Little Update

I know it has been forever since I have written. Thank you for your prayer over us as we await our baby girl. We are down to 10 days before my due date. Amazing! All has been well in our home. I have been busy getting baby's things organized. We have been so blessed with gifts and hand me down's. I have also been busy with schooling the other children. Usually we take off from Thanksgiving until the New Year and then we jump back in. During that time we do individual study, hitting the library regularly and some fun family activities. This year we have done our regular school routine throughout the holidays so that when baby arrives we can take a break and get into a new routine while everyone adjusts to her and her to them! We are all excited about her arrival. We will be sure to announce when she comes and what her name will be...we still don't know! Oh well, we still have at least 10 days. ;)

Veteran's Day.

Like your freedom?

Freedom to worship as you wish-
Freedom of speech-
Freedom to walk into the grocery store and buy what you need-

Freedom, I like it.

If you do...

Thank a veteran.

You wouldn't have it without them!


As for me, I will be kissing one who has been gone far too many days this month!

Memorial Day...thoughts.

On Friday I watched proudly as my cousin walked the stage at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland to accept his degree in Ocean Engineering and even more impressively, his commission into the United States Navy as a brand new Ensign. It has been 15 years since I watched my husband do the same thing. It was a walk down memory lane and a flood of memories encompassing 15 years worth of marriage, 12 of those years of military duty. I am proud of my cousin. It does not come as surprise to me that he chose this path. In our family, he is one of many. He takes his place in a long line of family members who have answered the call to protect our freedom. This does not make him a number, although he joins the now 76,000 who can call themselves USNA graduates. No, he is not a number, he is an Officer in the United States Navy. He wears his uniform proudly. He is not only an Officer, but a Believer in Jesus Christ and he will wear his duty well. His graduation stands in bright, colorful opposition to the Memorial Day that stands before us. In a video shown at church this morning, we saw a young girl, growing up without her Fallen Hero, her Daddy. The video, which I have now searched for too long, shows her at a young age learning to roller skate, celebrating her 14th birthday, graduating from High School, and getting married, while writing to her Daddy about each event, though he had died. Finally, she visits Arlington with her young daughter and explains the cost of freedom and that some things are worth the cost. I found myself unable to hold back the tears as names of fallen friends raced through my mind. My dear friend lost her husband three weeks before she gave birth to their first and only precious girl. My husband and I have lost many friends through the years and we do not forget them. Tomorrow is Memorial Day and they are forefront in my mind. They fought and died to protect our freedoms. After hearing the Blue Angels fly this past week, our local Librarian mentioned to me that she could not imagine hearing "that" and knowing that bombs were being dropped on her country. Almost all of our wars have been fought in places where we do not hear the pain or terror of bombs, gun fire, and fearful screams. They are fought far away, where you can ignore them. They are fought in places where you can call them not real, or unnecessary. They are fought in places where you can oppose them because the terror is not at your door. You do not have to call jet noise the sound of freedom. You get to call it entertainment. Men and women have died for you, for your freedom, and for your protection. You get to sleep well at night because they have your back. They choose to not let you down. They have died, not letting you down, keeping their promise, and hoping that you will continue to enjoy the freedoms for which their lives were given. On Memorial Day, remember them, thank their families for their sacrifice, and remember to thank a veteran while they are still alive to appreciate your words.

This is a picture of my husband leaving for what was
his final deployment.
I am so grateful to the Lord for His protection over Peter and that He has allowed us to live this life together, raising our kids for His glory,
and enjoying the freedoms which others continue to fight to maintain.

It's a new year...

I have not blogged because there has been too much to blog about! Peter was on call for Christmas so we celebrated early, then he wasn't called in. God is so good to let him be home with us all that time. He was able to join us for both extended family fellowships. After Christmas we rolled right into my cousins wedding, in which Daniel was the ring bearer. We had the rehearsal, dinner and then the wedding followed by Happy New Year! It was such an exciting time. Peter had us stay at a hotel near the wedding so that we would save a couple hours of driving with the kids. It was the perfect opportunity for the children to roll out their new sleeping bags. No one wanted the 2nd bed in the hotel room. I volunteered to stretch out in it but couldn't stand the thought of not feeling Peters feet all night long. Ashley decided she could take the bed. So there she was, our growing 11 year old, stretched out on a double all by herself while Dad and Mom cuddled in the other double. The other four were scattered here and there with no one blocking the way to the bathroom!

So now we are home and the temperature is a mere 25 degrees. We have a fire going, the kids are braving it after a long morning of back-to-school time and I am listening to the sound of laughing children along with pots and pans rolling down the back steps. What could they be up to? Probably wanting to freeze some more water to make ice. Peter has volunteered to take them on an ice run after they have a few blocks to use to slide down their grandparents hill. Though this will not be today as my husband picked up something during our week and has been laid out for 3 days. We are praying protection over the rest of us while we take turns waiting on him. He is up and about more today, but our sweet Daniel over heard that Daddy was going to drink water today and then showed up with one of his hot wheels cups full of water for Daddy. Oh when I see the precious hearts of my children, what joy!

