Christmas 2009

Natalie took this of us. Really weird being in a picture together. It's usually one of us behind the camera. Usually me.

Sawyer 8

Luke age 10

Tayler age 12

Fall Pictures

Baseball Wrap Up

Sawyer finished his fall ball with a Victory and Luke finished by winning their entire division for fall ball and playing for the championship. I unfortunately have no pictures of Luke this fall, but he did a great job on a new team, new coach and more experienced players. It was a great experience.

3 Cedars Farm w/Grandpa and Grandma Hindt

Piano Recital

Luke and Tayler had their piano recital this past week. Both did a great job!

Sawyer Turns 8

Visit from two Cousins from Georgia

A funeral in Michigan brought Blair's sisters husband and two of their kids a few weeks ago. It was great they were able to stop on their way for a meal, to stretch their legs and hang out a bit.

Blair Celebrates the big 40 in Alaska

Blair took a few days and flew up to Anchorage and then drove down to the Kenai Penninsula to spend a day fishing in Homer. A friend went with him and they had a fun, exhausting couple days.

Homesick by Mercy Me

I heard this song on the radio 5 times if I heard it once while in Minnesota for my cousins Funeral last weekend. It just really spoke to me and still is. I hope it comforts you, the reader, as you read it or better yet listen to it here on You Tube.

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Luke and Isaiah
Luke (10) and Effie (96)
Gram and her two grandaughters
All the 2nd Cousins before Mark Left

Nathaniel and his beautiful eyes
Grandma Betty and Natalie
Patrick and Luke
Lisa, Laura, Karl and Isaiah

More Funeral and Celebration of Gram's 93 Birthday

Mother, Grandma, and Great Grandma and Great Great Grandma--on her 93rd Birthday

Mark, Damon, Gram and Patti playing and singing with Grandma
Blair and his favorite person in this world
Laura and Isaiah--what a sweetie

Cousins

Here we all are except Bryon who is smiling with us except in the presence of Jesus.

Aunt Bev and Natalie

Natalie and Mark
Pauline, Patti and Christine
Patrick

Funeral for Bryon

2nd Cousins

Uncle Karl and Natalie

My cousins little guy Isaiah eating a pickle w/some dip. We were watching for a goofy expression, but he never bit it just kept licking the dip off the pickle

Minnesota August 2009

The kids w/Damon

Sawyer Damon Luke

Holland Camping/4th of July

Camping Fun

Sky Art

Silhouetted Tree -- By God

Tie Dye Sunset -- By God

Tayler and Sawyer playing at the beach at the State Park Beach in Holland

4th of July/Luke's Birthday/Camping on Lake Michigan

End of the Season

Luke's team had a great year again. They won the 1st game of the playoffs, by being seeded in 1st place.

However, on an almost 100 degree day....they lost their second game to a REALLY good team which halted their playing for the championship game. The team they lost to went on to win the whole sha-bang.

Balloon Fest

We've gone to this Balloon Festival before and after a few years of not....we ventured there again w/some friends from church that are novice photobugs. We were right on the field line (thanks to Wendy) and had fantastic views the entire evening.

More Mackinac

Some photos from our Mackinac Stay. Before dinner at the Grand Hotel and one at Wilderness State Park. Our friends camp there each summer and on our drive home...they drove out there so we could see it's beauty. We ate our picnic lunch there and again....Lake Michigan makes for GREAT pictures.

Blair telling Mike the direction to go while playing Croquet. (Mike soundly beat Blair)

Loved this view of the church spire from up on top the hill looking down at the waterfront.

More of Mackinac

We were there during the Lilac Festival or something like that. The funny thing is that they were just starting to come into bloom. It was rather hard to find them out.

I saw (in real life) my first Lady Slipper. Mike spotted it while we were riding bike. I was rather awed by it as it is the Minnesota State Flower (the Pink and White LadySlipper) and all my years living there...I'd never seen one in person, only in a book.

