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We celebrated Canaan's 17th birthday on Saturday.
He will actually turn 17 at 4am Tuesday, but we
wanted to celebrate while Daddy was still here, so we
had his celebration early. Last year we were in China
on his birthday, so we wanted to make sure we had a
good celebration this year. Since we've had so many
birthdays lately, with cakes, Canaan decided he
wanted a big cookie for his birthday. He also wanted
Bolt on it, which is Hannah's job to decorate cakes.
But when I made the cookie Saturday morning it
dawned on me that Hannah was working her last day
at Panera Bread and wouldn't be home in time to do
it, so I tackled the job myself. It didn't turn out as
good as Hannah's work, but at least you can tell that it
is Bolt, and Canaan liked it. The writing on the cookie
after "Yo Mama loves you very much" is "and now you
know that". This is a reference to a line from The
Waterboy, which is one of our favorite movies. Bobby
Boucher loves his Mama, and at one point dropkicks
another football player who insults his mama and then
says, "I love my Mama very much; and now you know
that."
He will actually turn 17 at 4am Tuesday, but we
wanted to celebrate while Daddy was still here, so we
had his celebration early. Last year we were in China
on his birthday, so we wanted to make sure we had a
good celebration this year. Since we've had so many
birthdays lately, with cakes, Canaan decided he
wanted a big cookie for his birthday. He also wanted
Bolt on it, which is Hannah's job to decorate cakes.
But when I made the cookie Saturday morning it
dawned on me that Hannah was working her last day
at Panera Bread and wouldn't be home in time to do
it, so I tackled the job myself. It didn't turn out as
good as Hannah's work, but at least you can tell that it
is Bolt, and Canaan liked it. The writing on the cookie
after "Yo Mama loves you very much" is "and now you
know that". This is a reference to a line from The
Waterboy, which is one of our favorite movies. Bobby
Boucher loves his Mama, and at one point dropkicks
another football player who insults his mama and then
says, "I love my Mama very much; and now you know
that."
Friday was Pop's 80th birthday (Art's dad) and we drove down to Georgia with the little ones
to try to make it a happy day for him. Originally we had hoped that all of us could go, but as
it turned out, we couldn't find a day that all the kids had off of work and school before Art's
work contract began. We had a great afternoon with Pop and Granny.
to try to make it a happy day for him. Originally we had hoped that all of us could go, but as
it turned out, we couldn't find a day that all the kids had off of work and school before Art's
work contract began. We had a great afternoon with Pop and Granny.
Canaan was delighted with a tee shirt
that Hannah designed for him based on
a Korean milk commercial. Click on the
link below to hear it: It's pretty catchy.
that Hannah designed for him based on
a Korean milk commercial. Click on the
link below to hear it: It's pretty catchy.
| Canaan hugging the Bolt balloon that Jordan got him. |
Canaan grilling for his birthday dinner
with liberal use of the lighter fluid.
with liberal use of the lighter fluid.
05-10-09 Update:
Here are my sweet kids this Mother's Day morning! It was a wonderful day,
beautiful weather, and lots of love. The only bittersweet thing was Art leaving this
afternoon for Florida. Yes, he finally has some work!! He has three weeks' work
at Motorola in South Florida, and he left this afternoon to make the drive down. As
I write this it is 10:30 pm and he just called from Daytona, so he should make it
there by 2am. I can't believe how he can drive 12 hours like that. When I drive, I
am usually falling asleep within 45 minutes, so it's a good thing he has this ability.
We are praying for his safety and good work this week. He will be driving home
again the end of the week, and will work from home for a week before returning
again to Florida. We are also praying that after the work is done that they will pay
him quickly, before the well runs dry here! Thursday May 7th marked one year
since Art was layed off from RFMD. We have miraculously made it one whole year
with only 13 weeks of work! I never would have believed it. It has been tough, but
we are still in our house, still clothed and fed, and very thankful for it. God has
been good to us, and so have our family and friends. We are humbled and filled
with gratitude.
The kids have been enjoying the swimming pool, but Isaac has decided that he is
afraid of the water after his dunking the other day. So when they got in on
Saturday, I agreed to go in with him and hold him, and try to get him to gently trust
the water again. I don't really like getting in the pool (it's still too cold for me), but I
decided to give it a try for his sake. He cried because he didn't want to, but I
coaxed him in and put him on the pirate ship, and soon I was able to get him wet
from playing that the ship was in a storm. Then I was able to get him to let me hold
him in the water for a few seconds and then put him back on the boat. He was
having fun, and making a lot of progress when all of a sudden, the boat tipped
over on its side from all the kids jumping around, and guess who tumbled into the
water? Oh my. Even though I snatched him up immediately, the poor little dude
was bawling. Oh dear. So, I think it will take some time and a very hot day to
entice him to try it again.
