Upturned Faces

New Year's Eve in the south

2012-01-26T16:27:00.002-05:00

This year, we went downtown Raleigh to watch the acorn drop! In the picture below, you can see its suspended from a crane, and almost down. They do this at 7pm and again at 12am. We were happy to go to the early one! We marched in a parade too! The kids had a great time! Goodbye 2011!

Last few pics of Christmas

2012-01-26T13:15:00.002-05:00

I eagerly handed Caleb and Seth the responsibility of teaching Caden how to tie shoes. Something that I've dreaded for awhile. It took 5 minutes or so. :) The girls celebrate Madelyn's birthday.
Aunt Lynne's story hour.
Kid's table. Sort of.
Entertaining Isaac. I kept trying to encourage him to put the tutu on his head. He repeated, "No, Aunt Sarah do it!"
The trough.

I believe. Help my unbelief.

2012-01-22T21:32:00.006-05:00

I don't pretend that my life is hard. It really isn't. However, lately I've been stretched. For a long time we waited for the right time to move to North Carolina. We are now here, and doing well in our church, thankful to finally be near some family, and making friends. These are great steps towards feeling at home.

However, as a woman, a fair part of my identity lies in my home. My house! I feel guilty saying that. I feel like my identity should be almost entirely (maybe 65%?) in the Lord, and maybe, what...35% in my family? I don't know. But at least part of how I feel, lies in my surroundings. How my house looks is how I feel. So lately I've been feeling unsettled. In between. In limbo. We've done pretty well, these last 6 months or so. But recently, we've found out that our house in Pennsylvania won't be closing when we thought. Its back on the market. This is hugely disappointing, when we thought we were finally starting take some spinning plates out of the air.

God asks us to thank him in ALL things. So I've thanked Him for this season in our lives that's hopefully maturing us in our faith and trust. Shann has been very encouraging to me that everything will work out. We've said maybe the Lord will work out the timing in a better way, or we'll get a better lot to put the house on. Everything works together for good, right? But not necessarily for what we think of as good. Maybe we will lose (more) money. Maybe we'll be in our apartment for longer than we thought. "Good" doesn't always mean the way I'd want it to turn out. Good probably means the testing and maturing of our faith. Sigh. :)

So I've thanked the Lord and been alternately quite stressed about the situation. A friend reminded me yesterday that I can be trusting the Lord congruently with feeling sad and frustrated. And this has helped me feel less tugged upon.

But Mark 9:24 will continue floating about me in the days to come. And that's alright.

christmas in Ohio

2012-01-22T13:12:00.007-05:00

a little late, but still had to post some pics from present time! Boys in their t-shirts from us. Our gifts from Mindy - awesome bath products that she made!

Caleb bought a cool laser pointer for Caden...showing him how to use it.

Explaining to Grandpa and Uncle Scott what 'squinkies' are.

Dad and his redneck wineglass.

cousins!

caden gets a knight and a dragon from Liptaks that go along with a really neat book!

Aunt Mindy and Lulu. A bag ready to decorate!

And then, could it be?

A mix of tears, shock, joy, and a lot of pent up desire...
Twas the shriek heard 'round the world, when she opened the American Girl Doll from Grandma and Grandpa.

Its Kit Kittredge, from 1934. And so begins the friendship.

Christmas at Aunt Sharra's house

2012-01-14T21:16:00.005-05:00

Kids around the tree, inspecting the presents.
Aunt Sharra is ready to start handing them out!
Poppy Davis

Blakey

Lissy in her new dress!

Grammy and Caden

Learning contractions and why boys are special

2012-01-12T16:53:00.001-05:00

First lost tooth

2012-01-10T20:54:00.002-05:00

Yes, actually lost. She pulled it out herself, and then sadly lost it in the backyard of a friend. We've been promised that our friend will send it to her in the mail when they find it. Luckily, the Tooth Fairy was feeling merciful, and left her a gift even though she had no tooth to take!

Christmas at home

2012-01-09T19:15:00.003-05:00

Before we went to Ohio to celebrate with my family and before we celebrated with Shann's family, we had our own little Christmas. We hadn't planned this ahead with the kids. All of a sudden one night, I realized we were running out of time before we left for Ohio, and we really didn't want to haul all the gifts to another state. So we decided we needed to celebrate the next morning. We stuffed stocking and wrapped presents, and in the morning, put in the Evie CD. They figured out very quickly what was happening. "Come on, Ring those Bells" can only mean its time for presents in our house! Very happy to finally have something (a water bottle) with his name on it...not easy to find!
Excited about candy.

Upward, Day 1

2012-01-07T20:28:00.004-05:00

Ready? OK!

