Mom spilled water and it splashed on Lydia and she said, "Mom, you wetted me!" Which is just a good excuse for her to change her clothes!
Mom had to take 4 slivers out of Lydia's feet, that was no fun.
So Ben says, "It hurts to get slivers out!"
Mom: "Yeah, but it hurts to leave them in and they can get infected."
Ben: "Well then I guess we have a problem!"
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Matthew's Birthday
Here's a couple of pix from Mattthew's birthday on May 23rd - Matthew turned 10! He was quite excited to enter the 'double digits'. :) He picked lemon bars for his birthday dessert.
Just being goofy =P
It took us awhile to get Matthew's photoshoot done. Since we don't do 'school pictures', Mom tries to take each child's picture on their birthday. During May and June, I (Megan) was really busy, so Matthew's photoshoot ended up being put off for awhile! But we finally took an evening to go out and take some pictures. :)
you.....little stinker
I (Emily) was helping Lydia with her shower. Then Lydia said "Div me some water, you......little stinker."
I just finished putting the 9,628 photos off our computer and on to walmart.com. Yes. 9,628!!
I just finished putting the 9,628 photos off our computer and on to walmart.com. Yes. 9,628!!
We have been having lots of water fights and also we will put a tarp under our slide, then put the hose so the water goes down the slide, then down we go!! Pretty fun, but once you do that for a long time, your tailbone hurts.
This is the line up:
Matthew
The neighbor kid
Joseph
Benjamin
Lydia
Lydia would dodge out the water, so she doesn't get too wet...pretty smart!
We went to a wind symphony tonight, that was awesome, Ben got alot of amusement out of the tuba players, and the director!!!
Here is one of my favorite photos:
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our Lord stands forever.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Ben's Birthday
Hey y'all, this is Megan, playing major catch-up on the blogs here. ;)
Ben turned 6 on April 11th. :D Here are some pictures from his birthday, and from the photoshoot we did.
Ben turned 6 on April 11th. :D Here are some pictures from his birthday, and from the photoshoot we did.
Ben and Lydia are practically inseperable, and she wanted to help him open his gifts. =)
We have a tradition that we sing twice for birthday cake - the second time, we sing LOUDER!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Home School
Mom just had part of this article published and they even paid her! Now we can repost it, even though we're still working on a bit of school on rainy days! ;-)
4/17/09
We are done with school! This has been a great year, no throwing up while pregnant, no new fussy baby, so we've gone full throttle and now can reap the benefits of hard work and enjoy this beautiful spring weather! This season is especially sweet because we have our first graduate! When we started Megan in Kindergarten we never imagined we would make it to this point, there were so many peaks and valleys, so it's very exciting! How did we begin homeschooling? It's a long story:
When Megan was ready to start Kindergarten I had a wretched feeling in my gut. I couldn't believe that at the age of 5 I had to surrender my parenting to someone else. Who came up with 5? Why not 9? I didn't like it at all, but being one of the sheep the Bible talks about I followed. I shoved all those horrible, God given emotions under the blanket of 'everyone else does it' and 'I'm not the first mother to feel this way', 'I'll get over it' and took the wide path. I was pregnant (with Daniel) at the time and Robbie just turned 3 so I still had quite a bit to keep me occupied.
She went to a small Christian school about 45 minutes away and had a fabulous teacher. I would have hand picked her out of a huge lineup! Newly married, fresh out of school, and loved children. Megan, along with 10 other students in her class, went all day on Mon., Wed., and Fri. and it was a huge chore to get lunch and a nap for Robbie, or anything else, in before we had to pick her up again. I had Daniel in October of that year so it became increasingly difficult with a newborn with all the travel time.
We noticed right away that her friends at school were quickly having a pull and influence on her. "Cassie" wanted her to kiss a boy, "Cassie" this, "Cassie" that. So we spent Tues., Thurs., and Saturday's trying to reverse what "Cassie" was teaching her on school days. But that's what everyone else was doing, so our stories and complaints were nothing new to anyone.
Then Cutco needed Jeff in Wisconsin, and because of our financial situation, we needed to go. So February, of that school year we picked up and moved. Jeff suggested it, and I can still remember his plea ringing in my ears, "We'll just try it! If it doesn't work she'll still be ready to go into first grade and we'll know more about the right area and right school to put her in once we're there for a while!"
Me, "But Honnney! I can't even keep up with the laundry as it is! Daniel is a new baby, we have this huge move, and you want me to ADD HOMESCHOOLING to my list!"
