A Little Lamb's Thoughts

Despicable Me cupcakes

2012-01-26T22:44:00.003-05:00

And because we weren't busy enough (HA)...no I found this super cute idea on pinterest and knew Titus would love it so I surprised him and his class with these when they returned from Christmas break, to celebrate Titus' birthday at school.

Ringing in the New Year!

2012-01-26T22:37:00.002-05:00

2012! Banging pots is a tradition, however with our young boys we never make it to midnight (or should I say we don't let them stay up that late). Because we are a time zone away from the East coast here we watched the ball drop at 11:00 and headed off to bed...church was the next morning you know! Mike's parents also spent their last night here and headed back to MI.

Titus funny side

2012-01-26T22:30:00.003-05:00

For T's birthday I found a despicable me birthday card..here is Titus dancing to it. Cracks us up with his funny ways :)

Angry Bird Party

2012-01-26T15:53:00.008-05:00

Homemade orange angry bird pinata

2 school friends were able to come over Saturday afternoon to help celebrate.

cakes

Titus turns 6!

2012-01-23T17:12:00.012-05:00

December 29..My T-Rex getting bigger, grinning bigger, still sweet as ever and empathetic. He wanted an Angry Birds birthday party. The week off school was just so busy no one could come on his birthday. I made a trap with streamers for a surprise when he woke up (Abe was still up the night before very concerned what I was doing to his brother T). He made it through the maze without breaking any streamers..he is careful and slow like that. We had one of his favorites for lunch - Pancakes, a special Mickey mouse shaped one for him. Then we drove around a little to show Grandma and Grandpa where they go to school and a tour of the church. Next we went bowling. We had bumpers but the boys are improving. The big winner of the day though was Carrie! So much fun together. In the evening we got a pizza and he opened presents then we had a movie night in house watching Kung Fu Panda 2!

Things about Titus at this age: Takes his time doing and going anywhere, finishing up his Sparks book for the 2nd time this year, loves to read, curly blond hair, mismatched pajamas are fun, rocks in his shoes from recess, loves football, favorite color still red, cereal every morning for breakfast, easy going getting along with everyone, great hugger, silly.

The Miracle of Christmas

2012-01-22T22:25:00.008-05:00

The Sight and Sound building in and of itself is a really neat thing to see. Outside they have animals to see before you went inside and inside we were greeted by beautiful singing and piano playing as well as nooks of stuffed animals and paintings. Tina did her research and talked to others who had been and found really good places for our seats. Caleb and Titus got to be right on the aisle way. The animals and characters come down all the aisles. Angels flew down from the ceiling. One of the boys favorite parts was a battle between and angel and demon and when the angel of God won the demon flew backwards doing flips. At one point a horse snuck up behind Caleb and sneezed scaring him and Tina. A line in the play followed saying "Bless you!" It made me laugh anyway. The performance was almost 2 hours long but so well done. I would certainly recommend them and look for a chance to go again. They even gave a gospel presentation and invitation at the end. They said "Joseph" is the next story coming to town. After the play we had to head back home, but what a wonderful 2 days away with lots of memory making and fun!

Black Light Mini-Golf and Ball Pit

2012-01-22T22:04:00.006-05:00

Tuesday morning we spent some time at an inside black light mini-golf place. It was pretty cool and the boys are getting better. However, the big news, I WON. Can't believe that has ever happened before. After we played that we had about an hour till lunch but in the same building they had a ball place place the kids could go in for $3 each. I really didn't think that would enjoy it so much but I was wrong..they had no problem hanging out for an hour in there. Next we ate lunch at Long John Silvers then Tina, Caleb and I went shopping while the other boys took naps in the van before we had to head to the Sight and Sound Show.

Branson Lights

2012-01-22T17:39:00.005-05:00

One of the presents Mike's parents got our family was tickets to the Sight and Sound show, The miracle of Christmas. Branson is not to far away from us, but we hadn't been yet. Mike decided to get a hotel for us so we could spend more time there. The show was on Tuesday after Christmas so we were going to go up Tuesday and come back Wednesday, however, two of our church men died and their funerals were going to be on Wednesday. We were able to move up our trip to Monday-Tuesday and instead got a little cottage across from the hotel. Monday we ate lunch at home and then headed up. We did some shopping and ate at Culvers then we went through two different light displays. The second was much bigger and ended with a trip up a look out tower. It was too foggy to see very far but still a nice evening. And of course, took some time to play in the pool too before heading to bed.

Nerf Dart Gun Tag

2012-01-20T22:42:00.004-05:00

One of our favorite presents have been this velcro nerf gun set. We have had several fun games of Capture the Flag.

Christmas favorites

2012-01-20T22:14:00.010-05:00

a hand-painted, story book written by my mom

Boys in their new pajamas from Mom Bennett

Christmas Dinner

2012-01-20T15:08:00.003-05:00

Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Potato stuffing, Rolls, Ham Gravy and for dessert, Pineapple Upside Down Cake. We also had 2 of our church widows come over after our service to have dinner with us. It was a nice time fellowshipping and again thanking God for more blessings of food and family and a church family. Notice our vinyl wall art of Psalm 23 that has been added to our Dining Room Wall.

Christmas Service

2012-01-20T14:55:00.007-05:00

Our Christmas service was from 10 - 12. We had a large attendance and it was a blessing to focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas. What a blessing to be able to freely go to church on Sunday and worship our Creator God who loved us so much, He did not spare His own Son. Mike had all the kids come up to the front and read them the legend of the candy cane.

Singing through the Luke 2 Christmas story. Mike's mom also played "O Come all ye Faithful" for a special.

