The Gallacci Family

2009-09-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since I've made any posts to my blog, so here's a quick rundown of what's been happening in our lives.

Jarrett got home in February, took a quick trip to see Justine and then we basically didn't seem him again until about the week before he left to Provo. He worked incessently to earn money to go back to school

Jef & I went to see Jus in March. It was fun but short and not that tropical. We hit a patch of cold weather but it was great to see Justine in her element.

In April, Jef took all of the boys to general conference in Salt Lake and for the first time they were all able to attend the general priesthood session together. At the time we had a deacon, a teacher, a priest, an elder and a high priest. Pretty cool I think.

In May, Jef and I went to Orlando Florida where the BYUH womens tennis team was playing in the national tournament. It was very fun. Del and Daneen met us and we rented Harley's and got to see the Florida coast. I'm sorry, but after the west coast it wasn't that impressive. However, the weather was beautiful.

In June, Justine's roomate Elwin came and stayed a couple of weeks with us. She is from China and really a sweet girl. We had a lot of fun showing her around a farming community. She drove four wheelers, horses and a wagon, a tractor and our jetta. The jetta was the only thing that didn't fare too well, it ended up in the irrigation canal. Jef and I also went on a Harley Trip to the Oregon Coast. It was beautiful. That's where the top picture of this post is taken.

In July we got a new jetta.

In August, we spent a couple of days in Utah for the first ever Heninger family reunion. It was good to be with my family and celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Later in August Jef and I were able to spend some more time on the Oregon coast and then further north into Washington. We went to the Olympic Pennisula which could quite possibly be one of the most beautiful parts of this country I have ever seen. Really breathtaking.
Jarret and Jack also took up the catching rattlesnake hobby. Not too brilliant but quite fascinating. Then Jarrett left for BYU Provo.

In September, Jack left for BYU Idaho. Jef and Justine took him. I stayed home with the little boys so they could change water which was every 6 hours (including midnight) and so I could teach seminary. I knew Justine would take care of getting things done the way I would if not better so sent Jack off knowing he was in way capable hands. The next week Justine left for BYU Hawaii. She missed two flights getting there, but managed to land safely and comfortably back into her own routine and beach going life. Now I have 3 empty but quite clean bedrooms and I only buy 6 gallons of milk a week instead of 12.

Seasiders Sweep Silverswords | BYU-H

2009-02-21T13:59:00.000-08:00

3vwpf71k25m628147Seasiders Sweep Silverswords | BYU-H

Okay, so Jarrett is home and it's absolutely great having him here. He's a great person to be around and I believe he did his very best on his mission. I could not be more proud (in a good way) of how he conducted himself on his mission. I think that he is readjusting well to his non-missionary self. He wants to be busy all of the time and the more projects Jef can give him the better. He will be heading out to Hawaii to see Justine on Monday with Nick. Justine is so excited she can hardly stand it. Speaking of Justine, here she is on the BYU web-page(click on the gray link above). I am so happy for her to have had success in her very first NCAA tennis match. I love who she is becoming. I miss her tons, I'm severly outnumbered in this house, and the number of bodily noises these boys can make is staggering. Really, they wouldn't do it with Jus around, she would not have stood for it.

Anticipation

2009-01-23T08:29:00.001-08:00

What more can I say. The countdown on the left says it all. I can not begin to describe how completely excited I am to have Jarrett home. We got his travel info last week and he gets in at 1:35 in the afternoon. I haven't been this excited about my kids since they were born. Not that I haven't completely enjoyed all of their experiences, well maybe not all, but this tops them all. Now the big question is where do we put him? Do we have him share a room with Jack or give him the guest bedroom? Jack says the guest room definitely, but I'm leaning towards sharing.