Caden seems to play basketball with his tongue rolled. I will try very hard to get a picture of this sometime this season! :)

I thought this one was worth including in spite of the focus!

Christmas in Williamsburg

2011-12-22T13:09:00.005-05:00

This cool wreath has burlap made into rosettes!

This one has various notices of coming events.

At breakfast in the hotel.

This might be handy to have around. :)

Emerging Personality

2011-12-19T20:21:00.003-05:00

There are a couple of things to say about this picture.
First, Caden got this little scene ready so when Daddy came home they could battle forthwith, and not have to waste time deciding who was who. (Interjection from Dad: I still have to teach my boy to pick the guy with the blaster over the guy with the sword.)

Secondly, he's recently been wearing these glasses quite often. He calls them his nerd glasses, and for some reason likes to wear them. He was even thinking about how he could put tape in the middle to make them look even nerdier. Not sure why. (Dad again. I'm ok with this because he is just honing his look to one day manage other people's money.

So decadent

2011-12-15T22:58:00.001-05:00

She has taken to sleeping with two lambies. Oh my.

Alyssa and the big man

2011-12-13T07:22:00.004-05:00

This is a funny thing. I've never made a big deal at all about Santa. In fact, in years past, I've flat out said, 'Santa is fun to pretend about, but isn't real'. But yet every year, the kids seem to want to talk about whether or not he is real. I think they want to believe. While Alyssa and I stood in line to get her free picture taken with Santa following the Christmas parade in Creedmoor last weekend, she asked me about him. I said, 'well, look at him, he seems like a real guy'. She was so excited and nervous to talk to him.

Afterwards, she told me she asked him for an American Girl doll. And she said he was SO nice, and she l-o-v-e-s him. I'm so torn. I never wanted the kids to have a giant love for Santa. I want Christmas to be about Jesus. But in spite of several doubting things I've said this year, she really wants to believe. So be it for now.

yes, it says what you think it does

2011-12-07T23:58:00.001-05:00

Raleigh Christmas Parade

2011-12-06T08:19:00.004-05:00

We met some friends, the Klicks, downtown. Here is Alyssa, Caroline, Caden, and Caden.

Scotty McCreery was the last American Idol winner. He's from Raleigh.

Mountain Hiking

2011-12-05T14:18:00.009-05:00

I put a lot of pictures in this post. I just couldn't seem to weed out very well - it was so beautiful! We were amazed at this tree, seeming to grow right out of the rock!
Our hike was a bit treacherous because of all the water. Grandpa is helping Alyssa across a stream!
Blackwater Falls!

Lots of Mountain Laurel. We were told that it is more leggy than Rhododendron. Otherwise very similar looking.

Thanksgiving in the mountains

2011-12-03T14:56:00.003-05:00

This year, for Thanksgiving, we met my mom and dad in West Virginia, at a cabin in Blackwater Falls state park. We hiked, made applesauce, swam, played games, and had lots of great conversation! A game grandma brought: You're supposed to sneak up on someone and attach a feather (glued on a clothespin) onto them, and whoever has the most feathers loses. Caden and Alyssa are still learning how to do this surreptitiously.

Applesaucing! (Note the attached feathers...not surreptitiously placed).

Since we forgot part of the applesauce-making equipment, we had to be a little creative. Cut out the core, boiled them, and stuck them in the Vita-mix. Very smooth. So we all chewed on a few cores, so as not to waste too much.

Thank you, Aunt Carol for this very special apron!

Our new backyard!

2011-12-03T14:46:00.002-05:00

Here is looking towards the backyard of our future home! Right now, there is an existing foundation on the lot that will have to be taken out. Another builder had started a home on this lot and then the buyers backed out, so its been sitting in this condition for awhile.

I'll continue to post pictures throughout the build process!

A poem, by Alyssa

2011-11-29T08:57:00.001-05:00

I love
Mom
and
Dad
and
Caden
and
me.

He said, And I quote:

2011-11-23T09:31:00.002-05:00

"Mom, thank you for spanking me. I don't think I could become a good child if you didn't."

Alyssa agreed.
Said as a general statement in the car when we were discussing what consequences should be for being disobedient in Target. (He suggested taking Bear away until Christmas. I thought this a bit harsh. We settled on room time until dinner, and an early bedtime.)

Life is But a Weaving

2011-11-17T13:47:00.002-05:00

Recently I've been studying Job in a Bible study I'm taking. Its such a rich and deep and real book. Caden is also studying this in his class, and its been interesting to study such a difficult concept with a child. Yesterday he said to me "I gotta say, if all this happened to me, I don't know how I'd feel about God!" So I asked him what God owes him. And he admitted that God doesn't owe him anything. Its awesome to realize this so young! If this concept can sink into his heart now, it will save him some heartache later.