Family Picture

Christmas morning

2012-01-19T21:22:00.005-05:00

Caleb was first up, no surprise there. we told them they could get up at 7 but we could hear him moving around earlier than that. Abe slept in so while he did I threw some cinnamon rolls int he oven and Mike and his mom worked on getting dinner things started. We got the boys a multi-game table. We let them open their stockings and gave them their present from Grammy and Grandpa...a trampoline. Sorry the picture is blurry but they started jumping up and down as soon as they saw it.

Christmas EVE

2012-01-18T22:42:00.003-05:00

Mike's parents came down to spend Christmas with us. They arrived Christmas eve night after spending 2 days in the car and a walk through some caverns. They were not so impressed by the arch, thinking it should have been much bigger. :) Anyway this December we downloaded for free The Jesse Tree Advent devotional. Each day there was a passage of Scripture and section helping us look forward to Christ's birth. It was a little deep at times but still good. The boys took turns hanging up the picture for each day, or putting a candy cane in our countdown to Christmas or opening a flap of another advent calendar we have. I sure missed having them around but Christmas break is great because I get them home!!!

Caroling at the Nursing Home

2012-01-18T22:27:00.005-05:00

Kids Cookie Decorating Activity

2012-01-17T23:06:00.003-05:00

In December we had our kids from SS over for dinner and to decorate sugar cookies. We even judged best decorated cookies and gave out prizes. When they finished that Mike played some games with them. Not everyone came but we enjoyed the time with those who did. I didn't make near as many cookies as this year but this is always a tradition I enjoy!

Christmas Cantata

2012-01-17T14:00:00.003-05:00

Mike and I sang in the choir for our Christmas Cantata this year, so these pictures were taken during our practice. We actually did the Cantata on a Friday night and then again Sunday morning and had over 100 people come to each presentation. Mike preached a strong salvation message after each one. Titus was a shepherd and Abe got to be a cow, a really cute cow, who was also tired and decided to lay down.
Caleb was an angel in the nativity scene. He also had a speaking part and sang 3 songs in a group.

Christmas Parade/ Lighting Ceremony

2012-01-17T12:54:00.004-05:00

The little man

2012-01-15T22:40:00.001-05:00

Christmas Photo Shoot

2012-01-15T22:27:00.005-05:00

Home again

2012-01-15T21:29:00.002-05:00

When we travel now to see our family whether that be to MI or WV we drive by the arch...and for now I still take a picture every time. One of these times we will stop and go up in it.
Even though our trip to WV was fairly short (we spent 4 days in the car and 4 1/2 days at the farm), it was so worth it! my whole family was there. Mike shot 2 deer. We got to go shopping, found some great deals and my family went out to eat at LJS for lunch on Black Friday. I actually went out with my sister Holly Thursday night and then back out again the next morning. It was fun, a little crazy and we were very thankful God kept us out of the way of a really bad accident on the interstate that night. Also one day we were there, I got really sick but still so worth it!!

Family shots from Thanksgiving

2012-01-15T18:23:00.006-05:00

Grammy and Grandpa with their 6 grandkids

The 6 Kids

Hensons

Bennetts

Grandma Martz and her great grandsons

2012-01-15T17:56:00.007-05:00

a wreath for myself

melted crayon art for teachers

shirt cut, bleached and sewed onto another..I guess I don't have a final picture...we sewed it over a long sleeve black shirt.

Braided scarf

OK so one of my excuses that I am so far behind on here is a site I found called Pinterest. I was hoping to make several homemade presents..here are the ones I accomplished for Christmas presents. Thankful for my mom's help on the sewing..I don't own a sewing machine.

Thanksgiving

2012-01-04T14:49:00.010-05:00

Abe and Raena tackling Grandpa

Whitney teaching Abe how to make a turkey, air kisses, and something about a hot dog

the kids table

Grammy and her boys

Back to Thanksgiving..because that is how far behind I am. The week before my family got a stomach bug but it was taking about 4 days in between each person. Every time we thought we were safe someone else got it. Mike actually got it on our trip and yet he still continued to drive almost the whole thing to get me to my family. He is so wonderful! I ended up getting while we were there but even though it was a LONG trip home and back I was so glad to get this chance to be with my whole family!!!! I think Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday.

Silent Night

2011-12-23T23:26:00.001-05:00

More House updates

2011-12-17T23:46:00.004-05:00

green dining room...and since this picture we have now added a vinyl word art of the whole 23rd Psalm

light green kitchen

Mike built these bookshelves and mantle...the previous owners removed the ones that used to be here.

Crazy Hair Night

2011-12-16T23:44:00.006-05:00

Ladies Thanksgiving Tea

2011-12-16T23:37:00.005-05:00

We had a wonderful ladies activity in November. A church lady opened up her home and we had 20 ladies come. I was in charge of the program. I read them "Not a Martha Stewart Thanksgiving" and we played a Read your partners mind game followed by singing, testimonies and a challenge. I am really enjoying these ladies and getting to know them better. I love being back in a church ministry full time again!

Leaf Jumping

2011-12-16T23:30:00.005-05:00

All my boys have not liked jumping in leaves when they are young but htis year they were better about it...well Abe not the first time I threw him in, but he warmed up to it. :) Our back yard has several white oak trees which produces lots of big crunchy leaves...and acorns. I raked and bagged 18 large trash bags full...just in the back yard! Still it was nice to have great leaves to jump in, and I am so thankful to have a big yard!

October 31

2011-12-01T17:38:00.006-05:00

Since the boys went to the Spooktacular event we decided to stay in for Holloween and pass out candy to other kids. We were dissappointed that only 2 kids came to our house. While we waited we watched "Spookly the Square pumpkin" and carved pumpkins. Earlier in the week we made rice krispy pumpkins for them to take into school. One of the first things I saw on Pinterest and did myself.