We loved it! We absolutely, whole heartily, completely, truly, loved it!
1.) The schedule. It's our schedule! Nobody elses. No one demands when or what days we start school, finish school, or skip school. This was perfect with Jeff's work schedule. He's never had set hours, but we could do school whenever so it didn't matter. We could take days off when he had off and be together as a family. We could schedule field trips, and special events when he could come with us.
Time is our most valuable commodity, and homeschooling has allowed us time. We can get school done in the amount of time it takes to get ready, pack a lunch and travel back and forth. We have school 4 days a week, and it usually takes about 1 hour for the younger ones and 3-4 hours for my highschoolers. That's it! There's no crowd control, well, I take that back, there is here!
2.) The curriculum. We were already determined to provide a Christian education, but now with homeschooling, we can go so much deeper! There have been years where we have seen some heart issues that have needed addressing, so we have implemented the solutions in school. Instead of writing out mundane sentences such as "Jack walked the dog around the block." we would have our children write scripture, "A soft answer turns away wrath." If there is an interest in piano, we can look through history about it. When was it invented, what was going on in the world at that time, etc. We get to be the ones to choose and approve what books are and will be best for our children. We get to add books when there is a need to supplement. We get to skip redundant, repeated, rerun, reshowing, recapitulation, reiteration, replayed work sheets that so many kids have to do over and over until the slowest kids in the class gets it. And if our kid happens to be the slowest one to get it, there is nobody around to pick at, make fun of, or muse at his/hers speed. So it's fitting for each child and is never boring.
3.) The child. Megan loved it right away. Not having to get up so early, have such a long drive, and to have to spend so much time waiting for the other kids to listen, line up, was very desirable. We noticed a complete shift in her desire to please us, her parents, instead of "Cassie" her friend. There has been little to no peer pressure to conform to the world, so when those delicate roots are forming in the foundation of a child, there are no harsh elements to destroy them. And when those precious plants are growing tall and sturdy, there are no storms to tear them down. She loved the independence of following her interests. "Mom, what's a star made of?" meant that the next several days were spent on studying the galaxy. "Dad, how does a plane fly?" meant that the next trip to the library involved books on planes. It encouraged them and even rewarded them to learn, which fed a desire to learn more, and the cycle becomes a way of life, not just something to do during 'school' hours. Learning is never shut off! We can discover our child's talents and interests and how to utilize them most efficiently in the learning process.
4.) The education. Impeccable! I know that there are homeschoolers out there that are slack, and may actually keep their kids in the basement under lock and key, throwing them the crusts of bread, but I also know that there are a LOT of kids that fall through the cracks from other schools as well. For the most part homeschoolers are self motivating, they don't think twice about trying to figure something out, or wait around for someone to tell them what to think. They really get excited about learning! This independent desire to learn is a way of life. We haven't done a lot of testing, but what we have done, we've been very pleased with. It simply works. Now colleges have caught that message as well and are seeking homeschoolers with a vim.
5.) The family. Homeschooling is definitely pro-family! The bonds that grow and strengthens just from the sheer time spent together alone is amazing! We learn as a family, we study as a family, we share what we've gleaned with the family. Siblings become best friends. Jeff has played a vital role, especially with the older kids, because I am not smarter than a 5Th grader! He has taught not only the basics, but the necessities! Honesty, respect, obedience, serving, edification, things that our children can and will use their entire life. The family unit forms a solid foundation that can withstand the fiercest storms.
6.) The mom. I think this is the heart of the issue, and one of the most common responses I hear is, "I could NEVER do that!" or "My kids would drive me nuts, I'd kill them and eat them for breakfast!". To be called to this position is a call to selflessness and servitude. Have I arrived? No way! Have I grown and learned along the way? By leaps and bounds! I had to learn to walk my talk. The Bible says let your yes be yes, and your no be no. My children are watching me all the time. If I want them to talk kindly to each other, I needed to talk kindly to them. If I want them to have joy in serving, I needed to exemplify joy in serving. If I wanted them to submit to their authority, which was me for a large part of the time, I needed to show submission to my authority - Christ. Cheerful attitude, patience, a willingness to go the extra mile, deny selfish desires? Yes. Yup. You betcha! I had to learn them, and still have so much to learn! I had to train myself to not see the moment, but look for the character, the life of a child, the eternal value. I would be embarrassed for anyone to have a glimpse of how I have struggled with these things. But God has done an amazing thing! He has taken my small intent, and covered it with grace, and blessed abundantly! In fact that is the main source of fuel to keep me going with the younger ones, to see the fruit in our older children. He not only blesses obedience, He blessed the desire, the heart to serve and deny self and press on. You can look all over creation and see evidence of God! But if you look in my life and see that He alone has given me the ability to serve and teach, 8 amazing children, of all different grades and levels, you would see evidence of Christ! And the fact that He has given me such an abundance to overflowing love and joy to be by their side 24/7 (literally!) is evidence of Him, His power and His grace. Because I'm a wretched, selfish, coveting sinner, and like Paul, I feel I can say to this I am chief! I have wept, and sobbed, and cried as well as rejoiced, clapped and cheered over every one of my students! In the end, to God be the glory! It's hard for sure, but the rewards are greater than I ever imagined!