Moto Cross Races

2009-01-10T16:27:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago, Jack got a wild hair with friend Nick to enter a moto cross race in Pasco. I really didn't think they were serious, but evidently they were. Nick's dad says that Nick can do a wheelie for a really long ways, so he thinks he can race. Jack's dad says Jack has really cool graphics on his bike, so he thinks he can race. As evidenced by the two bottom pictures of Jack at the starting line with all of the other racers and then Jack still at the starting line, it didn't go too well. Fortunately for him, he got a second race. The top picture is from that race. He actually did well in the 2nd one, but we're sort of hoping his racing days are over. I'm afraid he just whetted his appetite for more. We are happy, however, that both boys came out unhurt, which for the mayhem at the beginning of a race is quite amazing. Actually, it was a lot of fun to go to and impressive in its own right that those riders (the pros)have invested so much effort into becoming good at what they do. The best was the 3 to 7 year old class.

What happened to the Boggle Game?

2009-01-10T16:23:00.000-08:00

So the other night, before Justine left for Hawaii, we were all playing a very heated game of boggle. Actually, Jack and Jonah were enduring it while everyone else got their hind ends kicked by ME! :)Hee Hee. Anyway the "bishop" got a phone call and we were all on hold, and this is what we come up with.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-12-27T18:12:00.000-08:00

I know that is still December, but let me be the first to say Happy New Year. I'm very excited for this year. I'm looking forward to hitting the restart button on a few things and setting new and exciting goals. One of my goals is blog more faithfully. I'm thinking that if I make at least 2 posts a month, that will keep things pretty up to date. So there, it's out there, now I have to be accountable.

We did have a very nice Christmas. We got to talk to Jarrett and it was great. I am very excited to have him home. (Notice the change in the placement of his countdown) I think that he will be a calming and peaceful influence in our home. It seems as of late we haven't been too patient with one another, so that is another goal for me.

I personally really enjoyed the Christmas season. I feel like I got into it a little late, so I am already looking forward to next year -- isn't that silly. Another one of my goals is to REALLY learn from mistakes and regrets and not make them again.

One of the highlights of the season for me was a dinner that Jef and I hosted for the ward council. Without sounding to cliche, it was wonderful having them in our home. For me it was a way to express MY gratitude for the support that they give to Jef as the bishop. They help in ways that I can't so I am grateful that they lighten his load. He really could not have success without their dedication and committment to the Lord. I was pleased with the way things turned out, I wish I had taken pictures of the tables and place settings beforehand, but for sure next year. The kids served and did a fabulous job. It's great having older kids that can participate like they did.

On Christmas day we were able to have John & Myra B. come to our home for Christmas dinner. It was great having them. I visit teach Myra who was in a car accident a couple of weeks ago and compressed a disc in her vertebrae making it impossible for them to travel to their children's homes for Christmas. They are a great couple and all of the kids commented at different times how much they enjoyed having them. Justine said that she thought we should always have people over for Christmas.

The kids all seemed pleased with their gifts and I felt like for the first time in a long time we had a controlled amount of gifts under the tree. This is a picture of Jef on the gift he got for me flying a helicopter he got for him. Evidently this box was in the garage for a couple of weeks (unwrapped of course) and not once did I ever notice it. I was a little disappointed with myself for letting it get by me, I usually always know what I'm getting.

Oops, what do you mean there's no oil

2008-11-11T16:47:00.000-08:00

After reading Jonah's story two posts ago, I'm sure that the saying he who laughs last laughs hardest might have some meaning. Jo is one lucky bug when it comes to what goes around comes around and today it came around. Jack was getting ready to go motocross riding when for some strange reason his truck just quit. He thought he too had run it out of gas, but no... even worse it was out of oil. Oops. Jo is still laughing about it, as we all are.

