Red Door

Our dear friends are doing well in China. They have a website up and running at http://www.reddoor.us/ Feel free to check it out and find out what God is up to through the Heddens in China.

They have an adorable picture of a Chinese baby girl in their Keyhole Monthly Newsletter. Check it out to find out a special story about her. :-)

I Love this Bumper Sticker!!

Going around on e-mail:

Bumper Sticker recently seen in Texas:

"I'll keep my freedom, my guns, and my money,
and you can keep THE CHANGE".
Vote for McCain/Palin


Don't forget to vote November 4th!!! :-)

Random Pictures

Dot took her camera up the hill and got some good shots of the boys at play.

Deer took this one.

Dime and his friend after a fishing trip.

The fall leaves have been beautiful around our place.

This tree is out our bedroom window.

Happy Fall!!

Dot's Birthday

I realized I had pictures on the computer from Dot's camera. These are a month old, but still worth posting about. Dot passed her driving test and celebrated her birthday on the same day. She and her girlfriends made pies and then had a blast hanging out.

I thought this picture was a cool idea.

Chest colds and update

I haven't been on the computer much lately. Darling and I have been sick with chest colds. After her bad chest cold as a baby, I think this is going to be what she and I deal with every winter - chest colds. I usually get chest colds in Dec and then can't get rid of them until the end of March or April. (Except for years when I've jogged the whole winter.) This year I started jogging regularly the end of Sept. - I don't want a chest cold. Darling got it first, and after getting worn down I got it too. Bummer - it's only October!!

Last year I tried the antibiotic route - and loved it!! Three sessions of antibiotics - but each time it completely cured the chest cold. I love not having a tight chest. I'm not a big cougher. I took Darling and I in on Wed to see if we could get help - Nope, haven't had it long enough - come back in 3-4 days. Well, at this point we are going back in on Monday.
Darling's cough is looser, but still about the same. She's not a big cougher, just like me, but at night if she wakes up, she coughs and coughs with the tickle. I know exactly what she feels like. After she finally gets back to sleep, my tickle sets in. Usually graham crackers settle it (I know, weird, but it works, I've tried alot of different things), but I'm out. I tried sleepy-time tea, and that has helped! I should go back to bed, but I wanted to check out friend's blogs, and then realized I really needed to update!

The Dr. at the clinic mentioned I should try this inhaler product (which one does every day all winter) and that might help preventing getting the cold in the first place. Interesting thought, but I doubt my regular Dr. would consider it. I usually don't come in, I just live with it, so there is no documentation for regular chest colds. I'm not a big fan of antibiotics. Although maybe now I am! Anyways....

Dunk still needs to drop off my camera to see if we can get it fixed. Always seems like somethings going on after work, so not a good day to take the extra time to drop it off. Hopefully next week, and hopefully it'll work and I'll get my camera back.

I haven't been playing my drums lately - mostly hanging with Darling and trying to keep up with school and life.

I made apple strudel on Wednesday. My Grandma's K's recipe. Mmmmmm soooo good! I miss her even after all these years. She would have loved Darling's chubby sweetness and soft tootsies. I miss Grandma's smell, fluffy hugs, and sweet strudel.

Drum's been playing the drums alot. He really has a knack for them, just a little too loud for us. :-) His clavicle is getting better. He had 4 baby teeth pulled on Friday. One was giving him trouble, so he was up during the night with me.

Dime and his friend spent the night in his fort. Brrrrrrr. So cold! Boys. He finally passed his test at CAP and is looking so forward to promoting in a couple weeks. He's been fishing at the bridge a couple miles from our place, and caught a number of nice northern!!

Duke's reading has really picked up!! I'm so excited for him. He still acts like it's a major chore to read - why do I need to do this, etc - but it's coming. I'm soooo grateful for our NILD instructor - Mrs. L. She's been so awesome.

Well, I think I can go back to sleep now and sleep through everyone else getting up for soccer. Only today and next week and then it is done for the year. The kids are getting so cold, but they are really bummed it will soon be over. I wish there was a place indoors, although Dunk will probably be glad he gets to sleep in on a Saturday.

