Making Music

When our older kids were growing up, they had an amazing homeschool choir that they were involved in.  The director was fabulous!  Then ... she moved away.  We have really missed the musical opportunities for our younger kids.


Last week, however, the 4 Youngers had a quick glimpse into what it is like to sing under the direction of a fabulous director.  Our "old" choir director was flown in to direct a Children's Choir for our town's 3rd Annual Musical Festival.


The children auditioned in early September.  Then, they received a CD from the director and learned the music at home.


A week ago, the Children's Choir got together for the first time on Saturday.  They rehearsed 3 hours on Saturday ... 1 1/2 hours on Monday ... 1 1/2 hours on Tuesday ... and performed 5 songs on Wednesday at the Opening Concert of the Music Festival.  It really was amazing how quickly this director could pull together a very good choir; and the kids really enjoyed it, too.

There were several groups and performers.

This man is a professor of music in Finland,

and he was an amazing musician.

I'd Like To Introduce ...

Noah David William

(due in March)

Yes ... he will have 3 names plus a last name.

No ... it's not because the proud parents

couldn't agree on a name.

"Why, then?" you ask.

Because each of the 3 names are VERY special ...

each of the 3 names are the names of

3 men who served in the U.S. Army with Gregg ...

each of the 3 men gave the ultimate sacrifice

for their country ... they gave their lives.

Lt. Noah Harris

Sgt. David Salie

Cpl. William Long

Sgt. David Salie was killed in Feb. 2005, 

on the 5th day of Gregg's first deployment.  

His humvee hit an IED.

Gregg has kept in touch with Mrs. Salie and

her 4 children the past 6 years.

1st Lt. Noah Harris was killed in June 2005.

He was in the humvee right in front of Gregg's.

It hit an IED, and Gregg watched his friend die.

Gregg has kept in touch with Noah's parents.

Cpl. William Long was also killed in June 2005.

He was riding in the same humvee as Lt. Harris.

We are honored that Gregg & Kayla would name 

our first grandchild after these 3 men ... 

Men of Honor ...

Heroes ... 

Mrs. Harris was so touched by Gregg's desire to honor Noah in such a way, that she is using this ultrasound picture as her FB Profile Picture.  I nearly cried when I saw it.  Noah (an only child) will never give his mother a son ... but Gregg's son will now be able to proudly carry his name.

Mama's Drive Time

After living on a Blueberry Farm for a couple of years, 
we moved into our "house in town" 9 years ago.  


Our house was in the center of EVERYTHING.  


We lived ...


...  across the street from the Family Doctor.


...  across the street from the Eye Doctor.


...  1 block from Our Church.


...  6 blocks from the 1st Piano Teacher,
     5 blocks from the 2nd Piano Teacher,
     2 blocks from the 3rd Piano Teacher.
     (our teachers kept moving out of town,
      so we had to find new ones)


...  10 blocks from the Dentist.


...  11 blocks from the Library


...  1 block from Mama's Job
     at the Christian bookstore.


...  1 block from Cassie's first job (gift store),
     and her 2nd job (coffee shop),
     and her 3rd job (children's ministry).


...  6 blocks from the School that
     Papa & Mama ran for 5 years.


...  across the street from
     Mama's School Office for 5 years.




Which meant ... we hardly drove ANYWHERE.




The BIG Van sat most of the time, only pulled out to go to track meets, baseball games, and family vacations.  


The past 2 years ... we pretty much stayed home (when we weren't galavanting all around the country on our 5 and 6 week Road Trips).  


We weren't involved in the school anymore.  


We didn't go to Piano lessons (as Teacher #3 moved away).  


Our kids weren't involved in many extra-curricular activities (besides track for Ben and Hosanna in the Spring).




Now ... however ... our world has expanded beyond the city limits of Our Little Town, and Mama spends a LOT of time in the Driver's Seat of her new Dream Machine.


Ben is running Cross Country (after a 2 year hiatus),
which means 1 or 2  weekly meets here, there, and everywhere.


Mama and the 6 kids are involved in a Homeschool Enrichment Program 2 days per week ... which is a 20 minute drive each way (but includes Piano Lessons for Hosanna).


We are now attending a Church in The City ... which is a 20 minute drive each way.


Ben & Hosanna attend the weekly Youth Group ... thus another 20 minute drive each way.




So ... Mama is LOVING her new Driver's Seat.


But ... the gas prices are a bit overwhelming.  (I have to keep reminding myself that the BIG Van mileage was the same; we just didn't do much "around town" driving ... so we didn't have to fill it up weekly.)




