First Day of School

Since we went without internet for a few months, I had moved on and never posted some memorable events. So, I'm going to play "catch up" for a while.
First off though, is Jabrens first day of kindergarten.

"I'm ready to go, Mom!"

Meeting my teacher for the first time. Mrs. Wheat-doesn't that sound just like a kindergarten teachers name?


Pick up after school. We live close enough that he doesn't get to take the bus.

How Our House Sold-MIRACLES

Okay, so some of my friends and family didn't know we sold our house last month. This is definitely blog worthy material, we just didn't have internet yet...then I forgot to post it.
Nonetheless, it was a major milestone for us and the details are pretty cool. (At least I think so.) Its a story of faith precedes the miracle.
Believe me: MIRACLE is a good word for it.
So we moved to Texas with all the faith in our hearts that somehow are our house would sell in this very crummy market. We know God can work miracles and we hoped he would in our case.
We left with only one walk through in 45 days on the market, my brothers co-worker. He loved it and made an offer. We countered, then he withdrew all interest period.
The offer was a blessing at the time because we were so motivated to leave our home immaculate, knowing an offer was coming in.
We left Idaho with light hearts. Then, as my brother visited with him at work he realized he was in no position to be buying a house.
The weeks turned into a month or two and we were so discouraged. Two house payments stink! We had fasted each fast Sunday along with a few family members. (Thanks David and Teresa, Mom and Dad and everyone else) One Sunday though, my faith was faltering and I was discouraged. The stress in our home was unbearable, I was beginning to see our life pile up in debt for a house we didn't live in. I was scared.
After a hard night I prayed desperately to have this removed from us and let us move forward with life. I wanted a miracle and I wanted to feel that it was a miracle, not just a huge battle to get our house gone. Then I'd know it was only the Lords doing and not anything else.
Well, literally one week later we had an offer on our home. As it turns out a woman from Florida (those who know my husband, know he's obsessed with Floriday) had been looking at a lot of homes. She walked through Friday night. Jakes parents spent the entire day painting and doing fix it jobs. They left our home better than ever. The lady came back Monday with my realtor and took measurements and we waited, . . . and waited. Friday morning the offer came in.
It was much lower than our listing price, but we decided to run with it and have the deal done. She came with cash and wanted to close in 7 DAYS!
Now, how often does that happen? No need to for loan approval, no need for an appraisal.
Little did I know in my darkest hours of doubt and desperation that the Lord could take over so quickly.
(Here's a kicker: Tawni our next door neighbor and Jakes sister in law, said she hasn't even moved in yet and we sold it a month ago. . .to me another witness that this was a miracle)
As I look back I recognize this huge miracle for what it was. Maybe we will see it as bigger than this as time goes on, especially as the economy is struggling even more so than when left.
My testimony has grown. I'm going to try to have more lasting faith. It was hard to keep our hopes up with no lookers. This woman was actually our real first official, through the MLS, walk through.
So to my friends who maybe trying to sell a house out there: BELIEVE IN MIRACLES, then pray for them, they will come!
ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE

NEW CHANGES: Pictures of Our Journey

These first few are in Galveston, Texas. The destruction that came three days before us: Hurricane Ike.
There was so much waste to be removed it was so sad to see a homes belongings-everything sitting at the curb.
Grandpa and Uncle Gary were there for a visit just after we arrived and so we took them to Stewart Beach and we enjoyed the sun.












Me and my sister, Peggy.


This is how we survived the airport with two, two year olds. These things were awesome. We strapped the car seat to these things I found at Baby's R US and it had wheels and a handle to pull the boys through the airport without a stroller just their carseats. These were awesome! Highly recommended for traveling with a toddler. Its just like pulling your luggage.

Just thought I'd post pictures from when we first left Idaho and arrived here.

GRATITUDE

In my thoughts today:
Gratitude
Unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, peace of today, and creates a vision of tomorrow.
Author: Melody Beattie

Saying Goodbye to Our Home

After a long break from the blogging world I'm excited to be back. I'm going to start where I left off and try to get to the present. Nothing beats livin' in the past (Just Joking)
However, so much has happened and changed in our world. Here's a start.

Our First Home

Our backyard-The hardest goodbye.
Jake worked so many hours and poured his heart into it. We absolutely loved our yard.

One our family labors-the garden. We planted roses, and a plentiful garden. Just this year we had green onions, red and green peppers, 11 cantaloupe, 20 peaches, wine grapes and green grapes and 400+ pounds of beautiful tomatoes! We are truly sad to leave this.

