, and with it being school break, she came along too. We first hit the zoo, then the next day followed with LEGOLAND and the beach. We took it easy, we went slow and had a GREAT time. Since I didn't even post as many pictures as I have, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

 The Reptiles were the boys favorite things to see. Although they enjoyed everything.

 I love my boys!

 Legos, Star Wars, and Harry Potter?! Ben couldn't have been in a better place.

 Kade could build all day. Luckily during long lines, the kids could play and build while parents held the place in line. Thank you LEGOLAND! Kade was in engineering heaven.

The boys loved the beach!  Even if they fell into the water, or were a little cold. They could have stayed all day! All around a fabulous family vacation. Thanks grandma for coming and helping and giving so much.