Bon Appetit - A Book Review

Sandra Byrd's second book in the French Twist Series- Bon Appetit - is a fun read!!
Twenty-some year old Lexi Stuart starts her adventure in France working at a well-known, family-owned bakery in the village of Presque le Chateau. This is in exchange for attending the famous "L'Ecole du Patisserie" to become a pastry chef.
It takes awhile for Lexi to break into the culture of the French and feel at home. She meets her boss' son Philippe and his sweet-hearted, adorable child, Celine. They help her in her adjustments into life in France. Finding an English-speaking church helps her to maintain her bearings and reminds her so that she can remind others that Jesus is the Bread of Life.
I really enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of the chapters and the introduction into French culture.
"Lexi discovers that as she leans more on God the choices become a little clearer - and making them, well, c'est la vie!"
I'm already looking foward to the third book in this series, as I'm sure it will be a perfect recipe for a tasteful ending.

"Fast, fun, and packed with French culture, foodie appeal, and unique recipes readers will love accompanying Lexi on her journey in Bon Appetit as she tries to choose between two countries, two men and the faith to lean on God while savoring the surprises life brings!"

Author Bio: Best-selling author Sandra Byrd enjoys a successful career writing adult, teen, and children’s books, including the Friends for a Season, Secret Sisters series and the French Twist series, including the first Lexi Stuart novel, Let them Eat Cake. She is also a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines. Sandra lives in Washington state with her husband and two children.
This is a delicious book with an enriching message!!
Want your own copy of Bon Appetit? Leave your comment below on what are some of your favorite items to cook. I have two copies to give away!! :-) I'll randomly choose winners on October 25, 2008.

The Shape of Mercy - Book Review

As soon as I received the book, "The Shape of Mercy" by Susan Meissner, I delved into it with interest. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. This was one of those rare stories that I literally could not put down.

Main character, Lauren Durough, is a rich college girl who wants to find out what it is like to live in the working world. She pursues an education and then also chooses to take a part-time job from interesting 83 yr old Abigail Boyles. Abigail chooses Lauren just as much as Lauren chooses this job - transcribing a diary by Mercy Haworth, a victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. It was gripping to hear about the history of witch trials and how they began.

What starts out as an interesting diary to transcribe, turns into a strong interest in the girl, her life, her story, her hopes and dreams. Somehow Mercy Haworth's diary is a part in the life of Abigail Boyles, and will eventually help Lauren to "take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. ... Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?"

The realization Lauren had gripped me as I looked at the issue of evaluating others in a whole new way. Very powerful.

"Meissner's prose is exquisite...she is a stunning storyteller." Publishers Weekly

"Author Bio: From early school-day projects to becoming editor of a local newspaper in Minnesota, Susan Meissner’s love for writing has been apparent her entire life. The Shape of Mercy is her latest novel in a string of books that delve into the deeper issues of life. She is the author of nine novels and lives with her family in San Diego. Find out more about her at http://www.susanmeissner.com/. "

I'm so sorry to report that I forgot to rsvp that I wanted give away copies for this book. I certainly would have loved to pass this book on. I will loan it out to anyone in my area, but I really want it back to keep. :-) A great book to own or give as a gift.

Drum Surgery Update, etc. :-)

Drum had surgery Friday morning to put in two plates over his left clavicle. The surgery took about an hour and a half. Papa K was in residence. He put in Drum's IV and kept an eye on him in surgery. He's the only family member to have seen the plates in place. :-) When we got home about 5 pm, the pain wasn't too bad, but the nausea was terrible. He finally quit throwing up on Sun about noon. His stomach was still hurting on Monday, but he kept food down in small amounts. By Monday night he was eating frequently and in larger amounts. Yeah! He's sounding more and more like his chipper self. We are so thankful that he won't have to worry about breaking it again. An interesting note was that he has broken it 4 times, and I believe they were all in the month of October - three years in a row, skip a year, and then this year. It will be awhile before he's back doing push-ups, but it'll be much sooner than if there were no plates.
Dot told me she's already sick of driving for everyone, and it's only been two weeks! :-) She was just frustrated to have to go to the dentist because Drum was in no condition to go, so she had to take his place. I just smiled.
The leaves are beautiful around our place. Around the trees in the yard are carpets of fall leaves. I'm looking forward to raking when it quits raining, and I get time.
Dot and Deer get hair cuts today. Basically a good trim.
Dot had a great trip birthday shopping with her Grandma. She got new black shoes (so cute!), two skirts, a sweater, a black belt, a pretty pink necklace and earrings. They hit some great deals, and had alot of fun. Papa joined them here afterwards to check on Drum, and brought pizza!! Hurray for Grandparents! :-)
This morning it is raining so no jog for me. But now I have time for this post! :-) Thanks for the prompting fellow blogger. :-)
Update on the camera situation: I need to call the camera shop to get the number again for the place to have Dunk take it to. I never remember in the day, just late at night or early am. Someday...