Zoo Spooktacular

2011-11-17T12:48:00.006-05:00

Springfield, MO weekend

2011-11-14T22:59:00.009-05:00

The boys had a Friday off school the other weekend so we went 3 hours north to Springfield, MO and have some family time. We tried to make the weekend fun and not spend too much money. We left after school Thursday (actually after a PT conference..teacher had wonderful things to say about Caleb). We arrived in time for dinner and went to Fazoli's (kid's first time there) then we went swimming int he hotel pool. Friday we spent the whole morning at Bass Pro Shop (the original). It was fun looking at all the stuffed animals, trying out the 4 wheelers, boats and other displays. We let the boys try out the shooting range and putting green. Then we went to McDonalds for lunch (which for the kids counted as one of the five really fun things we did this day). After lunch we went to a FREE farm/park where we got to pet animals, walk around a pond, go through a hay maze and have fun on a nice playground. After that we went back to the hotel to rest...before the rest of our fun day, which I'll save for another post.

Fall around my house

2011-11-14T22:48:00.005-05:00

I think fall here will be prettier in future years as we have had a drought and most the trees chose to die and turn brown rather then burst with lots of color. However there was plenty of beauty to be seen this past month. I also have enjoyed several squirrels and birds hanging out in our back yard. The most enjoyable part of this fall was the small sugar maple I got to watch out our front window. It did turn all pretty. The leaves are almost all done falling but today we warmed up again to 80 degrees. Lovely fall we are enjoying here!

Updates to the house

2011-11-07T21:57:00.007-05:00

Dining Room (original color)

more pictures to come of new color

Fireplace in Living Room

Living Room

Family room

Master bedroom

We have been in our house a little over two months here are some updated photos. Mike has changed just about all the ceiling fans, several lights, almost the whole house has been repainted, sockets and light switches fixed, carpets cleaned, fireplace mantel (handmade by Mike), new kitchen sink, curtains and and much more. Since it was a foreclosure there were several repairs but we really like our house, and it's feeling more like home all the time.

Mountain Home Berry Farm

2011-10-29T21:20:00.007-05:00

October 14th Caleb and Titus classes went on a field trip to the Mt Home Berry Farm, and I got to go along. This time I mostly hung out with Caleb's class. We got to have several hayrides as it was the transportation from station to station. They had a corn maze, a gourd field (where we each got to pick one and take it home), animals to pet, a mulch pile and a natural spring house. Caleb though it was about his best day ever he said on the way home.

Church Ministries

2011-10-24T22:22:00.011-05:00

I was able to host a baby shower in my house earlier this month. It was so much fun decorating with pink and making the cupcakes, I even made some origami lilies, my mom had taught me how to do these back when we did a Valentine's banquet one time.

Mike got to have his first baptism this month, baptizing 5 believers. He made a splash by slipping on the steps going down. We had 3 teen and younger and then 2 older women. What an exciting thing to be involved in!

Boy's Bedroom Makeover

2011-10-24T22:09:00.005-05:00

Homemade bunkbeds

Salmon Pink room

Our first time doing stripes

notice even the ceiling fan changed to new light

Detroit Tiger Fans

The Closing of our House!!!

2011-10-21T22:33:00.009-05:00

How exciting to finally close on our house, September 19, yes a long time since the original date we were told, but it was so nice to get our keys. Since it was a foreclosure there was a lot of work to be done so we painted with some help from church people, had the carpets cleaned and actually moved in 4 days later. These are the before pictures.

OUR house!

Living Room

Our Bedroom

Boys Room

Guest Room

Kitchen

Dining Room

Family Room

Our Backyard

Baxter County Fair

2011-10-20T22:26:00.011-05:00

The fair was just the start of the Baxter County Fair. We went one evening as a family, let each of the boys pick a ride and watched part of a dog show. Another morning we went and the boys got to decorate sugar cookies. Their school also took a field trip there and I went along as a chaperon. I walked around with Titus and 2 of his buddies. Caleb got picked from his class to display his art drawing of the fair. he got a ribbon, which we were very proud of.

Mountain Home Parade

2011-10-20T22:20:00.003-05:00

One of the first cool days we have had here in Arkansas. Abe and I watched as the boys participated in their first parade, riding on a float with their school friends.

Abe turns 3

2011-10-19T22:23:00.010-05:00

We were suppose to close on the house again this day..this was about the 3rd date we had gotten, original date end of August. Although this was bad news there was good news too, the bank had to pay to re-shingle about 70% of our roof, fix the air-condition unit and a few other repairs before we were allowed to buy the house. So there was a lot of financial blessing to waiting but not the easiest when living out of boxes. The boys went to school, Mike headed to work, I took some cute pictures of Abe in his lion towel. At the beginning of the week we was adamant about not wanting a birthday, I think the idea of presents changed his mind. We did a Buzz Lightyear theme for him since that had been his best buddy lately. We even bought him one of those big buzzes with all the gadgets and voice things. I hid some of the presents and told him the evil Dr. Porkchop had taken them and he had to go find them. I went simple on the cake this year and just bought an ice cream cake. It was cute to see him showing his new age on his fingers and actually being excited about his birthday..then we had to work on the next few days telling him it wasn't his birthday anymore. Mike had a birthday the week before but he just likes a no frills, restful quiet day best so that was the plan.

Waiting for our house to close

2011-10-15T22:16:00.009-05:00

Some of the things we did....

Chin faces

Neighbor's cat

Making the boys bunkbeds

Titus playing UNO with kiss

Close Family time

AWANA opening night

2011-10-15T22:11:00.002-05:00

Mommy and Abe time

2011-10-15T21:07:00.002-05:00

Trio blocks
built a castle outside, walks, visits to horses, leapfrog video, looking at paint samples for our new house. Potty training!

