The Birthday Month

November is filled with family birthdays. Below are some pictures taken during Grandpa's birthday celebration...

First, two very, very precious girlies, who both mutually adore each other!
(And spend most of their waking hours together!)

Grandpa, loaded with love, presents and grand-kids...

Enjoying a 'heart-made' card from Selah...

Hannah and Aunty Lene... (notice the antennae hair?)

Anyone want some more pumpkin pie?

Which Bible History?

Can you guess which Bible history we were learning?

And here's our little bystander...

Does It Hurt?

Mom, does it hurt to die?

I have always believed in telling kids the truth. Honest questions deserve honest answers. So I answered the best I could.

I love the questions that kids ask. They are real. And they provide such an opportunity. Duane and I have always striven to never assume/presume our children's salvation or to provide them the assurance of their faith. We firmly believe their assurance can only come from the word and the Holy Spirit. But their expression of faith is always so raw, so from the heart, so like a child. And we are the ones learning...

Here are some questions and comments we've had over the months...

If Adam hadn't eaten the fruit, then would there be no evil?

Can Satan ever come to heaven? What if he was sorry?

Why don't animals have souls? What will happen to Oliver (our cat) when he dies?

I can't wait to go to heaven. There will be fruit and trees and animals... and the best part will be Jesus.

Who made God? What was before God?

Is God bigger than our house?

God has the biggest stick. (This is Judah's classic definition of God's omnipotence- who says little ones can't comprehend doctrine!?) Satan's stick is big, but God's stick is the biggest of all.

Why do I have to die? I don't want to die. Will I die real quick so I don't feel it?

When I was scared last night I talk to God and He comforted me.

Why doesn't everybody love God?

I want our whole family to go to heaven- and all the families.

If we love God, then dying won't hurt, will it?

The Spirit was in me this morning- could you tell that I was being so kind?

I asked God to keep Satan far, far away- not in these United States of America!

Mom, guess what? "So-in-so" told me that they also love Jesus!

We were praying for an elderly member of our church who is in the hospital... Mom, I don't want to go to the funeral home. Why? Because it's such a sad place and makes me cry.

Oh, I love Jesus so much, and I never want to stop loving Him!

...and tomorrow the list will continue. Sometimes I am tempted to feel soul-drained when life is so busy and my quiet time with the Lord is so squished. But then He sends a child to teach me, and I am humbled.

Welcome to the Pond

Over a couple weeks ago we celebrated our boys' birthdays. Judah's birthday was on the 3rd, and although Isaiah doesn't turn three until January, it seemed like less work to combine the two! So it was a pond party, focusing on turtles and frogs.

Last minute we decided to add the fun of dressing up, so here are our characters...

Selah above as an Egyptian princess (the one who rescued Moses from the Nile:-)), and Isaiah below as a cowboy...

Daddy was also supposed to be a cowboy...

Judah the charming police officer...

And our little ladybug, snuggling with her Grandma 'Nurse'...

Here's our ladybug with her wings on, ready for flight...

Below are some pictures from a lily pad hopping game (copying the idea from musical chairs, except 'lily pads' instead of chairs)...

Grandpa always has treats to share...

...and be modeled...

Enjoying the latest fashion...

Turtle cakes! One with a green shell for Isaiah and the brown shell for Judah...

Making sure every candle has been blown out...

Posing with Jacob the soldier...

...and add a few kids...

Nine cousins looking so fine! I challenge you to just try to get a shot with them all looking!

I see I missed pictures of the flashlight, frogging/treasure hunt. Oh well, it was still fun!

Presents, presents, presents... 2 boy fishing poles! ...army men, Legos, trucks, play-dough, and more... ...what more could a boy want?

...and matching bed quilts for 2 growing boys, decorated with frogs and turtles and bugs. They were both so excited to sleep in their new beds that night!

So that ends the pond party. Happy Birthday, Judah! We hope you remain our gentle Judah, protecting the weak and standing up against the wrong. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Back to the 'Normal' Fall Weather!

Cold, frosty mornings, warmer afternoons, time to pull out the jackets and rake the leaves...

...and soak in the last bit of autumn warmth before the 'real' arrival of winter.

Oliver joining the leaf fun...

And two little girls keeping warm inside and sharing toys...

Wintry Weather

The last Saturday in October was Silas 5 year old birthday party... ... and a misplaced winter storm!

While the snow fell heavy outside we enjoyed the warmth and energy of excited kiddos...

Dive for the treats...

Fire engine cake... lots of food coloring:-)!

And here's a picture taken the next morning of our road restricted by beautiful trees broken and buried under their loads...

Julia Sleepover

When Julia comes over she's pulled in four directions because all our children love her. But everyone finally settles on an activity. Below they are coloring a floor puzzle...

Daddy joined in on the fun...

Some things are more fun than coloring...

Johnny Appleseed pictures to paint...

And Selah experienced the 2nd hair cut of her life (last year was her 1st)...

Thanks, 'Aunt' Michelle!