7.) The church has even benefited because we have time to do things that have eternal value. We have time to make a meal when there's a need, well, most of the time. We have time to serve and do special projects. As a family we have served meals to seniors, sang at nursing homes, cleaned and made meals for new mothers, raked, mowed and shoveled. And while I certainly don't say this to boast, we are ever so thankful for that extra time that homeschooling allows.
8.) The cost. While it is certainly cheaper than a private school, we spend $800-$1,500 a year on books. This would include buying a full curriculum for each child's grade, and any added materials/books that we see fit to add throughout the year. Every so often a book or project comes along and it's just too interesting to pass up! Now we are at the point where we can reuse books from older kids. They would still need the workbooks, but the correction books and teacher manuals are on hand. We have 10 book shelves throughout our home, and 2 file cabinets, since we all love to read we have a lot of books.
9.) The dress code. Pajamas. A pretty dress. Football jersey. Muddy boots. As big a variety as you can imagine since the school of learning is in session all the time.
10.) The desk. It is usually the dinning room table, but it can also include a comfy chair, the couch, a desk, a bed, or the floor. Sometimes it's the van, the swing set, a lawn chair, picnic table, or a tree. Yes, they have even done school in a tree!
Lev 10:11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.
Deu 4:10 [Specially] the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and [that] they may teach their children.
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deu 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deu 31:19 Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
Jdg 3:2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
2Sa 1:18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah [the use of] the bow: behold, [it is] written in the book of Jasher.)
Psa 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psa 132:12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
Dan 1:4 Children in whom [was] no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Tts 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
4/17/09
We are done with school! This has been a great year, no throwing up while pregnant, no new fussy baby, so we've gone full throttle and now can reap the benefits of hard work and enjoy this beautiful spring weather! This season is especially sweet because we have our first graduate! When we started Megan in Kindergarten we never imagined we would make it to this point, there were so many peaks and valleys, so it's very exciting! How did we begin homeschooling? It's a long story:
When Megan was ready to start Kindergarten I had a wretched feeling in my gut. I couldn't believe that at the age of 5 I had to surrender my parenting to someone else. Who came up with 5? Why not 9? I didn't like it at all, but being one of the sheep the Bible talks about I followed. I shoved all those horrible, God given emotions under the blanket of 'everyone else does it' and 'I'm not the first mother to feel this way', 'I'll get over it' and took the wide path. I was pregnant (with Daniel) at the time and Robbie just turned 3 so I still had quite a bit to keep me occupied.
She went to a small Christian school about 45 minutes away and had a fabulous teacher. I would have hand picked her out of a huge lineup! Newly married, fresh out of school, and loved children. Megan, along with 10 other students in her class, went all day on Mon., Wed., and Fri. and it was a huge chore to get lunch and a nap for Robbie, or anything else, in before we had to pick her up again. I had Daniel in October of that year so it became increasingly difficult with a newborn with all the travel time.
We noticed right away that her friends at school were quickly having a pull and influence on her. "Cassie" wanted her to kiss a boy, "Cassie" this, "Cassie" that. So we spent Tues., Thurs., and Saturday's trying to reverse what "Cassie" was teaching her on school days. But that's what everyone else was doing, so our stories and complaints were nothing new to anyone.
Then Cutco needed Jeff in Wisconsin, and because of our financial situation, we needed to go. So February, of that school year we picked up and moved. Jeff suggested it, and I can still remember his plea ringing in my ears, "We'll just try it! If it doesn't work she'll still be ready to go into first grade and we'll know more about the right area and right school to put her in once we're there for a while!"