Catch-Up

I thought I'd give everyone a quick update from the W Household.

• My oldest dear daughter, Dot, turned 16! Where did the time go? We celebrated her birthday as a family on Tuesday. Her brother got her "Eldest" and "Brisinger". She was ecstatic!
• After a super busy week she passed her driving test! Everyone was so booked when I went to schedule her test, we had to travel 1 1/2 hours north to be able to take the test in Sept. I was way more nervous than her. I guess I had more riding on it. :-)
• We got back and Dot had a huge party! 10 girls over for pie-baking and girly fun. We ate leftover pie all weekend.
• My camera is still on the blink.
• I bought a mp3 player with my birthday money. I'm still working on getting the music on it that I want. Plus, I found out that I am not like my kids. I can't listen and think at the same time anymore. just weird :-) I want to get music on it, so that I can listen and practice on my birthday drums!
• In my spare time, think middle of the night usually, I recently read "Ergon" and "Eldest." Sooo fun! I can't wait to read "Dresingr." I also read "The Shape of Mercy." I think I need to do a review on that. Ooops.
• Last evening Drum broke his clavicle again!!! Same side. Poor kid! We want to get it plated for him, so this doesn't keep on happening. This is the 4th time!! Something's wrong with his healing in that spot. We had it x-rayed, and they said it was all healed, but... He has been handling the pain well. I went and dug out his sling. It sure fits better than it used to. :-) We talk with the Dr. today. Speaking of which, I gotta run...

An Update!!

I'm so bummed! My camera accidentally got dropped and now I'm out for the count for picture taking. I was just wanting to take a picture of my new drum set I received for my birthday!! It is a beautiful used set, that I have so enjoyed playing on. My brothers and their families surprised me and came for the birthday party. We had a great time. I feel spoiled. :-)

I used some of my birthday money for new tennis shoes! and new chair cushions for our dining room table!! Our old ones were getting so tacky and beyond any more repair. Hooray for Kohl's 30% off coupons!! :-)

Yesterday was a big day, as we started up ballet lessons at our home again. One of my former students, who has continued her ballet education, is returning to teach in our small studio. She is so sweet and did a fantastic job on her first day! Deer is so excited about lessons, and our boys are thrilled with the sibling friends they get to play with during ballet time.

Yesterday I got to see a God-incidence. Wednesday I had an unbelievable schedule. Dot needed to be at Behind-the Wheel classes 30 min. north of our home. Dime needed to be at guitar lessons 20 min. south of our home. At approximately the same time. I was looking at possibly going to take Dot north, drive Dime south, go north to pick up Dot, take her south to join Dime for Bible Study. Way too much time in the vehicle, much less gas, four younger kids at home, etc. I couldn't change the driving lesson. Didn't think there was any way I could change the guitar lesson. Then yesterday the guitar teacher called, and he was having scheduling conflicts for Wednesday, could we change to Tuesday! PTL!!

This morning we had much the same sheduling conflict, but with no possible way of doing both, so Dot's orthodontic appt. got cancelled. Hopefully it'll work out fine. I am so thankful for the Lord seeing the big picture.

My dear husband got a job!!! in our home state!!!!!!! I feel so blessed to have him have a job and be around home. His side job is picking up a bit in the fall season, so sometimes he's home late, but at least he's HOME! Monday nights go so much smoother. Darling loves being home with Daddy, so I can take the big boys to CAP, without the stress of taking the younger ones with me, or leaving them home which gets long even with big sister Dot.

Dot is checking out a new babysitting job today. She is excited about the possibilites of regular employment at a time that works with her schedule. We are really praying about some sort of job for Drum and Dime as well. They need the money just to go to CAP events. :-) They are not super expensive, but it adds up! or should I say their wallets are getting slim to empty. :-)

Well, I should either hit the hay for an hour, or get busy with some paperwork. Darling has been up and down since 3:30 am. After Dunk got up for work, I was too awake and hungry to go back to sleep, so decided to join the computer with some left over popcorn. This is going to hit me this afternoon, but it was fun to have time for a post.