Today the teacher quoted this poem. I thought it was beautiful, and a great example of how little of the big picture we can see.

My life is but a weaving

Between my God and me.

I cannot choose the colors

He weaves steadily.

Often times He weaves sorrow;

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper

And I the underside.

Not ‘til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas

And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

In the weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;

Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives the very best to those

Who leave the choice to Him.

October Afternoon

2011-11-15T20:10:00.002-05:00

We have loved having access to this beach near us this summer. Of course, I do wish we'd gone more often, now that its getting a bit nippy for swimming. I guess most other kids were in school, so we had the place to ourselves. Not sure if they're inspecting marine life or seeing who can do this the longest.
Ahhh.

Pennsylvania friends

2011-11-10T14:33:00.000-05:00

In late October, we returned to Pennslyvania to see some buddies, winterize the yard, and bring back cold weather clothes! Antonio and Caden greeting each other!

Alyssa and Gabby
My smoupie girls (small groupies)

Other girlfriends minus Michelle, Jen, and Jenn!

Lissa gets some Chasey love! Daddy and Jay fixing the garbage disposal in the background!

Chase loves Caden and Caden loves Chase!

Awana learn

2011-11-07T10:01:00.003-05:00

On the way to Awana yesterday, Caden and Alyssa were reciting the Bible verses they learned for this week. Each week, they get awards and prizes for the verses they've memorized.
Alyssa asked me if the verses they're learning are actual verses out of the Bible. I thought this was clear, but I told her that yes, they are. She was amazed, and said, like a light bulb turned on, "at Awana, they can have kids learn real Bible verses! They could make a whole thing out of this! That would be really good for kids!"

A Day at the Farm

2011-11-05T16:49:00.005-04:00

Shann's sister, Sharra, her husband Ryan. They're holding Blake, and in the front, Reid, Caden, and Alyssa.

A playland of corn!

Hay!

Hayride...

Uncle Shann and Blakey

A look down at the farm from a really cool slide!

Kid tv watching.

2011-10-22T08:34:00.002-04:00

Any adults want to try this comfortable pose?

JB?

2011-10-20T09:42:00.004-04:00

This morning, the kids and I read about John the Baptist. They were pretty impressed and disgusted that he ate locusts (eww!) and wild honey. We discussed how he must've treated his bee stings, because as Caden pointed out, he didn't even have any baking soda! He was very brave indeed. Then we talked about how he spoke to people about their sins, and baptized them, preparing the way for Jesus.

So Caden says, "Why would people listen to a guy that ate locusts? Its not like he was Justin Bieber or anything!" I think my jaw dropped.

How does my 7 year-old son know who this singer is, and how, I must ask, does he know that we're supposed to think Justin Beiber is cool? I'm so embarassed that Justin was used as a benchmark for coolness in our home. Ugh.

Pretty day, pretty girl

2011-10-18T15:30:00.007-04:00

The real reason we had a photo shoot today was that I found this fun dress at a yard sale for 50 cents, and I thought it looked fun, almost looks antique! And of course, Lulu loves a pretty dress.

Kids museum

2011-10-15T14:05:00.008-04:00

While my mom was visiting, we took the kids to a museum that they loved! We didn't have enough time to even see everything! Lots of fun photo ops. We took this one for Uncle Mark!

the FDA would've had some issues with how these pizzas were made. Some pizzas being put together on the floor, pepperoni in the cash register, and I think there was a cat in the oven at one point...
Nurse Alyssa tries to bring back her patient inside an ambulance.
Working in a submarine
Not really sure what kind of experiment is going on here...

Underwater world
The vet's office. And the only pic of mom from this day! :( See her?

Myrtle Beach...the actual

2011-10-10T20:23:00.003-04:00

a few from the cottage

2011-10-10T20:08:00.003-04:00

Myrtle Beach Mini-Golf

2011-10-10T19:45:00.005-04:00

Out of the many, many miniature golf places, the kids picked the Peter Pan course. Alyssa in Mermaid Lagoon

Reidle Deidle

Argh, mateys!

Myrtle Beach pool

2011-10-08T20:54:00.005-04:00

Blake and Poppy enjoy the pool! Sharra and Blake

the hot tub crew

Caden and Reid had lots of noodle wars!

Fun at the pool

2011-10-04T14:11:00.002-04:00

When we arrived here in NC this summer, we went to our neighborhood pool daily! It gave us something to do, the kids did great at swimming, and we pretty much always had it to ourselves. I can only take a jumping picture so many times. This was probably the best from the bunch!
float practice

Apartment!

