Background

August 13, 2013

The birthdays that we are still celebrating...

Many of Sean and William's friends were away for vacation during their birthdays so we combined their party with another boy's from our cup-de-sac and had a neighborhood summer party to celebrate all three birthdays.  As far as simplicity of planning and executing, this was the easiest party ever, and as far as everyone having a great time, probably the best party!  One afternoon, we all pitched in and rented a giant blow-up water slide and provided snacks and cupcakes.  We were nervous about the weather with rain and thunderstorms the morning of the party, but it all cleared up just in time for the party and the lingering clouds kept the parents comfortably cool.  The slide was a lot steeper and much faster than we had thought it would be, so it was a little more traumatic than fun for the little ones, but the big kids (including some of the dads) had a blast.  And, there were only a few injuries, nothing major, and only one bloody incident:)




Two of the three birthday boys
Oh, and we had three different pinatas- tons of candy!

Then, after everyone had gone home, gotten dry, and had dinner, we all joined up again after dark to have a giant campfire with three fire pits.  We did s'mores and the adults had some drinks and talked by the fire while the kids explored the outdoors with head lamps and flashlights.  When all of the sugar was burned off, the moms headed inside, while the dads camped outside in tents with the kids.  I am typing this over six months after the fact, and we (adults and kids) still talk about what a great day that was.  

August 10, 2013

Super Six!.,, b



We celebrated Sean's birthday with a free tickets (thanks to the Read to Succeed Program) to New Jersey's six flags adventure park.  The park is only 20 minutes down the road, but it was our first visit.  It was a great day of family fun and the boys especially loved getting SOAKED in the torrential down pour that began as we were leaving the park!  After a quick dinner of Sean's choice, we rushed him and Henry to soccer practice.   Josh and I had the selfishly brilliant idea that we would hire a baby sitter to put the boys to bed and return to Six Flags to ride the big rides.  In doing this, we had to postpone Sean's cake, but he gave the okay for it, so we kissed the birthday boy goodnight and left.  It was a very fun date, especially for Roller-Coaster-Lovin-Josh.  It had a been a very long time since I had ridden rides of that caliber, and I am almost certain it was the last.

The next night we cashed in on our promise and finished our birthday celebrations!
A little about Sean....
He can be summed up by simply saying, "he is a good person."  He really is.  He is easy to please, and he is almost always the first to volunteer to assist with anything.  I think for a six year old, he is extremely dependable and very often responsible beyond his years.  If in a pinch, I need someone to monitor the twins while I have to run upstairs or outside, he is the guy I turn to.  I return to find him patiently orchestrating them in some sort of activity, usually sport related.  While playing, Sean is almost always the brother to compromise his wants for the sake of another brother.  In this rowdy bunch, he could be easily overlooked, but taking even just 10 minutes to throw the football with him or shoot hoops with him absolutely makes his day.  I often tell Josh that he is a coaches dream....he will observe (usually from TV) some sort of sport technique or skill and then he will practice it over and over until he feels he has accomplished it.

July 31, 2013

He is FOUR!

Okay, I wrote this waaaay back in July, but never posted it, and so I am just going to back post it so it fits in where it is supposed to, time wise....

William is 4!

 He was extremely excited for his birthday, and he lived it up! We decorated the down stairs with banners and balloons, and he soaked up every moment of his special day. For presents, he only requested a fishing pole and a watch, and we could not get him to suggest anything else, which is just precious....simple and sweet and the boy knows what he wants! It was easy to fulfill his requests, and he was very satisfied.
 Through the military, we got free tickets to Sesame Place, and even though our kids don't care for Sesame Street, it is the perfect amusement park for younger children.  We all had a blast.
Ben thought he was pretty cool stuff riding the carousel
Henry is taking his task of driving very seriously
The Birthday Boy on a giant jumping pillow.  There was a time in the not so far past that he would not have done this, he has come so far!
Daddy and William on the swings.  He did his "scared cat" look for the first few circles, but then he was able to enjoy the ride.
The day after his birthday, he woke up and said, "Mom, do you remember that I am 4?" and then he requested that I remove all birthday decorations. I didn't realize that he was serious about the decorations, but he was adamant that they come down, so they did.

July 18, 2013

Hide and Seek- Twin style

The twins turned 17 months old yesterday, and they seem to be reaching new milestones and doing new things every day.  Like I said before, they usually play very nicely together and it makes my heart melt how they love each other.  Well, last night before bed, they started playing this little game together...