A Walk Around Our Yard

Things I noticed on my walk this morning:

• pearly dew on the grass
• perky wildflowers already up and ready for the day
• yellow sunflowers that Papa missed when he mowed
• tracks from a deer who visited our yard last night
• crocs from a child who enjoyed the tramp last night
• socks from a kid who could climb trees better in bare feet
• one of the last glimpses of the season of green, green trees and a blue, blue sky
• a woodpecker going after his breakfast
• several Canadian geese visiting while they traveled together
• busy songbirds
• a quiet house and yard looking forward to the promises of a new day :-)

Wild Goose Chase - A Book Review

I am still in the middle of reading "Wild Goose Chase, Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God" by Mark Batterson. This has been an inspiring, encouraging book. One that I prefer savoring in chapters at a time so that the encouragment and thoughts can sift deeper in.

The Celtic Christians called the Holy Spirit - The Wild Goose. When one thinks about the characteristics of the wild geese, I think this is a very apt name for the Holy Spirit. Since reading this book, I have gone on-line and have thought about some of the facts about the Canadian goose. For instance: the Canadian geese who are in back of the v-formation, honk to encourage the ones in front to keep up their speed. Sometimes it feels like the Holy Spirit gives us honks of encouragement through God-incidences in our daily lives.

One of my favorite comments in this book is that circumstancial uncertainty equals adventure. The Holy Spirit leads us on the adventure of our lives. :-)
I'd love to write more, but for lack of time let me just encourage you to get your own copy of this wonderful book at Amazon.com: Wild Goose Chase
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590527194 It will be worth it.

Author Bio:
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

Flowers and such...

I'm trying to pick back up on my walk/jogging, so the other morning I was out. I was so rewarded by the cheerful good morning of these Black-eyed Susan's. Usually that area of the woods is mowed by Papa in anticipation of a large amount of snowfall, so it doesn't give time for the later summer flowers. (I did let him know so he won't mow yet this year. :-) They are so perky.

Here's Darling "helping" with the laundry. She loves that perch. She likes to play with the dryer sheets or whatever else is up there from someone's pockets.

There other day we walked up the hill to Gpa & Gma's and enjoyed the beautiful sunset. This is posted for Gma's sister in Texas.

Darling and Gma share a favorite passion - looking for and collecting rocks. Gma lets Darling put rocks along her flower garden ledge.

Dunk has Gma playing ping pong (great brain exercise!) with her grandkids along the front of the house.

(The pink board is for covering the table when not in use, so the dew doesn't wreck it.)

The moon has been beautiful and full!! This is from up the hill, looking down.

I've been busy getting ready for school, as well as helping and watching a close friend get ready to leave for China. It is heart-rending to watch her go, but inspiring to watch her family go through this time and see God's grace in their lives. We take them to the airport about 4 or so on Wednesday morning. If you think of them, please pray for them as they make the journey and the transitions. Tonight will be our last meal together for quite awhile. Our family is praying about making the journey to visit them in 2010. That would need quite a bit of prayer as well. :-) We'll see what the Lord has is store......

Book Review - Children's Extravaganza!

We had cozy fun reviewing the following delightful books:
God Gave Us Heaven

Summary: Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels?

During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.

Reuniting the best-selling author-illustrator team from God Gave Us You, this gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questions about heaven. Parents, grandparents, childcare professionals, librarians, Sunday school teachers, and others will appreciate the gentle approach to a topic that’s on the minds of so many “little cubs.”
Through captivating, full-color illustrations and tender, biblically sound storytelling, young readers and those who love them will find reasons to rejoice in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven.

Author Bio: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than one million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Heaven is Lisa’s fourth children’s book, following in the tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

God Love Me More Than That

Illistrator Bio: Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
Summary: In two new books from best-selling children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall, clever rhymes and delightful illustrations help young children, ages three and up, understand God’s huge love for them and his joy in creating them. These enchanting picture books from the writer-illustrator team of Dandi Mackall and David Hohn will instill awe in young children as they revel in each page. Parents alike will appreciate the engaging stories that communicate God’s perfect plan and his divine purpose for little hearts.

