First time for everything...

About a week ago, Theo came to us and told us he was feeling sick. Charles consoled him and offered him a wastebasket just in case he needed to throw up. Theo perked up with this gesture and excitedly commented, 'Yeah this would be the first time I have thrown up in  America.' It was almost as this made it an event to look forward to!

'The Abbotts'

One of the greatest things about moving back in mid August was the chance to get to know our Abbott cousins better before they move to Pennsylvania. It has been a real treat to watch the kids develop relationships, and then watch relationships turn to friendships. In just two months these little four people have become great friends of ours. The phrase 'The Abbotts' usually followed by 'are coming over' is met with unanimous approval and excitement in our household.

Last night we had supper with them. Josiah prayed a wonderful prayer:

Dear God,
Thank you for today.
Thank you that Jack knows so much about the Revolutionary War and Theo about Lewis and Clark.
Thank you for this food.
Amen

This prayer encapsulates so much in the mind of a seven-year-old. There have been many games of imagination played - wars fought and journeys exploring the West-  in Grandmother's and Granddad's yard these past two months. Josiah is thankful and so are we!

Selfishly we are sad to see them leave today, but we are excited for the ministry God has for them in Pennsylvania. We will hold the memories of these two months close to us as they are far and look forward with great anticipation to the next time we can see them.

Trip to Missouri Capitol

 We had a great day yesterday visiting the Missouri Capitol. We were fortunate enough to get a tour from a new friend (I think that is an appropriate description). Todd, a guy from church, is the chief of staff to a senator there and offered to take us on a little personal tour. By the end of the tour, Jack was holding hands with Todd leading me to think friend is the appropriate description!

Todd took us into the Senate House and let us stand up in the 'pulpit' (not sure the correct term) and throw the gavel down. He explained some of the rules to us, which if broken would prompt the pounding of the gavel. We then instructed Charles to go down and 'break' some of the rules which prompted the kids to pound the gavel at their dad which needless to say they thought was very good fun. 

Todd and Charles then took the big boys up in the rotunda.I went outside and played on the Capitol lawn with Addie and Eliot. The boys thought the journey to the Whispering Gallery (where you can stand on opposite sides of the rotunda and whisper and hear the opposite party) was super cool . Then they ventured to the very top of the rotunda where they got  to go outside.

We ended the day, as all good trips to the Capitol do, with Arris Pizza. We were very happy that Todd joined us as did Grandad, Grandmother, Aunt Natalie, Miriam and Ezra. It was a great day for all. Erin in particular was very thankful for the day and Todd's generosity in leading us because almost daily for the past six weeks, Jack has asked when we will get to go in the Capitol (which is very believable to all who know Jack!) So Momma is happy to check this off the never ending question list!

Picture of Capitol for those less familiar

 

Here we are in the Senate House

 

Picture of the Senate House

 View of the Missouri River from the top

 

Boys at top of the Capitol

Wanted: Lost Bladder

Tonight at dinner we witnessed Jack very maturely wait until the current conversation was finished before starting his own thought - something that doesn't happen that often!  After Charles finished talking, Jack then very articulately but a bit panicky said, 'May I please be excused. I am about to lose my bladder.'

LOL.

Faith of a Child

A conversation as had a couple of nights ago while putting the boys to bed:

Theo (grabbing the kids' bible): Why is Goliath smiling on the front of this cover? [ed note: a question Charles and I have often pondered to ourselves]
Erin: I don't know Theo. That is a good question.
Jack (without hesitation and with much authority): Well, Theo, the Bible says that Goliath stumbled and died. Maybe he decided to love Jesus while he was stumbling.
Theo: I'll have to think about that Jack.