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Friday, October 26, 2012

On Heaven... with a 3 year-old

This is a conversation that took place a couple weeks ago:

We were just about to sit down to breakfast when John got a really sad look on his face and, out of no where, managed to mumble, "I don't want to die!" We didn't quite hear him right: "You don't want to what??"

"I don't want to die!" He repeated. He had a look of sadness and terror in his eyes.

My heart went out to him! We sat at the table and started to eat while Andrew and I talked it over with him. We told him that everyone dies at sometime but if he is a really good person and loves Jesus, then he will go to heaven when he dies.

He told us he didn't want to be a good person - I think he was thinking that if he was a bad person then he wouldn't have to die. We explained that even bad people die, but if he is a good person then he will have eternal happiness with Jesus.

I could tell this gave him some consolation, but he was still concerned. "You need to have another boy, Mama," he told me.

"What, why?" I was confused.

"And name him John, OK?"

*Melting heart* I ran to him and sat him on my lap. "Awe honey! When you go to heaven, we will all be there together! We won't need another John because YOU are our John and we will be together with Jesus! And heaven is going to be such a happy place!"

I was surprised how long the conversation went on. We talked about a lot of different aspects of death and I don't remember all the details. But I do remember that we were talking about being buried when we die and that Jesus will raise us up. John told us that he wanted to put a door on his grave so that Jesus could open it. =)

I'm continually amazed that John already seems to understand that this life is not our destination...


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Camping at Lake Easton

This is my last summer-catch-up-post, I promise!  So the end of August was packed with a camp-out, huckleberry picking, the fair... and then we signed some official documents for closing on the house the same day we left for yet another camping trip! We spent the weekend camping with some dear friends at Lake Easton. The nights were slightly cold and there was a burn ban, which didn't help. On the camp website, they called it a "bun ban" which we thought was pretty funny. Aside from the cold, we had so much fun! We even got to take a dip in Lake Easton!  On Sunday we left early and went to my cousins wedding. The next day we closed on our house and began our three-weeks of packing and fixing up the house.

Here are some highlights from the trip:

Breakfast of campions (haha, I'm so bad!)

Throwing rocks =)
Babies!

He went out pretty deep!

It was COLD - The daddys were brave and took a swim!


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Kitsap Fair

After we went huckleberry picking, we came home for two days before going out camping again. Did I mention it was a crazy week??

On one of our days home, we went to the Kitsap fair. We got there kind of late, so we mainly just went on rides. I think next year, I will go in the morning with the kids to look at animals and then come back in the evening for rides with Daddy. There is just so much to do!!

Saved money by packing our own foil burritos!







Monday, October 22, 2012

Happy 1st Birthday, Peter!!


How has a year already gone by?! Today is Peter's first birthday! He seems so big now, but at the same time I feel like his is still my little baby.

We are going to have a party for him this weekend, so today was pretty low-key. I'm excited for him to be spoiled and the center of attention! He deserves it because he is such a wonderful kid! We love him so much and can't imagine life without him!

Our goofy guy!

Happy birthday, Peter!!!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Huckleberry Picking 2012

The pickin' crew!
After we had our camp out with college friends, we drove on to our next destination - Mount Adams for our annual huckleberry picking! I love this tradition so much! The berries make delicious pies and the company... well they are the real reason we go! It is so fun getting to know Andrew's extended family.

This year the berries were harder to come by. We came home with 3 pies-worth of berries, which is a record low for us. And that is including a generous donation from Andrew's cousin, who came from out-of-state (Thanks, Maria!!). 

John had a blast with all his cousins. He is old enough now that he remembers coming in previous years, and really looks forward to it.  

Here are some pictures from our lovely trip:


On our way to Huckleberry Picking!!
Peter in the car
Shhhhhh... Sneaking a cookie with his cousin.
Roasting marshmallows 

Dish duty
In search of berries
Berry picking - kid style!
Sleeping on the job!
Cousins
Best pickers ever!
Bench-warmers

All the kid cousins
Can't wait till next year!!!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Camp-out with College Friends

The week before we closed on our house was very busy! We had a camp-out with some friends from college, went huckleberry picking, went to the fair, and camping again at Lake Easton with friends. I was thinking of sharing pictures of all those things in one post but there are just too.many.pictures that I want to share. So I am going to do a post for each over the next few days.

Our fabulous roommates from college decided to host a camp-out in their yard and invite everyone!! It was so much fun! We had a great time reminiscing and reconnecting. We all pitched in to help with meals and it really worked out well. I hope this turns into an annual event!





Tune-in tomorrow to hear about huckleberry picking!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Peter is Walking!!

Peter has been taking a few steps here and there for a while now, but not officially walking. Last Saturday, October 13th (nine days shy of his birthday!), he took about 6 steps in a row!  He is still pretty unsteady, but making progress every day!

Here is a video that I took today:

Before and After (Pictures Galore!)

Our move has been quite an adjustment for me, as you can tell by my lack of posting!! We moved a little over a month ago on September 15th. I am really enjoying having our own house. The neighborhood and neighbors are wonderful. We live on a cul-de-sac, so there isn't much traffic on the road. There are still boxes and chaos in certain areas of the house, but we are settling in quite nicely. 

The computer is upstairs in a spare bedroom, which is both good and bad - GOOD because I spend way less time on the computer and more time with the boys and BAD because there are some things I'd like to do (blogging, making photo albums, emailing...) and it seems inconvenient now.

Before we moved in, we spent two weeks fixing up the house. New carpet, hardwood floors, and new paint were the major projects. Andrew has done a lot of little things to make the place even better. It is a work in progress though and I imagine we will busy for the next couple years with projects.

Here are some before and after pictures:

Living room - BEFORE
Living room - AFTER
Dining room - BEFORE
Dining room - AFTER
Kitchen - BEFORE
Kitchen - AFTER
Den - BEFORE
Den - AFTER
Kid bathroom - BEFORE
Kid bathroom - AFTER
Boys room - BEFORE
Boys room - AFTER
Master bedroom - BEFORE
Master bedroom - AFTER