Storm!

We've had some very strange weather around here over the last few weeks. 2 Sundays ago, while the kittens were being born, we had a crazy drop in temperature with hail and blizzard-like snow, then some nice warm weather (including Saturday at our family dinner - which I hope to post on soon), hot weather up to at least 24 deg. yesterday and then today another drop with really strong winds. It was almost tornado-like the way it came whipping through our yard (probably remnants of the tornadoes down south).

The kids had a very hard time concentrating on school because of all the wind noises and seeing all the things the wind was doing around us, so we decided to stop and ended up reading The Hobbit for a while. We had the kittens in the house with us too because it was getting way too crazy out there. Tiger had taken one of the kittens from the cat house and put it in the blue box on our back porch, so I went and got the rest of them for her. A short time later, the cat house went whipping around the house and almost into the field. Then even the blue boxes were being threatened, so I took the whole box in the house with the kittens. Of course that helped distract the kids for a while.

We've finally come up with names for the rest of the kittens. (We are planning to try to sell them, so of course these are only temporary names, but you can't have kittens around without knowing what to call them).

Here is Joanna with Lewis (as in C.S. Lewis).

And Josiah with Tolkien (yes, as in J.R.R. Tolkien).

Sarah, with Bucephalus (as in Alexander the Great's great black stallion),

And Esther with Smudges (as in black with smudges).

And here is watchful Mamma Tiger.

Tired kittens, cozied up in the doll car seat. (11 days old)

At one point, the girls were going to go outside, going out through the back door by the playroom. Joanna realized she had forgotten her shoes and ran back to the mud room with Sarah to get them. Esther waited in the open doorway for them. As she stood there, the big pine just a little bit outside that door was torn out by the roots and fell across the yard. We praise God for protecting our girls from that tree! They could've been right in its path if they had gone out any earlier.

A little later, John was outside looking around and suddenly one side of the barn slowly tore off and crashed into the field right by the barn. Very soon after, half the roof collapsed in as well. Needless to say, our barn looks quite airy now, sporting a very open-concept design.

After the wind slowed down enough for us to go out without getting blown away, we inspected the damage together. Well, at least this makes a very pretty spot to take a picture.

Parties, Programs & Pets

As many have already heard (or attended), Esther organized a surprise party for me a number of weeks back. My sweet thoughtful young lady! :) I only have some pictures from the event, which mostly give an idea of how many people were there. There were a few from church as well as most of my family and John's parents. So nice. Sorry Marguerite couldn't be there too.

These 2 little cuties had their own private dining experience at the windowsill.
They thought it was great fun.

All the other kids had to find a space on the floor or toyboxes in the playroom.

Earlier, on the same day (Apr. 2), our homeschool group had our Spring Gathering. The 3 older children were in the choir part of the program. They based the program on Steve Green's Hide 'em in Your Heart. The kids all did a wonderful job. Our kids are still walking around singing the songs, including Joanna.

At the program, we also had some of our school work from the year displayed and part of that was some work we did for science, our ocean boxes. At Christine's request, I'll post some pictures of those as well.

Two weeks later, on Apr. 17, our cat Tiger had her third litter of darling little kittens. Here is one picture at a few days old. There are 4: 2 tabbies, one all black and one black with brown smudges, whom we quickly named "Smudges".

Little Visitors

Over the winter months of being "shut-in", some sweet little visitors took turns coming over by themselves between Church services to cheer their Auntie (real or adopted) and to build memories together

:)

Anna & Jo perched on their island house in March
Mary came with Anna another time but unfortunately I didn't get a photo.

Ditto for Jimmy and Jo, Andrew and Daniel.

Anna-Lise & "Betty"
a couple years apart but they had fun together and Anna-Lise kept us constantly entertained with her comments... (like "We moved to a new because mommy didn't like the color of our kitchen cupboards" -bursting out of the house was more like it - and other very amusing things)

Bethany (3 y/o) even came all by herself one time (tho she hardly uttered a word - she didn't have to when chatter-box Anna was there tho she repeated after her often when they played).

Timmy & Danny

Each visit was unique and most enjoyable.

This little cutie came with Mamma and Dadda

And so did this little dolly

Marike at about 3 1/2 months.


Such love & joy little children can bring! Thank the Lord for little children!

Joanna

A (month late) birthday picture.

At Christmas we bought a family present of a fish aquarium and each of the children have gotten or will be getting a fish for their birthday. We are studying Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day for science this year and it has been neat to see some of what we learned demonstrated by/on our fish. The children love to feed the fish and watch the interesting way they eat.

Joanna's 4th birthday!