Arch Rock

View from an overlook right next to Arch Rock where we ate our picnic lunch

Okay...the frog is funny. We were biking along and there was this noise....and I thought it was a bird. Mike (our friend) and Blair said...nope that is a frog. Well, I was sure it was a kind of bird. So we pulled the bikes over and they "proved" it to me. Here was this guy...sitting on his perch in some watery ditchy area.

Mackinaw Getaway

Dear friends invited us to tag along w/them on their 15 year anniversary celebration to Mackinaw Island. I had never seen it or the bridge or anything....so it was SUPER exciting for me. We spent two days on the island...one entire day just riding bikes and exploring. I have to say it was truly two of the most relaxing, fun days ever.

We stayed at the Grand Hotel which I may have to tell you about sometime. Suffice it to say...it was interesting. It truly was beautiful, quiet almost surreal. A place where no cars are allowed...only horses and bikes. Almost literally.....a step back in time. Loved it.

Grandma Betty Visits, Winston the Dog and Memorial Day

Grandma Betty came for a visit in May around Memorial Day. The picture of her below was on Memorial Day reading while the kids played in the park w/some friends.

Over that week...the kids had their first chance to dog sit. Up above is Winston. Here is a picture of him exhausted from play. The kids have BEGGED for a dog and I think the week of dog sitting cured them of that. It's a TON of work.

The girls each planted flowers of their choice w/Grandma. The ones below are Tayler's choice and the Gerbera Daisies are Natalies.

Grandma and Nattie planting

G & G Visit and Fathers Day

Forgive me these may not be in order since May 15th...it's how they are popping up on my computer.

Sawyer and Blair w/the frame he made him for Fathers Day during the school year. He was SOOOO proud of it.

Grandpa Dick, Blair and the boys on Fathers Day.

Grandma Barb working with the girls on the sewing maching

We all went and bought fabric to make aprons and then attempted to each make one.

Spring Flowers

Yes, I'm a bit behind....as my mother keeps telling me. But....the first part of the crazy summer is behind me. So....here you go Mom and for the rest of you....sorry I've been lagging. It's been crazy here!

Natalie Turns 14

Today Nat turned 14.

  After her babysitting job was cancelled this afternoon we ran over to Culvers for an early dinner where this photo was taken. 

 Later our evening at Sawyer's baseball game was rained out...we were left with an open evening to celebrate.  So since we planned to be gone all night with baseball...we popped popcorn, made slushies and then did a quick run up to IKEA to get some Cinnamon rolls to be used for cake as we played Scattegories. (Nattie's choice)

Then we sat down to one of Natalies birthday gifts.  One of the Love Comes Softly Series.  Happy Birthday, Natalie.  We love you!

Covenental Homeschooling: By R.C. Sproul Jr.

I've begun a really interesting book I picked up at a home school used book sale. It's called,
WHEN YOU RISE UP: A COVENANTAL APPROACH TO HOMESCHOOLING By: R.C. Sproul Jr.

Well the first chapter is addressing the one thing that is universal in education no matter what kind one chooses. Education is important. He give a staggering figure from a Digest of Education Statistics, 2002; from the U.S. Department of Education

At the turn into the next Millennium, (so roughly 10 years ago) the U.S. was spending $754 Billion a year on education. Almost a trillion dollars. $754,000,000,000 Whoa...thats a lot of change. This made it obvious to me. Education is important.

1. What is the goal of Education?

He addresses this quite well and it comes down to this. There is academic excellence and there is
moral excellence. Within the home school community there is a tug of war for both. We don't want one or the other; (typically) we want them both. I would like both for my kids. I have struggled with this same thing. I don't want to just school them at home so they can be protected to some extent, I want to give them a fantastic education that I don't feel they could get. But I also want to instruct them "when they rise up and when they lie down" in God's Truth.
It's a really hard balance.

Then Sproul uses this example that really hit home.