2011-09-30T15:40:00.008-04:00

Now that we've lived here for 2.5 months, I figured I should post some pictures of the apartment!

It doesn't take long to fill the refrigerator door with art projects..

Our room, doubling as the office.

Alyssa's room. We left the kids's bed frames and box springs in PA, so their rooms look a little sparse!
Nice wide window sills here to put toys on. The one in our room is also my 'dresser top' as I didn't bring my dresser and need a place for jewelry , etc!

Duke Gardens with Gma!

2011-09-21T09:55:00.003-04:00

Notice Alyssa's sour look... She wanted to be in a picture by herself. Now she's pleased as punch!

Last time we were there, it was 105 degrees! Monday it was much nice at 30 degrees cooler!

1st Diorama

2011-09-08T10:34:00.005-04:00

for me too! Don't think I ever did one in school!

Mytle Beach part 1

2011-09-08T10:10:00.006-04:00

a double thumb wrestle! Trying to do a better job of taking pictures of adults! :)

Ready for the evening beach walk!

C&C

2011-08-28T10:13:00.004-04:00

Caden and our little friend Chase relate during the little one's post nap snack.

Dinos and Friends

2011-08-25T13:55:00.005-04:00

While Amy and Jay visited, we went to a museum that had a very cool exhibit. A walk through the woods with dinosaurs hunting, protecting babies, eating, etc. The kids loved it! Caden, Alyssa and Chase on the only one we could actually touch.Jay and Chase digging for fossils.

See the baby in the nest?

I find this one rather funny. Big grin with an agent of death and terror in the background.

Grocery List

2011-08-23T08:42:00.002-04:00

Caden wrote this grocery list and slipped it into my purse, swapping it out with the list I'd written. He was hoping that I wouldn't notice the change and buy all the fun things on this list. Go ahead, see if you can read it! I'm pretty sure no one in their right mind will have any clue as to the last 3 items, so I'm going to help you out. Caden could barely remember when I asked him. They are Imaginext (brand of toys), Zuzu puppies, and chocolate milk.
I feel like I did this as a kid. Maybe every kid gets this light bulb one day, writes a grocery list, and imagines all the candy their mom will bring home, not realizing that she really meant to buy supplies for broccoli soup and turkey spinach salad.

With Beloved cousins on Huntington Beach

2011-08-15T14:22:00.002-04:00

Big Cousin Fun

2011-08-14T22:14:00.002-04:00

Caden has such admiration for his big cousins, Seth and Caleb. Here, Caleb is giving Caden a bit of air on the shore of Lake Erie. And later that night, he was thrilled to be invited for a boy's sleepover in the basement, complete with popcorn, angry birds, and frankly, I'm not sure what else. I think Caden may have gotten to sleep around 11pm. Oh well, the memories are worth it!
Thanks Caleb and Seth!

You should see the other guy...

2011-08-06T18:47:00.004-04:00

Naw, just kiddin. We had a first in our house last week. Can anyone guess?

I had to tell him

2011-07-29T13:32:00.005-04:00

Last week, Caden had to give a blood sample at the doctor's office, so his finger was sore where they extracted blood (he was concerned that they weren't going to put the blood back in, but I digress).
We went for a swim that night in our neighborhood pool, and he didn't want to get it wet. So there he was, swimming about, one middle finger sticking up. This is a bit tricky, mind you, as he can't touch the bottom in some of the pool, but he was quite persistant in holding it out. I might have let it go, but there were other families at the pool and I didn't want them to think we were subtly trying to get them to leave!
So I had to tell him that sticking up your middle finger is a rude gesture. I always feel a little sad when taking a bit of innocence away, but I felt I needed to! So then he went to swimming about with 4 fingers up. That was better. And we may have a chance of making friends here.

Old pics

2011-07-29T13:28:00.001-04:00

Baseball

2011-07-27T11:06:00.001-04:00

Alyssa's favorite part of the Durham Bull's game from this past Saturday. :)

Duke Gardens

2011-07-24T17:19:00.007-04:00

I love gardens. I feel refreshed, at peace, thankful, and can even pretend to be wealthy when strolling about them. :) Thursday, the kids and I went to Duke Gardens, in Durham. It was so beautiful. And Really hot. Re-enacting Billy Goats Gruff. Caden gets to be the troll.
Lissy likes to pose!

Dancin'
Beautiful duck pond. As we walked along the paths, there were several sprinklers going. We were happy to walk by these!

We've decided to return here often, but perhaps in the spring and fall instead!

