This is the message that my brother, Shay, spoke at his son's funeral
last Wednesday. I have been more than impressed with the way Shay and
Tirzah have carried this burden in hope and faith. Watching their
son, Jude, be sick the last 3 and a half months with no recovery in
sight has been a trial I cannot imagine enduring. They have cared for
him and loved him and fought for him. I know they will miss him
terribly and struggle to find a new norm without him. I was in awe
but not surprised to see Shay bravely standing at the funeral bearing
witness of the hope that is ours through Jesus Christ, knowing that
Jude is theirs forever and that "it'll be alright."

Andra managed to capture Jane at her most authentic the other day. Not always flattering, but consistently adorable!

George and Oliver read in their rooms before going to bed. They get some books and get all cozy in each other's beds. They usually switch every night I have noticed. Tonight they were laying in Oliver's bed together and George was reading a Curious George book to Oliver. Last night George was reading a book called, "My mammoth," which is a great one as well. They also read a lot of animal and science books. It is the cutest thing to watch them do that together. I just love it. I want to make sure to help them get in their rooms early enough so they can still do it come fall. It will really be a shift in our schedule to be getting them to bed on time.

Today while playing lego trains together George said to me, "I think the two most important things are being smart and nice. You are both of those mom... You are also playful, like energetic and fun."

Wow! Seriously? I know this is coming from a 6 year old, but it is my 6 year old. So I will take it and hold onto this one for the long haul! I really was flattered.

Tonight we all went to dinner and had the awesome combo of a delicious hamburger (Blazin Onion Burger, so good!) and...a rockin' Neil Diamond impersonator, purple shirt and all. Can the night get any better? We have finally convinced George and Oliver to like hamburgers and I think we have now convinced them Neil Diamond rocks.

We woke up this morning and it was quite chilly. The boys wanted tea with their egg and toast to eat out in the backyard on their playground. Yum, yum.

While Janie was sleeping the boys and I went on a bike ride to a park that felt a bit further than the boys are used to riding. We had so much fun together. We all tried to ride without holding onto our handle bars (no, I still can't do that.) And laughed a lot. It was so nice.

On our bike ride George asked me how many kids we should have in our family. He told me 4. "I have always wanted lots of kids in our family, you know, we could all be on a spy team. I think 4 would be perfect. It would be easy for you and fun for me and Oliver.... I remember coming to this park when Janie was in your tummy. That is a fun memory. She is so much cuter than I even imagined." he said.

I was wishing I could have recorded this darling conversation about more kids and baby Jane. So I thought I would write it down while I still remembered it.

The boys have been asking to go visit the nearby fire station for a while now. A few weeks back a fireman came by to encourage us to support them on the upcoming election and also invited the boys to come visit sometime.

The boys loved it. They were surprised that it was so comfortable in there with a kitchen, tv and recliners and all. It seemed pretty fun and hoppin because it was lunch time. They got to sit in the firetruck and go in the ambulance. I was a little embarrassed because I got teary looking in the ambulance thinking about baby Jude. It was fun for the kids but humbling for me as I thought of all the lives that are lost and saved in tragedies. I had the kids say thank you as we left for their efforts to help keep the community safe; or for just being pyros that grew up loving fire! Haha. Just kidding.

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The boys kept busy on Thursday this past week making bows and arrows. This is plural because George had made a few for him and Oliver before he landed on his favorite. He had so much fun he had wanted to make one for all of his friends, but then backed out because he was tired.  But it was so cute to watch them.  They were very focused and the deck was covered in branches, leaves, string etc. 

Then yesterday (Saturday) Robby went with them to the store to look for stuff to make new and improved ones that are much stronger. I should have taken a pic of the new ones. They loved doing it with Robby. They learned how to hold it correctly.  I was actually shocked when I went to do it and realized I had never done it before.  I was as new as the boys at this.  Pretty funny. 

Last weekend Uncle Adam invited us to join him and Aunt Tess to see the Blue Angels fly over Seattle. The I-90 bridge gets closed for all the viewers to hang out on as they fly right over lake Washington.

Adam and Tess came prepared for Janie to be void of the loud noise. But she was too intrigued with the headphones to keep them on. It was super cute.

We had a great time. The boys thought it was pretty cool to be riding their scooters on the actual freeway! It was sprinkling a bit and overcast butwe had a great time.  The boys were really fun to be with and didn't complain much even with all the driving.  I sure like those kids.

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