Me, "But Honnney! I can't even keep up with the laundry as it is! Daniel is a new baby, we have this huge move, and you want me to ADD HOMESCHOOLING to my list!"
We loved it! We absolutely, whole heartily, completely, truly, loved it!
1.) The schedule. It's our schedule! Nobody elses. No one demands when or what days we start school, finish school, or skip school. This was perfect with Jeff's work schedule. He's never had set hours, but we could do school whenever so it didn't matter. We could take days off when he had off and be together as a family. We could schedule field trips, and special events when he could come with us.
Time is our most valuable commodity, and homeschooling has allowed us time. We can get school done in the amount of time it takes to get ready, pack a lunch and travel back and forth. We have school 4 days a week, and it usually takes about 1 hour for the younger ones and 3-4 hours for my highschoolers. That's it! There's no crowd control, well, I take that back, there is here!
2.) The curriculum. We were already determined to provide a Christian education, but now with homeschooling, we can go so much deeper! There have been years where we have seen some heart issues that have needed addressing, so we have implemented the solutions in school. Instead of writing out mundane sentences such as "Jack walked the dog around the block." we would have our children write scripture, "A soft answer turns away wrath." If there is an interest in piano, we can look through history about it. When was it invented, what was going on in the world at that time, etc. We get to be the ones to choose and approve what books are and will be best for our children. We get to add books when there is a need to supplement. We get to skip redundant, repeated, rerun, reshowing, recapitulation, reiteration, replayed work sheets that so many kids have to do over and over until the slowest kids in the class gets it. And if our kid happens to be the slowest one to get it, there is nobody around to pick at, make fun of, or muse at his/hers speed. So it's fitting for each child and is never boring.
3.) The child. Megan loved it right away. Not having to get up so early, have such a long drive, and to have to spend so much time waiting for the other kids to listen, line up, was very desirable. We noticed a complete shift in her desire to please us, her parents, instead of "Cassie" her friend. There has been little to no peer pressure to conform to the world, so when those delicate roots are forming in the foundation of a child, there are no harsh elements to destroy them. And when those precious plants are growing tall and sturdy, there are no storms to tear them down. She loved the independence of following her interests. "Mom, what's a star made of?" meant that the next several days were spent on studying the galaxy. "Dad, how does a plane fly?" meant that the next trip to the library involved books on planes. It encouraged them and even rewarded them to learn, which fed a desire to learn more, and the cycle becomes a way of life, not just something to do during 'school' hours. Learning is never shut off! We can discover our child's talents and interests and how to utilize them most efficiently in the learning process.
4.) The education. Impeccable! I know that there are homeschoolers out there that are slack, and may actually keep their kids in the basement under lock and key, throwing them the crusts of bread, but I also know that there are a LOT of kids that fall through the cracks from other schools as well. For the most part homeschoolers are self motivating, they don't think twice about trying to figure something out, or wait around for someone to tell them what to think. They really get excited about learning! This independent desire to learn is a way of life. We haven't done a lot of testing, but what we have done, we've been very pleased with. It simply works. Now colleges have caught that message as well and are seeking homeschoolers with a vim.
5.) The family. Homeschooling is definitely pro-family! The bonds that grow and strengthens just from the sheer time spent together alone is amazing! We learn as a family, we study as a family, we share what we've gleaned with the family. Siblings become best friends. Jeff has played a vital role, especially with the older kids, because I am not smarter than a 5Th grader! He has taught not only the basics, but the necessities! Honesty, respect, obedience, serving, edification, things that our children can and will use their entire life. The family unit forms a solid foundation that can withstand the fiercest storms.