First Day of School

2011-10-15T20:52:00.005-05:00

Monday, August 22
Caleb's first day of school: no bad marks, reading test, liked the funny tooth book they read, wrote a letter to teacher telling about himself (he included his favorite singer was his mom and dad), tried to write name in cursive, took a PB&J sandwich, 8 in his class.
Titus loved having 2 recesses, a short nap time, 2 pets in his room, first job was the song leader - he picked to lead in singing the BIBLE, liked a funny turkey poem they read, colored the Indian eyes red instead of the Ii, picked a red balloon out of the blessing bear.
Mom got them a new batman toothbrush for their first day and ring pops for the ride home. Spent the day making a photo book, grocery shopping with Abe, missed my boys but glad they loved it.

Our new Home - Mountain Home, AR

2011-10-08T22:06:00.004-05:00

We left WV August 15 and 3 days later arrived in Mountain Home, Arkansas. We were working on getting a house but until it closes someone at the church let us stay in their one bedroom extra house. Each room was pretty good size and we enjoyed the family closeness, most of the time. Mike had prayer meeting the day we arrived. The next day we attended an open house for the Christian school. Tried to enjoy doing some outside fun with the boys since it was their last few days of summer. These photos are of the bridge that comes into Mountain Home over the Norfork river. We ended up using these photos to design our new church bulletins.

Turtle Races

2011-10-08T22:01:00.003-05:00

Within the first week of being here I think I rescued 3 turtles off the road. One day I found two, so the boys had a race with them. They both chose the same one to cheer for and it won then we let them go. We have also seen some roadrunners and found an interesting caterpillar. The other new to us animal is the armadillo, however we have only seen dead on the road ones of these.

West Milford Farewell

2011-10-08T21:58:00.002-05:00

The boys friends

Cousin's wedding

2011-10-08T21:25:00.012-05:00

Uncle Gary and Aunt Melinda

Cousin Staci

My sister, Whitney

My Mom and

Dad with Whitney

The Happy couple

Spaghetti Face

2011-10-06T22:34:00.002-05:00

We don't have spaghetti much because Mike can't have red sauce but he was away in Arkansas, revisiting, filling the pulpit. Had to take a picture of Abe enjoying his spaghetti. Notice boxes in the background..The church voted Mike to be the Pastor of Mountain Home Bible Church.

Trip to Wilds

2011-10-06T22:10:00.008-05:00

Since there was a good chance we were going to be moving out west we made a quick decision to swing down south to see 4 of my siblings, along with the teen group at the Wilds. My dad came with us on a Thursday, my mom had gone down on Monday with the teens. The boys enjoyed getting a chance to ride the super slide, Caleb did the land trolley and we all went tubing. It was great to spend some family time there. Mike went back with the teens Saturday morning, because he was filling the pulpit that Sunday but I stayed with my family and we headed down to Greenville for the rest of the weekend.

Canidating trip to Mountain Home, AR

2011-10-06T21:25:00.007-05:00

From MI we traveled through St. Louis, a 2 day trip to AR. We spent 10 days, attending VBS, eating lunch and dinner in different church people's homes every day, getting to go out on the lake and attending meetings. We really enjoyed our week and getting to know the people of Mountain Home Bible church. The week was super hot, over 100 about every day. We actually had canidated in another church in the beginning of the summer but we didn't agree on philosophy of ministry. so we made our long trip back to WV to wait and pray for 2 weeks before the church voted and we had to give an answer.

St. Louis Arch

2011-10-04T22:44:00.003-05:00

Gateway to the Midwest. All the boys and Mike's first time to see the arch. We didn't go up in it either b/c there was an hour wait. A huge storm was rolling in to..and we had been driving a long time. Still neat to sit under and see.

Jeepers

2011-10-04T22:25:00.008-05:00

July 4th

2011-10-04T22:13:00.006-05:00

The start of our official vacation in MI.

Red, White and Boom in Columbus

2011-09-30T22:36:00.006-05:00

and we finished the night off with our own poppers and sparklers before going downtown to see the firework show.

S'mores with Hensons

2011-09-30T22:23:00.005-05:00

Sprinkler!

2011-09-30T21:51:00.008-05:00

The boys loved our decision to stop for a night to see their cousins on our way up to MI. We knew it would be our last chance to see them in OH, because they were moving to Raleigh NC where Joe got called to be a Senior Pastor. We got out the sprinkler and they just had so much fun playing together, being silly, cooling off and running around. Too bad times like these don't happen more often.

VBS Day

2011-09-30T21:21:00.006-05:00

Unfortunately we weren't able to put together a week long VBS for my home church this year so we came up with the idea of doing one a month on a Saturday morning. Well with our crazy summer schedule, candidating and moving we only got to do it once. We had about 12 kids come out for a lesson, game time, craft and some coconut chaos.

missing teeth and big lips

2011-09-30T20:59:00.006-05:00

crooked smile and the next day

I can't even believe I am putting this up but it makes my boys laugh. Uncle Will started it.

Time at the Lake

2011-09-30T20:43:00.005-05:00

Water gun fight!

2011-09-29T22:49:00.004-05:00

Matt's baseball game

2011-09-29T22:36:00.005-05:00

We got to watch one of cousin Matt's coach pitch t-ball game. Even though they don't "keep score" we did..and they won! I got some good video too, although I won't put them on here. It was fun to watch and now Titus is hoping to play sometime too...on a real team, we already do play in the yard and he does great. Make sure you check out poor Titus getting squeezed on by Abe.

Time with Bennetts

2011-09-29T22:28:00.006-05:00

One benefit of funerals is the family you get to see and spend time with. We met and got caught up with several on the David side of the family.

I'm Back

2011-09-29T21:52:00.002-05:00

I am sorry it has been so long but as I catch up you will maybe see why. A LOT has happened since I left off...like I live in Arkansas now! Lots of other things to but now I have fast internet and I can get back to blogging about life here and now and catching up..if you don't care, at least for my records.

