Watch out for Mother Bear!

We had a bit of excitement the other night. My parents had come over for dinner and my dad and Tim were outside working on Tim's motorcycle. Noah had been playing outside with them. Mom and I were in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner when all of the sudden I hear Noah screaming at the top of his lungs in the front room. I rush out to see Noah and a HUGE pit bull standing in the middle of the room! I look out the window to see Tim and my dad coming rushing in the house. My dad chased the dog away, giving it a solid kick in the ribs, while Tim helped me comfort Noah. I see my dad take off down the street and knowing that some neighbors had a pit bull I took off down the street after him. I was furious that some careless people had allowed their massive dog to follow my little boy into our house! And a pit bull no less that has the potential of being a very mean dog! I saw a girl get the dog into a small car down the road. Apparently they were out looking for the dog as it had gotten loose. I marched up to the car and told the lady (as sternly as I have even done in my life) that that had better not EVER happen again! Meantime, my dad was also giving her an ear full. Being a grandpa AND a police officer! My mom said later that when she saw me marching down the street, she said to Tim, "Uh oh, she's not happy. There is the Mother Bear instinct!" I had to laugh later at how true that is. If anything threatens my children, you better stand back. Mother Bear is on the Loose!

Yard Sale!!

For the last several months we've been slowly liquidating all our stuff as we're getting ready for our move to Papua New Guinea next January. This last Saturday we had a yard sale and got rid of the last bunch of our unneeded stuff. It feels great!

Noah had a great time visiting with people at the yard sale and playing with things he found. He even watched a customers dog while they shopped :-)

He found a hoof pick and after learning what it was for, 

he went around "cleaning" everyone's shoes.

Next, he thought he would try out an old luggage carrier with an old sewing box.

Then he made Papa carry him!

Tiffany, taking care of the cash box and trying to remember how to do basic math! :)

When the yard sale was finished, we took a picture of the inside of our trailer.

When we moved out from Missouri, this trailer was stuffed to the brim with stuff, along with our Jeep and Tiffany's parent's van. Now, look at what is left!!! It feels like a weight is lifted off our shoulders to be freed of so much. Although, now comes the process of gathering those things that we DO need for the field. Things such as solar panels and four years worth of underwear!!!