July 12, 2013

How we met

Grace invited all to join her link up of How We Met, Love Stories.  Here is ours...

After graduating from college, I moved back home to Washington for a short time while I decided where and which sort of medical avenue I wanted to pursue.  I had narrowed it down to nursing school or dental hygiene school, but after promising my mom during a moment of weakness that I would go to nursing school, I applied to a couple of programs.  I had no desire to be a perpetual student, and I just wanted to do what I needed to do to get back to WA to be near my mother who was ill at the time.  So, I chose to attend Creighton's Accelerated Nursing program which would keep me away from my family for a mere 11 months.  While at home, I remember a conversation that I had had with my mom about how I had expected to meet my husband in undergrad, and get married shortly after graduation, and how I never really wanted a career, but that was the road I was headed down.  My mom nonchalantly said that she thought that I would get married at 25.  She wasn't one to make predictions, and so I asked her why and complained that 25 seemed so far away, but she just said that she had a feeling.  I never told anyone that, because for some reason it embarrassed me.

Josh had graduated from University of Nebraska in December of 2000, and following graduation, he spent some time in Costa Rica learning the language and culture.  When he returned, he lived at home in Omaha and worked at a restaurant before starting nursing school.  His plan had been to use his nursing degree and experience as a spring board to a higher degree in medicine.

Classes started in January (2002), but before I moved to Omaha, I had made a strict promise to myself (and this time I told everyone about it) that I would not date for the time that I was in Omaha & attending school.  I really wanted to devote myself to my studies, something that I had never fully done before, and I really had no intention or desire to date.

Our nursing class was small, maybe 40 or so at the start, but 12 of them were male!  Needless to say there were many "focker" jokes and our class quickly bonded through our 40+ hour weeks of class and clinical, and nothing breaks the ice like learning to give bed baths and insert catheters together.  We de-stressed on the weekends at local bars, movie theaters and sporting events and we had a lot of fun together.

One of my girlfriends had a crush on this tall guy in our class named Josh.  I confirmed that he had a great body and was good looking, but not my type- with long hair and a shell necklace, I had him pegged as a "California Surfer Dude".   I had never talked to the guy (he was extremely quiet and shy), but I can almost verbatim to this day tell you his introduction on our first day of class.  I encouraged my friend to pursue him.

 A classmate of ours, and her roommates hosted a St. Patrick's Day party at their house.  It was fun, but I had a head ache and was a very cautious drinker that night because I had planned on going home early.  So, that tall guy Josh was there with some of his high school buddies, and one of his friends was extremely forward and obviously flirting with me which was a big turn off for me, and a big wake-up call for Josh who apparently had his eye on me.  So, out of nowhere this guy whom I had never, or maybe once talked, to plopped on the couch, rested his legs on me and started talking to me so no one else could.  We talked small talk, and I can't recall anything from our conversation except that I mention that my family was going on a vacation to the Oregon Coast in August during our break from school to celebrate my parents' anniversary, and I told him that he should come with me.  What?!?  I still can't believe that I did that, I am not a forward person at all.  Anyway, he agreed to go, and for some reason, I knew he would, and although the thought of us dating didn't cross my mind, I kept thinking, "my family would LOVE this guy."  That friend of his had heard that I had invited Josh to Oregon and asked if he could also come to which I replied a strong, "NO."  I ended up not leaving the party early because this Josh guy was talking my ear off, and I was enjoying our conversation.  At the end of the night, I am not sure how or why but he gave me a little trinket of a ring with a green stone.  Cheesy, I know, but there was alcohol involved and I am sure the green had something to do with St. Patrick's Day.  He was a stranger at the beginning of the night, but when I left, he had made an impression, and I still have that silly little ring.
This was a St. Patricks celebration a few years after the original.  Henry asked me why I don't wear this dress anymore:)
Our social rings where meshing more and more, and we saw a lot of each other outside of class.  I spent many a phone call to my family talking about Josh's friend, and how he had asked me on a date, but I didn't want to go in case it would ruin any potential thing with Josh, and at that point, I figured it wouldn't kill me to go on a date or two if the opportunity arrived.  I turned down his friend, but agreed to a blind date set up by my apartment complex manager.  Well, shortly before I left for the date, Josh called me (for the first time) to invite me somewhere.  At that point I realized that I was interested in Josh, and I was hoping he wouldn't give up on me.  He didn't.  A few days later we went on our first date to a local Mexican restaurant.  There were more dates, and more time spent together, and I honestly cannot recall when our first kiss was, but I do know that we were at my apartment watching the movie (more like talking through it) Life is Beautiful.