Tomorrow

2011-07-16T20:56:00.003-04:00

Today we packed a truck and trailer full of mattresses, dressers, plates, t-shirts, movies, plants, measuring spoons, shoes, pillows, pictures and ALL the other things we think we'll need for the next few months. Tonight we're gathering the rest of what is left for us to take when we drive to North Carolina in the van tomorrow. I've felt for so long that 'tomorrow' would never come. We have talked about moving to North Carolina with such excitement and nervousness and anticipation for so long. I'm a bit incredulous that its really finally here. Shann's been working there for a month, but now that we're all going to live there, it seems really real. I'm very excited to get there, get to know the area, get connected in a church, find our library, favorite restuarants, homeschool groups, museums, and all that.
However, these last days here have been filled with goodbyes, too. We're saying goodbye to some friends who are like family to us. People with whom we've walked through the past 10 years. Friends we'll miss dearly.
But tomorrow is the time to begin the next adventure. And thankfully we will continue to walk with the One whom we'll never have to miss, the Friend to whom we'll never have to say goodbye.

Missing Daddy

2011-06-12T21:16:00.004-04:00

Part of us left today. Tomorrow Shann is starting his new job in Durham. We are thrilled, but we are still here. This morning, the kids and I left for church when Shann left for North Carolina, and we took turns crying all the way to church. I felt OK, I thought, but I'm not one to let anyone cry alone! I looked into the rear view mirror at one point and saw tears streaming down Alyssa's face. Caden's lip was trembling. He told me a chunk of his heart was missing. And I thought - my goodness! Its only a few weeks! I can't imagine what a wreck we'd be if Shann was going to Afghanistan or something! This morning the kids made pictures for him before he left. Here is Alyssa's...
And Caden's. He drew a picture of himself, he said, so Shann wouldn't forget what he looks like.

We love you and miss you Daddy!

"The Daddydo list"

2011-06-09T21:33:00.002-04:00

A project for Dad that Caden left on the workbench downstairs. He was good enough to draw the motorcycle as it should look as a helpful guide.

Deep Thoughts

2011-06-07T18:08:00.001-04:00

things we saw at the zoo today

2011-05-25T22:02:00.010-04:00

Yes, we've been here many times. But maps are fun. And this was the last day we'll come to this zoo! Splurged a little.

things we've pretended over the last week...

2011-05-18T12:10:00.004-04:00

Alyssa: "I'm a little kitten and you don't see me except on Wednesdays."

Caden: "I'm a mole hanging upside down. You don't have to own me if you don't want to. Oh, I mean, I'm a possum"

Alyssa: "I'm a kitty in the pound"

Alyssa: "I'm a kitty who likes warm places."

Alyssa: "I'm a baby goat."

Caden: "I'm a fox."

Alyssa: "I'm a lost girl working for pennies"

Alyssa: "I'm an orphan who came to your door and you invite me to be your daughter"

Both: Prairie dogs. Hedgehogs. Kittens. Tigers. Puppies born with the same fur. Then after freeing themselves, they serenaded me with an original song entitled We're Two Lovable Furballs.

Stomp Rocket....who knew?

2011-05-14T11:58:00.002-04:00

Such a fun toy that I'd never heard of until Aunt Lynne sent this for Caden's birthday!

Birthday food

2011-05-10T10:46:00.002-04:00

I've been quite remiss in posting lately! I got all these pics off my camera today an realized I'm behind. For Caden's birthday dinner, he picked goldenrod eggs. I made half the sauce blue and half purple. Here is our giraffe cake, that I was quite glad he picked because you only use a 9x9! He's quite small, but very cute.

Big Banana Car

2011-05-10T10:43:00.002-04:00

No, its no metaphor. On the way to this odd little fieldtrip, I had the kids guessing what sort of food the car would look like. I assured them that they'd know when we found the right house! Even got to go for a ride!

Carried away in a giant banana.

The owner is going to be going on a world tour in this thing. Can you imagine?

backyard friend

2011-05-10T10:42:00.003-04:00

Alyssa spotted this spotted snake. He was already slithering away by the time I grabbed the camera!

I do love this part!

2011-05-05T13:49:00.006-04:00

We drove in the van listening to the kids watching a Veggie Tales DVD that they've seen many times before. And about every 5 seconds or so, Alyssa would say, "I love this part!" I lost count around the 23rd time. Kids find familiarity so comforting, don't they? The same movie. The same book. The same routine. How can I be that way? Why can they find it so wonderful and I find it boring?

I struggle with looking forward to the next phase in life, so much so that I don't always look about at my favorite parts of whats happening right now. I'd like to get good at appreciating the Now, so one day, I don't look back and realize that I missed my favorite part!