Goodbye Grandma for now

2011-07-05T21:12:00.006-05:00

On June 9th, we received the news that Mike's grandma, Verna David, had left her earthly body to go be with her Savior in Heaven. This was the 3rd grandparent to die this year. God gives grace. Mike was able to preach the funeral service. Mike had gone up twice earlier in the summer to spend time with her. So thankful we have the hope of seeing her again one day.

AWANA Grand Prix

2011-06-24T12:47:00.005-05:00

Caleb wore his Green Lantern mask and ring to match his Green Lantern skateboard. Titus loves the Wii and so when he saw this idea of a Wii controller car he fell in love. He actually got 1st place in design too as well as 3rd in speed. Caleb got 3rd place in design. The both finished their Awana books this year as well and received ribbons for that in the ads ceremony.

The Cleveland Zoo

2011-06-12T21:11:00.009-05:00

My Birthday - June 2

2011-06-11T21:28:00.005-05:00

The reason I was able to catch up on so many of these posts was that we went up to Cleveland, OH to celebrate...and the hotel has internet :) We had a free night stay at a hotel with our credit card points and a gift card to Red Lobster. Besides those activities we found this beautiful waterfall right under main street. We visited Chuck E Cheese and played there for a while ate out and played in the pool. That was all on Friday. On Saturday we got up and went swimming again then headed to the Cleveland Zoo and Rainforest.

Stonewall Jackson Lake

2011-06-03T22:03:00.010-05:00

On the last day of school, while most of the siblings were in we spent a few hours up at Stonewall Lake feeding the fish, after lunch at Long John Silvers. Will enjoyed flipping fish, making them splash us. Holly I guess was thinking about feeding them her toes. Caleb and Titus each touched some fish. It was a lot of fun. We got dog food from the store the carp love it and swarm to get a bite, on this day the ducks, babies and mommies were too.

They put in a new park too and the boys had such a great time. It was neat to see Titus be the dare devil of the group. Laura went with us but somehow avoided the camera.

Strawberry Festival

2011-06-03T21:46:00.007-05:00

Mike went to pick up Holly from camp and my Mom and Dad took us out to the Strawberry Festival. We had yummy fair food like cheesy fries, elephant ears and cheese steaks. When we were finishing up we heard the parade was suppose to start soon so we found a place and watched the noisiest parade ever! I am pretty sure every county sent over a fire engine, they even passed out ear plugs! The boys loved all the candy that was thrown right to them then we headed over to the rides. Caleb was too tall for almost all the kiddie rides so someone (me) had to "suffer" and go with him on the big rides. We did the scrambler, tornado and a new one for him - the star ship. Mom, Dad and Will hung out with the younger two. We had so much fun, we may have to go back next year :) But before we headed ho0me we did grab some Zules frozen lemonade and kettle corn.

Exploring the Pond

2011-06-03T21:34:00.005-05:00

exploring the pond

"skipping" rocks

checking out the tadpoles

checking to see if we like butter

following the leader

the cousins

Mother's Day

2011-06-03T21:26:00.002-05:00

Mike made me 2 Shoo-fly pies and tried a new dessert - orange pound cake with strawberries on top. It was SOOOO good! He also brought me breakfast in bed (a cheese and bacon omelet). The boys followed telling me I had to search for a basket full of goodies - cards and lots of camel candy bars. I know I am spoiled and have such a wonderful husband and I am so thankful God has allowed me to be mom to my 3 precious boys, however Mother's day always reminds me and encourages me to be more like the mom God wants me to be...less selfish, pushing to have a godly home and not just hoping it will happen. I also had Caleb's SS class that day and we started Revival services with Jerry Sivinstky.

Ladies Banquet

2011-06-03T21:15:00.004-05:00

We had 20 ladies come for our Ladies Banquet this year. My dad did most of the cooking but other men helped him serve the meal. Mike helped grill the London Broil. I was in charge of the lesson this year. The theme of the banquet was being grounded in God's Word. The theme verse, Hosea 10:12 "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

Spring Break

2011-06-03T21:11:00.003-05:00

One of the things accomplished on Caleb's to do list for Spring Break.

Egg Hunt

2011-06-03T20:51:00.004-05:00

I know I am playing catch up and going all the way back to May. Here is our actual egg hunt with 3 families from church who came over. After they found the almost 100 eggs we had a hot dog lunch, a sack race, relay race and jumped on the trampoline. Instead of filling the eggs this year I just gave gift bags when they turned in their eggs.

Easter Sunday

2011-05-01T14:33:00.008-05:00

Egg hunt practice

2011-05-01T13:37:00.008-05:00

We had invited some church families over to have an egg hunt the Saturday before Easter...however we had rain and with families being sick lately several didn't want to come out if there was a chance of it. Well it did end of raining all morning (it rained so much the last 40 days) but then it cleared up and I did a practice hunt with the boys. It was a good thing too. Titus walked around like they were going to fall out of the sky and hit them on his head. Abe found several and then started hiding the one he found (all in the same place). Good times, great memories. My grandma always had a egg hunt for us.

Heaven

2011-04-24T21:18:00.002-05:00

After being in hospice care for a little more than a week, Gdpa Bennett went to heaven last night. He was 91 and we were thankful we got to go see him last week and talk with him. Gdpa was so welcoming to me coming into the family. He loved greeting and leaving us with hugs and kisses. he was always expressive about his love. For the years I have known him he really enjoyed boat rides and being at the lake. Mike has told me often of them up in North MI spending time at the cabin, some of his favorite memories. It was neat to think of him today getting to spend Easter with his Savior. We are so thankful for the confidence and hope we have because Christ rose from the dead. Happy Easter!

