Everyday Blessings

Here it is..Ginger Beer
I find myself more often counting my everyday blessings. If someone asks how I've been blessed I could name some large events. I don't usually think of the everyday "little" blessings.
Things like, pickle jars and a handful of change. It provides hours of entertainment and is a great distraction
I ended up sick last week. It made me realize how easy going the boys really are. They might get a little cabin fever but for the most part they are content to stay in their pajamas and watch movies all day while I lie on the recliner.
A more significant moment. As I was laying on the recliner only half aware of the going on's. I got this weird image of me sitting in the ER with the boys. Kaleb was getting stitches. He had cut himself. I suddenly became aware of a clinking noise. I dash into the kitchen to see Kaleb had pulled the stool up to the counter. He was pulling the knives out of the block. I got after him then quickly put the incident out of my mind. Later that night I started realizing how grateful I am to have the guidance I do even in everyday insignificant ways.

A few weeks ago we had a warmer weekend and finally got the boys out for a real sled ride.



It was fun a couple times down, lasted about 10 minutes then the boys were done. Jake and I were having fun and kept playing without the boys.

I can't believe this semester is already half over. Jake has been doing very well in school. I have discovered what a magnificent writer Jake is. His papers for English class have been astonishing. Now I'm wondering why he doesn't update this blog? I know his words would be much more eloquent. But, this is what you get. Stevens daily in the best way I can convey it.

Another Yesterday

I am typing this from my very own MacBook Pro. I am bragging just a teensy bit. What a fantastic Valentine's present from Jake! I was hoping for a candy bar. I guess this will have to do. I love it! The day it came in the mail Jake got me signed up for his favorite computer game, World of Warcraft. Now we play that instead of watch a movie when the boys go to bed. That sounds so nerdy! The family that plays WOW together stays together, right?
We are back in to a routine. It is so nice! We have settled in for the most part and have started to enjoying being here.
Jake and I got to go on a date Saturday night. We called one of our babysitters from CA that is here going to school. The Rexburg temple was closed so we went out to Idaho Falls. We hoped to go out to eat afterward but realized everywhere was a long wait. Didn't think about needing a reservation. It worked out though. Two hours is the max we can be gone so we needed to get home. The boys were getting fussy. We stopped at Applebee's and ordered food to go. It was still a lot of fun.

It's nice to be close to church again. We're within a half mile so on the days it snows we go in style.
Not enough snow? No problem, we bundle up and take the limo. I find it funny that so many people are impressed we walk, and think we're a bit loco in the head. It seems like more work to drive. Walking is just easier.
Jake is doing very well in school. All A's in his classes thus far.
The boys and I spend our days at home. They love helping me no matter what I'm doing.
Dishes it their favorite chore. I usually have to mop the floor when we are done.
Making brownies? Kaleb loves dumping flour in, or on the counter. But they really love cleaning up the dishes afterward.
The other day we made cookies. I told Kaleb to leave the dough alone. Came back a few minutes later to this...
He quickly put his dough covered hands behind his back.
"Kaleb, have you been digging in the dough?"
"Noooo" Uh, huh, totally innocent, right?Whether laundry, or bread making the boys want a hand in it. Wish I could figure out how to keep them like this as teenagers. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and they will still love helping in 12 years.
We love spending our days quietly, together as a family.
Picture of the week...can you guess what he is drinking? (okay, and please note, it really was empty when he got to it)