For 9 years we lived by neighbors that felt the same way about dogs that we did--it was fine for OTHER people, but not for us. It all changed when a new house was built on the corner and the owners had 2 dogs, and then our next door neighbors moved and the new owners had a dog and then inexplicably the remaining 2 neighbors who were adamant about not having dogs both got one within 2 weeks of each other. What the heck?! Now we are the only ones in the cul-de-sac that don't have a dog. AJ absolutely loves dogs so I guess the one positive is that now he can spend time with dogs without us having one at home.
AJ and Maizy
You've never seen a kid more obsessed with car keys then AJ. "Keys" was one of his first English words and if he sees them he wants them. We have to try and hide keys without losing them ourselves which is turning out to be very tricky indeed.
Spiderman
Jameson has started swimming lessons on Monday afternoons with a few of his friends. They are semi-private so it is only Johnny and Jameson and they have made a lot of progress in just a few short weeks. For years Jameson refused to put his face in the water and now he is actually swimming. He also loves playing in the pool for a few minutes after his lesson is over.
AJ"s but little balance bike was worn out and the wheels broke. Fortunately our new neighbors have a balance bike that they won't be using for a few more years so they offered it to AJ for the fall and winter. He really loves to ride his bike.
Last Monday morning I woke up to the devastating news that my sister in law Tricia's brother had ended his own life the previous Saturday after years of battling depression. I had the opportunity to attend the funeral yesterday and it was one of the most beautiful and healing funerals I have ever attended. The music was incredible and each of the messages shared by Tricia and her siblings were so well done. It is such a hard thing to go through as a family, but they understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are full of hope for the future. They know their brother is in good hands as he continues to learn and grown on the other side and they find comfort in the fact that he finally has a clear mind free from his debilitating depression.
Tricia and her entire family at Scott's graveside
Mckay and Tricia had just moved to England for Mckay's academic sabbatical at Cambridge University and my parents just happened to be staying with them when Tricia got the news. They had traveled to Wales that week and had a wonderful time seeing the land of our ancestors. Tricia's ancestors are also from Wales so it was meaningful for everyone.
Tricia flew out on Monday and Mckay was able to bring the kids out on Thursday for a quick trip so they could attend the funeral and be together as a family during a difficult time.
Heather, Aaron and I attended the funeral and got to spend some time with all of them. We don't get to see them very often so it was nice to have a few hours with them. My parents were in China for Will's baptism so they weren't able to be there.
My parents received their mission call while they were in China, but I had been instructed to open it when it arrived and let them know where they were going as soon as I could. Well, the mail came about 15 minutes after their plane left LAX for the 13 hour flight to China so they didn't get my pictures of their call until they were at Taylor's and had wifi again. They have been called to the Missouri Independence Mission and their primary assignment is to labor in the Kansas City Missouri North Facilities Management Group as a physical facilities specialist. They are to report to the MTC on November 6th. I think it is the perfect call for them. My Dad loves a good project. 😀
No comments:
Post a Comment