The Betta and The fish tank

We have had these big jars like forever and really haven't done anything with them except put change in one.  Well while Josiah was here he and Sadie went to a pet shop and thought it would be a fun joke to get a betta for us. Ha ha just what we wanted and needed.  Methuselah lasted less than a day.  I was feeling bad that Sadie spent so much money on this fish so I decided to get another one.  What was I thinking! I took Josiah and Elijah with me to pick it out.  We bought Shiz home and put him in a small tank.  Then the idea set in that the big jar sitting in the background of first picture should be the tank.  

This got Nathan excited and he forged a cool stand for the tank that fit it perfectly.  This was a much bigger place for the betta, plus it was fancy.  It was all fun and games living in it till near midnight 4 days later when we were rudely awoken to a loud crash.  Jarom's bedroom is below the living room so he was the first one up and headed upstairs.  He says he knew what it was and could feel the rain come down from his ceiling.  The bottom of the jar gave out and what a mess it was.  5 gallons of water!  Shiz survived though.  We decided he will never die and we are stuck with him forever.   

Nathan came up with this cool feeding chart so we make sure he gets the food he needs. 

 

Van mileage

It's blurry but check out the mileage I got in this pic.  

 

Seattle lime bike ride

 Today Nathan and I tried a new thing.  Seattle has some electric bikes that you can randomly rent along the streets.  We rode the bikes up to my ear appointment.  It was stressful and fun at the same time.  We obviously survived.  I can't hear as good in my left ear and may have surgery some time in the future.  

Blake Island, reception, and farewell talk

We had Katie, David and Gideon come up to go to Blake Island with us. It as so fun having them along. 

My favorite guy behind me.

The weather was perfect.

I can't remember what was happening here but everyone's body was weird shaped. 

It was nice for these boys to get together.  They have been together much in the last year.  David is heading out on his mission in October.

It looks like we could be run down by the cargo ship but it wasn't moving.

Once we were back home from Blake Island we quickly got cleaned up, packed and headed to Haines to hear David speak.  It so happened that Samuel and Lindsay's reception was that evening so we stopped in on our way to Haines.  We were so glad that it worked out to do that.  I don't have pics though.  It was a bit of a crazy drive but we are glad we did it. 

 

Josiah's injury

While we were at the coast, we got a call from Josiah saying he might need to come home.  He was encouraged by his companion to play basketball with the young men and injured his knee.  The ironic thing is that he doesn't like to play basketball and the time he does play, it doesn't go well for him.  It was determined within a few hours by the doctors Gilbert that he fractured his knee and needed to go home to heal for up to 12 weeks. 

We welcomed him back Saturday afternoon.  He decided to become a service missionary so that he can keep working and not get as distracted.  I was able to get him an appointment with an orthopedic PA the next Tuesday to discuss treatment plan.  This was miracle #1 that he could be seen so quick.  I was quite worried about how to keep this kid busy while being on crutches.  At the appointment the PA and the doctor looked over notes and MRI that Josiah brought back with him from the AZ docs office.  He didn't see any fractures and diagnosed it as a bruised bone which was miracle #2.  Josiah hobbled to the appointment with crutches and walked out on his own two feet from the office that became miracle #3.  We aren't sure what happened between the time the AZ docs and the WA docs saw him and the MRI but we count it all as a miracle and huge blessing he didn't have to stay longer than the month he was home.  Most of the time was spent getting approval to return to Gilbert.  In the meantime, he kept as busy as possible.  

Josiah saying goodbye to President and few other elders.

The minute Josiah walked in the house from the airport he says, "okay I am ready to go back home (meaning AZ)"   Poor guy I don't blame him.  

The banjo player. ha ha!

 I think both boys need lesson on how to hold the banjos!

Gazing at the sky

the sky

We picked black berries as a family.  Josiah is so clever! 

Josiah went knocking on doors and other appointments with Elder Young and Elder Peel who are serving in our ward.

More door knocking.

He was a tired boy

We traveled to Oregon for Caleb's farewell.  He is heading to the same mission as Josiah.  We were wondering if Caleb would beat Josiah down there.  

Caleb and Josiah at the Baker church building.  Caleb gave his farewell talk.

Traveling back to Bremerton.

Muddy buddies are the most favorite of Jarom's.  He and Josiah made them.

On August 29, he headed back to AZ.  He was so happy to get back down there.  It was easier to send him off for the second time.