struggling

As you can tell my computer was giving me fits and I posted the same thing twice. Sorry about that.

riding his bike

Even though I didn't have a bike until some time after I got in school, I was wondering if Jared would ever learn to ride his. Kolton has been riding for what seems to be forever. Yea! Jared has finally figured it out. He can ride down hill with ease, up hill is a little more challenging. He wants someone to go run while he rides. It was papa's turn last night. Papa watched but did not run.

Quick Trip

We spent the weekend on the road again. We made a quick trip to St. Louie, through Columbia to watch the spring football game. While in StL we went to the hospital to check on my friend whose little boy had the open heart surgery. We went to the zoo on Sunday. Jared and Craig had not been there. We enjoyed hanging out and watching the animals. We had great weather.

riding bike

I was not sure whether Jared would ever learn to ride (mind you I probably didn't have a bike until I was in 1st or 2nd grade) his little bicycle. Kolton has been riding his forever. However when Kolton was here a month or so ago, Jared decided he wanted to keep up. So we have been practicing. He is pretty good as long as he is going down hill, up hill is a little more challenging. Last night he wanted papa to run as he pedaled. As you can imagine that didn't happen.

update

Since we updated last a few things have happened. My friend's little boy had his surgery. He is doing well, but has his good days and bad ones. So please remember to pray for him.

We have had even more rain and expecting more tonight. I am pretty sure we are going to need an ark before the summer is over.

This weekend we spent it on the road. We went to St. Louis by way of Columbia. We watched part of the spring football game before heading to St. Louis. We went by the hospital in St. Louis to check on my friend. We enjoyed our visit, but would have liked it much better some place else. Then we went back to the hotel just to hang out. Sunday we visited the zoo and had wonderful weather and a good time just hanging out together as a family.

Jared has become quite the parrott. I thought it was bad when he was learning to talk, but it is worse now. One day last week, Craig made a comment. Jared looked at him and said "Dad how many times do mom and I have to tell you to quit saying that. It is not nice and I am tired of it". Boy could I hear myself saying that to him. He picks up on things so fast.

Just a few pictures from our weekend.

Things running through my brain

I have thought about many things I could write, but none seem to ever get put on paper.

As you can tell, I have been sidetracked from my blogging. It seems like this time of year is really hard on my family. Three years ago my grandpa Keck passed away, two years ago my uncle was hospitalized in February and passed away in March, last year my great-grandmother passed away in March. This year has been no different. Since Easter we have learned that my dad will have to have surgery on April 29th for cancer and Craig's aunt passed away unexpectedly. I said in January if we could make it past February and March with nothing tragic I would be happy. Well so much for that thought.

On top of that one of my best friends will be taking her 3 year old son to St. Louis to have open heart surgery. This is an anxious time for her and her family.

We are believing that God will help this baby and my dad through all the rough times ahead.

So on with fun news. The spring rains have brought wonderful green grass and new buds on the trees and plants and warmer days are ahead. We can't wait to get outside and try to get a lawn, trees, and flowers planted. My nieces are full swing ahead with their sporting activities, which happen to be softball, so we know summer and swimming are coming too.

So if you think about us in the next few days and weeks we could use your prayers and encouragement.