Crazy Hair Night

This week was crazy hair night at AWANA.

Ethan, Abby and Cole's hair was courtesy of mom. Noah's hair . . . well . . . that was his brilliant idea and Mark's skills . . .

He said he wanted to look like Terry Bradshaw . . . what do you think?

Cole started out with a super cool mohawk . . . then started to cry that he didn't like it . . . so I did this . . . he agreed . . . but as soon as we got in the car, he wanted to know if we could wash it out as SOON as we got home!

Needless to say, it was a late night after AWANA of finishing Noah's hair (check out his blog later for his version of the "do"), and washing out lots of gel :-)

our sons blog...

http://no-1-seahawk-fan.blogspot.com/

check his blog out and see what the self-proclaimed number 1 seahawk fan is up to...

common sense... r.i.p.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Calpol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Seriously?

That's just not right! I have definitely realized that after leaving North Dakota 16 years ago for the Pacific Northwest, I have become a wimp! The snow is beautiful, but it is just TOO COLD for me!!! This temperature was a couple of days ago . . . today it is actually a toasty 22 degrees ABOVE zero! My brother, Greg, is outside now using his invaluable snow blower to clear off his driveway and plow some runs so that his little dog can get out into the yard.

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for me these past few days. I so appreciate you! It was wonderful to see family that I haven't seen for a long time, and to get to share stories and memories together. The older I get, the more I am recognizing the value and importance of family, and how our time together is something to be treasured. I still get to spend the rest of today (Saturday) with my brother, and then tomorrow morning I fly out of Fargo at 7:00 am to return home. I am so thankful that I was able to make this trip, and also so thankful that I am able to return home tomorrow to see Mark and the kids. I have missed them terribly, and am very ready for some hugs and kisses from Noey, Eapster, Abby Jawabby, and Colio . . . and Mark, too :-)

family, friends, flights, funeral, fargo, flurries, finally

im just gonna ramble a bit...

Family: gwen and i have a similar view on family... they are important... God has given us each other, to enjoy, to love, to help, to teach and to learn from,(and much more)... we also hold each other when times are tough... gwens grandma passed away on sunday... anytime you lose a family member its hard... so gwen left today, for her funeral in fosston, minnesota... pray for her please, she is traveling alone and weather could be an issue, also that she might have an opportunity to be a blessing to her family members who are hurting at this time...

Friends: friends are almost as important as family... friends can also be family... Gwen is my best friend... she just left today and i already miss her (3hrs 10mins ago)... tomorrow is valentines day and she wont be here... that stinks... the kids miss her too... but she is getting the opportunity to visit her family at a difficult time... she will be with her brother... uncle greg... he is a great uncle and a great brother-in-law and a great brother and a great friend... she will also see many other family members and hopefully have many stories to tell when she gets back... i on the other hand, have been invited to our friends this friday, with the kids for dinner and fellowship... what great friends i have to take care of me and the kids while gwen is gone... i have also had many offers for care this week... i thank you all... i have great-God-given friends... i am truely blessed...

Flights: gwen is flying to fargo via minneapolis alone... no mark to protect HER space... you know that space you can get between the window and the person you know sitting next to you... without that person... you have no private space... someone you dont know... sitting, breathing, oozing right next to you... sorry sweety... i wish i was there to be your buffer...

Funerals: gwen is going for her grandmas funeral... it was the last great-grandma for our kids... funerals are tough... you are sad your love one is gone... you wish you had seen them more often... you see other family that you dont see except at funerals or weddings... its just kinda weird... not in a bad way... just weird... Jesus told us that since we have hope, found only in him... that we need not weep as if we have no hope... that is encouraging... but he doesnt say dont weep at all... so i know this will be a time of mourning the loss of her grandma and a time of remembering...

Fargo:... its not just a movie... gwens brother greg lives there... and its cold... they were also expecting a BIG snow storm... i think gwen is excited to visit her brother and north dakota... she is looking forward to hangin out with him in some serious snow...

Flurries: snow... storm... flurries... that is what the forcast calls for while she is out there... greg and gwen need to travel from fargo to fosston on thursday... pray for safe travel... i know she is in good hands with uncle greg but its the other crack-pots on the rode i worry about... but... she is looking forward to seeing some good snow... and being with family...

Finally: if you suffered through this post... i know you are a true friend... or you just are really bored... thanks...

Snow Day

These pictures are a little overdue and are actually from almost two weeks ago now. We got a couple inches of snow (that is probably being a bit generous), and since it doesn't usually last long here in the Northwest, we decided we better play in it while we could. Thankfully, the snow fell on a Monday, which is one of Mark's normal days off, so he was able to join us for the fun. I know that you friends & family from the Midwest will laugh, but with this much snow, school was actually canceled for the day! Crazy, I know, and it's honestly still something I haven't gotten used to yet. The kids always love it when it happens . . . but don't always love it so much when they have to make up the school day in June!

Cole is admiring Ethan's snowman. And, I think, trying to decide if he should knock it down the next time Ethan turns his back on it.


Notice the snow on Cole's head? Someone hit him with a snowball . . . who was it???


Noah trying to do some sledding/snowboarding on the snow/grass.


Abby and Mark playing catch.


Abby, Cole, and Mark playing monkey in the middle. I think Cole really thinks he has a chance to grab that snowball.


The Fabulous Four plus one.

we love cinderella... and we love theatre...

abby and cinderella (may 2006)
last year we attended beauty and the beast at olympia high school and were blown away by the talent of the cast assembled... so we are giving it a shot again... this year the performance will be cinderella... we will be attending the march first performance at 7:00 pm... if you know of any other worthwhile small theatre performances or if you yourself are in a performance... let us know... OR if you would like to join us to this or another... let us know... we are game...

Olympia School District
• About 50 staff members will perform "Cinderella" at 7 p.m. Feb. 28-29 and at 2 and 7 p.m. March 1. The show benefits Olympia School District Education Foundation grants and programs. It will be at Olympia High School and costs $15 for reserved seating and $12 for general admission.
A "magical party" with Cinderella and Prince Charming will be at 12:30 p.m. March 1, and the $20 admission includes the price of the March 1 matinee.
To order tickets, call 360-596-7036.