A beautiful September night before leaving. Just one of so many beautiful sunsets we regularly enjoyed.

Moving Day.

We arrived!

Okay, so to quickly update all of my favorite people- we've been in Houston nearly a month. We haven't connected internet yet, and so I'm feeling severely out of touch. I'm at the library and thought I'd quickly say hello and I'm missing all of you, my friends.
We arrived 4 days after the worst hurricane hit Houston in years. Thankfully, Jake felt a pressing need to not leave the week previous as we had committed to his new employer. When we arrived the state was in as much caos as we were. We arrived 5 days before our moving truck (they gave us a 7 day window it could be there). We didn't have beds or a fridge but we did thankfully have power. Many did not for about two weeks within 15 minutes of us.
So, we went to work making our place home. Jake and I went grocery shopping. Then spent over an hour looking for ice to put in the cooler.
Why so long? Because 1. businesses were just becoming functional and at bare necessity levels 2. Everyone needed ice for their coolers, because power was still out for many.
Many more stories than this. . . but this is just a taste of what we have got ourselves into.
The the Lord has granted us many tender mercies through the challenging past month. I'll have pictures up soon.
We did go down to Galveston-where most of the devastation happened. It was so very sad. Just imagine everyone on your street has taken nearly every possession they have and dumped it to the curb. Garbage was out of control. Not to mention the tree and limb waste. It was truly sad. I'm out of time
I'll be posting again soon, but I'd love to hear from you and how everything is going.
Love you all,
Debbie

FINDING A HOME TRIP

After a fun family weekend at Cascade Lake we hurried and prepared for our trip to Houston, leaving at 6:15 the following morning.
We were on the hunt for a place to live and had 4 full days to have everything figured out. That doesn't sound too bad. We looked right up til Friday afternoon. Finally we had decided on a place, but it took awhile to get everything squared away. Here's the house. It'll be home for awhile, but we're only renting, til we get settled and our home sells here in Idaho.

As soon as we found the home we wanted we headed to the elementary school to start paperwork for Jabren to enroll in kindergarten.


Jake and I decided we needed to take advantage of the day left we had and get some RandR. We headed down to Galveston and walked on the beach. Its an hour drive to the Gulf of Mexico from our new home. Jakes job allows them to work flex time, giving them a 3 day weekend every other week. I'm excited that that will allow us to take our kids to the beach every once in a while.



One more trip we had time to make was to the Houston Temple. It was beautiful, and it will be nice to have a temple close.


Two more things I liked while we were there: the beautiful, tree lined streets and Schlotzsky's Deli. I insisted we stop there for lunch. They no longer have them in Idaho and they make my favorite sandwich ever. "The Original" on Jalapeno Cheese bread. Mmmmmmmm. . . .

Too Much Verbage- Not Enough Photos

I guess I haven't been blogging much for a few reasons,
but mostly because I come to my blog and I don't see pictures that tell me how much time has past since I last posted that give me the desire to post.
Here's a few pix of our recent summer excursions
Dad prepping Jabren for his first waterski run at Cascade Lake!


Jabren doing it at 5 years old. Proud of My Boy!



Taking a quick family shot.



Okay, so I just want to try and explain what this picture epitomizes for me: TRADITION

This scene I've seen for maybe 21+ summers of my life at this lake.
I know I have more than a few pictures that look so similar to this from years gone by. Not many faces, it just captures the support, the curiosity, the focus, the sheer togetherness that should be FAMILY. Its all captured so casually-here at Cascade Lake as a little someone tries something so new and everyone is aware.

I can't even describe how my heartstrings have me tied forever to this place. Yes, it is another beach that is very close to the one I'm used to being at, but none the less I grew up going here to spend a week every summer at Lake Cascade with my dads family. Even girls camp during my teen years scored me an extra week here for six summers.
Then I married and Jakes family started coming along to the same camp and joined the Youngbergs (one year his parents and siblings went with my family without us, when we lived out of state).
Well, my dads family has outgrown those days and I feel very grateful they passed the tradition on to my in-laws. Though we're in a cabin, not tents, we still ski on this beautiful mountain lake every summer. I love that my children will have the same memories I have here.
(As someone was skiing I just sat in the front of the boat and looked around at this beautiful place and got kind of emotional-the most I've felt since knowing we're moving away. I think because this place holds so many memories. So very many. Many of my heartstrings to my family and loved ones were tied here. As I type I am flooded with ucountable memories and some very happy tears.) Okay, booh hooh, if you know me I can cry maybe to easily.