Coloring eggs

2011-04-23T13:56:00.006-05:00

Achievement tests

2011-04-23T13:47:00.002-05:00

In WV the board of education requires Caleb to take the achievement tests or have a portfolio approved through a local school. Last year we did the portfolio this year he took the achievement tests. It was neat in the fact that he got to do it at the school I attended from K-4 till I graduated. He also ended up having my kindergarten teacher. He made new friends and really liked it. What I didn't enjoy was that he had to be there at 8 every morning and it's a 30 minute drive. Because it is so far away I just hung out in town rather than going back and forth (he finished at 11). So one day I got my hair cut, one day I took Titus with me and we went to the the library and mall. One day I hung out at a scary McDonalds that had Wi-Fi. I was so thankful my mom was around that week to help me with the boys b/c Mike's family was called in that same week to say good bye to Grandpa.We won't get the results till the end of next month but Caleb thought he did well. The first day he said he only had to guess on two :)

My 3 Sons

2011-04-18T12:42:00.000-05:00

Caleb

Titus

Abraham

I love Spring!

2011-04-13T07:39:00.005-05:00

Karis' baptism

2011-04-13T07:26:00.003-05:00

Sunday, April 3, my parents, Caleb and Titus and me headed up to Columbus OH. It was a spontaneous trip. My niece Karis was getting baptized. We really surprised my sister good when we walked in right before the service started. Karis' dad actually got to baptize her and she gave her testimony of salvation before he did. It was very nice. A very quick visit but what a wonderful thing to witness!

The Vintage Pearl

2011-03-31T21:33:00.002-05:00

I finally spent some of my Christmas money that I have been holding on to at The Vintage Pearl. I love it! I has a separate circle with each of my boys names and their birth stone. It was under $60 with a code I had at the time. Now for her birthday she is giving away 5 $100 gift certificates to her store. I know you will find something there you will love so check it out! http://thevintagepearl.blogspot.com/2011/03/happy-birthday-to-me-big-giveaway.html

Pittsburgh Children's Museum

2011-03-29T19:48:00.007-05:00

Instead of just gong up to Pittsburgh to pick up my sister from the airport (she came from PNG), we decided to make a day of it. Although we do a lot of fun activities as a family I hardly ever count them as a "field trip." Still I made the boys make up the missed work over the next couple days (aren't I just an awful teacher). The children't museum was just right for our guys age group. The 3rd floor had a water place where they could play with boats and currents and rubber ducks. On the main floor there was a section dedicated to Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Even the trolley and original puppets. They also had a craft center where the older boys made their own colored sheets of paper. There was a neat place called the garage that had a ball track across the ceiling, parachutes and pulleys and a smart car. Next door there was a room to play with magnets and on the other side a room called "Whoosh." In that room the boys made parachutes, played in a wind tunnel, airplane, and got to make their own rockets. After they made the paper rockets they tried to get them through hoops hanging from the ceiling by shooting them up with air. That was Caleb's favorite. Another room was called the Attic and had funny mirrors and a slanted room. In the hallways they also had neat attractions. We spent about 4 1/2 hours there. Then we picked up Holly and went to eat at Long John Silver's before heading home.

Family

2011-03-29T18:54:00.007-05:00

We had a lot of family come in last week for the funeral and it was really nice to see so many and get to spend time with them. Many friends we hadn't seen for a long time as well where there too. Here where some of the fun snapshots.

Good bye Grandma..for now

2011-03-26T12:30:00.004-05:00

Last Wednesday, March 16 around 7:15 my grandma went out of this world, into the arms of her Savior. Since Monday we knew she had really taken a turn for a worse and we were able to sing to her, read her Scriptures (some of the same I remember her saying to me as a young girl when putting me down to sleep. She often would pray through a long list of people..I always fell asleep before she finished.) It was so nice to be able to spend that time with her and say goodbye. But it's just good bye for a short time. Ever since my grandpa died 3 years ago she has been looking forward to going with him. We will be reunited some day again. This death was a joyful occasion for us, gdma had diabetes, parkinsons, and ahltimerz. We have helped care for her the last couple of years and we are so happy for the peace and hope we have that she is not struggling any more. She knows her Savior, and as Titus stated "she knows where she is going." Gdma was saved as a young girl after hearing a lesson on building on a foundation that will last. Gdma laid up much treasure in heaven after she accepted Christ as her Savior. I spent so much time at her house, when I was well and anytime I was sick. She wrote many letters to me at college and was such an encouragement to me so many times. She often made us things..Christmas stocking, beaded scarfs, sweaters, and for my senior year a crossword puzzle of things dear to me in the form of a blanket. My grandparents paid for us to go to camp, they cared for our Spiritual condition and we were really close. They were our neighbors and friends, and we will miss them. They are buried here on the farm. Mike was able to preach the funeral service. Her favorite song was "Count your Blessings." We also remember her singing as she rocked the babies, "Jesus loves even me."

I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

Hensons come for a visit

2011-03-12T19:11:00.008-05:00

last Thursday my sister Kristi and her girls came over for a visit. The boys always love getting together with them, although it rained the first two days they were here they were able to play outside some on Saturday morning before they left. Kristi and I went to a local church that was selling kids clothes and we found some great bargains (2 pair of size 3 boys shoes - totaled $8). It is nice having them live closer now.