We are HAPPY to be expanding our world this year ... 


EXCITED to be involved in more activities ...  


GLAD to be meeting new friends ...  


PAMPERED by the new Dream Machine ...


THANKING JESUS for a New Season of life for our family ... 


and the GIFTS that He has given us.

Mama's Dream Machine

I asked you a couple of weeks ago, in "What Am I?" , if you could guess what Mama is driving now.  Then, life got busy and I forgot to tell you.  Sorry.


Several of you guessed "Suburban", and one of you thought it sounded like a "Hummer".  Stephanie, however, guessed it right ... because it is her Dream Machine, as well.

It looks like a truck.

Check out the fog lights and 

the heavy duty towing rings.

But ... it holds the whole downsized family,

and all of our gear.

LOVE the Monster Mirrors.  Oh yea!

No one hiding in my blind-spot anymore.

Mama is LOVING my 2005 Ford Excursion.

Many people wonder what exactly the difference is 

between an Excursion and a Suburban,

because they are similar in size and shape.

But ... there really is a BIG difference.

Here are the differences,

comparing 2005 4x4 models.

Excursion    vs.    Suburban

             

v10 engine        vs.        v8 engine

226.4" length       vs.       219.3" length

80.2" height        vs.        75.4" height

137.1" wheel base     vs.     130.0" wheel base

146.4 cu. ft. cargo area   vs.  131.6 cu. ft. cargo area

11,000 lb. towing capacity  vs.  8,500 lb. towing capacity

8,900 lb. gross weight     vs.     7,200 lb. gross weight

44 gal. gas tank      vs.     31 gal. gas tank

12/16 mpg. (what we have found)    vs.      13/17 mpg. listed

Basically, an Excursion is a Ford F350 with

passenger seating instead of a truck bed.

So, if you are looking for a BIG Hauling Machine,

that rides MUCH more comfortably than

a BIG Van, I would highly recommend that you

check out an Excursion.

They stopped making the Excursion back in 2005,

so you've got to keep a look out for one with

low miles ... if you plan to drive it another 10 years,

like we do.  We got ours with about 75,000 miles on it.

And, the BONUS of buying a 6 year old car/truck/van

(that you never could have afforded brand new)

is that you can get all of the Bells & Whistles.

Mama's Dream Machine has ... 

 ... heated leather seats (seriously ?!?!)

...  heated side mirrors 

(didn't know there were such a thing)

...  programmable seat and foot pedals

for 2 drivers  (kidding, right ?!?!)

...  automatic temperature adjustment:

you set the temp., and it does the rest.
(just like your home thermostat)

...  automatic headlights that come

on when it gets dark.

...  a screen that tells you,

1.  how much further you can drive 

on this tank of gas ("561 miles left")

2.  which direction you are headed ("NW")

3.  your miles per gallon 

 for this tank ("14.9 mpg")

And .... if we needed such a thing ...

3 buttons that can be programmed to ...

1.  turn on your house lights when you arrive.

2.  open your garage door.

3.  open the gate for your Gated Community.

Okay.

I know.  

Many of you probably have these things.

But, I have seriously never even heard

of most of the "options" that came on my 

Dream Machine.  

I had no idea how pampered I would be.

Thanking Jesus for this GIFT.

Thanks For Your Support!

The "Short List" of Moms (for the crazy, cool job) was announced, and I didn't make the cut. So sad!


Thanks again for ALL of your love and support through the process.


Off to the bookstore to see if they are hiring.

Blessed Beyond Belief!

Gotta tell you ...


Even if I don't get the Crazy Job Opportunity with Verity Credit Union, it was totally worth all of the time and effort to go through the application process.


YOU have ...


... KNOCKED My Socks Off.


... BLOWN Me Away.


... BLESSED Me Immeasurably.




Your votes of Confidence ... your comments on the Video/Blog Page ... your words of Praise and Blessing.  Oh my!  You have no idea how much I needed to hear from you.  I had no idea how much I needed to hear from you.  


THANK YOU!!!


Tomorrow the Verity Team will be cutting the 69 applicants down to a "Short List", but they haven't told us how short that list is.  (smile)  All those who "make the cut" will then be invited to a Mom Meet-Up in Seattle next Monday at the Verity Headquarters.  I would LOVE to go meet some of these awesome mamas.


Then ... after the Mom Meet-Up ... the list will be cut to 3 Finalists and the VOTING will get serious.  Yep.  They will be using Social Media Voting as a major part of the determination of who will get hired for the position.  Crazy!