We began last year with a decision to read through straight through the Bible in a year. We have read everyday, but with little ones we didn't quite make it all the way through. We are continuing this year where the 31st left off. We are in Luke. God's timing is good. If you have not read through the Bible we encourage you to do so. He still speaks and His word is right and true. We pray you will have eyes to see and ears to hear what He wants to reveals to you this year.
Blessings to you in this New Year!
We stand amazed at how the Lord has showered His mercy and blessing on us.

Our Merry Christmas!

This guy tried a Shocker candy.
We celebrated early because he is on call for work the next few days.
We had a sweet celebration and are all still in pjs. We are off to watch a movie and eat more candy. There are so many costumes because after Halloween I spend a whopping $20 and load up on dress up clothes for my kids. This year we decided to save it all for Christmas. The kids loved it. Daniel had been asking for a Monkey dress up costume. He loves it so much he told us he wants to take a nap in it. The boys all loved their Pendragon knight costumes and started sword fighting right away. The girls are beautiful in their white lace gloves and medieval dresses. Ashley's big gift was a tea set from Vision Forum. We are so pleased with it. She loves it as it is so delicate and has roses all over it. Abi received Heelys and is starting to get he feet under her. John's big gift was a Ripstik and he loves it. Daniel had been asking for the Vision Forum RC Amphibious car-he was so pleased! Isaiah is our big boy riding a skateboard. I am off to re-join my family.

God sent His richest blessing to you all in His Son Jesus Christ--the true reason for this holy-day season. If you do not know Him, then your Christmas is meaningless. Our prayer is that He will call you to Him, that you will love Him and live your lives for Him! If you don't know what I am talking about, grab a Bible and start reading the book of Luke.
Merry Christmas!

Cookies!

The clan and the candies

I thought about titling this post Half-Baked but then realized that is some kind of reference to drugs, of which I do not take part. So, Cookies it is! I spent several hours getting gingerbread dough made and then cutting out shapes to assemble a house and train. Peter cut out the last thing---a dinosaur of course.

It's done! We have about 30 gingerbread people to go with the house, train and Behemoth.

By the way, the icing writers are fantastic. Just don't let the two year old have full liberty when using them. Somehow Isaiah got a hold of the red writer. The next thing we knew he was covered, hand were red, lips painted to perfection and just enough in and under the nose to resemble a terrific nose bleed! I didn't get a good picture of that, just the smiling, already cleaned up boy:

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We had 18 inches of snow and some huge snow drifts. The kids began working on an igloo last night but didn't accomplish much today as we went to breakfast at Papa and Gramommy's and then they rode around with Peter helping some family and neighbors dig out. Breakfast was fun as Papa and Gramommy made egg in the hole (you may know this as eggs in a basket) using a reindeer for the hole. What a fun Christmasy surprise! We also started our Christmas celebration with Dad and Mom yesterday, opening stockings and sharing a few gifts. Peter is on call on Christmas Day so our snowy celebration was perfect yesterday. We had my sister, her husband and their daughter there. We were missing my brother as he couldn't make it over from downtown. I was just informed that the igloo only needs a little more work before it is inhabitable. Since we spent part of the day helping others, we didn't get to do our own driveway. Dad just walked his super-duper-imported snow blower down the street and took care of it for us. We are now doing a 5 minute pick-up around the house as it has totally fallen apart between yesterday and today. Then it's on to reading and snuggling on the couch. We feel so blessed that our Sabbath was surrounded by God's blessing of beauty and a sweet reminder that when we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful to wash us white as snow.

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!

All I want for Christmas...

I was going through my phone videos and found this one of John. I thought it was a good way to kick off the Christmas countdown. Just for the record I am the "mean Moma" stating that I didn't think he would get that for Christmas! This video is from last year. He had justed turned five...iPod!?!?

Thankful

We were able to spend the morning with Peters side of our family as his parents are in town. Then Peter left for work and I took the children to the Thanksgiving celebration for my side this afternoon. Some of us had turkey at both celebrations, some of us did not. I will not name names.

As I sit here pondering my day, my children are laughing and playing throughout the house. They have run up and down the stairs too many times to count.

I am thankful for many things:

• My husband who is willing to lead this family and works hard for us.
• My children who are healthy, laughing, playing and absorbing God's Word.
• My extended family on both sides...parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins.
• Another birthday.
  

We truly are abundantly blessed. I hope you had a chance to give thanks today and every day for our Lords gracious provision, endless mercy and saving death.