Visiting with the Great Grandmas

2011-03-12T18:41:00.003-05:00

Evidence Not Seen

2011-03-03T21:40:00.002-05:00

As a newlywed, Darlene Deibler Rose served as a missionary in New Guinea with her husband from 1938 to 1942. Then, for four years, she was imprisoned by the Japanese during World War II and endured almost unspeakable hardships, including solitary confinement, near starvation, beatings and loss of her husband, Russell Deibler. Yet in her book, Evidence Not Seen, she wrote:

"Viewing those eight years from this far side, I marvel at the wisdom and love of our God, Who controls the curtains of the stage on which the drama of our lives is played; His hand draws aside the curtains of events only far enough for us to view one sequence at a time. Had those eight years been revealed to me in one panoramic view that misty gray January morning in 1938, would I have had the courage to board the ship? I wonder. Through the intervening years, tempestuous winds of gale force have buffeted me. Waves of tidal proportions have threatened to carry me under or dash me upon the rocks. But knowing now what I did not know those many years ago... I can thank my God for every storm that has wrecked me upon the Rock, Christ Jesus!" (pp.221-222)

May we thank Him too.

-this was a post I copied from girltalkhome.com I read it earlier this week and have been thinking on it ever since. Hope it will be encouragement to you to say "Lord, have thine own way." Whatever you see best for me. Teach me more about you and make me more like you. He deserves it all. Don't waste your life cling on to the temporal things of this life.

This and That

2011-02-28T22:08:00.002-05:00

February has been a different kind of month for us. It seems as though we are staying plenty busy but nothing much to take pictures of and post about. Mike has been helping my parents re-paint the inside of their house. My dad is recovering from a knee replacement surgery and my Gdma has been accepted on to Hospice this month due to her lack ob ability to feed herself, get up and down and walk. We have been spending a lot of time just helping out on the farm. My sister Laura came up for a long weekend to help out too and it was nice to spend some time with her.
Mike would sum up the month as "muddy" since the responsibility of feeding the calves and cows has fallen to him. We have been getting so much rain and wind lately. It has been nice to have some warmer weather lately, it even reached 60 on Sunday so the boys have been able to jump on the trampoline a few times. Mike has also been sending out his resumes to churches all over the United States. We are still waiting on any of them to take the process further. He has also been filling in at church for my Dad's SS class. I know he has been enjoying preaching more often.
I have been busy with home-schooling. Even when our county has been getting off I keep plugging away with the boys, knowing we will be done sooner and can enjoy the nice weather when it comes. I just got my lesson plans written till April 4th. That week Caleb will actually go in to Emmanuel and take his Achievement Tests. Caleb's new favorite subject is History (which for 1st grade is only a 6 wk study). Titus has began a new preschool math book and it has become his new favorite. I measured Caleb this week and found out he has grown an inch an a half just since November. Titus' shoes are getting a little snug. Abe, who is only 2 is barely fitting in size 3 shirts. I have to do double takes now and then to see if its Abe or Titus. Abe also talks really well for his age and has started counting 1,2,3,4,8,9,10. One of Titus' funny phrases these days is "I don't matter" instead of "It doesn't matter." I correct him by telling him he does matter!
Since the beginning of the year I have read 2 1/2 books which is good for me and they were excellent! After they were done I decided I needed to get back to reading my Bible more so I decided to read through the Bible again. Usually when I do it I take about a year and a half. This time I am looking at maybe getting it done in a year! I started with 2 chapters in Joshua and one in Psalms each day for now. I have also been filling in for my mom's guards class and teaching Jr church. We are looking forward to getting into a ministry full time but we know God has us here for the time being. If you know of any good churches looking for Senior Pastors please let us know.
Hopefully I will have more to blog about and take pictures of in March. March was suppose to be a really full month for us as we had missions conference every week scheduled from GA, VA, CT and MI. But the Lord has changed our plans. Please keep praying for New Zealand. This week we know many saved men who went down to Christchurch to help with the cleanup and give out the gospel. There is a Independent church there already. There is such a need there. My sister Holly in PNG is also doing well and has another month there before she comes home. She has been able to help out with several deliveries which has been exciting. Well like I said a little of this and a little of that but that is about it for this month.

February Missionary Letter

2011-02-15T20:11:00.000-05:00

February 2011
“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not” (Acts 16: 6-7).
As you read these verses, they may seem out of place in a missionary letter. Paul was intent on going to one place, but the Lord sovereignly did not allow him. God used those circumstances to lead Paul to a different place of ministry. These verses summarize what the Lord has been doing in our lives over the past 2 ½ months. Right before Thanksgiving, we were given some information as to changes that have occurred in New Zealand. These changes seemed to go directly against what we felt God had called us to do. As we began to pray through those changes and do some research, the Lord began to do a work in our hearts. We fully believe that if God wants us in New Zealand, He could move the country to let us in.
However, as we sought wisdom and advice from our supporting churches, God made it clear that He has other plans for our family. Making this decision has been extremely difficult. We have spent over two years of our lives asking people to pray for and support our burden for the people of New Zealand. We still love the people and have a desire to see them reached for the cause of Christ, but the Lord has closed the door for us at this point.
Presently, we are beginning the process of seeking a ministry here in the States. We don’t have a particular place or ministry in mind. We just trust the Lord to open that door for us as we follow His leading.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T19:18:00.003-05:00

from our house to yours..hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day. The boys worked hard making homemade Valentine's again. Mom and Dad told Mike as he was coming in from feeding cows to go ahead and take me out to lunch and they would watch the boys. (Then we would watch Gdma so they could go out for dinner). So we went out for Chinese since the boys don't care for it too much. It had a really nice atmosphere,and the food was really good and the price was only 5.99 each oh and the company..that was the best! It was really nice to have time for just us. We then went to JCPenny and found some really good sales. As we got back it was the boys nap time..Caleb got to skip is to finish the school day that we had to cut short for our date. We are still waiting to open up all the nice packages we got from family, but we haven't had much time with us all together today. My Gdma fell this week and it needing extra care so I am up at my parents house with her while they are out on their date night.
O Saviour, as my eyes behold
The wonders of Thy might untold,
The heav'ns in glorious light arrayed,
The vast creation Thou hast made—
And yet to think Thou lovest me—
My heart cries out, "How can it be?"