Next: Gotta Love Lakeside Naptime!



Dad and the boy cousins building sand castles.

(Notice the fun game of "Who can last the longest on their feet" between Tawni and Wendi, my s-i-laws on the floating island in the background.)
So many more fun pictures I can't decide what to post so if I can figure out this slide show thingy maybe I'll put them up.

Needless to say. . . I love these kind of memories!

Now to pass it on to the next generation. . .

MY BOYS ARE WATERSKIIERS!

So, the 15th of August we went to a cabin in Donnelly, Idaho with Jake's family and spent most of our days at Cascade Lake.
Both Jake and I are from waterskiing families, so it was only a matter of time before our boys tried it out.
We started with Jabren, since we felt he was totally capable. After trying it twice, and the Jetski dying each time it got going-he decided he wasn't ready. And that it was too scary. Grrrr... he was so excited to try before that.
So we went on with our morning at the lake, then we put Josh on; and I was more than a little nervous for my little guy. He didn't stand at all, he sqwatted, but never let go.
After the boys napped at the beach, we decided we could get Jamesen to go behind Grandpa's boat.
He cried nearly the whole time. He stopped towards the end. Thankfully the beginner ski held him up as I pulled him in by the rope. Jake swam out to him to get him down. As I pulled the rope in his feet were in the water." Jamesen just kept saying, "I fall down, I fall down."
Jabren, too, went for his second round and loved it. He did it a few times that day, and the next morning. On the way home he kept asking when he could go waterskiing again. ("Thatta Boy, Thompson!")
It was quite the moment for me, watching Jabren truly enjoying it. Then looking at Joshua and Jamesen who just 2 1/2 short years ago, were just coming home from the Neonatal ICU: this was a sentimental moment for me. They were both born under 4 and 1/2 lbs. They've had many challenges. They've grown so very much.
Needless to say, I'm realizing we're in a new phase of parenting-that of capable kids.
Its pretty cool!
So here's footage of Jamesen and his first waterskiing adventure! We have to get the other boys videos' from family.

