Basketball, Thunder Snow and...Jet Packs

 Isn't he the cutest thing? Andy and Luke started Upward basketball this month. Eli insisted on wearing one of Luke's old uniforms. When we go to practice, he's the first one on the court. He never cries when we tell him it isn't his turn. That might be because I bribe him with extra opportunities to play Angry Birds on my phone. Just a thought. Today we had were blessed with the opportunity to watch not one but two games. Eli only complained at the end. When we ran out of snacks and juice boxes.

This one whined and fussed and insisted he never wanted to play this dumb sport. Then he begged to wear his uniform at random times. He played well this morning and with a happy heart. Still working on the difference between offense and defense. And he wanted to wear his uniform to bed. Go figure. 

Andy is learning to read at school and loves to illustrate his drawings. Kindergarten has changed a lot in the last thirty years. Did we even know how to write at the end of Kindergarten? He couldn't wait for Steve to get home from a business trip so they could read Andy's book about shapes. 

This gym and I don't get along in terms of taking a decent picture. But we were extremely proud of Luke today. He totally rocked on defense and took the ball to the hoop twice. A great start to the season.

The weather forecast called for 1 to 3 inches of snow on Thursday night, including a phenomenon known as thunder snow. Whatevs. As you can see, they were off by a smidge. Huge disappointment when it stopped snowing after about three and a half seconds. The boys were glad school was delayed two hours...because those roads were so treacherous when it was sunny and 41 degrees. Eli's preschool actually started first and Luke and Andy found the best snow on his playground. They were very excited. 

Begged, begged, begged for hot chocolate. With marshmallows. Please, please, please. Took one sip and he was done. Good times. 

Steve decided to build the boys jet packs this afternoon, just because he could. What a great dad. Luke was at a birthday party so his is still under construction. Eli and Andy were thrilled. I think they would worn them to bed if they could. Looking forward to hearing all about their imaginary adventures...

Falling Forward

We don't care much for New Year's Eve at our house. We cling stubbornly to the past, turning over memories and analyzing our behavior. Wishing  maybe we'd done things a little bit different. There are some (who will remain nameless) that fear change. We don't like resolutions because we'll probably fail at keeping them. We regard failure with great disdain in this here hive.
But having a child in the hospital at Christmas, regardless of the reason or the duration, has been a game-changer for me. The regrets of 2012 are fading and instead an attitude of gratitude is rising to the top. Seeing the many ways God brought us through the hard is a reminder of His faithfulness. Not just inside the walls of this little house, but in the houses of the people I love the most, He's still at work. He hasn't forgotten us and He won't give up.
I read this post today and I can't stop thinking about it. So I'm taking the joy dare and counting my blessings in 2013, all the way to 1,000. First on my list: these precious, healthy little boys that bring joy to our lives.

"...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:13-14