BLUEFISH, REDFISH

This is the story of Bluefish and Redfish. About a week before Easter our beta fish of approx. a year, named Bluefish, died. Korrie called me from work one Friday morning and told me to check the tank and see if Bluefish was alive. I did, he wasn't. Jesse came running in the living room and i asked myself what one of those cool, wise dad's from novels and movies that you wish you could be like would do in this situation. i hadn't a clue. So i brought Jesse over to the tank and showed her that Bluefish had died. We scooped him out together, then took him to the garden and buried him. Then we loaded up and went to the pet store to look for another beta. This time we got a red one, so as not to be confused with Bluefish, and appropriately she called him Redfish. When we got home later, she kept telling us to look at Redfish, Bluefish died. Then for about a week (and sometimes even still) she'd say out of nowhere-and especieally to guests- Bluefish died, now we have Redfish. When Easter Sunday came, i was a bit out of sorts and disappointed that we hadn't done more to explain why that day was so important and talk with her about Jesus, so i found our little kid's bible stories book and looked for the Easter story. not much there really for a kid's story. then i tried to explain, Jesus died and then God made him alive. Well she picked it up right away, Jesus Died! she said it over and over, and told Korrie several times. it took a bit longer to explain that now he was alive. when she first got it, she shouted, "Jesus Died!" and then got a grin on her face and leaned forward and whispered, "Now He's Alive!"

Where to go, when you need to go

The last few days have been full of excitment and trepidation. Buying diapers is so nearly a thing of the past. Zeke has been in cloth diapers for a couple months now and we're loving it. Jesse has just recently begun to go on the potty. She's great with #1 and has even gotten out of bed in the evening to go. #2 has been a difficult adjustment however. she did go once on her little seat, but not without fear and trembling and a few tears, though they were quickly replaced with joy and dancing at the group march to the commode for the ceremonial flush and the ensuing M&Ms. She didn't even try to go again for three days! When she did, she started in her diaper and we got her to the pot, but she refused to go, screaming and crying and shaking her head. so we put the diaper on again and went for a walk. when we came back, i was pushing her on the swing i built for her and she wanted down. she turned around and i bent down to give her a hug. as she squeezed my neck she began shaking and grunting. she then looked proudly over my shoulder at Korrie and announced "i pooping mommy!"
We've upped the ante to 5 m&m's for at least a try on the pot, we'll see where that gets us.

Four Years (and counting)

This is Korrie writing. Lee hasn't blogged in a while, and I hope it wasn't a passing fancy. Yesterday was our Four Year Anniversary - an event very deserving of capitals. It really is true that love grows; what I feel and think about Lee now is stronger and deeper than that June day four years ago. He continues to impress me, and occasionly butterflies happily whirl in my stomach on account of something he does. Ahhh...! As for how we celebrated, after my half day at the seminary and Lee's time at Subway we left the kiddos with my gracious mom-in-law (aka Nana) and took off for Nich-vegas. First stop, the new theater in town to see Ocean's 13. Very entertaining. The $5 Popcorn hit the spot, and the small coke was worth every penny of the $3.75. Next time I've got to smuggle in some mm's. Maybe I shouldn't admit that on a blog... Anyway, after the flick we ate at Sonny's BBQ. Man, the rib sampler was fantastic! It felt weird though, sitting in a humongous (sp?) booth, drinking out of enormous glasses, looking at the generally large population surrounding us, and then ordering lots of meat. It was one of those distinctly american moments. At any rate, the banana pudding was homemade and I recommend it as well. We returned home in time to quell Zeke and give Jesse her balloon (aka boon) - couldn't ask for much more in a date. And I certainly couldn't ask for more in a husband!