Dear Mr. President Elect:

2008-11-04T21:17:00.000-08:00

Living in Washington state, I have just learned that the ballot initiative allowing doctor assisted suicide has passed. I looked on-line and saw that almost every single state that had some sort of abortion initiative voted in favor of the abortion. I cannot understand where the sanctity of life has gone. I hear politicians end every speech with God bless America, but how can He when we don't value the lives of Americans -born and unborn? I am saddened that our new president elect is so far from me on this issue. How can you hear an unborn baby's heartbeat, or see an unborn baby in an ultra-sound sucking its thumb or feel a baby kick and not think that it is alive and that there is life there? I am a firm believer in choice. But I am a more firm believer in the consequences -natural and logical of our choices. If I choose to put my hand on a hot stove, I do not get to choose if I get burned or not. I believe that a woman's "choice" happens long before a pregnancy. She has in essence already chosen life by the very act of sexual intimacy. Pregnancy is after all the "natural and logical" consequence of such an action. And while we are talking choice, who chooses for the newly created life, because if we follow pro-choice logic, shouldn't every life receive a choice? In this argument, I will allow for the fact that I have never been pregnant and alone (by choice I might add) and don't know all of the emotions that coincide with such a situation, but our life is not measured by our emotions, it is measured by our actions. What sort of future can we hope for for our nation when the very people, women, endowed from on high to be co-creators of life selfishly end it so as not to be accountable for their actions. What sort of generation are we really creating by allowing such laws? I believe that nothing brings hope like a newborn. All the world is just waiting to be rediscovered and conquered in a baby and we elect leaders who claim to love America, but not the hope of America. How much longer can we expect protection from above when we do not protect the most innocent of all?

Dumb Luck

2008-10-29T19:00:00.001-07:00

Today I went downstairs to see how the kids were doing in school. Jo had to turn this paper in today, so I read it to see if it was any good. I laughed so hard. It is so Jonah. If you remember he's the one who tells Jack to just keep on hitting him because he's keeping tally marks and one day he's going to be bigger than Jack.
Written by Jonah Gallacci
Mrs.Lynes
10/29/08
Dumb Luck
This is the true story of how I got my motorcycle. It is not the exaggerated stories my brothers tell about how I broke everything like the Dodge, the four-wheeler, both motorcycles, and the truck. Also, this story is about how I got my motorcycle taken away and the trials I went through to get it back.
This all dates back to October 24, 2007. Jack and I were working on his
motorcycle when it happened—love at first sight. I was in the garage when two things hit me. One was Jack’s wrench and the other was the fact that this wonderful machine would be mine one day. During that year the motorcycle and I got to be best friends. I think my dog Sage was a little worried. How about we call the motorcycle Red? Red and I changed water day and night, day after day, week after week, month after month. My brothers hated that I rode Red all the time, but I just loved Red so much. We were inseparable.
One fateful afternoon, James called me and said, “The four-wheeler died.”
“What do you want me to do?” I asked and hung up the phone. Then I got in Jack’s truck and tried to go save James. On my way…. the truck died in the middle of the road. A man came in a red Chevy and gave me some diesel then Jack came home from school. He was madder than a hurricane, a tsunami, a momma tiger, and me when I’m hungry. The man was still there so Jack had to contain his anger. Jack called my Dad. He was as mad as Jack and told me to go to my room until he or my Mom got home. Mom got home about ten minutes later. She was madder than Jack and my Dad. She told me, “No more football!!!!!!!!!” Three hours later Dad came home. He told me that in addition to no football I couldn’t ride anything with a motor. What I learned from this experience is I have the worst luck and never cross Jack. Now the sad part is out of the way. Over time I started riding Red whenever I needed to. I progressed to riding whenever I wanted. Last Friday on our way home from the football game [that Jack lost] my Dad said, “At least you get a new motorbike.” He said that because Jack had wanted to get a new bike but he didn’t have enough money. Now he can work it off. That made me happy because Jack can’t have two motorcycles. So now here I am sitting in class waiting to be done so I can travel the back roads of Mattawa with Red.

