Service.

This is the view from my kitchen window.
These are my neighbors steps.
This is my 6 year old son shoveling her steps.
Service.
I love it.

Kid Quote

Quote of the night:

As Daniel is trying to shoot bear that are charging him 2 at a time, he throws the gun to Peter and yells, "Save me Daddy!!!" Daddy once again becomes a hero. What a stud.

Kid Quote

It's been a while since I've posted a kid quote. We are a fairly health conscious family. I mill my own grain, we buy all our meat from Polyface Farms and we try to eat our daily veggies raw. The kids are getting a fantastic education when it comes to where our food comes from and why we eat what we eat. However, if I am really honest, none of us can really refuse a Snickers bar and my birthday dessert consisted of both a triple chocolate cake (thanks Dad!) and a Cold Stone ice cream cake (thanks Mom!). So as not to confuse you; my parents are still happily married after 38 years. They just happen to know I like chocolate and double dipped on cake! My faithful husband supplied the pizza in abundance (thanks Husband!). This has turned into quite an introduction for today's quote. So, here it is, as stated by 6yo Daniel.

Mom: Wow, that is a lot of people going to McDonald's.

Daniel: Those people are gonna die in a minute!


Well, at least we didn't eat at McDonald's for my birthday meal, ahem.

Look who turned 6.

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday Dear....guess who!
Happy Birthday to you!

Our sweet boy, Daniel, wanted another dinosaur birthday celebration this year.
He has had these dinosaurs surrounding him every night since his big day.

The look of surprise. I love it. So genuine.

Precious big boy hands can just barely hold the box.

I think of Daniel and I tear up.
I am so blessed that the Lord chose me to be his Mom.
Oh God, Thank you!

Happy Birthday, Precious Boy!
We love you,
Daddy and Mommy

Let's go see some ponies!

"Kids, maybe when we wake up in the morning we will see some wild horses."
God blessed us with 3 in our camp site on our first morning at Assateague.
John was so excited to be the first one to spot them!

Our five mile bike ride landed us in a parking lot with 6 wild horses roaming and grazing.

Early morning fishing, just Daddy and Daniel.
"Daddy, I was dreaming that we got up and went fishing
and now we are up and fishing so it was just like my dream."

32 inch Striped Bass caught on Daniel's light weight line!
The fish were not nibbling on the surf rod.
It was a good joint effort. Daniel's pole and Daddy reeled it in.
What a sweet blessing from the Lord.
He provided the poles (thanks to Uncle David and Aunt Barbara), bait when the kids dug up sand crabs with Daddy, and the huge fish for us to study and then enjoy for breakfast.
God is so good--all the time!

We met another homeschooling family this morning when Peter was walking up from the beach holding the fish. They stopped us to ask about it and we invited them down for Monday morning fish anatomy. The stomach of the fish had a small crab, in tact. We watched the heart beating and tried to name all the fins.

This is the standard "look how big my fish is" photo, simply for your enjoyment!

Mmm, mmm, good.
Broiled fish for breakfast (and donuts).
13 minutes before we had to be off our site, lest we pay for another night.

Kid Quote

Tonight at dinner...

Daniel: Okay. I want to tell you guys something. Want me to tell you something about snakes?

The group: Sure Daniel! Yes!

Daniel: Okay. Mom, this is gonna scare you to death!

Mom: Let's hope not Daniel.

Daniel: It's really scary. Cuz guys...guys...guys...

The group: Yes Daniel?

Daniel: I'm gonna bring a rattlesnake in the house. I really like rattlesnakes!

Boys Day With Daddy

The snow is over.

I get a mixed feeling when the snow ends. It many ways it is great to get out of the house and back into the swing of things. However, at the same time it is so nice to watch that sweet blanket of newness fall, snuggle with my kids, read, watch a movie, eat lots of snacks and live in pjs.

