Grandpa Time!!!

We are lucky to be located so close to the boys' Grandpas. And the boys eat it up!! They really warm up to them even though we don't see them very often.

Grandpa Dennis brought the boys John Deere hats. Either Micah really enjoyed his time with G'pa Dennis, or he really loved the hat, or both - for he chose to wear his hat for the next two days straight - morning and night. :)

I truly feel that positive experiences with their exteneded family are incredibly enriching for my boys. Being away from my Oregon family, I've realized that every person in one's family is, in a way, a part of them. And I don't know if we feel like we're missing something when we are away from them, but we do feel more whole after spending time with them.











The love shared in a family isn't based on "performance" as it were. It's just because you "are." Together. And when your love and acceptane of eachother is based there, in your simple common alliance, I've found that there is more room for appreciation and forgiveness.

You see, my kids are by no means the most well behaved, cutest, or most intelligent children in the world ( although I find many of those qualities abundant every day ). However, our family chooses to love them as if they were. It is so important for everyone to be loved in that way - despite who you are - accepted, shortcomings forgiven, loved. It's the way of our Lord.