In God Loves Me More Than That, children learn that God loves them deeper than a wishing well, wider than a semi-truck, louder than thunder, and softer than a kitten’s sneeze. Each question, presented with charming child-like faith will help young ones grasp the great love of God through comparisons and descriptions they can easily understand. In short, they’ll discover that His love is bigger, wider, higher, and deeper than anything they could imagine!

When God Created My Toes

In this book, kids are drawn into the wonder of their creation by God. Their masterful artist who fashioned them just right for amazing and delightful adventures, such as roller skating, finger-painting, doing flips, and drinking cocoa. Children will come to an understanding that God shaped each part of their amazing bodies with joy, delight, and humor.

Author Bio: Dandi Daley Mackall has published more than 400 books for children and adults, with more than 3 million combined copies sold. She is the author of WaterBrook’s two other delightful Dandilion Rhymes books, A Gaggle of Geese & A Clutter of Cats and The Blanket Show. A popular keynote speaker at conferences and Young Author events, Mackall lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats.

Illistrator Bio: David Hohn is an award-winning illustrator who graduated with honors from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has worked as both a staff artist and an art director for a children’s software company in Portland, Oregon, a position which led to his art directing an award-winning project for Fisher-Price. Hohn’s recent projects include Lisa Tawn Bergren’s God Gave Us Christmas.

Have some little ones or grandchildren you'd like to bless with these books? Post a comment by August 26th. Thanks!

Firearms Refresher Course

'Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.'~ Thomas Jefferson
FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE (going around on e-mail)
1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
10. The United States Constitution (c)1791. All Rights Reserved.
11. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you not understand?
12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
14. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.
15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
17. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.
20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.
23. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.
24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

The Weekend

We had a great weekend!
Friday night I went to the our local fair to help out at a booth for a friend. She's my midwife when we have kids, and her 13 yr. old daughter, a former ballet student of mine, passed away last Sept. Since then she and her husband have been working hard to fulfill Hannah's dream to help the children in other countries through World Vision. They have raised enough money for a well in Africa - $18K. This September they are planning a bike-a-thon to help raise money for a second well. Feel free to visit them at http://www.hannahshundreds.org/
The picture at the top of the page is of Hannah. One evening she and her mom were enjoying the sunset at their home. After taking pictures and marveling at what God had designed, Hannah exclaimed "He's Magnificent!" while her mom snapped a picture. It's incredible.

Saturday we went to my folks cabin for a family reunion. Dot stated, "It's the best reunion I've ever been to!" She had a good time. :-) Drum got up on skis for the the first time, and Dime did a 360 on the knee board. Both were ecstatic!! They can hardly wait to go back and do it again.
It was fun to visit with my Aunt who was back from the war, where she was serving as a soldier. She has 3 kids who were so happy and relaxed this year to have their mom with them.
My other Aunt showed several of us how to make my Grandma's kuchen. It's loaded with cream, and includes eggs, flour, sugar, and cinnamon. I haven't had it since my Grandma passed away, and it was one of my favorite treats. What fun to now know how to make it! My kids wondered what the big deal was about kuchen. I mean, it's good, but... Memories, my child, memories.
After watching the stars at the end of the dock, and enjoying some games around the campfire; we finally headed home at 12:30 am!! :-)

Sunday we slept in. Our church meets at the fair once a year - a great thing! - but expensive for a family of 9, so we rested our weary bones in bed.
Plus, we got together with Jerry's sister and husband for lunch to celebrate Papa W's 78th birthday!! I can't believe he's 78 with the energy he has. I think he'll easily make it over 100. I'm praying they do. We need them!!
In the afternoon, the kids played croquet with everyone.
At 4:30 Dunk left for the week; at 5:45, Dot and I left for her mission's trip reunion. We had a great time listening to everyone's memories of the trip. They'll be sharing in church on the 24th.
When we got home, Dot left with her Aunt and Uncle to spend the night and go to the science museum today. She was looking so forward to spending some time with them.