If you have not yet visited the Verity Blog Page ... watched my video ... read my blog post about "Cheaper By The Dozen" ... and left a comment ... I hope you will do that NOW.


Thank you, again!  I am BLESSED by each and every one of you!!!

A Crazy Opportunity

Okay, friends ... I need your help.


A couple of weeks ago, I told you about the Circle of Moms "Top 25 Big Family Blogs" Contest ... and you all came through for me in a big way.  In just 2 1/2 days, I got over 150 votes, and moved up from #22 to #15.  Woo Hoo!  Thank YOU! 


I had never before asked you to DO anything for me (except pray).  I'm not too big on the "voting thing", but I guess it is becoming more and more common.


"What now?" you ask.


This is actually a Job Opportunity that wants to see if the applicants are "connected" through social media (FB, Blogs, Twitter, etc...).


A Seattle credit union is hiring a mom to be their spokesperson ... to speak at local events ... and to write a regular blog column for moms.


A friend of mine found out about it and sent me an email on Friday.  I thought about it a few times over the weekend, and then decided to move forward with the application process (which was due today).


I created and produced a 1 minute video about why I would be a good person for the position.


I wrote a sample blog entry about "Moms and Money".  (Remember, this is a Credit Union.)


Now ... the People In Charge want to see if I have any "friends".


You can go to THIS site for The Verity Mom ... scroll down to Applicant #65 (that's me) ... watch my video ... read my blog post ... and WRITE A COMMENT letting them know why you would vote for me ... why I would make a good Mentor/Supporter/Encourager for Seattle-area Moms.  


Now ... this isn't just some "little part-time job".  


Ummm ... 


No ...






This is a ...


... Work From Home


...  Part-Time


...  Pays $20,000/year


...  Free MacBook Pro


...  Free Video Camera




type-of-job.




And, it is "just up my alley".  I have such a PASSION to support and encourage other moms, that this wouldn't even be "work" for me.  


Hope you can take a minute to pop on over to the Verity Mom website and leave a comment.


Thanks!!!

Did You Peek?

Just wondering ...

When you were pregnant, did you "Peek"?  

Did you find out whether you were having a boy or a girl?

We didn't.

We waited.

We loved the SURPRISE of it all.

I don't know if anyone waits anymore.

Did you?

I'd love to hear your reasoning as to why it was important to find out.

We got a text message from Gregg today that said,

"It's a ...  "

Yes, he put the  " ... "  and not the answer.

What a tease.

Yes.  


He did tell us the answer a few minutes later.

Are you curious?

Do you want to know?

Should I wait to tell you when the baby is born in March?

It's really weird knowing.




Not only do we know the gender ...
but we know the name.




I haven't figure out yet if I really wanted to know.




Call me old-fashioned, but I kind of like surprises.

Papa Is Looking For Work Again

Fall has arrived.


Rain has come.


Exterior Painting jobs are done.


Papa needs Work.




Papa just finished up his last 2 exterior painting jobs last week, and the RAIN arrived full force today.  We are sooo.... THANKFUL for ALL of the jobs that the LORD has provided over the last couple of months.  However, we have been wondering what HE might have in mind for us through the winter.


Last night, I was perusing the Sunday paper and thought I'd take a look at the Classified Ads (I usually look on Craigslist, not in the newspaper). I found a listing for a full-time position at a local store that Papa has purchased painting supplies and things at for many years.  ("Local" means "in our little farming town", so we don't have to drive to The City ...)


So, he is off to turn in his resume.


Please pray that the LORD would direct our paths as to where we are to be working in the coming months.  (There is also a local store that I worked at years ago that is hiring soon, so I need confirmation as to whether or not to apply.)

Love is Enough ...

Some people go into adoption thinking  ... 


"Love is Enough".  


"I will bring this sweet little orphan home 
and love them and heal all of their wounds."


"No matter what their life has been in the past, 
I know that a Mother's Love (and God's love)
is all they really need."

Then ... the sweet little orphan comes home ... 
and we may find out that our love is not all that they need ... 
our love is not breaking through the walls they've built ... 
our love is not healing all of their wounds.

Dorothy, at Urban Servant, had this to say today ...

Love is enough in adoption.
Which is a statement that should have 50% of my friends 
making a double take and starting to panic that I have 
learned NOTHING so far in our adoption journey and gone 
around some sort of serious mental health corner.  Hear 
me out on this one ...


Love is enough in adoption.
If you are ready to say you love them a thousand times
and never hear it back.