HOUSTON, We are Ready for Take Off

HOUSTON, TEXAS

I believe many of you already know this, so this is just to update my blog and record some monumental changes that are happening in our world. The last month has been very dramatic, crazy, intense, busy, and full of lots of emotions.
About a month ago I said to Jake "You never feel as alive as you do when you're in the midst of change." That has become a theme in our minds and we feel very alive to say the least. So, the change I'm referring to is: we're moving our little family to Houston, Texas.
Last month Jake flew to Cleveland for an interview with URS-Washington Division. His dad told him that one of his previous seminary teachers recruited with this company and that Jake should check into it. That was back in February. In June Jake contacted this man, and soon he was interviewing and a week after he received an offer and he accepted and he will start September 15th.
There are a whole lot of details in between so for those who want the jist of it there it is, but now for the details: this make take a while-sorry.
When Jake went to Cleveland, he took our only cell phone, and then my phone stopped working, and the phone company fixed it when he was flying home. So, I only spoke to him twice in the 3 days he was gone. (I had to use my neighbors phone.) I knew before he left he was very skeptical if this was right for us. We had discussed many of the pro's and con's and we felt we just needed to see this to its end, to show the Lord we would do all we could do to find a new job.
One of the big con's in our minds was relocating a lot. They move you every few years to a new site. We didn't know if we wanted to do that to our children, especially Jabren.
Well, Jake interviewed on Monday and that same day I watched my friends kids, and she told me that she already knew we were taking it. "Whatever." Then she reminded me of something I said a few years ago. "I just need a few years to get my feet under me before we go again (meaning leave Boise.)" I remembered saying that. I explained to her all the reasons we weren't liking the idea. So that night I couldn't pray at all. I didn't want to. I took my Ensign to bed with me, but didn't read. I just had too much caos in my head to settle my thoughts and be in tune with the Lord. I also didn't get to talk to Jake that night to ask how things went.
So, the next morning I rolled out of bed and began to pray. I explained how we had a lot of major concerns, and once I had unloaded all of them my burden was literally made light. All of my worries were lifted from my mind and complete peace enclosed me and I felt and could see only light in my mind and thoughts.
Immediately, I knew this was right. At first I was thinking "Oh, my goodness we're moving?" Then I thought "I'm not crying, thats weird." I was very calm. So I climbed back on my bed and pulled out my Ensign. The First Presidency message was by President Uchtdorf and the words leapt out of the page at me. He spoke of pioneers and their faith to leave all they knew. So much of what he wrote resonated with this opportunity I knew for certain this was right. That is when I began to cry. I knew this experience was an undeniable experience that I could not create for myself. And, I knew our lives were about to change dramatically.
So thats my morning. I knew Jake though. When I picked him up, luckily all the boys fell asleep so we were able to put them in bed and talk for a long time. He seemed to have very different feelings. He told me how sick he was about it, and nervous, and that in his hotel room he was not feeling good about it. Even now at home he didn't. So after he talked for over and hour and a half, I asked if he wanted to know what happened for me that morning.
At first he was confused and frustrated that I'd feel such peace when he felt sick. I didn't really say much. And I dropped it. I let him feel and be where he was at.
One thing I've learned in 8 years of marriage is that Jake dreads change. It can make him sick. He also needs to come to his conclusion on his own. So I let him have space.
(Also, getting back to work after the interview things there were turning very bad and seemed ugly-but ended up not being what he thought- but ironic because he's been one of their best employees for 5 years and it seemed time to leave in every conceivable way.)
He was also frustrated that the temple was closed. It always seems to be when you need it most. But oh the luck, our friend had ordered 5 tickets for her family to go to the Twin Falls Temple Open House for that coming Saturday, but needed to reschedule to go with some friends and she offered them to us. So we went with our family to the Temple and, though its not the same with kids, we felt peace there. When we got home there was a Fedex package at the door. We had an offer waiting on our door step right as we got home from the temple-hmmm?
Anyways, Jake was getting more comfortable discussing the possibility and then on Sunday night, randomly and very unlike either of our parents to be this spontaneous, they both showed up at our home within a half hour of each other. Jake talked with our parents and both seemed to be very supportive and encouraging about this opportunity. They took Jake's biggest concerns and refocused them and helped him look at it in a new perspective, but mostly they were just very encouraging and dispelled fear. As the men talked he started to get excited because there are some really neat opportunities to look forward to-just different than those of anyone we know so its unknown. One thing my dad said was "Roots are overrated" That was an inspired comment for us, at least. And we realize there's still plenty of time to put in roots. We think of our kids as getting older but our parents kept saying, but your kids are still young and very flexible.
You'd think they were ready to get rid of us, but we were glad to hear how much they supported whatever our decision was.
Funny thing, Jake's office right now is really struggling with the change in the market and as a whole they were asked to let the company know how committed they were to them and that if they were looking else where then-go! They wanted to know by Friday. Jake's offer from URS wanted to know by Friday. So many things we're just being swept up into this opportunity and facing us in this direction. As I experienced all of this, I felt as though the Lord has truly been guiding us to this. When the Lord closes a door he opens a window. The thing with windows is you have to jump to get out of them. Leaping can be scary.
So we accepted the offer and we're very excited. The opportunity to move around and see parts of this country and possibly others seems really neat for now. Not for forever.
I told Jake "I know getting all the little details figured out between here and moving there will eventually be worked out soon, though nerve-racking, but my concern would be if I felt we could never get back to Boise, which is where we want to end up." Well this company has one of its headquarters in downtown Boise. So even in that, I feel so much peace.
So, in gratitude, I must say that I've been so blessed with so many little experiences that feel like tender mercies of the Lord. They are happening regularly. So many, I've forgotten some. I'm learning so much from the Lord and about Him. From the morning I first prayed about this I have not doubted this choice; only once have I felt fear and been upset, but was quickly humbled and was able to learn another principle of the gospel from it. He is trying to teach me a lot and I'm enjoying being in this moment. There are more times than not that I feel like I'm just living each day with little change in the scenery that makes me need to rely on the Holy Ghost.
My newest thing I've learned is: "When we are modest we are humble, and when we are humble we invite the Spirit into our lives." (I'll find who said this later) To be honest, thats all I want. There are so many things that I can't figure out right now or even make happen if I wanted to. I can't do all it would take to possess all the knowledge I need to make some big decisions regarding our home here and there and where to live and what about schools, that I can only get through this with the Spirits guidance. Thats all I want. Things turn out better that way, too.

Do You Rember When?

I' just did this on my friend Amy's blog. So I think it might be fun to see what (if anything people say!)