Easter

2011-04-26T16:00:00.003-04:00

Nothing says "He is Risen" like candy and eggs, right? We watched Jesus come out of the tomb this morning at church, and I was hoping to get a picture of the kids with him. I thought that would've been cool. But alas, we couldn't find him after the service. Caden reminded me it wasn't really Jesus anyway. Hunting eggs at Grammy and Poppy's house!

Opening them up to find the treasures. Thanks Grammy and Poppy!

Breakfast prayer in which he heard from the Almighty

2011-04-22T15:34:00.003-04:00

Caden: "God, since you died on the cross for us, we would like to give something back to you. What would you like it to be? ... Ok."

I asked him what God would like it to be.

He grinned. "To tell people about Jesus."

Seems pretty simple.

Take 1.

2011-04-20T17:01:00.006-04:00

We recently had a photographer friend take Caden and Alyssa to a park and shoot some photos. I'm hugely stressed and annoyed during photo sessions as it seems they can never give me their normal, beautiful faces. They love to look weird. And they're good at it. However, Nate did get some good ones. I'm still sorting through them, and will be posting a couple from the shoot here and there. Here are a few stress inducers that actually turned out cutely.

Homeschool perks

2011-04-18T22:43:00.000-04:00

blanky, pj's, and a hedgehog.

pittsburgh

2011-04-12T14:30:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago, we met my parents in Pittsburgh for the weekend. We're on the way up the mountain to look back down over the city. An open air car was chilly!

Shann and I liked this skinny mirror in the Museum of Art. Caden and Alyssa are on the other side of the glass. We were trying to have them in the picture too. Can you see them?

Diggin for bones in the Natural History museum!

Did I mention it was St Patrick's Day?

So, so cool.

Run, Caden!

Lissy and 'Cera'.

Its warm!

2011-04-02T15:16:00.002-04:00

Today I went for a walk and actually walked through a swarm of bugs. I thought this was fun, since its the first time this season (but I'm over it now). The kids are playing baseball with Shann outside We've already used 3 bandaids today. We got the grill out. Shann worked on the car.

Welcome Spring!

The Daily Drama, by Caden Davis

2011-03-30T15:27:00.003-04:00

"I'm going to be President when I grow up and stop gernola!" Spouted during a tirade this morning about not wanting to eat granola. "I feel like you don't love me!" Since I'm making him eat granola. 5 minutes later, ..." gernola's actually not so bad". Later, when working on Math, " I wish I was in 8th grade!" Buddy, I said, if you were in 8th grade, this math would be a LOT harder! "But then I'd probably know how to do it." And another one from awhile ago, on a leg muscle spasming: "My nerves are shot."

pocono weekend

2011-03-24T20:13:00.003-04:00

We went to the Poconos this past weekend with our pals Jay and Amy. We visited a little zoo and had a blast feeding animals with a bottle!

We had to work really hard to keep a hold on it! They almost sucked it right out of our hands!

(Again, we can't post pics of Chase until he's adopted!)

Chase wednesdays!

2011-03-24T20:03:00.002-04:00

The kids are having a GREAT time playing with our friend's little boy, Chase, when we get to watch him every couple of weeks. I can't post pics of his face until he's official. But he is cute!

Birthday Flowers

2011-03-16T21:37:00.002-04:00

On my birthday, Caden and Alyssa made me some flowers!

Unfortunately, they didn't make it through the rain later...

a little guilty but really peaceful

2011-03-09T17:14:00.001-05:00

Alyssa on the recorder, playing....

2011-03-02T09:40:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday! Isn't it obvious?

Overheard

2011-02-27T14:40:00.003-05:00

Caden: "Dad, if you have stuff you're not using, its called JUNK! It just takes up more room. I mean, whats that all about? You should get rid of it!"

Hee hee. And I didn't even put him up to it.

Baby Chicks!

2011-02-17T15:05:00.003-05:00

On February 7th, Alyssa's birthday, we picked up 12 eggs from a local farmer. For a whole week, we took care of these eggs in this incubator box, turning the eggs, and keeping them warm. Then one week later, last Monday night, when we were about to eat dinner, we heard a lot of peeping and cracking. All four of us watched at the first baby chick emerged! We were amazed that that floppy, awkward chick had been all folded up inside the tiny egg! The chicks in this picture have been out of the egg for several hours. And the slow-poke that didn't emerge for several more.

Reading poetry

playing cars

sitting on the dinner plate!

A fellow homeschooled little girl asked me today if we'd made observations and recorded them in a notebook. I said we'd done a lot of observing, but that we hadn't written it down. She looked downcast, and said, "oh, you could've used it for homeschooling if you had!" I told her I think we still learned some things!