It's enough
if you are willing to lay down your comfort zone, 

your friends, your family,
and go with a child into dark places.
Places other people run from.
Places that scare the pants off you.

If you can realize that words like
'failure'
'abuse'
'suffering'
'mean'
'violent'
Might be better labels for your children's future 
than success and kindness.

Love is enough when you can stand beside a child
who has done wrong.
Maybe horrible wrong -
Maybe minor.
And not take the place of punitive judge.
But that of intercessory supporter,
Because you know that no one else ever will.

Can you separate the behavior
from the child -
enough to continue loving them
even when they can't stay in your home?
Even if they hurt you?
Even when they hate you?
Even if they ruin your dreams?

Love is enough in adoption.
But it isn't the surface sort of love we think about.
Where we heal their wounds 
with Bible stories and home cooked meals.
Where children of trauma 
(inflicted both before and after birth)
Emerge as young adults 
who lead their peers in righteousness.

It can be a suffering, bleeding, crippling -
God filled and God ordained love.
Where we talk not of summer jobs and drivers licences
but of crisis care and safety plans.

Love is enough
 but it might look
     and taste
          and feel
              more like
the love that Christ taught us on the cross.
A different sort of love -
LOVE.
All capitals
On a separate line.
Because it's the answer to the question
"Would you lay down your life for this child?'
Every
      Single
           Tiny
               Piece
                 until it is gone?

Love is enough.
But it might take all of us
and it might not ever look 
or feel like progress in this life.


But it is LOVE.


And I believe that that is enough.

Blessed By Big Kids!

We were BLESSED by a quick visit from Gregg & Kayla last night and today.  We are enjoying getting to know Kayla better ... and still can't believe that she is going to be the mommy of our first grandchild.


I baked an Apple/Blueberry pie at 10:00, after they arrived.  While it was baking, the Big Boys played with our new "Toy" (story to come), while Kayla and I looked through decorating books and talked about all of the fun re-decorating we are doing.  (We got two BEAUTIFUL mission-style bookcases yesterday on Craigslist ... with leaded glass doors.  Oh my!  They will grace the sides of our fireplace.)


Even though we stayed up visiting until midnight, Papa and Gregg had to be out of the house by 9:00.  Gregg's car died a couple of weeks ago ... as in DEAD ... so Mama found him a new car on (you guessed it) Craigslist.  Papa and Mama used to drive a 1994 Ford Escort and a 1995 Ford Escort (which Josh still drives).  Anyway, Mama found Gregg a 1995 Escort with only 107,000 miles on it.  (Josh' 1995 has over 200,000 miles and is still going strong.)  We all got a laugh out of the "custom" wood drink holder and the fancy Cassette Deck.  But, the engine runs strong and it will be a good little commuter car for Gregg for awhile.


This afternoon, Papa & I took Gregg & Kayla out to lunch at a nice BBQ Restaurant.  Then, Gregg & Kayla joined us for Ben's X-Country Meet before heading the 150 miles home.


Even though we had less than 24 hours with them, we were BLESSED that they were able to come for a quick visit, and hope to see them again soon.

The Music Room

There was a new exhibit at the State Fair this year ... The Music Experience (or something like that).


What would you call a room filled with 100+ different instruments and 100+ children playing those instruments all at the same time?

My kids would call it FUN.

Mama would call it LOUD.

The 2nd time that Mama took the kids back

to the Music Room, Mama told Ben & Hosanna

that they could go wander for awhile and

meet up with us again in an hour or so,

as they weren't too excited about

the noise music.

The Younger Four sure enjoyed it, though.

At one point, everyone was invited outside

for a Drum Circle.  Two drummers gave

a little drum lesson, teaching the kids

how to follow rhythms and how

to follow rounds.

The Young Ones enjoyed it

(even though their faces do

not quite show it).

We always enjoy our annual visit to the State Fair.

I don't believe I've missed a year

since I started going in 3rd grade.

Yes.  

"Back In the Good Old Days"

It's changed a bit in the past 40 years;

but, surprisingly, a lot is still the same.

Only 5 Votes?

I've told you about my little Elijah (age 9) before ... always filled with love and compassion.


Last night, Hosanna and I were looking at the Circle of Moms voting page and Elijah and Josiah wanted to know what it was all about.  They wanted to see how many votes each blog got.


After Josiah and Hosanna left the room, Elijah turned to me and whispered, "I kind of feel sorry for the people that only got 5 votes ... and you got all of those votes in 2 days."


Is that precious, or what?!?!