Here are the directions:
1. In the comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

So let's have it! Don't be shy! What do you remember? Anything funny, embarrassing, silly...

YOU"VE BEEN TAGGED!

If you're reading this you've been tagged! Seriously, I mean you. The tag- Top 100 Things About You. After you've finished leave me a comment and I'll come see it. Its fun to think of all the little things that are you.

How Well Do You Know Me? Top 100 Things About Me

I've started this list to see how much I am aware of myself and my uniqueness and quirks. This is My 100 things about me! We'll see how long it takes. I'm starting this on July 11, 2008 and will keep adding to it. LOOK FOR A LITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT AS YOU READ.

1. I am 5'4" and 1?? lbs. and have brown hair and blue eyes.
2. I am the 7th of 9 children in my family.
3. My husband is the second oldest son as is my dad.
4. I've been married nearly 8 years-woah.
5. I used to be very shy.
6. That changed when I read "How to Win Friends and Influence People"
7. I decided I didn't like being shy anymore when other girls could talk so easily to the guy I liked. (My thanks to him for changing my life.)
8. I grew up in one place for 16 1/2 years and I went to nursery with my best friends.
9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE chocolate chip cookies! It's my favorite treat.
10. My Grandpa sealed my husband and me in the temple.
11. I will try just about anything if it's not morally wrong.
12. My brothers taught me how to dance.
13. I love people. I find nearly anyone I meet fascinating.
14. I always wanted to be a Mom.
15. My brothers told Jake I didn't want him to kiss me and Jake believed them!
16. I hypervenilated and would have literally passed out if I wasn't already laying down when the ob-gyn told me "Ohp, there's another one!"
17. I always knew I'd have a bunch of boys.
18. I love that Jake always teaches me new things. He taught me how to snow ski and even taught me to love football because he's an excellent teacher and I understand it now.
19. I adore my dad.
20. I want to be more like my mom - kind, gentle, and patient.
21. I want to take voice lessons.
22. I would love to learn to fly an airplane.
23. I love that my husband has dreams and is passionate about them.
24. When I deep clean, I always start upstairs in my bathroom and move out and then down to the main floor.
25. I love having a baby sitting co-op to drop my kids off when I need a break.
26. My nick-name growing up was Doober.
27. I'd rather weed than water my garden.
28. Someone in my kindergarten stole my bracelet my sister got me at Disneyland.
29. I love sweatshirts but only have two.
30. One I bought two days ago.
31. Both are Boise State sweatshirts.
32. Of all my siblings I think my nature is most like my oldest brother Gary's.
33. My first bicycle was stolen at my school.
34. My newest favorite color is tealish blue. I'm using it in everything.
35. I'm going to the Twin Falls Temple Open House Saturday morning.
36. Out of 9 children in my family, I am the only one who didn't serve a mission.
37. Germs don't freak me out unless someone is sick.
38. I'm not a worrier.
39. Being spontaneous, to me, is just as important as having a game plan.
40. My ultimate favorite color is red.
41. I'd like to use animal prints in small doses in my home.
42. I'm patriotic and love the American Flag.
43. I used to be a Boys Scouts of America.
44. I lived in a tent for two months of my life.
45. Never been to Europe.
46. Only owned two cars in my life
47. I too, lick the salt off the bottom of a pringle-thanks Angela
48. I love to travel places with Jake.
49. Controlling people frustrate me.
50. I love late-night talking.
51. I want to be more of a project person.
52. But letting go of daily chores keeps me from venturing into projects.
53. I've studied way too much about allergy ellimination.
54. My shoe size is 8 1/2
55. I like to buy bargain deals.
56. I think this list is getting difficult to finish.
57. I spend way too much time on Craiglist.com looking for furniture
58. Its rare that I wash my face before bed.
59. We could be moving to Houston next month (Update: We are!!!! Oh my HECK)
60. My favorite sitcom is Everybody Loves Raymond
61. I love it when my fridge is full of food.
62. My first soccer coach is now a famous golfer.
63. Don't like it when children stand on my feet.
64. I'm very grateful for dishwashers and vacuums
65. Both of mine broke in the same week.
66. I'm a fish in the water.
67. Favorite thing about newborns-when you unswaddle them and hold them up-they stretch their back and arms and fingers while bringing their knees up-love that!
68. I'd rather have money than look like I do.
69. I hate it when my paper piles build up.
70. I love hearing my door bell ring-when its not my kids.
71. My great great great grandmother and I share the same birthday, 150 years apart.
72. My favorite holiday isn't Christmas.
73. It's Thanksgiving-weird huh?
74. Someday I'd love to be a great speaker who can think clearly on my feet.
75. I adore old men.
76. No desire to go into space.
77. I think I'd love rock climbing.
78. No desire to scuba dive in deep, dark waters.
79. I want to go to the Olympics with Jake when they're in Sochi, Russia-the first city where he served on his mission.
80. Phone numbers stick in my head.
81. I remember faces really well, and even names.
82. Mere acquaintances think I'm a stocker or obsessed when I tell them details I remebered. I don't try.
83. I love wathching my boys say goodbye to Jake every morning. Its a huge ritual at our house.
84. I love to watch my husbands face lit up and a huge grin on his face when he's laughing or telling a story.
85. Favorite thing about my house is its location, on a culdesac, with a great backyard.
86. Jakes brother and sister in law are my neighbors, and they've been our neighbors once before.
87. I read how-to and self-help books more than novels.
88. Novels are too much of a commitment for me. Even though I love them.
89. In h.s. I interviewed for "Girls State". After tons of girls interviewed, I went in and a panel of women asked me who sponsored "Girls State". I didn't know the answer but I looked down at their papers in front of them and saw my answer. "It's the American Legion Auxillary isn't it?" They all were so excited. I was the first who knew the answer. I got to go to Girls State. Many more qualified girls couldn't figure out why I was selected over them.
90. I'm a fish in the water. Being in water makes me feel younger.
91. After asking my philosopy professor for help on a term paper, he ended up writing it for me. I still have the proof. He gave me an A and told me it was the best paper he received!
92. My favorite time of day is bedtime-or just after my kids are all asleep.
93. I've never had braces.
94. The only time I've ever lost a lot of weight is when I gave up dairy for 7 months and was going to the chiropractor twice a week. (Not excercising)
95. I never lost weight when I ran everyday.
96. I love a dinner invite!
97. I love having people in my home and sharing my food.
98. I love being out of my comfort zone - I feel the most alive then.
99. I love my girlfriends.
100. This summer is my 10 year class reunion and I don't think its happening.

