Last Days Of Summer

We are enjoying these last warm days of summer though we have to say that we will not miss the 95 degree weather. We love being surrounded by the green trees and the lush grass but we are also looking forward to the coolness of fall.Here is a picture of our back yard. The kids and I love to play out there.
Our sweet Jonah has learned how to say "Cheese" for the camera. It is so fun to be able to get pictures of him actually looking and smiling. He loves playing with his sister.... she can always make him laugh.
Look at that face.... don't you just want to kiss and squeeze him... I do!!

Frogs

This Morning, a 5 min break from school turned into a frog hunting expedition. They were quite thrilled to catch the little guy, though I am not sure the frog was happy about it. It is so fun to live with so much fun wildlife. As summer winds down we are trying to spend more time outside with nature. Yesterday the kids even saw a fox. We praise God for all the beautiful creatures he has made.

We love the birds, squirrels, dear and many others.
The kids recently found the skin of a small snake in the yard. It is always a good science lesson just to step outside.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

For school this week we are reading The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. I have been enjoying reading it aloud to them as I remember the story, having read it myself as a child. Siri, is of course, enraptured by the story. She begs for just one more chapter. Josiah has been slightly less interested, or so it appeared. Today, after our reading, I got out the play dough and asked them to make the Island. I gave some input, reminding them of the descriptions of the different areas. They got really into it. Josiah was recalling all the parts of the story so far and making the wild dogs and the canoes. Then they started to act out the different parts of the story with the characters they had made. It was so fun for me to watch them engage the story...... It is the moments like this that make me LOVE homeschooling!!! I found a great study guide on-line that goes with the story. Here is the link for anyone interested in doing it. http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/islandbluedolph.html

Storms

Yesterday there were a couple of storms tracking towards our area. The forecast was heavy rain, hail, high winds and possible tornadoes. Then at about 9:00 pm, just as we were tucking the kids into bed, we heard the Tornado Warning Sirens. Being new at this whole tornado thing, we weren't sure how seriously to take it. We called some friends and turned on the news and everyone was saying to "GET IN THE BASEMENT"! So we gathered up the kids and the dogs and and a portable DVD player and some snacks, the radio and a few other essentials and headed downstairs. By this time the kids were quite worried and we had a good talk about trusting in our Heavenly Father to protect us. I stayed with the kids to comfort them and David went up and down collecting more things. We started calling out request.... "Hey Dad, what about my Play Station?" asked Josiah.
Siri shouted, "Dad, grab the FISHING POLES!!"
"Honey, Get the camera.... This will make a great blog entry!"
By the time we got everything down there, (the Play Station and Fishing poles didn't make it) the warning had expired. But by then the kids had fallen asleep.

Because there was one more storm that hadn't reached us yet, we decided to just stay down there till it was all over. The kids were sleeping and we didn't want to have to move them back and forth. There were reports in the area of structural damage to homes, golf and baseball size hail and lots of flash flooding. There were funnel clouds that formed in Big Lake but no Tornadoes that we have heard about it. So, all in all, it was an exciting new Minnesota Adventure for us. We now have a better idea of how to prepare and execute a plan in case of an actual Tornado. And Praise God, He did watch over us and our home.

Sidewalk Chalk and other Random Thoughts

I know, we haven't posted in a while.... Not too much going on but here are a few random things....

Today we went to the lake but it turned out being pretty cold so we came home and had fun outside with sidewalk chalk and hula-hoops.

Last night we watched a fun family movie called The Astronaut Farmer. We really loved it. It is the story of a guy who built his own rocket ship and tries to go into space. I won't spoil the story for you but it is worth watching.... There is some mild language so if that if a problem with the kids... be warned. But over all it is about a family that sticks together and works to make their dreams come true.

We are getting geared up for a new home-school year. I got my bi-annual pep talk from our dear friend Trisha Lam so I am feeling more centered and inspired and ready to take this on... again. Thanks Trisha!!

Josiah's 9th Birthday

Today is Josiah's 9th Birthday! Many of you will recall the day he was born.

The picture on the left is him in his first few moments of life. He was born 10 weeks premature and was 2 lbs 6 oz at his tiniest. He stayed in the NICU for 32 days.

I can't even begin to tell you the joy of finally getting to bring him home. Here he is at about 2 months old... home, tiny, but happy and doing well

Oh how the years have flown wonderfully by!

What a delight Josiah is to our Family. It it

hard to believe that he is 9 already. There is

not a day that goes by that we are not thankful

for his presence in our lives

Last night, we celebrated with a small party. Our friends, The Salfrank Family, graciously invited us to celebrate at their home. We invited 2 other families and had a great time.

Daddy grilled burgers and dogs and we had cake and ice cream for dessert. Josiah was delighted to have all his new friends there to play.

There were 16 kids ranging from 1 year old to 16. They all got a long great and the evening was full of card tricks, swinging, skating, toys... lots of messes and.....
A great game of Wiffle Ball. The Salfranks have a playing field right in their yard. It was miserably hot and the Daddies were melting but the kids were hitting and running like the pros. We then had a Pinata that refused to be broken. The string, on the other hand, broke several times and eventually the whole activity required some serious adult intervention to get at the desired result... CANDY!!
Presents were opened, much to Josiah's delight. He got up this morning planning out how he would schedule in all his new stuff to do. But, First things First.... He and Dad went Fishing! But that is another post......

Fun In The Fountain

The City of Elk River recently opened a new river front park complete with gazebo, amphitheater and a fountain that you are actually allowed to play in.

