After almost 12 years ...

Fall 1993

Fall 1995

Spring 1999

...I am sitting in the same room as my college room mate.   I am planning to take current pictures, but for now, the past will have to do!

A Performance for your viewing pleasure ...

All four of my children came bounding down the stairs on Monday morning gleefully shouting that they wanted to show me something.  Just imagine my delight when they had CD player in hand and most of them had guitars in their hands!  As soon as I realized what was happening, I knew that I needed a video of it, so quickly grabbed my camera! 

Fire Department Field Trip

Last week we went on a field trip to the Stony Hill Fire Department.   I am so glad that we did this.  The hardworking men of this fire department were warm, welcoming, and did a fantastic job talking to the children!  We toured the facility and one of the men put all of his fire gear on to acquaint the children with the equipment and what they would look like if they ever needed to enter the home and rescue one of them.  

You might imagine that this field trip was especially exciting for Jonathan!  He was absolutely enthralled with every bit of it.  

I had never considered how scary a fireman could look with all their gear on to a child.   It's important for children to see them this way, so that if he/she needs to be saved she won't run away from him!  

The children were carefully watching him suit up ... he even put on his oxygen mask and tank.

Rosalie was watching intently.  Once all of his gear was on, he wanted each of the children to  shake his hand.  Rosalie was completely afraid of him and wouldn't go near him.  (even after seeing him put it all on right in front of her)  We've had several talks about it since and keep telling her she doesn't have to be afraid of the fireman ... he helps people!

Rosalie and Samantha on the back of the firetruck.
After he put all of his gear on, they let the children get into the firetruck and climb on the back of it.

Nathan and Jonathan

Rosalie loved getting in the firetruck ... so much that she threw a fit when it was time to get out.    

Aaron's turn in the firetruck!

Jonathan was in heaven!!  He LOVES trucks ... especially firetrucks!

They gave each of the children fire hats!

Oh so cute!

Just before leaving we got a group shot next to the rescue boat.   It was a super fun field trip and I'm glad we did it!
Now ... off to develop a fire rescue plan for our home!  :)

My Kitchen Helper

Last week, tacos were on the menu, so I set out to make some whole wheat flour tortillas.
Aaron absolutely loves to help me in the kitchen, so I put him to work pressing out the tortillas.
He worked hard using the tortilla press!

He told me that it was more fun than playing video games!  Now that is something that this Mom likes to hear!

He would do the first pressing, and then I would roll them out even more with a rolling pin ... and then I put them in the skillet to cook for a few seconds.  They were the best tortillas ever!  I love how much he loves to help me.  I never have to be lonely in the kitchen when Aaron's around!

Spotlight is on...

Rosalie!
Rosalie weighs 35 pounds,(90th percentile) and is 36 inches tall(40th percentile).

Favorite Subject in School:  Not yet

Favorite Color:  pink

Favorite thing to do in my free time:  Play outside

Favorite Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Favorite Food:  chicken and bow tie soup

Favorite Dessert:  Ice Cream

Favorite Book: Princess Joy's Birthday Blessing

Favorite Cookie:  Toasted coconut chocolate chip

Favorite Vacation Spot:  Disney World

Favorite Bible Verse:  Genesis  1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"

Favorite Restaurant:  Olive Garden

Favorite Activity: Definitely Awana Puggles

Favorite thing to wear:  Dresses

My Hobby:  Singing

What I want to be when I grow up:  A Mommy

Rosalie is an absolute joy!  She is sweet, expressive, fun, opinionated, sassy, and so much more!  She can hold her own with her brothers and frequently is being catered to by them.  She loves books.  She will sit and listen to me read her books all day long.  She loves to cuddle and gives the biggest ... tightest hugs you could imagine!  Rosalie, like Aaron, loves to be around people.  She loves to be outside and spends most afternoons outside with her neighbor friend, Hannah.  She and Hannah play with their baby dolls together.  I am so blessed by Rosalie.  She brings joy to all of us.  Her smile lights up a room.  My favorite thing about my girl is that she LOVES to sing.  I love to hear her sing, and I love that she sings all at the time.  I am so thankful that God gave us a daughter!

My prayer for Rosalie is: Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Spotlight is on ...

Jonathan!
Jonathan weighs 42 3/4 pounds (59th percentile)  and he is 42 3/4 inches tall.(45th percentile)

Favorite Subject in School:  Math

Favorite Color:  orange

Favorite thing to do in my free time:  Play outside

Favorite Show: Superhero Squad

Favorite Food:  Chicken, Rice and Broccoli stir fry

Favorite Dessert:  Ice Cream

Favorite Book: Animal Book

Favorite Cookie:  Chocolate Chip with toasted coconut

Favorite Vacation Spot:  Disney World

Favorite Bible Verse:  Psalm 1 (the entire chapter!)

Favorite Restaurant:  Mexican

Favorite Activity: Awana - especially games!

Favorite thing to wear:  pajamas

My Hobby: Legos

What I want to be when I grow up:  The boss of the builders

Jonathan is an intense little boy.  I have described him that way since he was a tiny baby.  More than anything, he wants to be in charge ... which is not very easy for him, since he was not only born 3rd in the family ... he is the third boy.  He tries to be in charge of everyone ... when that doesn't work ... he tries to be in charge of Rosalie.  That usually doesn't work either because that little girl has a mind of her own!  This leaves my poor Jonathan very frustrated.  I am convinced, however, that one day he will be in charge of something ... and he will be the very best at it!  He is extraordinarily strong willed.  My biggest challenge is trying to figure out how to channel his strong will into something that will flourish and be honoring to God.  It's a daily struggle for me and can be exhausting.  He is truly all boy.  He would spend entire days outside if I would let him.  He is rough and tumble - the knees in his jeans don't have a chance!  He has been known to fall asleep most anywhere if he sits down long enough.  He plays hard and sleep hards.  

