Everyone made it home safe yesterday! We had a wonderful day just hanging out at the house, eating way too much food and watching old home videos. We exchanged gifts and for the first time ever....we didn't even start opening them until about 10am. I think I like that!:) Everyone was happy, which was a huge blessing for me to see this and to have everyone together. I felt like we got to experience the joy and truth of the phrase "time heals all wounds" and a good reminder of what is truly important. I hope we get to have more of these days in the future but until then I have some awesome pictures and memories to remind me. Thanks kids for being here and being so good to one another, and for a wonderful Christmas Day!
Funny thing happened tonight! The kids were stir crazy and wanted to go out and build a snowman or something, and even though we usually don't do this on Sunday I gave in. It was either that or drive me crazy and lets face it...I'm crazy enough. Anyway, Jake came running in the house all excited about this jump they built and wanted me to see how cool it was and how they built it. I jokingly said "OK but it better not be one of your brothers under there!" Well, it was cool alright! In the next pic you'll see what this most amazing jump was! Do I know my kids or what?
These leaves are now covered in over a foot of snow today....or more! Hard to believe it is another Christmas. It has been a rough year for our family and yet we feel very grateful for all the struggles. We seem to be coming out a little stronger, a little bit more loving and have a new appreciation for family. This year we will have all of our kids here for Christmas ...Ryan flies in on Christmas Day, Sara and Brad get here on Tuesday. This will be the first time in a long time everyone will be together. Karen says that this is her gift! Like a lot of folks we know, this is a frugal holiday so we've been busy making most of the things we have been giving this year. Lots of candy, crafty cards, ornaments and short notes to say hello. Maybe the best part of Christmas this year has been spending time with each other and not so much about presents. We hope it will be that way for you too. From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
So weird! This was in the Tri-City Herald today. Jake called from school and told me about it and I thought he was mistaking...then he brought it to me after school. Kinda fun! I had no idea he ever taught in Tri-Cities. Very Cool!!!
OK we all those moments as parents when we just aren't sure our kids know what they are doing and literally want to run into the night screaming for help...or maybe that's just me! Anyway, today was Zach's presentation for his senior project, which all seniors are required to do and pass in order to graduate in WA State. Well, I have been watching this process for months and have at times drove him crazy with questions and the need of reassurance that he knows what he is doing and that he is recording everything etc. Well, it seems all that worry was in vain. Today my child who 2 years ago wouldn't stand up in public, let alone speak...gave an awesome presentation! His project was to build a drum set that he could play and create a unigue sound from. His set is a little smaller than a normal drum set I guess. He built them, tuned them and put together a power point to show the whole process/project. He presented it as if he had done it a million times and seemed so comfortable up there. It was an amazing thing to watch and for a mom.. a little moment of glory! It's a tough realization when you have to let your kids grow up, but today I saw Zach a little different. Not a little boy or the funny goofball we all know he is, but a man sharing something he loves with others and doing a very fine job of it. Zach we are sooo proud of you and your huge accomplishment!
This past weekend on our way home we stopped off in Post Falls Idaho to see Davids parents, and were fortunate enough to be able to see our son Brad too. It occurred to me that not many of our new friends in Tri-Cities know Brad, so I thought I would introduce him. This is Brad! He is 20yrs old and the third of our eight kids. He currently lives in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. Brad, like his father, is an amazing trumpet player! I think he may even be a little better actually...sorry Dave! Dave is more of a contemporary/classical guy and Brad is all Jazz. He loves Jazz! He could play anything but he looooooooves Jazz. Brad is a very very smart young man. It used to drive me crazy that he could read something once and literally retain the info forever. It's amazing, yet a curse sometimes I think. He was always annoyed with homework and the petty in class stuff that is required but could ace a test blindly... no problem. He was always challenging teachers and wanting to know more...which annoyed them of course because sometimes he already knew more than they did. I got phone calls on more than one ocassion from teachers who felt disrespected by it. Brad marches to the beat of his own drum that is for sure, and I love that about him! We don't get to see Brad very often, so it was nice to spend a little time with him and catch up. We love you Brad and miss you everyday!
