Random thoughts on the last few weeks

I love this picture of Clara, in her playhouse that is in our backyard. I have other cute pictures that I'd love to post, but we've been reminded not to blog about foster kids, so I'm going to stop putting any pictures of the kids on here, as much as that saddens me. I have a really cute picture of the boys from just yesterday, asleep leaning on each other in the car on the way home from my family's house in Renton. The last few weeks have not been too eventful, so here are a few random things I want to say:
1. Funniest story from the two boys we have right now ever: The other night, we went to a church service and they were in kids' church. On the way home, they told us that they had learned that nothing is impossible with Jesus and that he can do anything. They went on to say that they had all prayed for kids who were there and their specific "problems" that they have and need prayer over. Then, one of them paused and very seriously, but rhetorically, asked, "Does our family have any problems?" Jeremy and I couldn't stop laughing. (We hid our laughter well, though, I assure you . . . they seriously have NO idea of how screwed up their family is . . . and I guess it's better that way anyway!)

2. Clara got an ear infection and was pretty icky for about a week. Grumpy girl. But she's better now and loving life. As I type, she is pushing a box of blocks around the kitchen floor. It's the same box she loves to climb into. She also loves to climb up onto her little "chair toy" for lack of a better name for it, and try to step off of it, only to tumble onto her face on the floor. Then, she giggles and does it again. Crazy kid.

3. My Beth Moore Bible study, "Believing God" that I'm doing on Thursday mornings at Lighthouse Christian Center is amazing. We have an hour of discussion over our homework at table groups, then watch an hour video of Beth Moore teaching that goes with the next week. LOVE. IT. God is teaching me a lot through it.

4. Looking forward to summer, but also trying to figure out what I'm going to do with whatever foster kids we have ALL DAY. Not used to that, I must say. I like planning what we'll do on the weekends, knowing that monday-friday they're gone all day. If any of you have great ideas of cheap things to do, send them my way!

5. I think I've mentioned this before, but I am loving working out with my husband three times/week at the YMCA. We do the MWF 9:30 a.m. circuit class in the gym and it kicks our butts every time. It's so great to do that together.

6. The two foster boys here now are probably leaving this Friday to go to a family member on Dad's side. they have been a lot of fun . . it's interesting to watch these kids become more and more comfortable after 2-3 weeks of being here, though. Their behavior changes a lot in a month. We were just saying the other day that the people who do long term foster care are pretty special people . . . we feel like we have the easier job! Just as they are starting to act up more and become more of a problem, they leave and we get new ones.

7. Last one: Jeremy and I dropped off the kid at my parents' house last Tuesday and went to Mansfield to meet with the pastors of the three little churches there about what they want Jeremy's teens to do for a weeklong mission trip this summer. He is taking about 9 or 10 kids the first week of July to this dinky little town in the middle of Eastern WA and they will be doing a VBS and some teen stuff in the evenings. And probably paint a building. I grew up in Cashmere, which most people think is really small . . . there were about 80 kids in my graduating class . . there are 84 kids from kind-12th grade in Mansfield. It is SMALL. And secluded . . it takes probably at least 20-30 minutes to get anywhere from there, and "anywhere" is another small community. They don't even have a grocery store. But it was super quiet and you could see for miles and miles, and people all know each other. Anyway, it will be a good experience for Jeremy and the kids.