PS. Joy's been starting her updating from the trip at www.xanga.com/joy4kitties It says "don't read this yet" because she's still adding stuff. She's started with getting some poems on there. Tuesday or Wednesday should see a fuller report. :-)

Today was the first morning this week that I did not have something going that I needed to get up quickly and ready for. Yeah!! It is relaxing. I really should be out walk/jogging, but I just had to check blogs first.
Dot got her pictures back from her trip. She's working on a picture board for church to show what she did on her mission's trip. It is so fun to see what she's been talking about.
Our biggest news is that Dunk is now working out of state again. I'm not a crying person at all, but it was horrible to find out Monday morning last week, that he needed to travel again. He had only been working "in town" for two weeks. When I picked up Dot from her trip, she was bummed to find out she couldn't hug Dad until Saturday night. The good news is that the job has overtime. We are praising the Lord for cell phones. I can't imagine what it was like when husbands had to work out of town, and could rarely call home. It really helps the kids to be able to at least call. This job may last until mid September.
Gotta run.

Finally, "Some" Pictures.

Last time I blogged, I couldn't upload any pictures. Don't know why. So, here they are in random order.
Dessert and Cousin TT (Twinkle Toes) give Darling a ride. (PS. The water is only a foot deep)

Fun tubing: Duke, Dessert, & Cousin E

Uncle Johnny brought up his kayaks!! Fun.

Dot & Darling:

Catch of the Day!

Watching Uncle J clean fish. One of his many talents. :-) (He wore alot of hats that week. Dad to his kids, Uncle to mine, Teacher for the drawing class, etc.)

These are pictures from Dime's Encampment graduation.

He's the short one in this picture. At least one of the tall guys in this picture is only a little over a year older than him. I'm starting to wonder if all the tall people moved hear to be near Paul Bunyan.

I have about 100 of these pictures. That's what I get for leaving my camera on the picnic table. :-)

She was having a blast with big brother Drum.

Cousins are so fun!! Yep, that's my kid with the socks on, no shoes, by the campfire. And I wonder how his socks get so black on the bottom?

Dot's July 4th dessert:

My favorite spot at the cabin. On the lake during the sunset:

I have about 30 of these adorable pictures of Darling in her swim suit. :-) She had a great time with her cousin playing in the water.

The annual 4th of July boat parade. The kids one 1st place this year!! (only two speed boat entries) They looked great!! The 3 older boy cousins are in the front of the boat, dressed in army and air force uniforms. Dot is in the back wearing the sailor hat. The rest are waving flags.

Watching the parade from the dock:

Dunk's friend he stayed with in SD. He enjoyed his trip for the 4th.

The ever-changing face of the lake.

Happy Birthday Dime!!

He had a great party with friends.

Three Teenagers!!

Three teenagers!! Since son # 2 turned 13, we are now the parents of three teenagers. :-) I'm loving it so far. Sure, we spat back and forth, but they are great kids, and I really enjoy hanging out with them, and watching them with their friends. Dime had a great birthday party last night and got to have one of the boys spend the night with him in his fort. He has it all hooked up so they could watch a movie out there. After I take the friend back to St. Cloud, we head up to the Lake. We'll come home tomorrow, so it isn't a long trip.

Friday night we were in a parade for my Mom. I think it is one of the longest parades I've been in! and fastest as well!! I kept thinking we were almost done, and it kept going. Dot, Dime, Deer, and Duke rode unicycles. Dessert handed out stickers with me. Dunk & Drum were busy with stickers. Darling was just cute in her stroller. :-) The kids had a blast afterwards with their cousins, and grandparents at the fair! Dot, Darling, and I went for a snack and then to get some items she still needed for her trip. The others were pumped up and chatty when I picked them up at 10. They boys got these little frisbees that fold up and spring out. They are great!! Dime rode the tornado! :-) Fun memories!!

Sunday we went to Dot's commissioning service at her youth group's church. There are about 20 on the trip! Great group. Then we headed over to my Dad's Mom's family reunion. We had a great time eating and playing. Later, I took Dot home to finish packing while the rest played. Then we went back, picked them up, took Dot's luggage to be loaded at 8pm, went to Wal-Mart for one more thing she forgot, and finally got HOME!! :-) Dunk took her for her ride at 4:15 am Monday. By 9 LA time she was in CA!! We haven't heard from her, but no news is good news at this point. We've been praying for her a ton. It has been weird to have her gone. A Mom likes her chicks in her nest. :-) I'm so proud of her commitment though. She definitely is going beyond her comfort zone. :-)

