Birthday Time for Eli

He turns 6 today.

From the time he was just little, this kid has loved trains, earth-moving equipment, heavy equipment, etc.

He's the consummate THOMAS THE TRAIN afficianado. He loves construction sites and all the equipment being used there.

Bright, happy, thoughtful, appreciative, protector (sometimes) of his younger brother...that's ELI.

Oh, he's a cute one!

Unpacking the Memories

Unreal...truly.

First, their daughter died earlier this year of swine flu, then their entire home burned down. You can read about the tragedy here:

But, they all did get out alive. Great, great blessing.

There will, no doubt, be an account set up to help them get new Christmas toys, and other 'things.' As there should be.

Maybe people will say to them..."You can replace THINGS." And, those people will be very right.

But, some things seem so irreplaceable, and I am reminded of that each Christmas season as I unpack the boxes. Oh, so many things given by family and friends over the years. How, do I ever replace those things?

I know that things are replaceable. I know that someday we will not need those things.

But, for now, while I can, I will enjoy these things which have really become TREASURES. Some of these represent hours and hours of home-made labours of love....how do you replace that?

So, here in no certain order is just a small sampling of those things which I unpack each year and are now treasures:

First Car

It was given to us when we married.

It had been given to my dad when someone couldn't pay him actual cash for his legal services.

Old, yes. Faded colors, yes. Stick shift, yes.

But, it worked, and got us to the university and back home again.

It got us to the grocery store and to church.

It provided a ride for one semester to a lady - sans car - going back to college.

The window pulverized one summer when we were away. Because there was no back window, during the winter, the open window always filled up with snow, making it difficult to see out the back.

The left door latch didn't work, so every time we made a right turn, the door would swing open making people stare and wonder if a body was going to come flying out....

We've had better cars, newer cars, shinier cars, cars that have been more fun to drive, but I'll always be grateful for that first car.

The Not-So-good Old Days

Does anyone remember when you had to wait once-a-month for a bank statement?

What if you had forgotten to record just one little check?

What if you had forgotten to record just one little withdrawal?

T*R*O*U*B*L*E

in River City or whatever city you happened to live in.

But now, wonder of wonders:

ONLINE BANKING.

Daily -or almost- checking of checks, withdrawals, deposits, accounts.

It's a dream come true.

Daily checking to see no fraudulent activity on credit card...

Being on vacation and checking the financial situation (can we afford to go to Disneyland?)....

On-line bill pay, so no hassle....

So, today, my prize for innovation goes to:

the person who thought of putting all our money out there for us (and the world) to see!

Favorite Picture Day 2

Okay, here's Bridger helping make potato salad.

Oh, that mayo is messy!

favorite picture day - again

A few days ago, I posted pictures of these kids at our Utah home in the fall. Here they are in their Virginia home in winter.

Oliver, Anna, Imogen, Lucy with the pink birthday boots.

I can't wait until travel becomes cheap and fast.

The picture made me cry.

It was from years ago, and showed of happier times....a young couple in love.

Looking to the future with love and hope and stars in their eyes.

I'm not sure what happened to those dreams.

So now the picture is tucked away in a far corner.

My wish is that there will be love and hope and stars in the eyes again.

For, I do believe in those dreams.