The Little Things

Last night Shannon and I had our first neighbor co-op date night. Our neighbors, Joe and Megan Tucker, and us have entered a babysitting co-op. They watch our kids one night and they we watch their son Jackson, who is 2 1/2 in return. We don't pay each other so we save in babysitting costs. The Tuckers started it off and watched Ava and Jacob last night.

Shannon and I had nothing special planned for the evening. We talked about a few ideas but settled on the very practical purpose of going to a few stores and exchanging some recently purchased outfits of the kids. Yet, it turned out to be a great outing. Through out the night, from the moment we pulled out of the driveway until we got home, we had great conversation. A very good flow to it, with everything moving very naturally from topic to topic. We discussed some very meaningful issues without forcing them. And we laughed. In fact, Shannon laughed more than I have heard from her in a while.

It was just a delightful surprise of an evening. My love for my wife was strengthen, and we were both refreshed. There is much truth to the sentiment of joy being found in the small things, and we found joy in many small things last night.

Jacob's 4th Birthday

Last month, our boy turned 4. Coincidentally, we had 4 separate parties: Meadors Family, Varden Family, Friends, Preschool. Here are pictures from the Meadors Family party at our home and the Friends party at Chuck E Cheese. Jacob's big gift was a Thomas the Train table from us. While 4 parties wore us out, especially Shannon in preparing them, it was a special time and Jacob really enjoyed it.

Get Together with the Perrys

Things are slowing down a little bit in my life, but still quite busy. I have several things I want to write on, but not enough time to give it the attention it needs. For now, I will just post some pictures from a family get together on Labor Day weekend with my mom's family. It was a very fun outing.

Jacob's 4year Old Preschool

No posting in the last two weeks. Not much has gone on. Jacob has started preschool, 4 different birthday parties for our 4-year old boy, started coaching Jacob's soccer team at the YMCA, I have started teaching AWANA, Shannon has resigned as Children's Minister at our church and my work is at its busiest point of the year. Not much.

OK, I guess I can give more details than that. Let's start with Jacob's first day of 4-year old preschool. Slide show at the bottom of the first day. His teacher is Ms. Jodi. Jacob thinks it is ok, but last week when he told Shannon he was tired of school and she asked why, he said, "Crafts. Too many crafts. I'm done." Amen brother. I am tried of just looking at the crafts he brings home day after day.

Also in the slide show, I have included pictures of Jacob when he started his 2-year old preschool and the last day of that year, right when he turned 3. So you see him at 2, 3 and 4.