Hannah starts her first week officially working for Tae Kwon Do this week. She is
really excited about it. I, however, am already missing my free Panera Bread
salads and bagels. :-(
Isaac had his one year post placement visit this week. He has been with us one
year now! It is hard to believe. He has progressed so much in a year, and is such
a part of the family now. It is also a little strange that we have no adoptions in
progress! After we came home with Maggie in 2003, we have had another
adoption in the works within six months after each addition. So, it is kind of a sad
thing to see the one year mark come, and realize that this may be all. Art's
employment situation has made us unable to qualify now, and we don't know what
the future will bring. We just try to keep open to what God wants, and will be
content either way. As it is, we feel incredibly blessed to have the privilege of
raising these little ones. It's more than I ever dreamed of.
Here are my sweet kids this Mother's Day morning! It was a wonderful day,
beautiful weather, and lots of love. The only bittersweet thing was Art leaving this
afternoon for Florida. Yes, he finally has some work!! He has three weeks' work
at Motorola in South Florida, and he left this afternoon to make the drive down. As
I write this it is 10:30 pm and he just called from Daytona, so he should make it
there by 2am. I can't believe how he can drive 12 hours like that. When I drive, I
am usually falling asleep within 45 minutes, so it's a good thing he has this ability.
We are praying for his safety and good work this week. He will be driving home
again the end of the week, and will work from home for a week before returning
again to Florida. We are also praying that after the work is done that they will pay
him quickly, before the well runs dry here! Thursday May 7th marked one year
since Art was layed off from RFMD. We have miraculously made it one whole year
with only 13 weeks of work! I never would have believed it. It has been tough, but
we are still in our house, still clothed and fed, and very thankful for it. God has
been good to us, and so have our family and friends. We are humbled and filled
with gratitude.
The kids have been enjoying the swimming pool, but Isaac has decided that he is
afraid of the water after his dunking the other day. So when they got in on
Saturday, I agreed to go in with him and hold him, and try to get him to gently trust
the water again. I don't really like getting in the pool (it's still too cold for me), but I
decided to give it a try for his sake. He cried because he didn't want to, but I
coaxed him in and put him on the pirate ship, and soon I was able to get him wet
from playing that the ship was in a storm. Then I was able to get him to let me hold
him in the water for a few seconds and then put him back on the boat. He was
having fun, and making a lot of progress when all of a sudden, the boat tipped
over on its side from all the kids jumping around, and guess who tumbled into the
water? Oh my. Even though I snatched him up immediately, the poor little dude
was bawling. Oh dear. So, I think it will take some time and a very hot day to
entice him to try it again.
Hannah starts her first week officially working for Tae Kwon Do this week. She is
really excited about it. I, however, am already missing my free Panera Bread
salads and bagels. :-(
Isaac had his one year post placement visit this week. He has been with us one
year now! It is hard to believe. He has progressed so much in a year, and is such
a part of the family now. It is also a little strange that we have no adoptions in
progress! After we came home with Maggie in 2003, we have had another
adoption in the works within six months after each addition. So, it is kind of a sad
thing to see the one year mark come, and realize that this may be all. Art's
employment situation has made us unable to qualify now, and we don't know what
the future will bring. We just try to keep open to what God wants, and will be
content either way. As it is, we feel incredibly blessed to have the privilege of
raising these little ones. It's more than I ever dreamed of.
Mother's Day flowers
from Maggie. All the
little flags are from
each of the kids.
from Maggie. All the
little flags are from
each of the kids.
Canaan got a second birthday
cookie for his birthday. The first
one (above) was decorated in Bolt
by me, because Hannah was at
work. Then later Hannah made
one for him, and you can see the
difference. :-) Oh well.
cookie for his birthday. The first
one (above) was decorated in Bolt
by me, because Hannah was at
work. Then later Hannah made
one for him, and you can see the
difference. :-) Oh well.
The picture above is just typical Eden. She came
downstairs with a skirt on, no shirt, a head kerchief, and
fuzzy pink socks. And of course she always has small
toys in her hands. She is a sparkle of joy wherever she
goes, one of the happiest, most full of life children I
have ever seen. She makes me laugh every day.
downstairs with a skirt on, no shirt, a head kerchief, and
fuzzy pink socks. And of course she always has small
toys in her hands. She is a sparkle of joy wherever she
goes, one of the happiest, most full of life children I
have ever seen. She makes me laugh every day.