13.1 Miles of Fun??

2008-10-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

So today I ran a half-marathon in Leavenworth with my sister-in-law Karisa and my friend Sharee. Before the race I was trying to remember why 3 months ago I thought that this was a good idea and on the second mile I was convinced that it was most definitely a very stupid idea. However, after mile 2 1/2 it was great fun. I felt the best during miles 6-9, then I was just tired and hurting. My goal was to finish in under three hours and I did it in 2:52. Not a great time and certainly not as good as Sharee and Karisa, but it was still a lot of fun and a great sense of accomplishment.

The Rest of My Fall Musings

2008-09-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

This is what I saw a lot of, the back of Jef's shirt, courtesy of Justine

The Rest of My Fall Musings

2008-09-18T17:21:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I got preoccupied for a few days, and never finished the rest of the posts, so here I am trying to do it now. Last week, (Thursday and Friday) Jef and I and friends went on a Harley Ride. It was way more fun than I ever anticipated, maybe it was just the extremely low expectations that I had, but it was great. The weather was perfect, the scenery incredible and the company was pretty decent considering we look (and probably smell) pretty grungy. We started out in Yakima, where I drove and dropped off my car so that I could drive it to the football game on Friday and bring the boys home from the game. We headed out over White Pass which is one of my favorite areas of the Evergreen State, then on towards Mt. St. Helen's. We took some extremely scenic routes and ended up staying the night at the Bonneville Hot Springs. The hot tubs on the private decks were great after a day on a motorcycle. The next morning we headed over the Bridge of the Gods. A byline here is that for the last few years I have been able to keep my bridge phobia underwraps and under control, but being on a grated bridge that you can look through down to the water made me want to hurl. Anyway, after that we went to Multnomah Falls and the old highway which was incredible and after some wrong turns ended up heading towards Mt. Hood and the Mt. Hood National Forest. After a great day, we took a highway towards Goldendale (142 I think.) Goldendale has some incredible views of volcanos and I never get tired of looking at them. Then straight on back to Yakima and the football game. It was really a great time.

2008-09-18T17:21:00.001-07:00

Jack is 58
James is 63

Everyone's Famous in a Small Town

2008-09-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

So this was the picture in our local newspaper last week. This week the article said "Defensively Jack Gallacci led all tacklers with 9 primary and 4 assists." He's doing pretty well, and has even been hailed as the most underrated player in the league. He's fun to watch. Maybe I'll be able to get some video this week. I'll put Jef on that. Right now our life is all about football it seems. We have Friday night games for Jack, Monday nights for James and either Tuesday or Thursday for Jo. I'll try to be more on top for pictures, but in pads and helmets, I could be putting anyone on the blog and no one would know. James is coming along. If it weren't for his size we wouldn't make him play, but it seems like since he's so big and so strong it would be a waste to not play. He's even starting to think it's fun. He's a lot like Jarrett in that being aggressive isn't part of his natural tendency, but he's learning to let it out on the football field. Jonah of course is another story. His goal is to play football for BYU and is frustrated that the rest of his team doesn't share in his goals. Hitting comes quite naturally for him and proving himself is second nature. He still hasn't figured out that Jack and James are bigger than him and continually takes them on. He's always telling Jack to bring it on because one day he's going to be bigger than him and he will remember all the times Jack's beat up on him, especially when he's taking the Twilight books from him.

Fall Musings

2008-09-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been awhile since I've updated, so I'll try to catch up on as much as I can as succintly as possible. A few weeks ago I fell into the Twilight craze. I read the first book in two days, then ordered the next three from Barnes & Noble. When they arrived I finished them in 4 days. A little obsessive I know, but it's the same mentality I have with sweets in the house. Just hurry up and eat them and then they will not be able to be a temptation for me. Flawed I know. Anyway, as I finished the first book, Jonah picked it up. We both took a lot of flack for it from Jack, but now he's just as into it as Jo and I. This picture is of the book on JACK's bed. He's totally embarrassed that he's so hooked, but I thought this video would be great for showing his obsession. So, it's not really a vampire bat, but it seemed to go with the whole Twilight theme.

SHE DID IT!!!!