I've recently read the series "MisMatch", "ReMatch", and "Matchpoint" by Erynn Mangum. They are hilarious!!!! and excellent! Dot borrowed them from a friend, and Dot, Deer, and I laughed and laughed our way through these books. If you love coffee, chocolate, and chick fliks; you'd love these books! I Don't drink coffee, like chocolate in only certain forms (fudgy chocolate cake, blue symphony bars, German-chocolate cake my Mom makes, you get the idea), but I still LOVED reading her matchless funniness! Wish I owned a set to read again, and loan out. :-)

Book Review: Love as a Way of Life

I'm finally getting on here to blog, in the middle of the night! A girl's got to get a chance to blog sometime. :-) I'm going to start with a book review!
"Love as a Way of Life" by Gary Chapman was a wonderful encouraging read. It shares uplifting, heart-encouraging stories and practical ideas to develop the 7 characteristics of a life of love. This book focuses on how to give love, not just get it. The seven characteristics are kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty. Each characteristic is developed with examples and explanations. I really enjoyed the definition of patience - allowing someone to be imperfect.
I believe this is so important as it sets us aside as Christians, that we show love to one another. Our local Christian radio has days set apart for a "Drive Thru Difference." They encourage their whole audience to participate in showing acts of kindness throughout the day. It shows the power of Christ's love in our lives. "Won by Love," about Norma McCorvey the Jane Roe in Roe V. Wade, is an awesome book that shows the power of just sharing Christ's love with others, including our "enemies." The movie "Evan Almighty" shares a great idea for remembering to share Christ's love for others in doing an "Act of Random Kindness" - ARK. I've considered pasting up the word ARK around our house as a reminder. No matter who starts it, showing kindness breeds more kindness.
As part of the book's summary states, "Convinced that in a world of constant conflict people desperately need authentic love, Chapman paints a compelling vision of how life can be richer and relationships more satisfying for anyone who practices Love As a Way of Life."
The book is way richer than my summary. You have four options:
1. Purchase the book at http://www.amazon.com/Love-Way-Life-Transforming-Aspect/dp/0385518587/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215792028&sr=1-1
2. Purchase the book at your local bookstore.
3. Borrow my copy of the book.
4. Comment here for your chance to own this fantastic, encouraging book!

I really should post about what we've been up to lately. Anna had a fantastic week at my folk's cabin learning with her friend from my brother about drawing. We enjoyed being with my niece and two nephews. The kids had a great week, and I really enjoyed the time to visit with my brothers. I'd do that again every summer. :-)

Dime survived Encampment!! It was a great, working, learning experience for him and he was so grateful to pass. Drum made it through Wednesday and then realized he needed to try again next summer. It has been one of those learning experiences he will value in the years ahead. We are pleased with his attitude towards those who finished, even when he did not. Great work guys!!

Last week we hosted a Gameathon for 13 guys on Tuesday to Wednesday and 24 girls on Thursday to Friday!! The kids worked so hard getting ready, and then played hard and had a blast! Believe it or not, I have not one picture of our second annual event. I was too busy keeping up with kids, the meals, and keeping picked up. I really enjoy watching the kids enjoy themselves. My favorite is helping with the timing for the obstacle course. It is 2-3 minutes of grueling labor. :-) :-) No problems with extra energy kids after that!! :-)

Our great news lately is that Dunk got a job around home. Well, I should modify that. He was driving 5 hours to a different state and staying there and then driving 5 min to work each day. Now he spends his nights at home, but is driving 2 hours one way to work. It is definitely an improvement to see him at night, but still draining for him. This job will last two weeks, and I'm praying hard his next job is closer to home (and of course would last all year or more). Doesn't hurt to dream big and pray hard!! :-)

Sunday we celebrated Grandma W's birthday with 76 trombones!! Well, skipping the trombones I guess. :-) It was great to see Aunt S.

This week Dot is getting ready for her big mission's trip, and the rest of us are catching up on this and that around the house. Papa W put in three lights in the dining room, which look fantastic!!! Dot got her eye's checked and found out they are improving!! That's a switch. She loves her new contacts because she can see so much better with the proper prescription. No wonder they were bugging her.

I really better hit the hay. I'm going to try to post this after the book review post, so we will see what happens to the date, etc.