Today was sunny and beautiful. Peter was on call for work but with the snow accumulation at the airport most flights were cancelled. He is back to work tomorrow.
This is how we spent today:





The kids had such fun sledding down the hill near my parents house. What precious memories they have been making this week. 2010, the year of the record snow storm!


Abi spent most of her time on the green sled. She has grown so much she looks like an adult coming down the hill. Also, no, that is my 9 year old.





It was amazing to see Daniel fly across the street. Every time he went down the hill on his red sled, he came flying, face first and taking each jump as if it were nothing!


I was hoping it would show up better, but the second mark that Peter pointed out (where Daniel said his face mark was) was actually a huge snowplow tire mark. :)

The marks that showed up after his red cheeks warmed up again.

The Boxing Boys

I smiled while I watched Peter explaining to the 6 and 5 year olds how to mold a mouth piece. They practiced three times before he started the real molding, hot water and all. They had it down, they knew what to do. Then, he dipped the piece in hot water and put it in their mouths. It became hot chewing gum! Not molded, rather bitten repeatedly. Daddy saying, "Now wait to bite... okay, bite, wait! no! ow!!" At this point I was rolling with laughter. He tried a couple more times and then told big J to spit his in the trash. They tried again. It was better. He re-dipped Daniels and it went a little more smoothly. I only wish I could have caught the whole thing on film. I cannot do it justice. My husband was so animated as he described how to do it and so calm while he said, "wait, bite, no, ouch, bite, wait, suck, suck the water out." "Good job boys!" My husband, my hero. Especially in circumstance like this. He is a good example. I love you Pete!

And now, The Boys!


Come on Daddy! Come box!

Busy, busy.

The Daddy-Husband-Pilot is at work.
The holy ones are currently lying on the floor surrounded by books.
The Wife-Moma just finished reading several of said books to said holy ones
We are busy living life, rather than writing about it! I know you understand.
However, a quick update as to what the happenings are around here...

We arrived home Monday morning (so early it was really Sunday night!) after a wonderful week learning more about our Lords creation at The Creation Museum and His word at the Sufficiency of Scripture Conference. We enjoyed the museum so much that we decided to purchase a year long pass even though the facility is located an almost 10 hour drive from our house. Want to come along with us next time we go? The SOS conference was wonderful and so affirming as to what God has been showing us in His word this year. I mentioned at the beginning of the year that we had committed to reading through the Bible in a year. We have read everyday but with five little ones just recently started the New Testament. We are all loving it and learning so much. If you have never read the Bible cover to cover, I highly recommend it.

Peter is on reserve for Christmas so we will celebrate with the children a few days early. This has my mind reeling with what needs to be wrapped and possibly purchased. The following week my cousin is getting married and Daniel will be the cute, tux-wearing, flower girl escorting ring bearer. It will be a fun time.

That's it for now. Blessings to you and yours. Possibly more on the conference later. It was really good!

Kid Quote

As we are drawing:

Mommy: Daniel, I know what that is! It's a Teepee. That's great.

Daniel: No it's not. It's an Indian House!

My boys

When I went to bed last night, this is what I found already occupying the space. My precious little boys. 2 and 5. I am so blessed to be their Moma.

Daniel is 5 today!

Happy Birthday Daniel! We are blessed to be your Daddy and Mommy! You are sweet joy to us and we stand amazed at your precious spirit, serving heart and continued growth as you learn more about Jesus! We pray your next year is blessed. We pray that you continue to grow in Him as you gain wisdom and understanding through the fear of the Lord.
Happy 5th Birthday sweet, tough and handsome boy!
We love you, Daddy and Moma

Daddy and Daniel project

Remember the bike Isaiah decided to try on a couple weeks ago?