We hid our relationship from our classmates for a short time, but eventually word spread that we were dating.  During the next few months, my mom's health declined and the doctors anticipated her living for about a year longer.  It was so difficult to be away, but I had planned on doing my preceptorship in WA, so I would leave Omaha in October and be with her.  My mom and I talked on the phone every day, often multiple times a day, but as she got sicker, it was more difficult for her to keep up that regime.  I remember a particular conversation we had when I was taking a study break at the library.  I walked out side and called her.  We talked about her health, and the future.  It was a tough call, and we cried, but shortly before we ended the call, she said, "I know you are in good hands."  And even though his name was not mentioned, and we had only been dating a mere 3 months, it was understood that she was talking about Josh, and I said, "I know."

August was approaching, and Josh and I were getting ready for my family's vacation, and I was eager for him to meet my parents and siblings.  Well, unfortunately while we were at the airport ready to board our flight, my sister called and said that my mom had taken a turn for the worse.  We re-routed ourselves to Spokane where she was in the intensive care unit.  After arriving in Spokane on Thursday evening, we went straight to the ICU.  I said hi to my mom, and introduced Josh to her.  We spent the majority of the next two days and nights at the hospital, she died on Saturday.  The details of that event are for another story, but those days in the hospital were pretty much my dad, my siblings and their spouses sharing memories, crying, praying, last rites, rosaries all at my mom's bedside....oh, and I forgot to mention that Josh was not Catholic!  I thought for sure that he was going to bolt the second he had the chance, but he didn't.  He stuck around and we had my mom's rosary and funeral mass that next week.  My mom was very loved, and so not only did Josh meet my entire immediate family, but almost all of my extended family and many, many people from my small town... there were hundreds of people at her funeral.  At the end of the funeral mass, the priest (who was the priest who married my parents) thanked everyone in attendance for their support on behalf of each one of us children (and he named us all by name).  When he came to me, he said, "and on behalf of Jennifer and her fiance, Josh."  I think I almost passed out at that moment.  If all of the Catholicism hadn't scared him away, THIS would for sure!  So, as I greeted all of the wonderful people, family and close friends included, who attended my mom's funeral, I accepted their condolences, and declined the congratulations on my non-existent engagement.  Damage control big time.   I took Josh to the airport at the end of the week, and had fully anticipated him never speaking to me again for all of the insanity he had to endure on this "vacation".  Well, when I headed back to Omaha to finish school, he was there, and despite my efforts to insist he break up with me because I was afraid he pitied me, and the warnings that I would never be the same person, he stuck around.  He later told me that it was that week, and those experiences that solidified for him that he wanted to marry me.  And, like I had predicted back in March, my family did in fact love him, and respected him for how he handled the situation he had been thrown into.


I decided to do my preceptorship in Omaha, and after graduation, I accepted a job in Omaha.  Our love grew and sustained a few bumps, but all along I knew he was The One.

 Josh proposed on December 24 the next year.  I had actually called in sick to work, but I wasn't sick at all, and we opened our gifts- he sent me on a scavenger hunt in my apartment, which ended with him on one knee asking me to marry him.  Of course I said yes, and we were married eight months later at St. John's Catholic Church on Creighton's campus....a month shy of my 26th birthday (by the way I never told him what my mom had predicted until after we were married).


Almost nine years later & five boys later, I can't imagine being happier.  My mom was right, I am in good hands.

July 9, 2013

16 months and outside

Ben and Sam are loving the outdoors these days, and they have discovered water!  Since they have officially been "keeping me busy" and I have about five unfinished blog posts, I figured I'd just go ahead and throw a few pictures up of these little guys




These two are so much fun, and so busy....we have entered a different phase of "busy" with them which consists of keeping them safe because their climbing skills are amazing.
I would say that they get along with each other very well which is wonderful and adorable-  however, it isn't always harmonious- they have their fair share of tug-of-wars, hitting, hair pulling, pinching and biting.  At any given time, Ben is walking around with at least one remnant of a bite mark.  They talk to each other and mimic each others' noises- I am not sure if it is twin talk, but they seem to understand each other.  