2008-08-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so no pictures for this one, but Justine walked on to the BYUH women's tennis team!! We are so excited for her we can hardly stand it. She's so excited she can hardly stop crying. She was able to hit with Coach Porter today and he said she can help them and they can help her. Right now, as I write she is moving into the athletes dorms. I am so happy for her that her hard work and persistence has paid off. She considers this a VERY large blessing from Heavenly Father and is grateful for the opportunity to make her dreams come true. CONGRATULATIONS JUSTINE WE LOVE YOU!!!

Pictures from Jarrett

2008-08-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well after a year of just emails we finally received some pictures from our missionary. It was good to see his smiling face and also to see him looking so "prosperous." I think he's eating just fine.:)

Lake Powell

2008-07-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

The Drama that is Lake Powell.
Yes, this is as steep as it appears. I was totally freaking out because this was the way up and the way down. I kept saying to Jack how are you going to get down, and his response was I'll worry about it when it's time to come down. These are the Moki Steps.
Wake surfing was the new sport of choice. It's great for when the water is rough. James actually did get to looking a little more sure of himself.
No this is not Jarrett, it's his mini me Jonah. He really loved the wakeboard best.

So we are not a family with a ton of traditions, but Lake Powell I believe makes up for the low numbers. We have been going to Powell for 18 years, and for the kids it is a highlight of the summer. I must admit, the trip is much easier now that they are bigger than when I had to get all five of them, plus food, and everything else a family needs for a week ready to go. We had some noticible gaps with Jarrett and Justine not being there, but it was still a great time. No phones, NO TEXTING, no nothing. It's a great place to keep your family captive for a week and just enjoy one another. Of course it was great being with Del, Daneen, Damon & Dex, but we are planning a great week next year when all college kids, missionaries and hopefully their married kids and grandbabies join us. Daneen and I just don't know how to cook for 9 at Powell.

Right To Bear Arms

2008-07-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

Jack shooting the tannerite. It was such a loud bang and sent out a shock wave that shook the dishes in the cupboards.

200+ pallets ready to go up in flames.

Notice the M80 being thrown by Jonah

Okay, so here is a funny story leading up to the 4th. I was in Tri-Cities doing errands and got a phone call from Jack asking me to go to Wal-Mart to get some ammo for the 4th. Not wanting to get it wrong, I wrote down everything that he wanted me to get, which was 10 boxes of 12 gauge shot gun shells, 10 boxes of 20 gauge shot gun shells, 20 boxes of 223 bullets and 2 boxes of HMR 17's. So off to Wal-Mart I go and start loading up from my list. Only there weren't enough boxes on the shelves so the associate had to go to the back and get the rest out of a locked cage. So I waited and waited and he finally came back with everything. Then he said that I could just check out in the back of the store instead of having to fight the lines in the front. So that was great. Anyway he rang me up for $2670.00. I almost had a heart attack but thought 'well Jef was there when Jack placed his order so surely he knew how much it was going to be.' Because the amount was so large they had to call a manager and ask me what I was going to do with all of this ammunition. I thought that was kind of a weird question but I told him we were going to shoot it, after all it's our constitutional right to do so and tomorrow's the 4th. Anyway, when I got home Jack opened the back of the suburban and almost had a heart attack. Evidently what I consider a box is really a case. At least we have a year supply of something.

Kauai Is Our Favorite Place

2008-06-28T13:58:00.001-07:00

It may have been the company, (thanks Jody & Julie) but we've decided that Kauai trumps just about everywhere else. We took a quick trip over to see our great friends and wished we had stayed another day. Jef seriously considered buying another ticket on Thursday morning and just saying goodbye to Oahu all together. This picture is at the best pizza place of all time Brick Oven. We snorkeled in Poipou, ate at Brenneckes and Kioki's and had long conversations. I miss my running/walking partner. We are always able to solve all the worlds problems.