The chicks are going back to the farm tomorrow. We had fun with you, little peeps!

He's here to save the Day!

2011-02-14T10:55:00.002-05:00

Oh, the wisdom of the young

2011-02-11T17:30:00.002-05:00

You know I've been rather honest in this blog in the past about the not so uplifting things my children have said to me...today I must share something that came out of Alyssa's wise little mouth. Yes, kids are brutally honest, which is why this made my week. Or maybe my month.

She said, "Mommy, you have a small bottom."

I could just cry, I love that girl so much.

The Big Day

2011-02-10T20:26:00.002-05:00

We started off with a walk to dunkin donuts!

And later...at dinner, she opened Aunt Lynne's gift that came home with us at Christmas! Note her choice of food! Hot dogs and tomato soup!

Later, Caden and Lis play with her new magic sand!

And then she was 5

2011-02-09T22:16:00.003-05:00

We had some little girls over to help celebrate Alyssa's birthday on Sunday! Here is Peanuts, the elephant cake. After last year's Castle, I was thrilled when she picked this one out of the book! Decorating little heart boxes.

Blowing candles out long distance!

Admiring gifts!

Oooo! Beads!

My, I mean her, pinata before the attack on it! I was a little sad to see it hacked apart! :) Isn't it cute?

Aletheia, Olivia, Natalee, Gabriella, Ava, and Alyssa waiting for a turn at the pinata!

Are those eyes closed?

Happy Birthday Lulu-girl. We love you!

Peace on a Christmas morning

2011-01-29T09:24:00.003-05:00

Morning cereal thoughts

2011-01-27T08:08:00.003-05:00

"Mom, I had no idea that I'd go from 1 year old to seven, SO fast! I mean, 7 seems super old! Six, not so much. I can't believe I'm so old!"

yes, I know.

8 pounds of love

2011-01-26T16:39:00.000-05:00

In the car the other evening we heard a radio commercial for a marriage conference. I mentioned that Daddy and I had attended one of these years ago, and they wanted to know why we went. I told them we learned about how to love one another better... they thought this was hilarious. Alyssa asked how much we love each other, and then they both started guessing, as if it was quantifiable. She said "Probably like 8 pounds!"
She thought this sounded pretty hefty. And maybe for love, it is.

Firsts and funnies

2011-01-15T15:46:00.005-05:00

Caden chose to read a book today on his own! (There's a wocket in my pocket)
Alyssa chose to sleep with an animal other than lamby last night. (A new elephant)
Caden asked me what sexy means. (Although, he said 'saxy' and I did not correct him). I told him that its a way of saying someone is pretty or good-looking, and that we won't use that term.

Random unrelated quotes:
Caden: I'm addicted to bear. ..And to Jesus.

Alyssa: I've finally found something I love and I'm very talented at: Kissing.

Caden: Oh the horror.

christmas montage...sitting in my edit bin for weeks...

2011-01-14T18:47:00.001-05:00

Putting up our tree!
Hard work done...now for ornaments...

A christmas village! This is a wonderland of lights to walk through...about 90 minutes. We were a bit cold by the end!
You could sit on Santa's lap inside this building if you just wanted to 'pay more money!'

Alyssa loved looking in all the little windows!

Our Christmas morning, Dec 18th. Coming down to 'Come on, Ring those Bells'

I do wonder a little why I picked these.

Something fabulous

our Christmas morning breakfast.

update

2011-01-10T15:12:00.002-05:00

Sorry, readers, that its been a little while since I've posted. I lost my camera over Christmas, and then after I'd found it, left it in Ohio. So my blog fodder has decreased significantly! Lynne sent me this picture from 'Christmas morning' in Ohio.

I will be rejoining blog world soon!

Armor of God

2010-12-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

In Caden's Tuesday morning Bible Study class, they made the armor of God...

Christmas pictures

2010-12-25T16:15:00.001-05:00

a quick look back at the Christmas pictures we've sent in the last couple years...

skipped a year here...

Little Boy, Big T

2010-12-18T16:08:00.006-05:00

Caden and Alyssa love to pretend that they're puppies in the pound, and that I come in to adopt them. On this particular day, Alyssa is a Yorkie, and Caden is a Pomeranian puppy ("because they're so cute and fluffy").
But then wait, it turns out the Pomeranian is an inventor puppy. He's just made a huge gun, which he uses to strike fear into the hearts of those nearby. And then the invention is taken to another level. The puppy adds a grappling hook to the end. Everyone in the pound is afraid of the baby Pom and they are just begging someone to take him away so their pound can be safe again.