6.) The mom. I think this is the heart of the issue, and one of the most common responses I hear is, "I could NEVER do that!" or "My kids would drive me nuts, I'd kill them and eat them for breakfast!". To be called to this position is a call to selflessness and servitude. Have I arrived? No way! Have I grown and learned along the way? By leaps and bounds! I had to learn to walk my talk. The Bible says let your yes be yes, and your no be no. My children are watching me all the time. If I want them to talk kindly to each other, I needed to talk kindly to them. If I want them to have joy in serving, I needed to exemplify joy in serving. If I wanted them to submit to their authority, which was me for a large part of the time, I needed to show submission to my authority - Christ. Cheerful attitude, patience, a willingness to go the extra mile, deny selfish desires? Yes. Yup. You betcha! I had to learn them, and still have so much to learn! I had to train myself to not see the moment, but look for the character, the life of a child, the eternal value. I would be embarrassed for anyone to have a glimpse of how I have struggled with these things. But God has done an amazing thing! He has taken my small intent, and covered it with grace, and blessed abundantly! In fact that is the main source of fuel to keep me going with the younger ones, to see the fruit in our older children. He not only blesses obedience, He blessed the desire, the heart to serve and deny self and press on. You can look all over creation and see evidence of God! But if you look in my life and see that He alone has given me the ability to serve and teach, 8 amazing children, of all different grades and levels, you would see evidence of Christ! And the fact that He has given me such an abundance to overflowing love and joy to be by their side 24/7 (literally!) is evidence of Him, His power and His grace. Because I'm a wretched, selfish, coveting sinner, and like Paul, I feel I can say to this I am chief! I have wept, and sobbed, and cried as well as rejoiced, clapped and cheered over every one of my students! In the end, to God be the glory! It's hard for sure, but the rewards are greater than I ever imagined!
7.) The church has even benefited because we have time to do things that have eternal value. We have time to make a meal when there's a need, well, most of the time. We have time to serve and do special projects. As a family we have served meals to seniors, sang at nursing homes, cleaned and made meals for new mothers, raked, mowed and shoveled. And while I certainly don't say this to boast, we are ever so thankful for that extra time that homeschooling allows.
8.) The cost. While it is certainly cheaper than a private school, we spend $800-$1,500 a year on books. This would include buying a full curriculum for each child's grade, and any added materials/books that we see fit to add throughout the year. Every so often a book or project comes along and it's just too interesting to pass up! Now we are at the point where we can reuse books from older kids. They would still need the workbooks, but the correction books and teacher manuals are on hand. We have 10 book shelves throughout our home, and 2 file cabinets, since we all love to read we have a lot of books.
9.) The dress code. Pajamas. A pretty dress. Football jersey. Muddy boots. As big a variety as you can imagine since the school of learning is in session all the time.
10.) The desk. It is usually the dinning room table, but it can also include a comfy chair, the couch, a desk, a bed, or the floor. Sometimes it's the van, the swing set, a lawn chair, picnic table, or a tree. Yes, they have even done school in a tree!
Lev 10:11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.
Deu 4:10 [Specially] the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and [that] they may teach their children.
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deu 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deu 31:19 Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
Jdg 3:2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
2Sa 1:18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah [the use of] the bow: behold, [it is] written in the book of Jasher.)
Psa 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psa 132:12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
Dan 1:4 Children in whom [was] no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Tts 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Does anyone read this blog anymore or have you given up hope? Well, hopefully there is some hope. that sounds funny, but anyway. We have been really really busy!!! But a fun type of busy! WOW!! I just looked and our last post was written in February. Since then, Joey, Ben, Matthew and Megan all had birthdays. Joey is 8. Ben is 6. Matthew is 10. Megan is 20. (I'll just list the big facts! You don't want to be here all day.) Megan and Robbie went to Pennsylvania for a College Plus gathering. They had alot of fun there. Then over the course of a couple weeks we, or i should say mostly Megan, made 400 individual apple pies in muffin pans for Robbie's graduation open house. Then Joey had his tonsils and adenoids taken out so he was on the couch for a week! But he is fine now! Then of course comes the bad side of open houses. CLEANING. Friday night, the 24rd some of Robbie's CP friends came out for the graduation! It was sooo much fun!!! Everybody left Sunday. :-( Megan and her friend Anna drove to south Carolina for the Homeschool Alumni Reunion. They will get back Sunday. Dad went to some meetings for Cutco and he gets back today!!! After that things should calm down to something called "normal" !!! Moms birthday is the 5th of July! She is the best (as Lydia says it) "in da woooorrrld"
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Bernie the Button Buck And Random
Please meet Bernie the Button Buck.
He is pleased to meet you.
This is how Bernie came to us. We were eating lunch and Joey says "Hey guys come here there is a deer right next to the window." Of course we all come running and the majority saying "shhhh, be quiet. Don't make sudden movements" etc. well, He saw us and.... started coming closer! We tried to feed it some apple and orange but it didn't take it. Soooo, next day, were outside with some friends and who should come up but Bernie, (Dad named him). So were all playing with him and he acting more like a dog than a deer. Just like a dog he jumps up on Ben. Not mean, But to a 5 year old??? Well he and Lydia said they were NEVER going outside again! We think someone must have raised him from a fawn and then let him go.
