Grandma Nelson

Grandma Nelson (Paul's grandma) died a month ago. In the past few years she has been in the nursing home slowly getting weaker and weaker. Despite seeing her lose her strength and her memory, it still does not make it any easier to let her go.

At Brian's high school graduation with Grandpa and Grandma Nelson

When I think of Grandma, I immediately think of her steadfast faith and love for the Lord. Every time we saw her, she always told us she was praying for us. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was so genuine about sharing that with those around her.

One thing that I especially loved about visiting with her and Grandpa (especially when her memory was still sharp before she went into the nursing home) was her stories. She loved to chat and told us story after story about when they were younger--many stories about teaching and what it was like to teach in a one-room schoolhouse. It was fun listening to both her and Grandpa as they shared stories often building on each other's thoughts though I will admit that Grandma usually talked more than Grandpa during these story times.

Before she got too weak, she seemed to always be busy and was often crocheting something. One of Paul's treasured items from home that he loves and has even shared with his students is a quilt that she made for him that is completely made up of ties. That tie quilt is just one example of her crafty side and the joy she found in making things for her loved ones.

I love the picture above. This was a group shot we were trying to capture with Grandpa and Grandma Nelson at Brian's high school graduation, but you can see Grandma trying to chat with Isaac and love on him and his little face checking her out as well. (At least Heather and I were looking!)

It is a blessing for Grandma that she is finally with her Savior and not still sick, but we will miss her dearly. She has left a legacy of love and faith for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Easter lily we had at church in memory of our grandparents

Overheard, Part VII

Here are some of the things that have been floating around our house the last month and a half.  Prepare yourself for a lot of quotes from the boys! 

February:

After getting out of the bathtub and wrapping up in the small towel:

Isaac: I’m getting so tall. Pretty soon this towel won’t cover my nuts.

Not recognizing an “old-fashioned” phone on an ISpy game (you know, the kind with a cord and a rotary dial from the last century):

Gma B: Oh, that was the type of phone we used a long time ago.

Caleb: Like for Abraham Lincoln?

Asking what they were having with their chicken nuggets:

Caleb: Are we having those turtle nuts?

Me: What?!?

Caleb: You know, those turtle nuts that you dip in the ketchup! {Demonstrating dipping motions with his hands and bobbing his head}

Me and Gma B and Paul: What are you talking about?

Caleb: You know those turter tots and ketchup! You know! 

{And we finally figured out that he was talking about tator tots!}

Describing the phlegm-wad he sneezed onto his pants:

Caleb: It was just a little sneeze drop.

While doing homework:

Isaac: I need to fix that “s.” It looks like something a four year-old would write.

March:

Caleb: Is it an odd or even day today?

Me: Odd.

C: I knowed that.

Paul: Then why’d you ask?

C: Because sometimes I’m wrong.

Isaac:  When we were playing basketball yesterday, Caleb and I said we should throw a basketball high enough to get to Heaven so Jesus can play basketball with James and Peter. 

Isaac {singing}: Sweet Home Alabama…wait, no. It should be Sweet home California, duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh.

Discussing bed sizes that might be in our hotel rooms and Isaac's processing what to call his twin-size bed to fit the pattern of names for beds:

Me: We’ll either have one king size bed or two queen size beds.

Isaac: Is my bed a Joker size bed then?

Celebration

The boys and I spent a couple days at Mark and Jill's house to celebrate Mackenzie's birthday. As part of the celebration, Jill made a ribbon piñata and let the kids decorate it before they pulled out the ribbons to open the box and get to the candy.

Decorating the piñata

Jill also treated the kids to an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese. We had a blast playing games and then figuring out how to spend the tickets. 

Before going inside--so excited!

Mackenzie spent most of her time with this guy

Sharing a ride together

Even Katelyn seemed to be having a good time with all of the festivities though you can't totally see that in the first picture below, and we enjoyed some snuggle time (as much as she would let us since she has gotten so big!).

It's Raining and...

...we now know how much rain we are actually getting thanks to Paul's Life Group. Last week a package was left outside our door while I was gone, and this is what we found in the box:

So grown-up...our first rain gauge!

Checking it the first time

We officially have gotten 1.60 inches since we put the rain gauge up on Friday. I am not sure who is more excited to see how much rain is in the gauge--the boys or Paul. 

Fun Pictures

Here are a few fun and random pictures of the boys in the last few weeks.

Time to cut the hair again!

"I pity the foo'!"

Candy!

 Posing in front of the silly mirrors at Sea World:

The "fat" mirror

The "skinny" mirror (my favorite)

The "big head" mirror

Visit from the Sheriff

A couple weeks ago our moms' group had a visit from the sheriff. I think the deputy was a little surprised and did not know what to do presentation-wise when he realized how young all the kids were...especially when they just stared at him and did not ask any questions. 

The deputy's badge

The kids got to look at his badge up close and even got to crawl into the backseat of his car.  Even though the kids were quiet, they were pretty excited about seeing the car's lights flash and getting a sticker and pencil from the sheriff's department

Swimming...in March!

Although the last few days have been cold (in the 50s is cold when your Midwest family and friends are enjoying 70 degree weather), we were in the 80s a couple weeks ago. The boys had been asking about going in the pool since a few brave souls had been in there that week. After a walk, we finally let them jump in and swim for a bit. 

He didn't believe us that it would be cold...guess he had to feel it to believe it! 

The daring one--first one in the water

The pool was cold, but that did not stop them from swimming for a bit and being sad when we said it was time to go back inside. 

Jumping in again and again

He finally went in ten minutes after Caleb

March is the earliest that the boys have been in the pool. If the weather here doesn't change soon, I am guessing they will not be back in there again this month.

Nice hair!