Genetics

Josh's unit in science: genetics. 

I have hitchhiker's thumb. I didn't know. 

I have a slight widow's peak. I didn't know that either. 

My pinky finger is straight. I didn't know that was a thing. 

I have detached earlobes. I have been grateful. 

I can't curl my tongue. 

Craig has a hichhiker's thumb. 

We aren't sure about a widow's peak. Although we doubt it. 

His pinky finger is straight. 

He has detached earlobes. 

He can curl his tongue. 

He doesn't have freckles. 

"Wait. I have freckles," I told Josh. 

"I know Mom. I'm looking at them."

Hummmm, I thought they had faded over the years. Apparently not so much. 

And -

Scripture

I have been taking Job slower this time around. I remember this verse from before. I'm not sure why I knew it. Maybe a subject search. But there is truth hidden away in this little verse in the middle of a hard book. 

This world is suffering from a lack of understanding and wisdom. 

My struggle is to keep wisdom and understanding in the home and part of my kids lives. I have been blessed with amazing kids. I know all kids are amazing, my boys seem to have been born with faith built in their bones. They stand against the current and seem steady in the tide. I pray they are gaining strength in our new environment.  

I worry for those I love that float in the current and think life is a joy ride content to be where ever they find themselves. 

Mostly I pray that I search for wisdom and understanding all my life and endure all things that will come. Live my life without fear (still working on this one) and serve joyfully (still working on this one too).

I hope to be a spiritual distance runner and not fade just before the tape. 

Auurghh!

Boaz said this in the in the car this morning on the way to school: "Note to self, never burp again."

Normally he glories in his burping prowess. But he has been sick. So I have been making him take Fire Cider.

It is apple cider vinegar infused with all sorts of things: Orange, lemon, horse radish, jabenero pepper, ginger and cumin. (I may have forgotten a few ingredients.)

The boys hate it, but it lessens the intensity of a cold, so I make them gag it down.  I guess it isn't so good when it lingers in a burp either.

I don't mind it as much, the first time in a while is pungent, but I can acquire a taste for it.

Track wisdom

"It hurt." said Josh

"Your body can take more hurt." said Craig.

"More hurt hurts more." said Josh.

Very profound.

He ran a 5:06 mile. Personal record

He ran a 2:19 800.

He ran an 11:47 2 mile. Personal record. He has now passed Craig's 2 mile record when he was a senior in high school. But we need a caveat - Craig wasn't able to train all year long.

We are very proud of him. He's thriving in track.

Music in the house

Boaz is learning the trumpet. He needs to practise two hours a week to get his grade. He keeps a weekly log and I have to sign each day he practices.

He has gotten to the point that he can play eighth notes and the scale. He is reaching some of the high notes - wailing - or the beginnings thereof. 

He has found music on line.

So I listen to him play "Hallelujah" - the pop song that starts off with David and his secret chord.

He plays "Happy" by Pharell. He's just started working on this one.

Sweet Caroline - this one is tricky, but he is getting there.

Dear Future Husband.

I love that he is looking independently for music he likes.

Definitely a bonus.

Scripture

I have heard since high school how Job is one of the most beautiful books of the Bible. It is an amazing example of literature. It is also one of the oldest books of the Bible.

I have always had a hard time reading Job. The characters pontificate. I haven't been able to distinguish between his friends. What happened to Job is truely horrible.

So, every time I read Job, I look for the literary aspect. I look for the beauty. I look to understand the characters.

I know there is a message for me in this book.

This verse speaks to me. This is good incentive to work through my fears and get rid of them. To live a life of faith.

Each time I read the Old Testament, I understand it better. That will work for me with the Book of Job as well. Each time I read it, I will see it better.

Closing the chapter

It took a lot longer that I thought it would. Our house sold in Blackfoot, Idaho.

It has been close to a year that it has been on the market. Our realtor finally approached us with an idea. Her sons-in-law remodeled it. We got less that we were asking, but not by much.  The pictures are beautiful. It is my house only better, but not my house any longer.

So weird.

I am grateful to have it sold.

I am sad to close that wonderful chapter in our life.

We have already moved on.

We are in the middle of building a new chapter and a new life here in California. 

We will no longer have to worry about a mortgage and rent, two sets of utilities, and empty house just gathering dust. Houses are meant to be lived in. Houses are meant to be loved.

Closing the chapter. 

It's a bit anti-climactic.