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Its been about a month since anyone in our house was well. Now that Jenni and I are starting to recover from our diseases, the boys are getting it. Gabriel has been hit pretty hard the poor little guy... something about being sick on a rainy day... at any age.

Well as most everyone has had recently we have had a cold snap here in Ohio. I'm glad I had installed PEX piping in the house because the pipes in our half bath froze. No bursting as was the case with at least one of our neighbors. I crawled under the kitchen and insulated and it seems to be cured, a couple of hours later the pipes began to flow again! Its funny how when it rains it pours. The pipe thing happened just a day after I took the car to the shop to get a new front main seal in the Transmission. through God's peace and strength we get through trials of all kinds and count it pure joy. God's strength is evident in our weakness.

After his nap today, Elijah informed me that squirrels live in the jungle, and that if the jungle comes here than the squirrels will too. sometimes I wish I could have such innocent and basic thoughts. Like a child before the father is played out everyday in our house. Lord that I may too be like a child before you just as Elijah is before me.

yesterday we were taking a walk and the kids were in the bike trailer/stroller. everything was going fine until Gabriel started crying about Elijah taking his fire truck. Jenni looks down to discover Gabriel has some serious bite marks on his arm! me..."Gabe how did you get those bite marks?". Gabe..."Eyija bite me". Me... "Elijah did you bite Gabe?" Elijah... "Gabe took my fire truck!" Me... "lean away from your brother and no talking until we get home, you are going to bed without dinner!" then there was silence for a few seconds... Gabe, leaning over to Elijah touching his knee..."It ok Eyijah you my big bruver, It ok Eyijah.". Elijah... "Dad I'm sorry for biting Gabe." Me... "I forgive you." Gabe..."I give you Eyijah". Elijah... "Dad can I have dinner tonight?" Me..."yes Elijah" Elijah... "Dad since Im being good now and I can have dinner, if I'm really good till dinner maybe I could have a special surprise after dinner!?" Me... "don't push it!"

another day in the life of our young boys.

With the 08' Olympics at hand and all the amazing athletes competing its easy to get caught up and inspired by it all. Elijah today showed a level of commitment I think few athletes have. His game..."basek ball". the object of this game from what I understand it to keep the basek ball away from Gabriel at all costs. he is so committed to this that today he even skipped using the toilet, went in his pants (#1 and #2) and kept playing "basek ball". Me..."whats that on your pants Elijah?" Elijah..."nothing my pee is still in my tummy, Im ok Im playing "basek ball".

Olympians you got nothing when it comes to committment.