Matters of the heart

Blogging my day to day feels like carrying cement bricks.  I don't want to ever put them down because it admits that what I am trying to carry is heavier than I have the strength to hold.  But the only way to be able to keep them forever is set them down.  I want to remember every moment of our days, but admitting that there is a need to remember our every day admits that our days our numbered.

Today Rebecca watched the littles for us and we ran errands together.  We went to two different banks to check on funding the addition to the house.  After seeing the fees and interest rates compared to our current rates it deterred me from wanting to finance the addition.  I was hoping to finance it so we can keep our principal and continue to invest.  Jonathan has been very successful in managing our investments and it makes the most financial sense to borrow at a low interest so we can capitalize on a high interest return.  The final decision hasn't been made.

After a run to the banks we went to Cauble & Cauble to finalize our trust & wills.  Jonathan can't sign his name anymore so we filed through the stacks of papers with Jonathan's handy signature stamp that Noah Jarvie gifted to him as he was serving as bishop.  It has been a lifesaver more times than I can count.

Next was stop at Jim Clark's RV consignment shop.  There is a Sunseeker RV that we have been looking at for a month.  We finally took it for a test drive today.  Jonathan sat up front next to me and I ventured out onto the road - all 32 plus feet of us.  It is like driving a billboard sign but I managed to drive it out to Rogue River and back on the interstate.  If this crazy idea of taking a cross country road trip this summer really pans out we are in for an adventure.  It is going to be insane.  But it will be a memory we never forget.  I had to laugh when I parked the RV.  The owner of the shop came up to the driver door and when I parked he said, "Don't forget to straighten the wheel."  Jonathan and I about died in laughter.  For the past three weeks he has been hounding me to straighten the when when I turn off the car.  It has never once in my life crossed my mind to leave the wheel straight when I park.  But according to Jonathan that is simply unethical practice to leave the wheel of the car misaligned when the keys come out of the ignition.  When Mr. Clark made the same comment to me it was a nail in my coffin.

After the test drive we headed for the kids, but we hit McDonald's first.  The McDonald french fry has become a staple to Jonathan.  He now has the app, is among the world's first to master mobile ordering and Apple Pay.  We just drive up and they hand us our food.  Nutty.  Today I ate with him.  We had quarter pounders, because the app had a coupon for buy one get one free and a McFlurry because those were buy one get one too.  He got a rolo and I got oreo.  Note to self, the rolo is RIDICULOUSLY delicious and made the oreo McFlurry taste like mud.  It was carmely and yummy.
We sat in the parking lot after we picked up the food and I fed him his fries first because they have to be hot, his ice cream and then burger.  It is kind of like we are living the retired life.  Living large... eating McDonald's living off of social security, but still buying diapers.

Raising bunnies... the Man's way

The best part of my day included this...

Sitting in the big brown chair this afternoon reading to Maggie and after about three books my strength gave way and I drifted off to a teeny-tiny nap.  I woke to fuzzy little bunnies running through the house.  I'm not certain how Jonathan managed to get them in the house, but I think Maggie was in on it.  They hopped around for a little bit and Jonathan returned outside to take a look at their hutch. 

These fuzzy little bunnies with wiggly noses were what greeted sweet little 7 year old Michael Christmas morn.  But Christmas was 8 days ago and the new "Christmas Morning" magic has worn off and the bunny poop has started to pile up.

I found myself stirred from my nap and in on the bunny affair when Michael came home from school.  Jonathan directed him outside to tackle the poop filled bunny hutch.  Michael was very reluctant at first.  He didn't know exactly how to clean it.  It was heavy, awkward, and a bit gross.  Jonathan recognized all of these challenges for Michael but instead of giving way to the difficulty standing before him, he coached him.

This is why I love this man.  He teaches.  In every moment he can, he instructs.  He wanted Michael to feel the joy that comes from tackling a job.

But not just tackling it, but doing it well.

And right.

And putting the tools up when you are done.

And so with every speck of love this man has, he mentored Michael and taught him everything he could about caring for these little critters.  About taking pride in his pets.  About showing them love.  About giving them the very best of him.

Like Michael's father was giving to him.

I overheard pieces of the conversation from the kitchen and it quickly became a favorite part of my day.  Michael, you are a blessed little boy.  And quite the bunny keeper.