WHAT DISNEY PRINCESS ARE YOU?

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?
Is Pocahontas really a princess? My first reaction was "WHAT?"
Well, of all the women characters in Disney movies she doesn't seem to be a princess to me. But then this all makes sense because I've never felt settled on seeing myself as a princess. A princess somehow seems entitled and spoiled-two things I am not.
All in all, I'm surprised at how close the description resonates with how I see myself. Just weird, though.

A WEEK OF FIRSTS IN OUR FAMILY

LIST OF "FIRSTS" this week:
1. Jabren learned how to ride a bike without training wheels on his first try.
2. Joshua and Jamesen flew in an airplane.
3. Debbie flew an airplane!

Pictures of Our Firsts:
1. Jabrens first ride.


2. Joshua and Jamesens first flight.

Don't ya love how cautious Jamesen looks and how skeptical Josh is.

3. Debbie flies an airplane! (No actual picture-Dad wouldn't take one.)

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

We had a great time with my parents over for dinner Sunday afternoon. There really aren't perfect words to describe what I feel for my dad and mom. My dad is perfect for me. He's a wonderful man. And I married someone a lot like him.

I'm glad there is a day set aside to truly focus on the men in our lives! I love the look of any man in a white shirt and black slacks on two wheels. Dad looked so cool!


We had so much fun convincing Mom to get on. It was awesome! We got a good kick out of watching her speed off.

Actually, as my brothers and sisters can attest, Mom is a great sport about trying just about anything, and I love that.

She shared a memory with us about her brother Vance, who died flying his plane cross country when she was 18 years old. She told me that he had made her a little bike a lot like this one when she was about 10 years old from the engine of an old washer machine. She loved this bike and would use it to ride up the road to her friend, Janeen Youngbergs house.


Jamesen loves this little scooter, as do Jabren and Josh. But he freaks out when his turn is up and demands to be the first one to ride. In this picture I was standing talking to Jake and my dad, while I had my hand the throttle and the engine kept revving up. Finally it clicked that Jamesens hand was on the throttle with mine and he was trying to get this show on the road and giving it a little gas. He may be two, but he sure knows how to get what he wants.

Anyways, we don't get to have my parents to ourselves very often so we were grateful they could steal away for the afternoon to be with us. These pictures capture the relaxing afternoon at our house.