Oh, the beloved squishy ball

Some kids are attached to a blanket or stuffed animal, and need that security item for sick days, trips to the doctor, naps, bedtime, etc. Not Eli. You'll never hear us say, "Uh, no! We forgot his blanky." No. Even though he does have a bear and blanket he likes to sleep with, the thing you may hear us say is, "Oh, shoot! We forgot the squishy ball!!!" He absolutely needs that squishy ball. My sis, Becky, took him out and bought him his squishy ball sometime last summer; I think right around the time Noah was born. And the boy fell in love with it. Wherever Eli went, the squishy ball went. I think by about Fall the ball had popped. So it was a flat squishy ball. You have no idea how many times we had to explain to people what on earth Eli was holding.

The thing about squishy balls is that they're pretty dificult to clean. You can't really throw them in the wash like you can a blanket. That squishy ball has been through a lot in the last year and has begun to look pretty nasty, so when we were at Freddies the other day I found some sparkling new squishy balls and thought we should replace the not so pretty squishy ball. They even had another orange one. But of course, we couldn't just buy one, we had to buy two. Two boys equals two new squishy balls. Now Noah Zachary is the proud owner of a blue squishy ball. However, he doesn't seem to have the same kind of love for his squishy ball as Eli does for his. Eli was so excited about our new purchase that he volunteered to through away the old, stinky squishy ball. And the next day he told the neighbors about it. Unfortunately, the new squishy ball popped already, so we're back to Eli sleeping with a strange flat rubber thing that has stretchy little cilia like projections all over it. :) haha

Goodness, how many times did I type the words-'squishy ball"?

Edgewater Neighborhood

I'm really liking this new neighborhood we're living in. It's only three blocks south and three blocks east of where we were renting before, but its part of its own community. We're now part of the 'Edgewater Community.' We're part of a Home Owner's Association that, so far, has been really cool. We have a very low yearly fee and our neighborhood is so pretty and clean. They are organizing a volunteer social committee for the neighborhood where we make plans for block parties or activities like Halloween parties, Easter egg hunts, Christmas decoration contests, parades, etc. I think they are even setting up a food pantry thing to help out families who are struggling in this economy. I was pretty impressed.

We actually had a potluck block party a couple weekends ago. I thought it might be sorta cheesy, and Jonny wanted me to go spy it out before we actually loaded up the boys and our peach cobbler. But we were surprised. It was actually lots of fun. (Or it could be we're a little more cheesy than we thought. I mean, we do drive a minivan now...) I like that we're actually going to know lots of the people we live by. It reminded me of movies that take place in the 50's where everyone in the neighborhood knows each other and waves hello. I dont' think that happens much anymore.

There were lots of people there, and LOTS of food. Even a bounce house! Eli loved that thing. There is a fireman in the neighborhood, so he brought his firetruck over and handed out stickers and 'Fire Chief' safety helmets to the kids. Eli even got a chance (or 3!) to aim the fire hose at one of those caution cones and knock it over. Our neighbor, David, got a few pics of Eli- legs spread way apart to balance the weight of the hose, hands gripping the lever, and his face seriously focused as he worked the fire hose.

Our neighbors are so nice and friendly, too! The neighbors on our right are very nice, but we had a little issue involving their five year old son and a rock through our car window. (If you want the whole story, just ask.) :) I was terrified the whole ordeal was going to end miserably with us always avoiding each other, but the Lord is so sweet and it actually all turned out great. Our neighbors on the other side are wonderful! They are probably in their early 50's, super sweet and friendly, and love little kids! The lady teaches preschool, and they have four grandkids that are over quite often. Every time we are all out at the same time, they have conversations with Eli. Eli always says, "Hey neighbor." They respond back, "Hi neighbor." Then Eli goes on to discuss the events of his day and ask them question after question. This happens at least twice every day. It's really cute. They've brought us bread and flowers, and today they even let the boys swim in their inflatable pool. I just really, really like our neighbors. It makes me feel safe and secure, even supported. If there was ever an emergency or we were in a jam- David and Nona are right there to help. So cool! :)

Unity

I wanted to make this post Sunday night while the morning's message was still fresh in my mind, but life gets busy with a husband, two boys and a dog. :) I wanted to share what Rob taught about Sunday morning. It really convicted me. It's such a hard topic, yet so easy. It's something we teach our children daily, and expect them to practice... yet it is something we adults struggle with- I think especially as women- specifically, me. :)

We studied Ps. 133. Rob spoke of the beauty of the church gathering together as one heart and mind to praise the Lord. It's so good and edifying for God's people to live together in unity, standing firm together on the same solid foundation that is Christ.