It was highly entertaining to watch him go up to some golfers! We all laughed hysterically when we saw them race to the clubhouse in fear of our friend!
Now, if you want more pictures that I (Emily) took, Keep going!
This rose is one of the roses Dad got Mom for Valentines Day!
(written February 2011)
He is pleased to meet you.
This is how Bernie came to us. We were eating lunch and Joey says "Hey guys come here there is a deer right next to the window." Of course we all come running and the majority saying "shhhh, be quiet. Don't make sudden movements" etc. well, He saw us and.... started coming closer! We tried to feed it some apple and orange but it didn't take it. Soooo, next day, were outside with some friends and who should come up but Bernie, (Dad named him). So were all playing with him and he acting more like a dog than a deer. Just like a dog he jumps up on Ben. Not mean, But to a 5 year old??? Well he and Lydia said they were NEVER going outside again! We think someone must have raised him from a fawn and then let him go.
It was highly entertaining to watch him go up to some golfers! We all laughed hysterically when we saw them race to the clubhouse in fear of our friend!
Now, if you want more pictures that I (Emily) took, Keep going!
This rose is one of the roses Dad got Mom for Valentines Day!
(written February 2011)
Friday, June 10, 2011
There comes a time...
I knew it was inevitable, and I knew it would be soon, well, here's the story:
Megan and Robbie had a chance to go to PA for a gathering of their friends. I really didn't think they would call nor did I expect them to, because it was going to be so much fun for them. I didn't think much about it, because we were going to have lots of fun here too! But Friday night Megan called and we talked for a bit, then we got disconnected. And then it hit me. We didn't get a chance to say "I love you!". We always say I love you when we hang up, leave to go somewhere, go to bed, etc. every day...but there was no success in trying to reconnect. I went to tell Jeff and by the time I finished my sentence I had tears in my eyes. This was the first day of Megan's life that I didn't tell her I loved her.
She will turn 20 in two more days. I thank God that I have had that much time to tell her every day that I love her!
Megan and Robbie had a chance to go to PA for a gathering of their friends. I really didn't think they would call nor did I expect them to, because it was going to be so much fun for them. I didn't think much about it, because we were going to have lots of fun here too! But Friday night Megan called and we talked for a bit, then we got disconnected. And then it hit me. We didn't get a chance to say "I love you!". We always say I love you when we hang up, leave to go somewhere, go to bed, etc. every day...but there was no success in trying to reconnect. I went to tell Jeff and by the time I finished my sentence I had tears in my eyes. This was the first day of Megan's life that I didn't tell her I loved her.
She will turn 20 in two more days. I thank God that I have had that much time to tell her every day that I love her!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Church
It was one year ago today (May 16th) that Jeff started our church! It has been the most thrilling learning curve of our life! We have such a wonderful, diverse, most loving church family! They have been so kind, generous, and have poured an abundance of love on all of us! We are so thankful that God has allowed each of them to be a part of our lives!
We just finished our first mission of sending a Bible, with the gospel message, in the mail to every single home and household in our zip code! 5,082 of them! The kids laughed when ours came addressed to 'Jeff Kunkel' from 'Jeff Kunkel', but we've already been able to give it to someone else. It's exciting to share God's truth with people, it's given me a new appreciation, and perspective on those who have shared God's truth with us. It's exciting to see that God's Word can change and grow others, but most thrilling to see God change and grow us!
Sundays are a favorite day for all of us! Monday through Thursday the little ones will ask how many more days till Sunday again?
I'm so thankful to see God's Word so alive and penetrating our lives! 3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
We just finished our first mission of sending a Bible, with the gospel message, in the mail to every single home and household in our zip code! 5,082 of them! The kids laughed when ours came addressed to 'Jeff Kunkel' from 'Jeff Kunkel', but we've already been able to give it to someone else. It's exciting to share God's truth with people, it's given me a new appreciation, and perspective on those who have shared God's truth with us. It's exciting to see that God's Word can change and grow others, but most thrilling to see God change and grow us!
Sundays are a favorite day for all of us! Monday through Thursday the little ones will ask how many more days till Sunday again?
I'm so thankful to see God's Word so alive and penetrating our lives! 3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Friday, May 6, 2011
Lydia Faith
Lydia has been so funny lately!
She sneezed and said, "I just had a God bless you!"
"I love you to the moon and back and to the back and moon!"
"I just have God's blessings every day!"