What are you doing for Halloween?

We don't do it. Usually we hide in the basement, lights off out front, gate closed to the porch, eating candy and watching a clean movie! This year we had planned to host a Reformation celebration, talk about Luthers 95 thesis and eat good German food. However, my husband is working. We were invited to a bonfire out in the country where noone but God and those invited know where we are! So, we may do that or we may do the usual. Either way we have a strong conviction that light and darkness have no fellowship together. Before we had children we would pass out candy and tracks. No more. We do not even frequent the stores that are decorated. We have been known to not go into certain stores for the entire month of October. Instead I would drive a little further to pick up whatever we needed.

Our almost 5yo son has a birthday this Thursday. Last year we went shopping for fun plates for his party. Where do you think we went? Yep, to the dreaded, fully decorated, Party City! I wasn't even thinking about the fact that it too would be decorated (I had already driven 10 minutes pass the store we were boycotting due to their decorations). We took a step in the door and a human sized half zombie-half man yard ornament "spoke" to my then 3 yo son. I covered my sons face, turned around and hurried from the store. My son has talked about it for an entire year!

We need to be aware of to what we are exposing our children. For us, it is not enough to "play down" Halloween. We just have to call it what it is and do something else. I understand the shying away from the "what are you going to be" or "do you want to hear my best witch laugh?" UGH. Umm, no thank you and Jesus loves you!

Happy Valentines Day!

It is February 14th and my husband is on the road. He had such kind things to say to me this evening when we finally were able to speak. He did not say them because it's Valentines Day. That is just one more thing that I love about him. He said them because He Loves Me! He chooses to love me. He works hard for us, leads us, nurtures our relationship, fosters spiritual growth in our children, is not afraid to speak the truth and I am blessed to call him Mine.

With him gone I am reminded of another Valentines Day only a couple years ago. He was new to the job and we were new to our house. Work needed him and I was perfectly capable of taking care of things at home, but was sad that he was leaving. He left while the power was out and ice covered everything and anything possible. It took him extra time to make the drive to work. It took me extra time to bring in wet wood, dry it out and keep the house warm. I moved all the cold food to a huge bin and dragged it outside so that it would keep. I put the ice in the top of the water machine to melt and provide us with water to get through the next few days. We are on a well and septic, so power going out doesn't work well (no running water and no ability to flush toilets). My parents, who live down the street from us, cooked a frozen lasagna on their grill and trucked up the hill to our house to share a candlelit dinner with the children and I. Mom brought her tiny china cups which she had purchase on a missions trip to the Chinese orphanages years ago. We sipped tea, ate lasagna, they gave the children gifts of love and we all enjoyed a very unique Valentines experience. I will never forget the lasagna on the grill. Thanks Dad. Thanks Mom. I will also never forget the sound of water running; the beautiful sound that our pipes had not frozen and power had returned to our home. The children and I had slept on the couches by the fire. I can't remember if I moved everyone when the power came on in the middle of the night. Isn't it funny how something can be so clear and yet not clear at the same time?

Happy Valentines Day! If your loved one is with you, let them know how much they mean to you, not just today, but everyday. Speak loving words about their character and the things you appreciate about them. Tell them you are glad they are yours and how blessed you are to have them!

The wagon we fell off... Peter Quote

This morning during family devotions, directly after breakfast, while gathered around the dining room table.

Peter: "Daniel, get off your bike, come over here, sit down and eat your candy."


It has been almost a year since I posted about this.
Since Summer The Holy Days we have been gorging on nibbling bits of treats. It's a good thing we got Wii Fit for Christmas. Now we can shock ourselves carefully weigh in every day to ensure we are making better choices. Now, no more sugar...at least until the 3 birthdays coming up in February!

We are sick.

We are sick. Remember this time last year? We were completely down and out with everyone having to go on a Z-pack and totally missing the extended family Holy-Day celebrations! It isn't that bad this time and we are not spending the time on the couch watching Little House on the Prairie. Okay, we did do that yesterday. But really, we are playing Wii and will spend a little time today watching Planet Earth by BBC. Have you seen it? It's fantastic. Peter and I just talk out loud to the screen when we don't agree with something, ie "5 billion years ago..." Have I mentioned that the only reason we have a television is for playing Wii and watching videos (which we are pretty strict about)? We do not have cable. I recently saw a t-shirt that I would really like to purchase and wear any time I am out and about. It said, "I love my sheltered children!" Sheltering is an excellent thing.

Not sure where to give this year?

There are so many opportunities to give during the Holidays (Holy Days) and throughout the year. Where, who or what are you planning to give to this year? Leave a comment and let me know.

If you are looking for a place to help support our troops, visit:
THIS and Help A Hero!