Next is Hannah at the graduation ceremony at our church. Hannah
is officially done with 12th grade, and I have officially finished
homeschooling this one from birth through high school. I couldn't be
more proud of how she has turned out. She is strong, talented,
gentle, confident, articulate, compassionate, creative, and loves
God with all her heart. She confidently walked up to the front with
about a dozen other kids, all in caps and gowns, and she in her
street clothes. I loved it. While so many kids reach this point in their
lives, and can hardly speak coherently with an adult, don't know how
to make eye contact with anyone who is not their age, haven't
worked a day in their lives, have little idea what they believe in or
why, and expect the world to be handed to them on a platter, here
she stands, a testimony to homeschooling and nonconformity for the
right reasons. She is always busy, always has projects in the works,
and is constantly pursuing learning in several fields. She is one of
the most interesting people I know, and I can't wait to see what she
does next!
is officially done with 12th grade, and I have officially finished
homeschooling this one from birth through high school. I couldn't be
more proud of how she has turned out. She is strong, talented,
gentle, confident, articulate, compassionate, creative, and loves
God with all her heart. She confidently walked up to the front with
about a dozen other kids, all in caps and gowns, and she in her
street clothes. I loved it. While so many kids reach this point in their
lives, and can hardly speak coherently with an adult, don't know how
to make eye contact with anyone who is not their age, haven't
worked a day in their lives, have little idea what they believe in or
why, and expect the world to be handed to them on a platter, here
she stands, a testimony to homeschooling and nonconformity for the
right reasons. She is always busy, always has projects in the works,
and is constantly pursuing learning in several fields. She is one of
the most interesting people I know, and I can't wait to see what she
does next!
| Making bird toys for our cockatiels. |
A brave mother cardinal has built her little nest right in the
bush in the back yard in a high traffic area by all the kids
toys, a few feet from the pool, right beside the water spigot.
Although she is easily startled and flies up to the willow tree
to scold us, she has not yet abandoned her nest, and we
really hope that we will see the eggs hatch.
bush in the back yard in a high traffic area by all the kids
toys, a few feet from the pool, right beside the water spigot.
Although she is easily startled and flies up to the willow tree
to scold us, she has not yet abandoned her nest, and we
really hope that we will see the eggs hatch.
Watermelon Man:
We have been thoroughly enjoying the fresh fruits and vegetables this spring. Sam's had watermelons
at a good price, and we devoured one. I could eat watermelon until I was sick; I think it's about my
favorite fruit. And I am well aware that I am a barking lunatic at times, and as evidence, I have to admit
that I was cracking up at Canaan's watermelon antics. I guess you had to be there.
We have been thoroughly enjoying the fresh fruits and vegetables this spring. Sam's had watermelons
at a good price, and we devoured one. I could eat watermelon until I was sick; I think it's about my
favorite fruit. And I am well aware that I am a barking lunatic at times, and as evidence, I have to admit
that I was cracking up at Canaan's watermelon antics. I guess you had to be there.
| talking on the watermelon phone |
| his best JD look |
Mrs. Cindy and Mr. Homer gave the
little ones Brewster's certificates, which
was very exciting. We heard about it
all day on Saturday, since we had told
them they would go that night. And it
lived up to every expectation. They
were adorable as they sat on the
benches waiting for their purple ice
cream, and then as they ate in
earnest. It was a great treat.
little ones Brewster's certificates, which
was very exciting. We heard about it
all day on Saturday, since we had told
them they would go that night. And it
lived up to every expectation. They
were adorable as they sat on the
benches waiting for their purple ice
cream, and then as they ate in
earnest. It was a great treat.
05-24-09 Update:
In other news, Art leaves again
tomorrow for Florida, and will
come home next weekend. He is
driving again. We are praying
that he will be able to complete
the project well, and that the
company will be quick in paying.
There is also a fairly large
contract they have presented to
another company that is very
important. We are praying hard
that they will be receptive. It
could be a turning point in the
business.
In other news, Art leaves again
tomorrow for Florida, and will
come home next weekend. He is
driving again. We are praying
that he will be able to complete
the project well, and that the
company will be quick in paying.
There is also a fairly large
contract they have presented to
another company that is very
important. We are praying hard
that they will be receptive. It
could be a turning point in the
business.