I try to play along, but I'm at a little bit of a loss as to how to care for a cute and fluffy puppy with a gun.

Thanksgiving highlights..

2010-12-15T14:32:00.008-05:00

Playing "old maid" with Grandma is always a highlight (we're still working on the poker face when one draws the Old Maid). Seeing my Grandma Nancy...
Helping decorate Grandma and Grandpa's tree
Isaac finds a new toy...or does Mark find an old one?

Aunt Mindy, Isaac, Grandma and the kids and I went downtown to see some sights... it was a bit chilly.
Bruce the talking Spruce

Camp Gingerbread
Gingerbread Mansion
Train ride through Tower City

Another Day, another issue

2010-12-08T21:40:00.002-05:00

Most recent issue for which I have no answer: Hyperactive Gag reflex.
The first recent occurence was 2 days ago. We had a play group over including 7 additional children and 2 moms. Caden noticed a baby sucking on a wooden block. Then it was set down in his sight, he started gagging, and then threw up in a corner of the kitchen. I found him still gagging and put him out on the patio until he could get under control. Really.
Tonight: a sour taste was left in his mouth after having chewed his vitamin. He started gagging, and threw up in the sink. I admit I smacked his bottom while this was happening tonight. It just seems ridiculous. Any ideas?

Noah's Ark

2010-11-22T16:06:00.004-05:00

We read today about Noah and the ark, so we decided to go out and measure in this field how long the ark was. We started at the willow tree...and this is only half way! This is how we measured...this stick is 2 cubits long - or about 3 feet.

And 300 cubits is....from here to the willow tree. Thats a big boat!

And of course, while at the park, we had to climb in the climbing tree, as its fondly called.

A tiger on his way to the ark.

a Bear, climbing down from his perch to follow the tiger

And..hm I'm not sure this could be anything but a lissy!

A dollar store meets contemporary worship

2010-11-19T13:04:00.004-05:00

Sweeties

2010-11-17T15:07:00.001-05:00

In Celebration...

2010-11-10T17:21:00.002-05:00

of a new camera, a fall afternoon, and an attempt to get a Christmas card picture.

How do you think it went? I did get a couple good ones. :)

Coming from Alyssa's room...

2010-11-04T16:30:00.003-04:00

"Hey over there."
"Hey over there!"
Now sounding more urgent,
"Hey! Hey over there!"

I say, "Alyssa, who are you talking to?"

She says "no one". And then continues.
"Hey over there".
"Hey over there!"
"Hey,.. hey over there!"

I concluded that some rude doll must have been ignoring her.

She was my child

2010-11-02T16:31:00.003-04:00

She was my favorite. She accompanied me many places. She had many outfits, some made by my mom, some by my grandmother. And after a 20 year nap in a box, Meleida Joy now belongs to Alyssa.

So I guess that makes me a grandma.

Jasmine Genie and the Red-Headed Ninja

2010-11-01T21:32:00.000-04:00

flowers in fall

2010-10-29T16:18:00.003-04:00

While my parents were here, we stopped by a nursury that was more like a botanical garden!

They have this beautiful display of mums every year! The kids raced about on the paths that went over the hill and through the tunnels underneath it!

Witness

2010-10-27T12:03:00.005-04:00

I got to be a small part of something last night that was very special. It was like nothing I've seen before, and like nothing I may ever see again. I got to witness our great friends, Jay and Amy, meet their long-awaited child. This child for whom they've been preparing and praying for years. A child they've dreamed of, longed for and wondered when the Lord would finally bring him into their lives. It was SO emotional. I'll never forget it.

I'll never forget how they looked in the dark grainy picture above, waiting for the first glimpse of him. This experience helped me see just a bit of how God must feel about each of his children when they Finally turn to him. This child he created; this child he has longed for. And when they come into his arms, and call him Father, what incredible joy he must feel.

He feels that way about you. And me. Amazing.

Final Soccer Game!

2010-10-17T20:54:00.004-04:00

Anyone?

2010-10-14T09:53:00.002-04:00

Lissy said, "these look like teenager socks!"

Mah Jong?

2010-10-11T13:07:00.002-04:00

Alyssa loves to play computer games, and she recently discovered one that she greatly enjoys, but is having difficulty remembering the name. Yesterday, she asked if she could play Hu Wao. 5 minutes later, it was Shwong Ha. I said, "Alyssa, its Mah Jong." So she repeated this to herself several times, but later when she asked again, it came out as Schlong Hao. I told her again what its called, but today she asked to play Wung Hao. Funny that remembering the name is trickier than the game itself!