Happy Birthday -- NOT

2008-06-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

On Jef's birthday we went to the beach. When we came back the rental car had been broken into and my bag with wallet, credit cards, checks, ipod etc had been stolen. What a bummer. The worst is trying to get through airport security with no id. I don't recommend it. There is a new TSA procedure for those of us without ID and it makes your trip through security about 30 minutes longer. The worst thing about it is that as I stand there and watch tons of people go by, I'm the one that feels like the criminal. What a way to ruin a perfectly good day. We had to wait for 2 1/2 hours for the cops to show up, after Jef had some very choice words for a non-cooperative dispatcher. It was all funny. Jus came running up to me to tell me to take the phone from dad, he's going to get us all arrested. In the end it just ends up being a huge inconvenience for a small amount of cash and an ipod.

Justine the coed

2008-06-28T13:32:00.000-07:00

Well she's officially a BYUH student. At first glance at the campus and then at her dorm room I could tell she was wondering what in the world did she sign up for, but after meeting a few kids and starting classes things seem to be just fine. Jef and I were totally cramping her style, so we knew it was time to go. Today she is skydiving. She called home to see if $125 was too much for a picture of it, so at least she sort of needs us.

Gratitude for blessings

2008-06-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

Since this whole blog thing is an attempt at journaling, I'm taking my literary license to write about a few things that are tumbling through my head. Today Jef and I learned that a man we work with and his wife delivered a stillborn baby boy two weeks before his due date. I cannot imagine the pain and grief they are experiencing and our most sincere prayers go to them that they would be comforted by the Holy Ghost and feel the love of the Savior through that comfort. Last week another friend told me that he and his wife have seperated and again the only thing that I could do for him and perhaps the best thing is to call down the powers of heaven to be with him and his wife and especially their children. Also last week my 17 year-old nephew was shot in the leg by a careless friend (and I use the word loosely) because he wanted to see what a gunshot feels like. I know, STUPID STUPID beyond belief. Don't even get me started. As I look at these situations, a stillborn, a family in crisis and the results of a broken family I see the pain that fills this world. It makes the problems that I have seem small in comparison and makes me grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessing of having a prophet that leads and guides aright. I'm grateful for the plan of happiness that lays out for us the path that leads us back to our Father in Heaven. I'm grateful for the eternal love that He has for each of us that He would provide a plan so simple and beautiful. One that can provide comfort even as young parents realize their very worst fears. Most of all I am grateful for the atoning sacrifice of our Saviour Jesus Christ and through that sacrifice we can repent, recieve forgiveness and move forward in our progression towards eternal life. I am very grateful for my family. For a husband who loves God, me, and our children. And I am grateful for my children. I am grateful that 2o some years ago we listened to a prophet that told mothers that their most important job was the rearing of children. To stay home and be with them. One thing is for sure, I will never regret that decision, but as my children leave home, I'm quite certain I would have regretted leaving them. I'm grateful I don't have to carry that burden. I'm grateful for the "Proclaimation to the World" written by prophets that outlines for us the best way to achieve happiness in family life. It is a blessing to know that there is the possibility of happiness in this life and pure joy in the next if we just adhere to the commandments of a loving Heavenly Father.

3rd IN STATE!!!

2008-05-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a great day! Even though Justine lost in the semi-finals, she played great tennis. I could not have been more happy with her positive attitude as she played and played well against a girl that went on to win the state title. It has been great to see her mature as a player as well as a person, even in this tournament. Then in a very anti-climactic event the girl she was to play in the match for 3rd or 5th withdrew. We were okay with that since we were quite confident Justine would have won the match. She would have much preferred to play but sometimes that's just the way it goes. I was a little sad yesterday when I realized that was the last high school tennis match I will probably go to. It has definitely been a fun part of our life.

State Tennis

2008-05-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

After one day of state Justine is still in the running. She played two matches today, winning the first 6-0, 6-0. The second match she won 6-4, 6-3. James was in charge of the video and digital camera and took this video of a great point. Tomorrow she plays at 8:30 in the semi-finals so we are hoping for a good match.