Today it was revamped for our growing Daniel! Daniel bought it from John after trying it out yesterday. Today Daddy and Daniel sanded and painted it to make it brand new for our almost 5 year old. They found white, blue and glitter paint in the basement, so they went with it. The frame is white, the fenders and handle bars are blue (Daniel's favorite color) and the entire thing has a couple coats of gold glitter. They finished the look with some of Daniels favorite stickers from his collection. We consider it a good combination of Daniel and Go Navy! After all was completed the two of them reassembled the bike and hit the road for a long ride around The Island. Daniel tackled big hills and was so brave. Daddy and Daniel had a fun time.
What a sweet blessing to watch two of my favorite people have so much fun together...

Sanding and taping!

Thumbs up Dude!

Ready for our big bike ride!

Kid Quote

Today's kid quote is from Daniel.

"Maybe if you say Obama is nice, he not gonna take all your money."

Kid Quote

Upon rising from his nap, Daniel came over to sit on my lap. Within 3 seconds he asked where his sisters were. When I told him they were playing Wii he started to get down while asking if he could play too. I grabbed him back up and snuggled him, hugged him and he kissed me. I told him I needed a bit more snuggling before he left because one day he would be a big man and wouldn't want to sit on my lap anymore. He replied, "But Mom, then I can hold you." Oh my heart!!!

My little Big John and Isaiah are both still asleep...

John just walked in and asked about the other kids as well. I gave him a hug and told him the same thing. He said, "But Mom, when I'm a man I'm gonna hug you." :)

Call Me Dan

Tonight at dinner Daniel announced that he now wants us to call him Dan!

Daniel: Call me Dan.

Peter: Do you know someone named Dan?

Daniel: Yes!

Peter: Who?

Daniel: I don't know. I want to be called Dan when I am 4! This (holds up hands) many.

Peter: That's five.

Daniel: Ok Daddy, yes, five, call me Dan when I am five.

Peter: Do you want me to practice calling you Dan now?

Daniel: Yea, sure!

Peter: Dan, would you like some more cornbread? Dan, would you like to eat chicken? Dan, how do you like your dinner?

WE ALL LAUGH, including Daniel!

Peter: No, your name's Daniel, not Dan. :)

Daniel: Ok Daddy, I am Daniel.

Bible in a year

As part of our family's "new year resolution" we decided to read through the Bible in a year. We have completed Genesis and Exodus. Just yesterday we began Leviticus. We gather together after breakfast or before bedtime and I read aloud to the children. When Peter is home he facilitates our reading time. It has been enlightening for all involved. This week was the first time we missed a day. The day completely got away from us and I was disappointed that we allowed that to happen. The next day Daniel was walking with me to do a load of laundry. He stopped and said (remember he is only 4 and you need to read this in a 4yo voice), "Mom, we forgot to read the Bible yesterday." I said, "I know, I am disappointed that we missed it." Daniel questioned, "Are we gonna go to Heaven now???" Me: "Yes, Sweet Boy, we are gonna go to Heaven. God wants us to read His Word, but He won't keep us out of Heaven because of missing a day. We have to believe that Jesus came, died for our sins and rose again in order to go to Heaven." Daniel: "Oh, okay Mom. But why did Jesus have to die on the cross for our sins?" "Because He had to reconcile us to the Father and it could only be done through His death on the cross. Now we can go to Heaven." Then, today while reading the sacrifices in Leviticus we were able to discuss that without blood there is no remission for sin. Jesus blood was the final sacrifice; the final blood sacrifice needed to reconcile us to himself. How wonderful to get to discuss these things with my children! God is so cool. He orders our days so perfectly.

Kid Quote

I think it's just the age, but Daniel has come up with some really funny quotes...

Daniel to Daddy: Are you old?

Daddy: Well, I am kind of old.

Daniel: That means you're gonna DIE!

Daddy: Well, I'm not that old. (Daddy and Mommy look at each other and laugh!)

Daniel: Can I have one of my gum ball machines? (Meaning a gum ball from the machine.)

Look what we bought!

We are now the proud owners of a 15 passenger Chevy Express van!


I wish I had photos of all the kids reactions...


This is what Daniel thought of it: