Quick Updates

Sorry it has been so long again... Busy, busy, busy. I will be glad when the legislative session is over and summer is here! I did want to update everyone on a couple of things though. Robert was offered a job with Waddell & Reed, which he accepted. YAY! He will be studying and testing for his license(s) over the next 3 or 4 months, so continue to keep him in your prayers. He will be working during those three months doing direct care (social work) for the company he used to work for and probably also substitute teaching.
We have another offer on the house... and we are praying this one will go through. The buyers seem to actually comprehend what "as-is" means, and are not even going to get an inspection. (2 of the other 3 offers backed out because of the inspection and the fact that we would not fix everything. They didn't seem to understand that the house is being sold at such a low price because it needs work... If it were in perfect condition, we would be asking a lot more!) Anyway, we also put an ad in the paper to find a renter, just in case, and have had PLENTY of response to that.
Everything else is going really well... we started a new study in our small group last week (the book of James) and I am really going to enjoy it. It is crazy how God works things out... the study in our small group, my friend Khrista has been doing a study on James and recommended a great book (which I bought), and my Dad preached on Sunday from James 4. So apparently God has some good stuff for me to study in James for the next few months!! :) I have learned a lot already and am looking forward to more.
Ashlie's wedding is approaching fast... a little less than 5 weeks! That means preparing for that, and also the bridal shower and other fun stuff.
We had two birthdays this weekend, my mom's and our nephew, Nate, so we spent the weekend in Twin Falls, which was a lot of fun. We spent Saturday with Robert's family, and Sunday with my family.
I think I have rambled on long enough, so until next time... sorry no pictures. My camera battery is dead again.

SuperBowl Party

Arin decided that we should have a SuperBowl party... and she decided we should have it at my house. I am glad we did! It was a lot of fun, even though no one was really interested in the game. It was fun just to hang out and play games... and EAT! :)

Here are a few pics from the day. All the girls... Elyssa... Josiah & Isaak... the boys (Isaak, Josiah, Dylen, Jonas)... Mom & Dad (ahhhhh)... Audrey & Austin (her boyfriend - he is really fun and sweet and we all like him!)... me & Elyssa... the guys playing Jenga... and me & Robert.

Jenga!... the Tough Guy Version

On SuperBowl Sunday, the guys (Robert, JJ & Branden) decided they wanted to play Jenga. Of course, they are guys and they can't play a game normally, so they decided that the loser would have to drink a concoction of various condiments and liquids created by the others. So the game got pretty intense. Branden lost the first one. Garrett lost the second (he couldn't drink it... he actually threw up. Gross!) And Branden lost the third one also. I won't describe the mizture they had to drink. It makes me sick just thinking about it. :oP But I think they had fun!

Jonas

My nephew Jonas is 4 years old already! I can't believe it! I remember when he was born, and I stayed in Idaho for almost a month. It was so hard to leave, and now I am SO happy that I'm here permanently! :) Jonas is the smartest preschooler I have ever met... and I'm not the only one to say that. He has all the characteristics of a gifted child. He is intelligent beyond his years, and also very emotional. When he's happy, he's ecstatic, and when he's sad, he's heartbroken. He is so creative, and he loves to draw and color. He's also really athletic, and has been throwing and hitting a baseball since about 1 1/2. And, believe it or not, he is also musically inclined. :) He loves to play the guitar and the drums, and often makes up his own songs. Okay, I will stop bragging. I'm not even his mother! :) But he is a talented little guy. He is also very affectionate, and a lot of fun to be around.

Isaak

Isaak is such a sweet kid. He is the one who will say "I love you" randomly and make my day! :) He is pretty strong-willed, and his vocabulary is amazing for a 2 (almost 3!) year old. He imitates almost everything his big brother does, but he's pretty imaginative too. He currently has a whole basketball team of imaginary friends. I think it may be a ploy to get extra snacks (he always tells his mom "I need some crackers for my basketball players"), but you have to admit that's pretty smart! And he loves to dance... he's actually pretty good. :)

Elyssa

I can't believe how big my niece is getting! She has such a sweet personality, and she LOVES to laugh at her brothers. She is teething, and trying to crawl now. And she loves to pull hair. :P