To Canada on the Harley's

2008-05-19T22:27:00.000-07:00

Last week was the Canadian Produce Marketing Associ-ation trade show in Calgary. So, Jef, Del, Alex and Scott N. all took off on their bikes and rode a very long way. Some of the ride was in freezing rain and some of it was in beautiful shirt sleeve weather. This video was taken on the side of the road. It sure isn't something you see everyday.

2nd Place in Districts

2008-05-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I left the camera sitting on the kitchen cupboard this morning for Justine's tennis tournament so no pictures, just words. She played in the championship match this morning and took 2nd place. It was a great 3 set match. Her scores were 3-6, 6-0, 3-6. She played a brilliant second set, but in the end things didn't go her way. This does, however guarantee her a spot at state and with any luck she may end up getting a great draw. That's what we're hoping for now. The state tournament starts on the 23rd so of course we'll keep everyone posted.

Justine doesn't like the family picture

2008-05-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

Justine sort of freaked out in a way that only an 18 year old girl can do when she saw that I uploaded a family picture when she still had "grills" on her teeth. So $4000.00 later here is the new and improved smile. Although she doesn't really like this one because she's "not even wearing anything cute"

TENNIS ANYONE?

2008-05-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend starts the road to the state champion-ships for Justine. Tomorrow is sub-districts in Granger. Jus is seeded number 1 going into the tournament and should be able to get through easily. Next weekend is districts and the following weekend is State. Grammy and Grandpa Heninger will be in town so we are hoping it all goes well. The state tournament usually proves to be very stiff competition, but Justine is hoping to better last years 4th place showing.

Did I say that Jack is a prankster??

2008-05-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

U.S. Cellular- Phone Details Click Here
Why a link to a picture of a phone?? This is Jack's latest partner in crime. He decided that it would be really funny to play a trick on the school secretary. First of all, the school is very small and the front desk is maybe 20 feet from Jack's classroom. For any of you who watch "The Office" you'll appreciate this. Jack *67'd his number and then called the school from the classroom. He had the phone sitting on his desk and would just hit send and then when Mrs. Peterson answered would just hit end. He did this about 7 times. On the 8th time he hears Mrs. Peterson yell into the phone "Who the hell is this?" It's always better to be Jim than Dwight.

Wheel Lines are posessed of the devil

2008-05-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

No pictures (although we have them) will be shown on this post. Most of our friends that don't live in Mattawa have no idea what wheel lines are, but ask any farmer and they will roll their eyes and tell you that they are terrible, they never work right and some think it might be easier to water 40 acres with a hose than a wheel line. Anyway, Jack was working on ours and got his hand caught in a pully and nearly lost two fingers in the process. He ended up taking the tip of his pointer finger on his right hand and the entire finger nail from his ring finger on same hand off. Like from clear under the skin off. Aren't you glad no pictures. For Jack the best part about it was the huge bandage that he wore that got him out of the bell choir at school. Funny though that his texting was never hindered by it. Jack did ask the missionaries if they could bring over some consecrated WD-40 and exorcise the wheel lines. Instead, when he was no longer an invalid which in Jef's book was about 8 hours later, he made the necessary changes to that particular motor to not eat fingers anymore. Now Jonah changes the wheel lines and has no idea what bad lines are like because Jack did such a great job fixing them. (Jack says to scratch that last part because now the evil spirits will know it's time to get back to work)

An attempt to capture our year.

2008-05-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

Starting with January and what we hoped would be an uneventful year took a quick turn and flip when I rolled the excursion with James and Jonah. After 7 plus years and 265,000 miles I'm not sure the car deserved such a violent end but it ended up working out well. Fortunately, none of us were hurt at all, but it is a strange sensation to be hanging upside down from your seatbelts. Now we are driving a Suburban that Jef and Justine picked out for me and all is well.

Our New Blog Spot

2008-05-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

If this works, I may never have to do another Christmas letter again.