June 8, 2013

Cape Cod

Josh turned 35 at the end of last week, and in honor of his birthday, we had planned a weekend trip to Cape Cod.  He had taken two days off from work to give us a four day weekend for this much anticipated vacation.  Unlike the other trips we have taken since the birth of the twins, this one was a nice short drive, and enough time away to clear our heads, but a survivable length of time away in case the twins decided to not sleep in a new location.  
We left a day later than planned, after spending Josh's actual birthday at home.  So, I am sure his 35th was his worst, because I had no back up plan of celebrating at home, but we pulled a little something together, and had some fun.
William kept lifting his shirt to walk in the water- too cute!

The Cape was great, but so much different than I had pictured in my head.  It was much more woodsy and rustic rather than the beachy-ocean feel.  Josh enjoyed seeing the places on the Cape that he used to frequent back in his college years, and even though it felt like "just yesterday" to him, he was abruptly reminded that it was many more years ago than he would like to admit!
The boys loved the beach, loved the cold Atlantic Ocean water, loved the pool, loved the real grass, and the miniature golf course that the resort had.  We all had a fantastic time!


Our home away from home, was a cabin-like house complete with a kitchen, so we did most of our own food/cooking.  On Saturday evening, we drove to the local store to pick out two fresh lobster to cook ourselves.  This was our first experience cooking lobster, and it was tons of fun for us all, and much to my relief, not traumatizing for anyone!
We had dessert at a local, homemade ice cream shop.  It was fantastic ice cream, and an adorable shop, and one of our favorite things we did on the Cape!  
On Saturday, I was playing frisbee with Sean and I hurt my knee.  I am not even sure I moved to catch the frisbee, but I went down and it hurt.  I have been crippled up ever since which has not made life any easier, but we are managing, and slowly but surely I am getting around a little better.
On the way home, we were able to visit a friend of ours in Rhode Island as well as take the scenic route  around New York city, and it was amazing!  I have to say that Josh was as calm as could be navigating a minivan through NYC traffic- I was impressed as I gripped my seat and looked about.  I had never really had a huge desire to visit The Big Apple, but after getting a sneak peek, I can't wait to go!  Maybe that will be Josh's 36th birthday trip!  Happy Birthday, Josh, you are the love of my life...

May 25, 2013

Friday Quick Takes (on Saturday night)

After a short leave of absence, I am back on the computer joining Jen at Conversion Diary for Friday Quick Takes...

1.  We took a quick driving trip to Ohio to visit my sister and her family.  Although 11 driving hours each way with five children isn't the first thing I think of when I ponder fun things to do, but our time with them was totally worth all of those hours in the car.  The kids actually did very well in the car, so I really can't complain.  We decided to leave on Thursday after Josh got home from work, and just drive a couple of hours to "take the edge off" of the long journey.  Well, Josh and I got sucked into our book on tape (I'll get to that), before we knew it, it was 11:30pm and we had four sleeping children.  So, by the time we got checked into our hotel room, it was as if the kids had just had a really great power nap, and they were ready to par-tay!  Annnnd, because I am a minimalist, and knew my sweet sister had a second pack-in-play waiting for us at her house, I thought, "how bad can it be for the twins to share a pack-in-play for one night?"  I concluded that anything can be done for one night, and it would be foolish to waste car space on a second baby bed for a short night of sleep.  Oh boy was I wrong!  If you add up all of the factors against Josh and I getting any sleep that night- hotel, long & late power nap for kids, all seven of us crammed in a small hotel room, twin one-year-olds, etc...I really don't think that second cage-bed would have made much difference, but I tell you, I was cursing all things beds that night while AWAKE pretty much the whole d#$*^ night.

2.  With large quantities of coffee in our systems (mine and Josh's), the journey continued the next day without a hitch.  After arriving at my sisters, we were well taken care of, and we had a second baby bed!!  We hardly saw the three older boys the whole time because they were busy playing indoors and outdoors with their cousins.  They had the time of their lives, and begged us to stay in Ohio.  Their request was tempting, but since going AWOL is frowned upon, we denied their requests and journeyed home.  Plus, my sister needed to get her house back in order after the twins had rearranged everything.

3.  Speaking of the twins, we had the extra eight arms that we have been wishing for ever since they were born!  Ahhh, it was so nice to have a team of willing and capable helpers to give Josh and I a break from digging them out or off of various places.