Yesterday (the 23rd) was Joanna's birthday! Wow! I can hardly believe my little girl is already 4. I can still remember quite clearly when she was a tiny little thing, being doted on by her big brother and sisters, carried around by Sarah & Esther, sitting in the doll stroller and carrier, cute as a button. Well, she still is doted on by her big brother and sisters often and still is cute as a button, but now she is the one pushing the doll stroller and carrying the carrier and carrying her own "babies". We thank our dear Father for our precious little daughter who is growing up so fast. She loves to be big like her bigger siblings and lately has been wanting to be the daddy when they play their many variations of house.

We took lots of pictures of her yesterday opening her presents, and videos of her joyfully jumping up and down and dancing around in her excitement over the balloons and streamers that Esther so sweetly decorated the playroom with. But, when I wanted to take some pictures of her and her "cake" (a pink and green turtle made out of carrot cupcakes), the camera wouldn't work anymore. All the pictures we took were wiped out. So, you'll just have to try to picture it from the descriptions provided. :)

So, Happy Birthday Joanna! We love you!

Aunt Christine's beautiful scarf.

Christine made this pretty scarf for Joanna. Just wanted to share these pictures. :)

Family Pictures

A new addition to our Clan!

Welcome

Marike Grace B!

Born November 30, 2010

Two weeks ago, our youngest, Maurice, and his wife Rachel, received a precious covenant child on loan from the Lord to raise for His glory!

Though the photos are lacking, we're "proud" to show you here God's blessing to our family.

We are humbly thankful for each one and for the Lord's goodness in keeping mother & baby safe and healthy.

Pleased Mommy, 2 days after the birth looks great! What a thrill to have another daughter!

and a sister for Anneke - her great hope fulfilled! This is their first meeting and Anneke was a little reluctant to go back with us once she got baby in her arms.

We had the privilege of taking care of these 2, the oldest of 5 (now) and we really enjoyed having them. (Thanks M&R - their good training made it all that much more possible & pleasant for us to have them during that week). They seemed to enjoy themselves as well and Jo, who is still quite affectionate, announced "Its so much fun here, I don't want to go home. I want to stay."- yeah, 3 adults doting on him! To which Anneke replied, "I want to be with Daddy, Mommy & Marike" to which Jo replied after a moment's thought, "Well they can come live here too!" LOL! Not to worry, this is the same boy who, when kissing mommy "goodbye" at the end of their brief visit, decided he was going to stay home with mommy! Fickle kids,eh? ;) The younger 2 boys stayed with Chris & Maurice- and from all reports (except maybe Kenny's) that went quite well also - despite the warnings re "Willy the terror" - he quite enjoyed rough-housing with his big cousins - especially Mark.

This past Sunday (Dec.12) baby Marike was baptized and the following photos were taken by Dad & Josh after that special occassion.

Grandchild Number #21! Niece #10!

Marike, like Anneke, is a good Dutch name (actually pronounced Marijke) - and we have 2 relatives in Holland by that name: Dad's sister-in-law, and Mom's sweet cousin (who lived close by for a time and left a lasting impression on us by her life devoted to relieving the suffering & rescuing the lost).

Bright-eyed little dolly already communicating

Living Publicly | CCEF

Living Publicly | CCEF

45 Years as Husband & Wife!

45 years of love

Our dear parents

We praise God for His faithfulness to Dad & Mom through all these years!

We are so grateful for their love for the Lord, and their love for eachother and for us, their children & grandchildren. I can't thank them enough for all their love and care for me - especially during this very difficult year! May the Lord reward & bless them richly!

We celebrated with the family 2 weeks ahead since the actual date was already taken by our church's Kingdom Seekers banquet - which turned out to be quite a celebration too!

*
Our little family celebration started with Dad & Mom's grand entrance with "Here comes the Bride" being belted out by Dad while the grandkids watched open-mouthed. LOL.

After a scrumptious meal, a Trivia Game about Dad & Mom/Opa & Oma teased our brains with questions about their wedding, their various dwelling places, and different things about their lives, and of course: "What is something that Opa says a lot?" to which the grandkids immediately & gleefully said: "Now Moo!" Yeah, Dad, you've asked for it. :) The bonus question re a character trait/gift of each that we're thankful for gave us opportunity to honour and build-up these 2 special people. And, of course, special music was performed by many of the grandkids and, surprise, Christine playing a piece on her recently acquired harp!

We've been so spoiled (& tend to take it for granted) having godly parents and siblings and being close enough to be able to get together fairly easily (compared to our parents who left their families far, far away and were lucky to have even 1 family member come to their wedding! - and the S's who just had 2 more of their kids move far away!). We did miss Heidi tho who is in the US studying hard, and Daniel (who was pretending to be a YP at RLL and doing everything but school!).

Beautiful centerpiece from Sharon.

And I must mention the cross-stitched masterpiece that Betty worked on for the past 8 years! and finished just in time to present it to Dad & Mom that day! (Its been professionally framed since and is now hanging above the fireplace!)

"Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father!"

Thanksgiving Hike