Too cute not to mention

we had our saturday afternoon naps. when i left the gerbil mound Danny had been cuuddling at my shoulders and Faith sleeping on my legs, obviously far apart. when I came back in the room after cleaning house and vacuuming, I foudn them cuddled thus together. oh how lovely.

What did the Samaritan do once he got the guy to the inn?

We started the early afternoon playing in the park. Which, once the sprinklers came on, turned into playing in the sprinklers. Our plan was to enjoy the day (and avoid doing housework). On our way home for naps, we saw an injured ward member on the side of the road. We picked her up and took her to the hospital. The kids napped nicely in the car while she got admitted in the ER and they started the xrays. By the time the kids woke up she was waiting for them to splint her hand which had broke in 4 places. With still more time on our hands, we had a picnic and singing party in the back of the van. Then we went in and played in the ER waiting room a bit, and our injured was wrapped and we came home.

During the whole ordeal the kids did ask me why we were taking care of this lady. I responded "it is what Jesus would do, He would fix her owie." Then Danny got the idea in his head that Jesus must be at the hospital because that is where she was getting fixed. When we greeted her after discharge Danny exlaimed "Jesus fixed you!" I love their innocence.

Our afternoon adventure kept me thinking through the several hours about the parable of the Good Samaritan. What was his motivation when he stopped to help a bruised and broken man along his way? How long did he stay with them? What else might he have had to do that day?

which reminds me - I should probably wash that blanket free of Danny's spilled blizzard. When I asked the kids what they wanted to eat he said "Ice Cream!" Faith wanted hamburgers, which she will eat faster than anything I have yet seen her eat with no prodding.

The face that doesn't like

"Hey, Danny, whatcha been doing?"
"I dunno"
"Maybe mixing some salsa with your face?"
"Yyyyyah!"

The almost sandbox

With the very little bit of sand we had left over from creating the patio we started out what will be a fantastic sand box. The kids have not gone a day without playing in this scanty little spot of endless entertainment! Oh the simple things.

In a matter of days....

The project bug bit this past week. We figure that we might just get all the remaining indoor/outdoor big projects done before the end of one year being in our home!
We re-did the kids bathroom; wainscoat, towel pegs in ocean theme, and green paint made a huge difference!


We got the bbq patio in Josh dug the hole in one day, we filled it with rock and sand and started laying the brick when there was a dilluge so I started all the leveling and laying again another day. It took us a few stages but it is all done!


And the remainder of our trees came. I love love evergreens and these cypress frame things so very nice! We also got some trees to replace some that didn't survive the summer heat and added the apple and peach trees. The weather has been lovely and cooperative since we got them keeping it cool and raining! It even feels autumny. Although our backyard does still look pretty redneky without the grass...one week away.

Guilty

Josh was finishing a few things on the back patio. I needed to take a shower. I holler to Josh that I was getting in the shower - non direct communication meaning watch the kids. I could hear them giggling in the kitchen. That giggle gives it all away. Of course I love it when the kids play together, just so long as they leave the sour cream out of it! Danny was giggling each time one of them found another spot in the kitchen or on their person to smear more sour cream. I am just glad I got the large tub so we still had some left over for fajitas that night with the missionaries.

Another site of me

Last April I started a study group of two with my friend Kristen of the General Conference addresses. It was mostly a way to stay accountable for my weekly studying of the Gospel. I know myself well enough to know that if I don't have a deadline and a someone to report to I don't study as in depth. So I called a dear friend and we set some criteria and began one of the most lovely journeys of spiritual growth we have had with the words of the modern day prophets. Now, we are upping the stakes a little and inviting more of you to be a part of our weekly study challenge. If you would like - join the discussion and weekly topics as we do at our new high tech way of staying in touch at www.studygeneralconference.blogspot.com.