4.  So, the highlight of our trip, and really the main reason for the journey, was to witness Abe and Jude's First Holy Communion.  It was beautiful, and they were the most handsome boys of the whole crowd.  My sister hosted a fantastic celebration afterward- good food, good fun and good company.
On this trip we confirmed that Ben LOVES animals.  We were able to spend some time with my sister's in-laws, whose house is the location of all of  their farm animals.  They have a cow and goats, and Ben was in awe of them all, and we almost couldn't prey his little fingers off of the fence to leave.  Ben also loved her dog and cat (at her house) and would squat down to talk to the dog as often as he could.  Sam, on the other hand, has a deep fear of dogs, but by the end of our trip would actually walk passed the sleeping dog to get to whatever he needed.

5.  So, that book on tape was, the book Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand.  I can't recommend it enough.  I actually read it back when... I was pregnant with the twins, living in the mouse-infested hotel for almost four months, after being without our belongings for five months, at which point the housing company told us it would be "yet another week" until our house was ready...and it got me through that last week of waiting.  It actually only took me a short time to read it, but that book really put my "hard times" in perspective, and all of a sudden I felt like I was in Disneyland compared to what the main character suffered through.  It is a true story, and is definitely one of the best books I have ever read, and Josh would agree that it is one of the top reads of the hand full of books he has read.
Thank you Schmiesing Family for hosting a bunch of sleep deprived, and loud, crazy Conways.  We always feel so welcome in your home, and it is so nice to visit a place that we are merely adding to the noise and fun, not creating it!  Also, thanks for the virus you sent us home with:)

6.  Hooray, we finished school for the summer!  The local schools do not finish until almost the end of June, so we will have a nice month of enjoying local amenities before the crowds hit.  To celebrate our hard work, the family went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  I have to say that our wild brood is usually very well behaved at restaurants, but this was not one of our better experiences- it was a combination of us and the restaurant both having an "off" night that made the evening a disappointment- some of the highlights were Henry cutting his finger with a steak knife while attempting to cut a peanut, and Ben throwing a plate on the floor which shattered loud enough to grab the attention of the entire place.

7.  Unrelated to anything else, Josh was given a day off of work yesterday as a "family day" which is just an excuse for a four day weekend, but we'll take it!  He signed us up for an invitation for a few military and their families for VIP status at the filming of the Today Show down on the shore for the Today Show's concert series featuring the band Fun.  As tempting as it was, I declined to attend with the three younger boys, so he and Henry and Sean left the house at 4:30am in morning and drove to the shore.  They had a blast and had front row standing for the boys' first concert.  The four of us stay-behinders enjoyed seeing them multiple times on TV.  William would wave and say, "Hi Dad!"  And then disappointingly say, "Why isn't he waving at me."


April 19, 2013

7 Quick Takes

Once again, joining the group for Friday Quick Takes, hosted by Grace....

Out of the mouth of babes....

1.  We took a family outing to one of our favorite locations, Costco, and after sampling multiple very sugar-filled samples and some shopping-boredom set in, the big boys began to get a little restless and started viewing the store as a giant jungle gym.  After Josh reminded Henry of proper store behavior, Henry responded with, "It seems like you are trying to take all of my fun away."

2.  Shortly after putting the older three boys to bed, Henry came down stairs and told us he wasn't able to sleep because there was something stinky in his room.  He was sent back to bed.  Shortly thereafter, William came down stairs.  When asked why he was down stairs, William replied, "Because I am stinky."

3.  In base housing, they do not offer garbage service, so we have to dispose of our own garbage at  centrally located dumpsters.  Josh asked the boys if anyone wanted to come with him for a "dump run"
William excitedly volunteered and asked, "Can I wear duck feet?"
Josh: Duck feet?
William: Oh, I mean bear feet

4.  Sean has been writing letters to anyone and everyone he knows lately, including myself.  I was enjoying reading this sweet letter from my boy who eats, breaths and sleeps sports, and then I saw the last line....


Although at times this may be true, next week in school, we will add the word "best" to his spelling list.

5. While Henry is reading a story to Sean and Will.....
Henry: "Sean, can you hold my water bottle for me?  Secondly, don't get your mouth germs on it."
Sean: "Sure.  Secondly, I tooted."

6.    The other day at lunch, after correcting William's verbal behavior multiple times, I finally said, "William, hush up!"  Without hesitation, he responded, "I hush down."

7.  This last one is from my babe, with a capital B....
I can't remember exactly how Josh and I got on the topic, but somehow I stated that I would not use the adjective "charismatic" to describe his personality.  After seeing disappointment on his face, I desperately tried to dig myself out of that hole by quickly saying that I have never really been attracted to "charismatic" people, and then went on to name a few people who I would describe as charismatic, and how I find them annoying or shallow.  I was still in the hole when I changed my approach by showering him with praises about how everyone loves the "strong, silent" type of man, which he totally is.  The damage was done, but my-perfect-in-every-way husband, has a great sense of humor, and sends me this text when our conversation was abruptly interrupted by a tired baby...