There was a thunder storm and she woke up and so we both sat up and watched it out the window and talked about how big and powerful God is. The next morning she's boasting to the other kids, "I don't cry about nothin', don't cry about tunder torms, nothin'." Then a couple nights later there was another big storm, after a big crack thundered, she ran to our bed just shaking and as soon as I got my arms around her she was fine and immediately fell back asleep. Ah, the joys of being a mom!
Robbie taught her how to play 'Simon Says'. She caught on right away and did a great job. It was so fun to watch her think it through, start to do something and then choose not to because Simon didn't say. Hilarious! Then she quickly got the idea that she should be Simon and had Robbie doing all sorts of entertaining moves! Even more funny!
Tonight she was helping me rinse dishes and says, "Mommy...You are special!" Aww! What joy children bring!
Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 92:4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
She sneezed and said, "I just had a God bless you!"
"I love you to the moon and back and to the back and moon!"
"I just have God's blessings every day!"
There was a thunder storm and she woke up and so we both sat up and watched it out the window and talked about how big and powerful God is. The next morning she's boasting to the other kids, "I don't cry about nothin', don't cry about tunder torms, nothin'." Then a couple nights later there was another big storm, after a big crack thundered, she ran to our bed just shaking and as soon as I got my arms around her she was fine and immediately fell back asleep. Ah, the joys of being a mom!
Robbie taught her how to play 'Simon Says'. She caught on right away and did a great job. It was so fun to watch her think it through, start to do something and then choose not to because Simon didn't say. Hilarious! Then she quickly got the idea that she should be Simon and had Robbie doing all sorts of entertaining moves! Even more funny!
Tonight she was helping me rinse dishes and says, "Mommy...You are special!" Aww! What joy children bring!
Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 92:4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Basketball
Robbie and Daniel had the opportunity to be an a basketball team for about 6 weeks, with a Christian school nearby. They had a blast playing, and I had a blast taking pictures of them. :)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Longest Winter
I know it's a title of a book already published, but I'm certain I could rewrite it! We have had the worst winter of illness we can ever remember. It started right after Christmas with a flu bug, then sinus infections, a flu bug, ear infections, and then the 4 younger kids all had pneumonia. And we wrapped it up with another flu bug! That's right, no kidding, three times a flu bug has visited! A quick review of Vomit 101 and everyone was hitting the bucket! At least when the bucket was in range! ;-)
Matthew coughed so bad one night for over 2 hours with every single breath. It was horrible. I tried every remedy imaginable and went to get him dressed to take him to the ER and came back and he had fallen asleep. When I took him to the Dr's the next day they had all sorts of people comment on what an impressive cough he had. I never felt so close to the reality of loosing a child as that night.
At least until the night Daniel had a seizure! Jeff and Robbie were gone, and Megan was having a slumber party with some girlfriends. So I had Daniel, Matthew, Joey, Ben, and Lydia in our room having our own slumber party. Daniel woke up and I reminded him not to squash his siblings. He went to my desk chair and started rocking which makes an annoying squeeking noise. I asked what he was doing and he said he was sleeping so I suggested he come back to bed.
He took a couple of steps and his legs just turned to noodles and he colapsed. On his way down he fell over a 5 gallon bucket that was full of water that we were warming up to clean the frog tank in the morning. I ran to him and was surprised that the water didn't wake him up as I thought he was sleep walking or something. Trying to figure out if he was okay I got him to sit up in a chair and then he started seizing. Shaking, eyes rolling to the back of his head. It's a horrible thing to watch your child do, but God has allowed me to have 4 of my children have them so here we go.
I was crying and yelling "Daniel!" trying to get him to snap out of it. I couldn't grab the phone to call 911 because I had to hold him up in the chair. I yelled for Megan to help, but just having gone to bed a couple of hours prior she was out. Later Matthew said he heard me but was too afraid to come out because he knew Daniel must have been in some serious trouble because I was yelling. I took that as a compliment. ;-)
I laid him down and called 911 (another long story!) and by the time they arrived Daniel seemed fine and wondering why the concern and why he's all wet. They were training a new guy and told him to come look. Daniel's eyes were completely dialated with all the lights on and they said that was a sure sign that someone has had a seizure.
The ambulance had instructions to follow me in or drive us since there may be a high chance he would seize again, so I opted for the ambulance ride to the hospital. Everything checked out fine and we were sent home in a few hours.