But there is one problem. The same problem that separates us from God. The problem that makes us need a savior. Sin. We are sinful people. We fail each other. We mess up. We hurt each others' feelings. Then we loose that unity. A lot of the time we hold each other to a standard that only Christ has attained, a standard we will never be able to reach. If someone messes up and causes me pain, do I forgive as Christ has forgiven me? Or do I store that screw up in my pocket and distance myself. I have done that with people, and the problem that it creates is that my pockets get so full of storing all these wrongs that others have done against me that it becomes a heavy burden to carry. I'm so thankful God hasn't kept a list of all my wrongs and distanced himself from me.

Rob said that when we don't forgive, we are giving place to bitterness, tension, division, back-biting, and dissension, and those things will consume us. It will not be a pleasant experience. There is a great example of bitterness that Rob has shared several times. When talking about storing bitter feelings, it can also be said that we are letting a bitter root grow. We all know that tree roots can get gnarly and huge; sometimes they can get out of control and rise up to the surface and break up sidewalks. Those roots cause damage. Someone can get hurt. The illustration can be applied to unforgiving. When we give place to bitterness, it can grow and get out of control. It can consume us and cause damage. Instead, the root must be dealt with when it's small. Cut it off while its easy to cut. Control it before it controls you.

There are lots of scripture references that Rob shared about the topic. Here are some of them:

• "But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: 'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.'" -Matt. 12:25
• "and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves." - 1 Thes. 5:13
• "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." -Rom. 12:18
• "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." -Heb. 12:14

In vs. 3 of Ps. 133 when it speaks of the dew of Mt. Hermon, Rob was pointing out that when we are loving, forgiving and living in unity with each other it provides a fertile soil for the Lord to work in us and produce great fruit. When we are stuck in unforgivness and bitterness, it grieves the Lord and quenches the Spirit. Instead of being alive and producing fruit, we shrivel up.

I think relationships are the most important thing God has given us. They are more important than health, wealth, careers, possessions, beauty, etc. Relationships are the only things that are eternal. I pray that God will help me to value the relationships He has put in my life. I pray that He will teach me to love and forgive like He does.

Back to school...

Jonny is back to school this week. :( Summer break is over. The boys and I will still try to enjoy the warm weather for as long as it lasts, but we probably won't have as much fun without Jonny. Here are pics from (probably) our last visits to the water fountains, water park and river this summer. Noah splashing in the fountains. He was even running through them. In June, he would barely touch them.
We found a great little spot on the Santiam River just 15 min. from our house. We've gone there a lot this summer to swim and through rocks in the water. We even worked on building a damn across the river. Once the damn was up and the current was not hard for Eli to swim in, he swam all the way across all by himself! At the beginning of the summer he didn't even want us to let go of his hand as he walked across the shallow river. When we were leaving the river last week, Eli said, "I don't want to leave. I want to stay at the river forever."

I'm so proud of Eli! He's now swimming all by himself and even jumping in! At the beginning of the summer he wouldn't let us let go of him in the pool. Yay!

I wonder how things will change next summer.

The #1 thing about being a teacher...

SUMMER BREAK! It has been so great having Jonny home this summer, and being able to do so many fun things. Moving into our new house has been so smooth- with no rush to get things done. Last week we had some super hot days (like 106), so we were able to drop everything go swimming at the lake, river, pool, etc. The boys have been loving the water! Then five days after our move, the four of us and the dog crammed into our new minivan (Yes, we are now minivan drivers...) and drove down to the Bay area for a few days to visit Becky. We got to do more swimming in her pool, and we also played at the beach and went for a hike. And of course more and more swimming in her pool. We tried to make the 8 1/2 hr. drive back home in one afternoon/night, but we got a late start and made it to Redding when we decided to stay the night. I'm so loving this laid back, no rush thing. We got a hotel room, played in the indoor swimming pool, then drove a few hours the next morning to Grants Pass where we stopped at Indian Mary Camp Ground to swim in the Rogue River for the whole afternoon. Jonny grew up going to the Rogue River every summer, so it was pretty sweet to be able to take our kiddos there. Jonny, of course, took a shot swinging off the good ole' rope swing into the river. Jonny loves the Rogue River... so much so that when he was being 'put under' for his surgery last summer they told him to think of a happy spot- his response "I'm swimming in the Rogue River." I started camping/rafting with Jonny in late high school, and it has become one of my favorite spots as well. We timed the drive home - 3 hrs, so I'm thinking a camping trip at Indian Mary is on the agenda for next summer.

My little swimmer boys!

Rope Swing! Go Jonny!

Okay, busy, busy... got to get back to settling into the house before we head off to Prineville tomorrow!