April 7, 2013

Go Big Red!

I'm hijacking Jen's blog to share THE highlight from the Red-White game yesterday.   For those who don't bleed Scarlet and Cream, the Nebraska spring game was yesterday....the final, big, scrimmage at the end of spring practice. Over 61,000 fans in attendance and, for the first time, thousands watching the TV broadcast, got to share an experience that goes well beyond football.  Enjoy....



April 5, 2013

7 Quick Takes

Catching up through Quick Takes...
--- 1 ---
So recently the boys were playing wildly in the house, which is totally normal and safe.  But all of a sudden I realized the house was quiet, which is anything but normal and safe, so I set out to investigate...which led me to the laundry room to find Henry and Sean hiding in the washer and dryer with the doors closed!  OH MY GOODNESS, I nearly had a heart attack!  That incident led to yet another rule in our home which forbids any hiding in appliances of any kind.
--- 2 ---
We fell victim to the gastroenteritis bug earlier in March, and forgetting that one son had yet to experience it, I made green waffles before Mass on St. Patrick's Day.
Shortly after Mass, this boy declared he did not feel well, and took off for the bathroom.  The poor kid did his best, but as Josh so accurately described the damage, "it looks like a leprechaun was slaughtered in here."  I spend my sabbath scrubbing that bathroom from floor to ceiling.  The good news is I knew exactly where I needed to clean, the bad news is that it triggered the OCD cleaner in me when I had to practically dismantle the whole toilet lid to get in every green nook and cranny.

--- 3 ---
Henry finished up a semester of art class.  He had a great time, and made some (in my unbiased motherly opinion) real masterpieces.  Here are some of his pottery pieces: a mug, bowl and "snack plate" (unpictured)

--- 4 ---
We often worry about William's ability to handle any sort of confrontation, or really, just life in general....after an altercation broke out in the back row of the van (where the three oldest sit) one boy was instructed to apologize to Will, to which Will replied, "if anyone thes (says) thorry (sorry) to me, I will hit them."  Another little concern of ours comes when we play an innocent little game of "Tell Me a Story" in which you look at a sweet little picture and make a story about it.  Whenever William is using his imagination, he somehow always works in a "jack knife" or "jail" into the story.  Recently, Josh said, "Don't you think it is kind of scary that Will looks good in black."

--- 5 ---
The Conway Crew did not take Gonzaga's ugly loss very well at all.  I will spare you the mourning and wailing details, because honestly, it still hurts.  But I will share a few little post-trauma details: Henry ran into the bathroom (about 20 min after the boys found out Gonzaga lost) while Josh was showering to inform his father, "Dad, Sean says he HATES Gonzaga, and he is going to get all of his Gonzaga stuff and my Gonzaga stuff and throw it in the garbage."
When we were leaving for Mass the morning after the game, we noticed something on the windshield-  A few of our kind neighbors had signed a sympathy card for our family.  Nothing like the love and support of good people when you are down, even if it was more of a joke while they were under the influence.
--- 6 ---
We were finally responsible enough to open bank accounts for the boys.  The lady who helped us was more than kind, patient, and helpful to the boys.  She genuinely answered each one of Henry's questions as to how the bank works, exactly which date to put on his deposit slips, where her desk decorations came from, etc, etc, etc.  She took her time with each boy, and let them count their money for her, and she even laughed without judgement when William, who 99% of the time is contrary just to be contrary, was arguing with his brother about what day it was and shouted his only form of proof to (incorrectly) defend his case for the whole bank to hear, "MY UNDERWEAR DOES NOT SAY TUESDAY."

--- 7 ---
Josh and I attended a fantastic one day marriage retreat.  To Josh's relief, it was more lecture from an excellent speaker, rather than all of the "fluffy" talk and discussion that you might normally encounter on a marriage retreat.  The speaker did a great job of quickly explaining many complex philosophical and theological, and controversial topics related to marriage.  His first talk started off with The Creation Story from Genesis, and how God had designed man, woman and marriage. He went on to explain how complementary man and woman are, and how Eve was the perfect companion for Adam (unlike the animals),  and how before the Fall, they were able to understand and communicate so easily by gazing into each others' eyes, and....well, that was when Josh leaned over and whispered, "So, I think he is saying we should do a lot less talking."
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!