Then Jeff had kidney stone surgery on his right side February 1st and then the left side was today. That was a miserable experience the first time, so he wasn't looking forward to it today. Plus he wasn't in pain going into it, but it was an 8mm stone so it needed to be broken up. He did fantastic and had little to no pain other than a headache that night.
We thought Joey's appendix was about to burst as he spent a day doubled over in pain, but that just showed swollen lymph glands as causing the trouble. He also had another sleep test for his apne. His last one was when he was 1 year old, so we are patiently awaiting results from that, because the Lord says be anxious for nothing! ;-)
I think there was one point where we went to the doctors 12 of 14 days. Our wonderful doctors even refused to take our co-pay for a time period which was extremely generous and thoughtful. I keep wanting to make them something in appreciation, but we keep getting sick.
A couple of weeks ago Emily had a rash and we discovered it was strep throat. The doctor said, "You understand this is highly contagious!" Ofcourse it is! We're a family of 10! Sure enough 5 more came down with it and were all put on antibiotics. It's a part time job dosing 5 antibiotics and washing those dosers! But a job I am ever so grateful for and thank God for every day! Only God could bring such joy, such laughter, wonderful, lengthly snuggling, and a peace that passes all understanding through such trials!
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 68:35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel--he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Psalm 105:4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Matthew coughed so bad one night for over 2 hours with every single breath. It was horrible. I tried every remedy imaginable and went to get him dressed to take him to the ER and came back and he had fallen asleep. When I took him to the Dr's the next day they had all sorts of people comment on what an impressive cough he had. I never felt so close to the reality of loosing a child as that night.
At least until the night Daniel had a seizure! Jeff and Robbie were gone, and Megan was having a slumber party with some girlfriends. So I had Daniel, Matthew, Joey, Ben, and Lydia in our room having our own slumber party. Daniel woke up and I reminded him not to squash his siblings. He went to my desk chair and started rocking which makes an annoying squeeking noise. I asked what he was doing and he said he was sleeping so I suggested he come back to bed.
He took a couple of steps and his legs just turned to noodles and he colapsed. On his way down he fell over a 5 gallon bucket that was full of water that we were warming up to clean the frog tank in the morning. I ran to him and was surprised that the water didn't wake him up as I thought he was sleep walking or something. Trying to figure out if he was okay I got him to sit up in a chair and then he started seizing. Shaking, eyes rolling to the back of his head. It's a horrible thing to watch your child do, but God has allowed me to have 4 of my children have them so here we go.
I was crying and yelling "Daniel!" trying to get him to snap out of it. I couldn't grab the phone to call 911 because I had to hold him up in the chair. I yelled for Megan to help, but just having gone to bed a couple of hours prior she was out. Later Matthew said he heard me but was too afraid to come out because he knew Daniel must have been in some serious trouble because I was yelling. I took that as a compliment. ;-)
I laid him down and called 911 (another long story!) and by the time they arrived Daniel seemed fine and wondering why the concern and why he's all wet. They were training a new guy and told him to come look. Daniel's eyes were completely dialated with all the lights on and they said that was a sure sign that someone has had a seizure.
The ambulance had instructions to follow me in or drive us since there may be a high chance he would seize again, so I opted for the ambulance ride to the hospital. Everything checked out fine and we were sent home in a few hours.
Then Jeff had kidney stone surgery on his right side February 1st and then the left side was today. That was a miserable experience the first time, so he wasn't looking forward to it today. Plus he wasn't in pain going into it, but it was an 8mm stone so it needed to be broken up. He did fantastic and had little to no pain other than a headache that night.
We thought Joey's appendix was about to burst as he spent a day doubled over in pain, but that just showed swollen lymph glands as causing the trouble. He also had another sleep test for his apne. His last one was when he was 1 year old, so we are patiently awaiting results from that, because the Lord says be anxious for nothing! ;-)
I think there was one point where we went to the doctors 12 of 14 days. Our wonderful doctors even refused to take our co-pay for a time period which was extremely generous and thoughtful. I keep wanting to make them something in appreciation, but we keep getting sick.
A couple of weeks ago Emily had a rash and we discovered it was strep throat. The doctor said, "You understand this is highly contagious!" Ofcourse it is! We're a family of 10! Sure enough 5 more came down with it and were all put on antibiotics. It's a part time job dosing 5 antibiotics and washing those dosers! But a job I am ever so grateful for and thank God for every day! Only God could bring such joy, such laughter, wonderful, lengthly snuggling, and a peace that passes all understanding through such trials!
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 68:35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel--he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Psalm 105:4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
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