tractor pull

Just like a "fight" in the kitchen between Daddy and one of the boys attracts the other boys like bees to honey (fists up and punches raining down like hail :), so the Bolton Truck and Tractor Pull draws my guys back year after year. They've thrown around the idea of inviting other dads and sons along, but decided that they treasure their own father/son time too much :)





This doesn't look too thrilling to me, but they love it! They love the noise, the big vehicles, the power........they come home covered in dust, smelling like exhaust and full of smiles.

Meanwhile, Laura and I did something a little more up our alley..........we'd been saving the old black and white version of "Little Women" for just such a time as this. We snagged some of the guys snacks before they left and enjoyed a quiet, clean, comfortable time at home :)

And Corin slept. And they all lived happily ever after :)

on the homefront...

Our backyard may be a smallish, city lot, but we still have lots of fun around here. We bought a bigger-sized "baby" pool (the kids look rather insulted when I call it that) and it's been a great cooling off place for the 3 younger ones. We made a little sun shade for it today and it's gotten lots of use. The kids had a "chips and lemonade" fest out there this afternoon, and managed to finish off most of a large bag of chips and a small cooler of lemonade! While I sat with a good book and didn't notice anything else :) Aaaaaaah - summer.

Kara & Eric's engagement party

So, we finally had our long-awaited engagement party for my sister Kara and her fiance, Eric! It was really nice to meet his side of the family and see where Eric's character traits come from ;) He's got a very dear mother who sat and chatted and smiled from her wheelchair, and lots of siblings and in-laws that we enjoyed socializing with.

Don't they make a lovely couple? :)

It's so exciting for our whole family to have Kara finally married off.........I mean, finally promised to the man of her dreams ;) We know the Lord works out His will differently in everyone's life, and we can see how He has graciously used her in other areas as a single lady - she's made a difference in many lives with the many gifts the Lord has given her. But now she's about to embark on the journey that's familiar to many of us - being a wife and a mother! Eric's son Troy is also ready to welcome her with open arms and we anticipate many blessings as they all settle in together.

Looking forward to the wedding - Oct. 13, DV! :)

profession of faith.....

We've been using the Psalter Hymnal lately for our "after lunch" singing - whoever picks one first wins (meaning, we sing their selection - as long as it isn't Amazing Grace all the time :). Corin thinks it's great and loves to continue his own little "one-man choir" after we're all done. (this is actually a little video of him singing, but I don't know how to make it viewable for everyone - any advice??)


As sweet as his singing is, I was moved to tears (and laughter) tonight as I put him to bed. I started him off singing "Jesus Loves Me" like I normally do for his afternoon nap. But, Daddy often puts him to bed at night and his song of choice with Daddy is "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" (I think my song is more doctrinally sound, but Rich has changed one line to "God has made you what you are", so I guess it squeaks over the line of what's appropriate :) Anyway, Corin asked for Twinkle , Twinkle and then for the customary prayer that follows. He prayed for all our family members, for forgiveness of sins, for help with obedience and gave thanks for his food. To end off I said, "In Jesus' ........" - meaning for him to fill in the right words....."name, Amen". But instead he said, "Jesus loves me - yes, He does!!" In light of his enthusiastic profession of Jesus' love for him, I decided it was a fitting "AMEN" :)

Summer Rainshower!!!!

So, what do you do with a good storm? I think my kids have hit on the perfect activity!

First, you run outside (totally encouraged by mom) and let the rain soak you thoroughly. Then you find those great quick forming puddles that only a summer rainstorm can create, and jump in as many as you can find - in your bare feet. Then, after laughing for the pure joy of it, you dash back inside where mom is waiting with towels. Towel off, put your wet clothes in the bathtub, get cozy and dry and meet back in the livingroom. There, listen to a story on CD while drinking hot chocolate. Aaaaaah! I would have joined them if I thought the neighbours wouldn't see me :)

Caleb's birthday

Well, another year has flown by for our "little" guy - he's now a big 7 years old! Somehow, being 6 still seemed in the realm of "little" - but the step to 7 feels like a big step to a sentimental mom. I still like to hug him tight, to have him sit on my lap, to give him big, smoochy kisses.......and though he's quite patient through this treatment, he's not asking for it like he used to. Sigh.........but he's a neat kid and one we treasure - like all our kids :)

We've got a neat (well, we think it's neat...) tradition of having a family prayer for everyone on their birthday. The birthday person doesn't pray at all, but everyone else prays for him/her. It's very special to hear the prayers that go up on that person's behalf - prayers for many more years, for a "good birthday" (the youngest ones always say that:), for growth in the Lord, for obedience, for more love for others and God and a lot of thankfulness for the person that the Lord is shaping them into.


He asked for pop, pizza and cake. Pretty typical birthday fare, I suppose. And one I could easily comply with b/c I didn't have to make anything - it's all simply bought :) I know, I know, what kind of a mom doesn't even bake her kid's birthday cake - a sick, pregnant one :)
Here's Caleb at his recent (and first) piano recital. He did great, but how could he not excel with the very best teacher of all - GRANDMA!!
And here he is enjoying a well-deserved sundae after trach and field day :)

No coffee for me.........

.............and why is that, you may ask? Why would Cher give up her energy booster, her relaxant, her source of great enjoyment, her very lifeline - the thing that allows her to "do stupid things faster with more energy?" Well, I have a very good reason:

Our baby doesn't like it :)

Join us is praising the Lord for His GREAT gift of another child being knit together right now inside of me! This little jellybean (as Caleb calls him/her :) is due around Jan.19 - putting me at about 8 weeks pregnant. And we're happy :)

A week with Mark and Christy

What a great week we had! Mark and Christy are superb hosts - we felt right at home there. We got there Monday afternoon, sat around and talked, ate dinner, talked.......and talked some more :) Tuesday afternoon the guys left for the Banner of Truth conference and Christy and I were left to hold down the fort. 2 ladies, 8 kids.........recipe for disaster? No way! Perfect equation for lots of fun!

We did some shopping, got lost on the way to the zoo, had fun at the zoo, got lost (and separated!!!) on the way home from the zoo, decided never to go more than 5 minutes from home again, had lots of poolside chats while the kids splashed, watched old wedding videos (and saw some people I know well doing some rather funny things - like their own rendition of "Bachler and the Bobby-Soxer - absolutely priceless!!!! - Carole, Rachel, STEVE, and others....;) and just caught up on each other's lives and news.

The guys had a time of real blessing and encouragement, being with other pastors and elders - friends in the ministry, serving the Lord. They were challenged and refreshed - a time to be ministered to rather than doing the ministering themselves. I love it when Rich has the chance to do something like this - it's so spiritually uplifting and helpful - not just the speeches, but also the fellowship and the sharing with other men. They say the singing is awesome!

And now Blogger won't let us post pictures again. Sigh. It's good to be home :)