So last night after dinner, (it was still 87 degrees out) we went down for some water play.
The kids had a GREAT time.....
And Mom and Dad got to sit on the bench in the shade.
Jonah tried his own version of sitting!

A wonderful time was had by all!

Autism

As Many of you already know, our youngest son, Jonah has Autism. What a beautiful addition he is to our family. We have walked though lots of phases in our journey of raising him. The questions why? The searching for therapies that would help. Praying for healing. And ultimately doing all of the above while loving him desperately and accepting him for who he is. We would not trade a single day of having him with us.



There is an organization that does research for Autism. While we are not very involved with it, we would like to support one of there current campaigns. Here is some info below on how you can help with no cost and just a moment of your time.

Easy Way to Donate to Autism Research That Won't Cost You a Penny! Autism Speaks created a music video of the Five for Fighting song, "World",which features images of children with autism and their families. It is a truly moving video and was the work of Bill Shea. The band is generously donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video is viewed. The funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to your friends and Family.

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/213154

Bud & BJ

We had visitors today. My friend Becky's Parents, Bud and BJ, came to spend the day with us. They live in Colorado but are in MN visiting Family. We were so blessed that they took time out of their journeys to visit with us.They Joined us at church this morning and then came over for lunch and fellowship. The picture above is of them after visiting a nearby orphanage... It is run by a brother/sister ministry team (aka Josiah and Siri) out of our basement. They have set it up and require all our guest to come for a tour.. It always a compelling visit and no one ever leaves with out adopting at least one needy child.

Josiah then spent a good deal of time explaining to Bud all the components of his Tackle box... Another activity that our guest can hardly escape.
We had such a lovely time. BJ brought pictures of their recent family reunion Cruise and it was fun to see the whole family together.
We are so glad they came and look forward to having them stay longer next time. Thanks, Bud and BJ for the love and joy you brought to our home.

Lunch on the Lake

Today we got to go spend some time with Chuck and Kathi. We left the kids home with a sitter and had a wonderful time visiting with them without all the pleasant distractions of our 3 wonderful kids. It was great to actually be able to finish a sentence and make eye contact while talking. (instead of my constant checking on my sweet Jonah) We went for a boat ride on the lake and pulled ashore at Russell's, a lovely little restaurant on Big Lake. I had the Turkey Mushroom Melt which was just ok and David really enjoyed the Walleye Sandwich. It was a generous size with a nice big fillet. Mostly we enjoyed the company and the beautiful view.
Here is a picture of the Restaurant from the boat as we were leaving.

David and I enjoyed our time away with precious friends. We came home relaxed and a bit sun burnt after our lovely day. Thanks Chuck and Kathi... We love you guys!!!

Landscape Arboretum

Last night I got to have a fun "girls night out". I met a friend, Jennifer, and her sister for dinner and then she took me to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. It is run by the University of Mn. There is over 100 acres of gardens and landscapes of all kinds. We enjoyed walking around and praising the Creator for the beautiful way he has colored our Earth. Here are some pictures of a few of my favorite spots: The rose gardens were extensive and beautiful.

Here is Jennifer and I near the landscaped flower gardens.

The sun shimmering through the thick canopy of treas.

The Japanese gardens.

Here is me again.

The Weeping trees display was really neat. These weeping evergreens were sculptured to look like elephants.

Her we are on one of the walking paths.

I loved this sculpture of the Mother and Baby.

We watched the beautiful sunset over the horizon and then headed out for coffee and desert. I had such a fun and relaxing visit. Thanks Jennifer and Paula for your company.

One Year!

Today marks the one year anniversary of our Family arriving in Minnesota. We got off the plane 1 year ago not knowing what to expect but having lots of expectations none the less. It has been an amazing year of ups and downs. There have been lots of struggles and disappointments with lots of fun and adventure sandwiched in between. All in all, we are PRAISING GOD for all that he has done. His work in our Family this past year has been wonderful. We have become closer to one another and more determined than ever to Love and Obey our Father in Heaven in whatever he may call us to. We are excited and humbled at what the is doing in us. So, we Press on!

Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

We appreciate all of you, near and far, who have prayed with and for us and who have walked with us through these adventures and trials. We ask for your continued partnership as we all seek to know Him more and to Make Him Known!!!

Twin Lakes Park

Daddy is always scoping out new and exciting fishing spots and in the process he found this great little beach at Twin Lakes Park.... Ok, don't be thinking "beach" as in Hawaii, but there are some great little lake shores here that are lots of fun for the kids to play at. Here is Mommy and Jonah warming up in the sun before going back to the cold water.

Daddy and the kids playing in the sand
Siri with the fish she caught.
Josiah, trying to warm his bones in the sand after swimming

Here is Jonah, asking (well, pulling really but that is how he asks) Daddy to go in the water.
Jonah got his hearts desire. Here he is playing and kicking with Daddy.
Josiah and Siri decided that they wanted to get in on the action with Dad.

As we got ready to leave the kids kept exclaiming, "This place is AWESOME!! We had a BLAST!!

Aloha Party

Today, Siri went to a Birthday Party for the little girl across the street. It was a Hawaiian Style theme. (we have noticed that is a popular party theme here) So she got herself ready and off we went.
She had lots of fun with all the girls.
But her favorite part was something she never had in Hawaii, Fresh picked raspberries right off the bush. She snacked on them all afternoon and is now planning to plant some in our yard next year. What a fun day.