Cabin Update

The bathroom is starting to come along at the cabin. I took this video so you guys could see. Len is still working up there today and tonight yet so he'll probably get some more drywall up or the framing done for the door.

Casper

We've been adopted by a stray cat. When it first came to us it had bloody patches behind its ears and although we didn't want to pay to take it in, we did call the vet. He thought it was ear mites so we put some medicine on him for that. The cat is extremely friendly and at first we told the kids not to touch him because of his ears; however, it is impossible not to touch him as he is constantly rubbing all over them. Josiah and the PCAs have named him "Casper the friendly cat."

At first when we told Asher not to touch him, he would try and walk around him which was impossible. At one point Asher was trying to get off the deck so he'd go one way and try to step down, but Casper would be right there and Asher would say "Excuse me!" and then he'd try another place and the same thing would happen. At one point I looked out the door and thought he was petting him (he was just trying to push him out of the way) and I went out and told him not to touch the kitty. He told me "I'm not going to touch the kitty, cuz I don't know where he's been!" It was so cute!!

Now the no touching rule is off and Asher manhandles this poor cat. You can see an example of this in this video.

Gift from Corey and Em and Family

Josiah was completely delighted to open his gift from Corey and Em today. He was so excited to learn that these were books he got to keep for his very own!! We caught these moments on this great video!

Happy 5th Birthday Josiah!!

Yesterday we had a great day celebrating Josiah turning 5 years old. In some ways it is hard to believe that it has been 5 years, and in others it feels like we've lived a lifetime in that time. He was so excited for his birthday and was in a great mood all day waiting for his party. He said he wouldn't turn 5 until his party started!

We started out playing squirt guns outside, which turned into him dumping water onto everyone's feet. We were so thrilled and proud at how he included everyone in his play. He didn't exclude anyone - even Sara who has only played with him for a month. He had so much fun outside.

We then went inside for supper (Brats, blackbean burgers, jello salad, cheetos and corn on the cob) and he ate very well, chattering the whole time. He kept asking where his cake was, but he continued to eat the rest of the food while waiting. Then of course we did cake and ice-cream and he was delighted with the cake. He had chosen out what he wanted for that - a number 5 cake, strawberry flavor, white icing and skittles.

Len and I had put together clips of Josiah's 5 years to play for the PCAs so they could see how much he's changed and what a difference they've all made. After supper we watched that video and then opened presents. He loved all of his gifts and wanted to play with each one after opening them.

After presents it was 7:15! I really wish we could have done the party earlier so he could have played with some of his toys. He and Asher were so wound up from all of the sugar and excitement so Grammy gave them a bath while we visited with the PCAs. We are so grateful for them and the love they have for Josiah. They are so selfless to come to a 5 year old birthday party and really laugh and play with him the whole time. They make him feel so special.

His favorite present has to be his beloved camera which he has waited months for. We let him open this gift from Grammy and Grandpa after breakfast so he played with it all day.

Although we were all exhausted at the end, it was a great day and Josiah's smiles were so genuine!

Tom and Josiah

Last week we had to say farewell to one of Josiah's PCAs as he has graduated from Luther and is moving to Madison. Tom has been working with Josiah for 2 years and really has a true talent for his chosen field. From day 1, he clicked with Josiah and both boys loved having him over to the house to play.

This was a very difficult goodbye for all of us. I had been trying to prepare our family for a couple of weeks for the parting that was to come, but when the evening came, we were pretty distraught. Josiah didn't express his emotions in words, but the next morning he came into our room crying and saying he was sad. For a few days afterwards he cried easily and was more volatile emotionally. The loss of Tom is felt by all of us and we will miss him terribly.

Our comfort is that Tom is going on to do what God has called him to do and he will be a gift to any child he works with. The following is a tribute to Tom and all of the hours he spent with Jo.

Terrible Twos

I'm pretty sure Asher's been in the terrible twos since he was 3 days old;however, lately he's been extra "2." It feels like we spend many hours in a days disciplining and saying NO. He's been totally exhausting lately and it's been harder to enjoy the good times. Here's a video example:

The boys play extremely well together in the bathtub (when they aren't annoying each other). Len got this great video of them having imaginary tea-time.