I am enormously grateful for this boy.  He does everything with all of his heart ... if he's writing letters, numbers, reading, or playing with sticks he is going to do it to the very best of his ability.  (yes, he's a perfectionist ... which often leads to melting down if he doesn't get it perfectly on the first time ... we are working on that!)

My prayer for Jonathan:

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,^[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Spotlight is on ...

Aaron!

Aaron is 6 years and 11 months old.  He is 47  inches tall. (34th percentile) He weighs 52 pounds.(57th percentile)   He is in the 2nd grade.  

Favorite Subject in School:  English

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite thing to do in my free time:  Read Books

Favorite Movie:  Cars 2

Favorite Food:  Pasta with Sauce and Meatballs

Favorite Dessert:  Brownies with ice cream

Favorite Book: DragonKeeper Series

Favorite Cookie:  chocolate cookies with toasted coconut and almonds

Favorite Vacation Spot:  Disney World

Favorite Bible Verse:  John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life."

Favorite Restaurant:  Los Tres Magueyes

Favorite Activity: Awana - especially saying his verses!

Favorite thing to wear:  sleeveless shirts and shorts

My Hobby:  Riding my bike and scooter, playing piano

What I want to be when I grow up:  Musician

Aaron is not easy to explain in a paragraph.  He continually amazes me with what he is able to grasp (conceptually) at such a young age.  He never seems to need to be taught how to do anything.  He just can.  One of the things that I love about Aaron is how remorseful he is whenever he does something wrong.  I never have to tell him that he should be sorry.  He is compassionate and thoughtful.  Aaron loves people!  He thrives in large groups and easily makes friends.  His most special friend is Katie.  He started playing with her when he was only 2 years old when we lived at the Seminary.  He and Katie are still special friends.  Aaron is creative, dramatic, artistic, and playful.  He is extremely focused when he does his school work.  Oddly enough, he is extremely antsy and has a hard time sitting still in most other situations.  I am so thankful for this boy.  Since he was a tiny baby he has always brought me so much joy with all of his smiles and laughs.  He was a terrible sleeper as a baby ... but I can remember saying over and over again ... how thankful I was that even though he never slept more than 2 or 3 hours in a row (until he was 2 years old) ... that I could always count on the fact that he would spend the entire day smiling and laughing.  JOY!  He still brings us all so much joy!  Aaron loves Awana and is incredibly hard working at memorizing scripture.  At this point,  Aaron's weakness would be that he is not as patient as he should be with his younger brother.  My prayer for Aaron is Proverbs 3:5-6.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."

Spotlight is on ...

Martin!
Martin is 9 1/2 years old.  He is 50.75 inches tall.(11th percentile)  He weighs 63 pounds(36th percentile)   He is in the 4th grade.
Favorite Subject in School:  Independent History Study, which includes Draw and Write Through History as well as several History reading books.
Favorite Color:  Green
Favorite thing to do in my free time:  Play Video Games on the Wii
Favorite Movie:  Cars 2
Favorite Food:  Fettucine Alfredo
Favorite Dessert:  Sweet Potato Pie with whipped cream
Favorite Book:  Prince Caspian (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Favorite Cookie:  chocolate chip
Favorite Vacation Spot:  Disney World
Favorite Bible Verse:  John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
Favorite Restaurant:  Olive Garden
Favorite thing to wear:  Jeans
My Hobby:  Building Legos and hunting with Daddy
What I want to be when I grow up:  Not sure yet

Notes from Mom:I am so thankful for Martin!  We had an incredibly tough start to his 4th grade school year.  He and I were struggling to figure out a good routine that would work for both of us.  He was obstinate and unwilling to be flexible.  We cried, we fought, we struggled, and we persevered.  The results of those several weeks of struggle - and perhaps a little refining fire - have been worth the struggle!  Martin is producing outstanding work each day - and his attitude about it is outstanding.  I couldn't ask for anything better than what he is giving me.   Martin's attitude tends to trickle down to the rest of the children, so I am thankful that he has consistently maintained an excellent attitude.  He has always been an excellent helper to me and continues to be that for me.  His biggest weakness is his temper.  He has a quick and hot temper.  One of his strengths, though, is that he quickly recognizes when he loses self control.  Martin is an introvert.  He is not comfortable in large groups of people.  He is excellent one on one, however.  He is tenderhearted and loving.  I don't know what Martin will do when he grows up, but my prayer has always been and continues to be that he will love the Lord with all if his heart, soul, and mind - and love others as himself.

Tea Party

Last week when Ryan and Nicole spent a couple of days with us, I took the girls out for a tea party!  It was so much fun for all of us and a very special treat!

Rosalie LOVED putting the sugar cube in the tea!

She also loved stirring her tea! 

It a very special afternoon of fun, food, and yummy tea!

Here are the special girls in front of the tea room! I love tea parties! 

Ryan shot his first deer!

Last weekend our family came for a weekend visit!  Since they came during hunting season, Rich took Ryan, (nephew) hunting.  They had a fantastic time and it resulted in Ryan getting his first deer.  They were both so excited ... we all were!   We are all so happy that Ryan and Rich were able to go hunting together! 

All of the children were super excited to see the Ryan's deer when they came home that night!

Rosalie fell asleep while eating!

We went to my friend, Angela's house to play.  Her children and mine ran and played the entire afternoon.  I went home and made smoothies and popcorn for us to eat ... a few minutes into our family show ... we looked down and saw that Rosalie was fast asleep!

Reading!

This is what I caught the boys doing one afternoon during outside play time.
I love how much they love to read!