Thursday I glanced down the stairs and saw Ellie and Jake sitting on the bottom step. They each had a book in their lap and were being very quiet (yes, that's why I was checking -quiet toddlers ???) They have on their princess shoes and Ellie has a big old purse. They have toys and were speaking toddler to each other.
Trying to catch both busy kids in focus at once is next to impossible with my point and shoot camera. But the thought came to me that I really hope this friendship lasts for many many years. Which got me thinking about friendship. An Arabian proverb says: "A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away." I am grateful for my friends. I have one, Gloria, who makes the effort to keep in touch with her friends. I appreciate that she reaches out and makes the phone call to get us together. Sometimes we take friends for granted and then in the business of everyday life- we don't keep in touch and then we are strangers. What do we have that keeps us connected then? During my growing up years, when 'acquaintance friends' come and go very quickly, my wise mother would say "Friends will come and go, but your family will always be there for you." I am grateful for that wisdom, because my family are counted among my closest friends. Our children too, are my friends. How sweet it is to be able to appreciate their talents and respect their opinions. And share our joys.
Which brings me to thoughts of our greatest friend, the Savior. I am always amazed at how often in scripture he refers to those around him, and thus to us, as his friends. Look at John 15: 13,14,15. "I have called you friends; for all thing that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you...You are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you... Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends..."
Like these fuzzy kids, we don't know what the future will bring. But we do know that we are committed as a family to love and support each other and to follow the teachings of Jesus. Mark Twain said. "Grief can take care of it's self, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with" I hope we can share lots of joy together.
This adorable girl turned 2 on Sunday. She loves to be outside and keeps us laughing at the funny things she does.
like get a dry cloth and climb up on top of the table to wipe up the spill she made.
We celebrated Hannah's birthday with Ellie's. Ellie's favorite part of her birthday were the balloons that Kim used to decorate with.
He had a glow in the dark party with his cousins. Above is with the flash, below is no flash and how it really looked in the basement. - Well, a lot lighter with the lights and more white to reflect, but you get the gist. They are coloring hard boiled eggs with highlighters to play some games. Did you know yellow highlighters are the brightest?
Then Friday was Grandparent day and I got to go spend an hour with Carter in his Kindergarten class. He drew me a marvelous picture, served me refreshments. Sang a song for me and read books with me. He has a pretty fun class room and it was really crowded with all the grandparents and/or special people sitting with the students at their little tables in little chairs.
So Happy Birthday Carter. 6 is very special. We feel pretty blessed to have you in our family-
Like these fuzzy kids, we don't know what the future will bring. But we do know that we are committed as a family to love and support each other and to follow the teachings of Jesus. Mark Twain said. "Grief can take care of it's self, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with" I hope we can share lots of joy together.
