Luke's Journal

Jim has a journal about Luke. I love to sneak on his computer and read it. Today, I found this entry...

The day before yesterday, Luke and I (Jim) were reading his board book, Baby’s First Bible. The last page shows little children running to Jesus, and He’s holding up a baby that looks a lot like Luke. I’ve told him all along, “That’s you! Jesus is looking at you and smiling because he loves you!” This time Luke says that’s him. Then he points at Jesus and says, “He’s gotta work.” Ouch! That’s what I tell Luke. I know personally that our view of authority figures, especially our parents, profoundly influences our view of God. I tell Luke that I need to work, that I like to work, but like playing with him better.

*****

Jim says: Caught you!

By the way: as with everything on this blog, we'd love to get your input. How do we raise a kid without distorting his view of God too badly? It's a profound responsibility.

90 degrees the wrong way...

Luke and I have been working diligently on potty training. In September he starts preschool a couple afternoons a week, and one of the requirements is that he is potty trained. Multiple articles I've read have advised against potty training during a move or other big life event. So, that leaves this month to get this done.

It's much harder than I thought.

First of all, he doesn't seem to mind sitting in a puddle of piddle while playing with his trains. (I try putting big boy undies on him from time to time...)

Secondly, Luke only seems to communicate when he has to go potty when he's in his bed (and wants out). Classic, no?

Finally, (and I'd really like to know who's side of the family is to blame for this) when Luke goes standing up with everything pointing in the right direction, you would think gravity would do its thing. Instead the pee takes a 90 degree turn and sprays up into the air. Thank heavens for easy clean tiles.

Thanks to a trick that Judy taught me, we've implemented the "surprise bag" which is a bag full of goodies that Luke gets to pick from each time he goes potty successfully. It's been the best thing we've tried yet, but it's still slow go...

Pray for us.

Alexa

A little tribute to our friend Alexa...

Performing a percussion duet...

Giving autographs after the performance...

After a death-defying acrobatic act...

Ta-daa!

We miss you (and your parents)! Hope you're enjoying your new home. Our love goes out to you.

Our new home in Riverside!

We're still in shock, but we put in an offer on a house in Riverside that we really had no business making. Much to our surprise, delight, and trepidation, we came to an agreement. So, as of mid-July, we'll be here.

Click here for a tour. (Our tastes are tamer than the sellers', but overall it's great. Take special note of the distinctly RED media room!)

All in all, we made out quite well in a sleepy housing market. Our condo sold quickly for a good price to a couple who has been looking in our building for TWO YEARS. We are 5 doors down from Matt and Judy (Jim's sister) so it's good thing we like each other! We're in the grade school district we wanted and there's good space for Jim's office...things we thought we would have to compromise in order to stay in budget.

Fortunately, there is an Aldi near by, because this was a budget s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-r. We look forward to having you all over for hotdogs and ramen noodles very soon.