Slow to respond

If you have sent me an email in say... like the last 3 months and I haven't responded, they are still in my "in" box and I will reply... sometime.  Just know, I have not forgotten you and think about needing to do it daily and then something always comes up.  

Just a few pics...

This is what happens when your husband's co-worker's 7 year old daughter leaves a dirt cup and spoon in front of your 1 year old.

Fun outdoors

Christmas in September

WARNING: I don't mean to offend anyone with this post.

I read this the other day.

Vatican nativity does away with the manger
For 25 years, the Christmas Nativity scene in front of St Peter's Basilica has shown the infant Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.  This year, however, the Vatican has decided to radically change the scene, shifting it to Nazareth, and placing Jesus in his father's carpentry shop.

When Pope Benedict XVI inaugurates the life-size Nativity scene on Christmas eve, the sheep and hay will be gone.  In their place will be a model of three rooms.  Jesus will lie in Joseph's shop, complete with "the typical work tools of a carpenter".  On one side, the shop will be flanked with a "covered patio", while on the other there will be the "inside of a pub, with its hearth".

The news came in an official statement from the State Department of the Vatican, which organises and builds the giant presepe, or Nativity scene.  The new setting was inspired by two verses in St Matthew's gospel, Chapter 1:24 and 1:25, the Vatican said, which state: "When Joseph woke up, he did as the Angel of God ordered and took Mary into his house. Without them knowing each other, a child was born and he called his name Jesus".

The gospel goes on to mention Jesus' birthplace as Bethlehem, but a spokesman for the Vatican said a decision had been made to place the scene in Nazareth regardless.

"It was time for a change," said the spokesman "and a return to St Matthew's gospel".

The traditional depiction of Jesus in a manger comes from St Luke's gospel, which said there was "no room at the inn".

I guess I just don't understand.  Why - if you know Christ was born in Bethlehem in a stable - would you decide it was "time for a change?"  I don't get it.  The Matthew verses just mean that Joseph married Mary even though she was pregnant - he took her into his house.

My other question: If we know that the wisemen were not actually there at the birth of Christ, but arrived 1 1/2 years later, why are they in the nativity?  Doug figures it is to celebrate the whole thing all at once and he says, "It didn't happen at Christmas either - it is just the celebration."  The scriptures also never specify 3 wise men.  I guess since there were 3 gifts...

Lastly, I always wondered what the point of the wise men was.  I know they came to worship the Christ child.  It finally occurred to me last night that they saved his life.  I guess I hadn't read the scriptures well enough in the past.  Herod told them to find Christ and come back and tell him where he was.  An angel told them not to return to Herod.  They saved his life and in the end - ours.  They were more important than I ever thought.

I don't mean to be all philosophical, but they were just a few points I thought were worth sharing.  

Wood Carving

Doug is really into wood carvings - buying them that is.  This is our collection thus far (plus he has ordered a bear wearing red pants and holding a lantern that really lights up.  He is the size of the big trees).  They are not cheap, so I am hoping he will just pick up the hobby himself.  The previous owners left the chainsaw and there are plenty of logs!

Fence Update:

Unless we get a fence or take down our trampoline, our homeowner's insurance will be cancelled Oct. 4.  They even already sent the refund check.  I might get my fence after all!

For anyone who cares, Nolan has pooped in the potty 5 times today.  Quite the feat for the kid who we thought would be potty trained before the age of two (he religiously peed in the potty before his second birthday and then gave up).  I think he only goes a little at a time so he can get more toys (aka rewards).

I am ready for some visitors.  Who's next?

 

It has begun

Last night it was dark-ish by 9:00 and this morning at 9:00, it was barely light.  The darkness has begun and I am terrified.  We have a flower here called "fireweed."  It is said that when the first blooms appear, it is summer and when the last blooms fall, it is fall.  The cycle has come and gone and the fireweed leaves have now turned their deep shade of red meaning fall is in full un-bloom.  The leaves are changing and the air has that crisp fall feel.

At Brenden's school, they have what they call the Character Counts six pillars which are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.  They have been learning about them this week.  So yesterday when I picked Brenden up from the bus stop, he was telling me about them.  So then last night his prayer went like this:

Bren: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today.  Help me to make good choices tomorrow.  Help me to be trustworthy, caring, responsible and what's the other word?  It's a good one.  It is like being a good listener.

Me: I don't know, just keep praying.

Bren: But it is a good word.  You know it.  We talked about it today.

Me: Respect?

Bren: (back to his prayer)... respectful, and kind.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

It was just too cute not to share.  I love when big words come out of little kids' mouths.

Husband Tag

1.  What is his name? Douglas Grant Boehme
2. Who eats more? him
3. Who said, "I love you" first? me
4. Who is taller? him
5. Who is smarter? him, I don't even come in a close second
6. Who is more sensitive? Me
7. Who does the laundry? Me
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Doug - he sleeps on the side nearest the door (it used to be so he could protect me, now I use it so he has to get up with the kids)
9. Who pays the bills? Me
10. Who cooks more? Me
11. Who is more stubborn? Me
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? Me.  Doug has only been wrong once
13. Who has more siblings? Him (oldest of 6) Me (middle of 3)
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? Doug - and I do everything I'm told...
15. What do you like to do together? Outdoorsy stuff, play with our kids
16. Who eats more sweets? Doug
17. Guilty Pleasures? spending money (I know, now you think I am talking about myself, but oh no, Doug spends WAY more money than I do)
18. How did you meet? At BYU - I was grilling and he thought it was pretty cool to see a girl grilling.
19. Who asked whom out first? Doug asked me.
20. Who kissed whom first? Doug kissed me.
21. Who proposed? Doug - after trying to convince me he was saving money for "shocks" for his car - I was SO mad.
22. His best features and qualities? He is patient, very handy, and the best dad ever.

I tag Mandi, Amy, Emily, Abby, Laurie, Chelan, and JoLynne

Apple Quesadillas

Nolan: I want some apple quesadilla.

Doug: Huh?

Nolan: I want some apple quesadilla.

Doug: Huh?

Erin: He wants some pineapple pizza.

Doug: Oh...

We don't eat pizza much, but we eat quesadillas quite a bit.  Can you tell?