Monday Mupdate - well, it rhymes :-)

Yesterday, Dot and her mission's group did a car wash and earned over $600 for the house they will be building in Mexico. They had a great time, and even had a motorcycle show up. :-)
Darling said, "Love you," to Dad for the first time. So sweet!!
Dime and Drum are still hanging in there at Encampment. I am looking so forward to seeing them again, and hearing how their time went. Please pray for them if the Lord brings them to mind. Encampment is like a boot camp that lasts 9 days vs. 6-12 weeks. It is very hard, and a challenge for the teens there. They have them up and out doing PT by 6 am. They have classes with tests, PT, and inspections throughout the day. We cannot talk with them, but can e-mail, which they get every night.
This week Deer has art lessons with my brother up north. It will be fun to see the cousins.
Yesterday, we got the dryer working again. Saturday morning the lint fell down the shute when Dunk went to empty it. Papa W and I took the dryer apart and got the lint out, made sure it was working again, and then closed it up. It did work, but there was now no heat. I couldn' t figure it out then, Papa was working on the broken lawn mower, so waited til Sunday. On Sunday I took the back off the dryer again, and had Dunk look at it. After checking fuses he mentions - Is the gas on? Oh brother!! I remembered Papa and I turning it off while we worked, in case we kinked the gas tubing. It works great now!! :-) I had alot of laundry to catch up!
Dunk and Dot had a fantastic Saturday at the Rebelution conference. I'm still waiting for a full report on Dot's blog. :-)

Quiet Morning Update

The boys are off to Encampment, Dot & Dunk are off to their Rebelution conference, so the youngest 4 and I are home for the day. Well, Deer & I might run to town for art supplies for next week's art lesson with Uncle J. Everyone is sleeping in late as Dunk got home at 10:45 last night, and of course they all wanted to visit and hear stories. I really enjoy quiet mornings.

Yesterday we had quite a day with getting the boys off. We ended up spending 1 1/2 hours waiting in the parking lot to meet the van (understandable reasons, but still had to wait). Then 10 mins of frantic sewing on the cap tapes that just arrived, so they have them on for encampment. Two ladies graciously agreed to help me sew on the 3 patches I needed to do. One pierced her finger deep 2 times!! Ouch!! I felt so bad for her, being it wasn't even her own kid she was giving blood for. Thanks, Julie & Lynn, for your help!! I finally got smart and said my last words and good-byes to the boys before we got to the parking lot. Only thing I forgot was their hug at home, so didn't need to do it in a parking lot full of peers. They still remembered and came for a quick one behind the car before they left. I love those boys!!

Last night we went to Elliot's graduation party. It was such a great party!! I loved the "know Elliot" game. Good food, fun times, fun friends.

Gotta go do something else with my quiet morning. :-)

Ramblings

I have no good reason for not posting lately. Unless one wants to count: tired, carpal tunnel like symptoms in my right arm, laundry, movies, can't eat bars and type at the same time. lol :-) Darling doesn't like me to sit and type. She prefers I hold her, or take her outside. The mosquitoes have been crazy around here. In the evening, she doesn't move fast enough to be outside.

Our days lately have been filled with orthodontist appts., friends over, looking for missing books, baking bars, eating bars, watching movies, playing with the slip-and-slide, playing with the hose on the tramp, mowing the lawn, etc. I've done the driving, laundry, movies, baking, and eating bars. No wonder I'm not as skinny as my kids. I got my thyroid levels checked yesterday, and Dot got her pre-trip immunizations. I'm always hoping thyroid is the reason I'm tired. Not because I read a book late, didn't get enough exercise, or a dog or cat woke me up early. 6:15 our dog woke me up today!!!! Good Grief!! I'm on summer schedule!

Occasionally I go through a spurt where we just want to watch a "few" movies. We hadn't seen any for so long. We went to the video store and I found out they had a limit on how many we could check out! :-) I had nine in my pile. They would only let me check out seven. :-) So we've been watching them this week.

It seems like I should have plenty of time to get whatever I needed done, but somehow the time keeps flying by with little stuff. Drum and Dime leave on Friday for Encampment, so we've been getting the details ready for their trip. They have to have 6 plain black shirts, 5 white v-neck t-shirts, 6 black boot socks, 4 black dress socks, etc. That is all doubled as I have 2 boys going! I have 10 patches to sew on. 10!!! That's a lot of pokes in my fingers. You'd think I'd have all those patches sewn on watching movies, but that would be because you haven't watched a movie with a 1 1/2 year old in a while. Sometimes I think I watched the movie in constant motion myself keeping Darling from making noise.