Refrain:
How can it be? How can it be?
That God should love a soul like me,
O how can it be?

As at the cross I humbly bow
And gaze upon Thy thorn-crowned brow,
And view the precious bleeding form
By cruel nails so bruised and torn,
Knowing Thy suff'ring was for me,
In grief I cry, "How can it be?"

How can it be? How can it be?
Was ever grace so full and free!
From heights of bliss to depths of woe
In loving kindness Thou didst go,
From sin and shame to rescue me—
O Love Divine, How can it be?

Valentine's Banquet

2011-02-14T18:51:00.006-05:00

Since my dad had a knee replacement surgery 2 weeks ago there was no way he was going to be able to decorate and cook for the couples banquet at church like him and my mom normally do every year. So, Mike and I volunteered. It was a big job. Thursday we decorated and made the desserts, as well as getting the games ready. Earlier in the week we pulled out tables, dishes, bought the food and Mike prepared the challenge. Friday Mike started the homemade rolls first thing in the morning, then went into all the cutting for the salad fixings, pork chops, bacon, potatoes....it just kept going. I found a recipe online for Panera Bread's Broccoli cheese soup, and tweeked it. It turned out great according to Mike and a few others at the banquet. We had 20 people show up for the banquet. Mike was grilling pork chops which left me to plating. I did have 2 teen boys helping with getting the plates out and glasses filled. Salad, Soup, then the main course: Grilled pork, red creamy potatoes, and green beans. For Dessert their choice of Chocolate lovers cake or a 3 layer Strawberry kiwi pound cake. After the meal we played girls against guys "Win, Loose or Draw." With my mom's great drawing skills the girls won. Then Mike gave the challenge from I Corinthians 13. It was nice having it at the church an on a Friday night. We just left everything afterwards and came back Saturday morning to clean up and do dishes. It was fun and we were glad to do it..but if my dad is up to it...I'll be happy to give it back to him next year :)

Unwise Bird - the Ostrich

2011-02-07T18:27:00.003-05:00

What we learn by observing the folly of a stupid bird and her maternal negligence.
Job 39:13-17 13 (ESV)
13The wings of the ostrich wave proudly,
but are they the pinions and plumage of love?
14For she leaves her eggs to the earth
and lets them be warmed on the ground,
15forgetting that a foot may crush them
and that the wild beast may trample them.
16She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers;
though her labor be in vain, yet she has no fear,
17because God has made her forget wisdom
and given her no share in understanding.

Instead of laying and guarding her eggs, the ostrich lays and abandons her eggs. She figures the sun can do the warming work in the sand for her. "Why should I be bothered? I've got more important things to do with my life." Her eggs are notoriously vulnerable to being crushed by beasts, eaten by reptiles,or snatched by men.
We are to be child nurturers and protectors. A women's instinctive mother-love is kindled in conception, roars into a raging bonfire at birth, and is brutishly beaten down when she returns to the office. Common sense screams out the fact that separating a mother from her young child is simply fighting against nature.
A homemaking mother is not merely a conservative and anachronistic option, but a God-ordained and sacredly instituted vocation. It's the scriptural pattern and lifestyle prescribed for the woman who is married and has children.

- these are all excerpts from the book I am reading called Womanly dominion by Mark Chanski. It has been really challenging me how I view my role and the importance God places on me being right here at home, nurturing my kids.

Holly's off again

2011-02-05T22:11:00.000-05:00

So as most of you know my sister Holly was a short term missionary in Cameroon, Africa for almost 2 years. She is still searching for the Lord's will in where He would have her put her roots down but she is not sitting around doing nothing while she waits. In between that time and now she has been working as 9 month staff at The Wilds. Then she heard about some medical missionaries in Papua New Guinea so as she prayed and money came in she secured a ticket and actually left last Monday. It was a really long flight and still this weekend she had to take a 5hr truck ride to where she will be staying. We are excited to hear about the opportunities she will have over the next two months. If you think about it, please keep her in your prayers. PNG has a lot witchcraft and fighting. There are so many dangers but all of us know that the best place for her to be is in the center of God's will. My sister Laura also just returned from a mission trip to Cambodia with the ORH ministry team. It is exciting to hear what the Lord is doing all around the world.

Caleb's 7th Birthday

2011-01-30T22:47:00.000-05:00

Caleb turned 7 last week. We had already gone to CoCo Key with the cousins to celebrate. However, we let him take the day off school (we had a snow day here in Harrison county). We had his two favorite foods - hot dogs for lunch and Sausage gravy and biscuits for dinner. We went up to my parents for dinner and then we all played pin the badge on the Bumblebee. It was a Transformers theme party. Caleb went first and got the badge almost right on. Then we told him that the Decepticons stole his presents and hid them and he would have to go on a scavenger hunt to find them. He loved his presents..and money! Then we had Chocolate cake and ice cream. It was a great day. One funny thing was that he didn't want to say it was his birthday till the actual time of his birth.

I can't believe how big he is..this is my little baby. Smart. Fast. Bossy. Helpful. Loving. Learning. Growing. My freckled giggly boy!

The Snow continues...

2011-01-28T18:12:00.004-05:00

New Haircut

2011-01-21T15:29:00.003-05:00

One of the reasons we spent the night at my sister's house was because last week she found a Paul Mitchell training
school less than 10 minutes from her house. And the best part its wash, cut and style for $12! Now it did take a long 2 hrs but I am happy with how it turned out (although I haven't done it curly yet). It was suppose to be a short layered bob. I am not quite sure that is what I got but I do like it. I had a guy who had been training since Sept. We had a good talk and am praying he will visit the church there. He did seem interested. It was a new style for him so it seemed like the instructor actually ended up doing most of my cut. What do you think?