"Would you rather have your child graduate at the top of his class at Harvard, become a Rhodes Scholar, win the Nobel Prize and serve on the board of the Council for Secular Humanists? Or would you rather have your child be unable to make it through the local high school, become a garbageman and be a godly husband and father?" Ouch. His comment: We want both. We want our kids to be Godly Geniuses. Ha Ha. I just laughed. Because as I talk to those in the home school community (from all faiths) and read books on homeschooling....this is what I find. We desire Godly Geniuses.

Who wants to brag to their friends that "Yeah, my son is the local garbage man in Trashtown U.S.A., he couldn't make it to college, but...he loves his wife and kids and the Lord God w/all his heart" I think maybe our thinking is skewed.

Anyway. The book is very thought provoking. I'm going to keep plunking out my thoughts as I read through this in case anyone is interested.

Theology on the shelf

I'm taking a little break from reading books about Theology, discussing Theology or explaining Theology.  Right now I'm in the middle of a very good book entitled "1776" by David McCullough.  I try and read books for personal reading that correlates w/our current history topic.  Our history topic this year has been 20th Century, so this doesn't fit in,  but a good friend lent this book to me and I need to get it back to him--so I'm attacking this late into the night, when I should be sleeping.

1776 takes place over about 18 months.  Summer of 1775 to the winter of 1776 and early 1777.  King George III isn't happy about the rebellion going on in the Colonies.  You know the story.  He sends some of the mighty English Navy over to help put down the rebellion.  George Washington, wealthy slave-holder and plantation owner, leads the Continental Army to the formation of our land today.

So far it's been quite interesting in so much that it takes you into the not-so-well-known men of the time period and the foundations each one laid and the importance they played in the shaping and forming of The United States of America.  Men like Nathaniel Greene and Henry Knox.  

The Continental Congress is fascinating to me.  It has frustrated me a little reading more in depth than a short history snippet of 3 pages covering this time period.  This takes a big thick book to cover 18 months of our history.    The frustration in reading all that was fought for and it seems we have ended right back where we started.  People;  People sick and tired of being puppets of the government.  Sick of high taxation.  Taxation w/o representation.  Hmmmmm...now there is a thought.  But....we are so well represented in Congress.  NOT.

Anyway, for any history lover, it's been an excellent read so far and I'm not quite 1/2 way through.  Gives me an appreciation for our military and a reminder to pray for those in leadership over us.  A position I would never covet.  What an awesome task leading a country must be.  Reading the personal agonies and thoughts these men wrestled with is beyond anything I can imagine.  

Cousins

Easter Break 09'

Easter Break found us hoping a couple planes and heading to MN to visit the cousins.  The kids were each able to have several outings with the respective cousins and canoeing at G&G was a highlight.  

We had a night out w/Aunt Christine and another day out w/Aunt Denise and girls.  Of course what did we do?  Eat out and shop.  Such fun.

Our night out at Acapulco's w/Aunt Christine.  I don't think we stopped laughing all night.

Nattie doing her hair for a day out.

Grandma and Sawyer playing pool

Way to go Pink Panthers!

I had the joy and priveledge of playing on a womens Volleyball team at an Assembly Church in our area.  It was a blast.  Our team was in first place through the whole season but lost in the Championship game on Monday night. 

I'm going to miss Monday nights immensly.  Looking forward to next year already. 

Cheer is Over

Tayler finished up her cheerleading year w/a final routine at Eastern Michigan University.  Grandma and Grandpa were here for one of her games which was fun.

She is too old to continue w/it.  Upward only goes up to 6th grade in Michigan.  But it was a great experience.

Random Thoughts

It's been a long time since I posted thoughts on books, life & theology.  There are several reasons.  One, homeschooling.  Two, the discovery of Facebook and reconnecting w/friends from childhood, college and high school.  It has been so much fun but I've neglected Blogging both posts myself and reading the blogs that I would regularly read.

So...my Easter resolution is to facebook less and get back to blogging.  I find that when I blog, especially about articles of interest, theology or the latest book I'm reading...I tend to think more deeply, digest more and be more aggressive in my thought processes.  At least that is the assessment I've come up with.

I'm going to give it a couple months and see if it's true. 

Blair took this picture on the dock.  I wish I could take credit but I can't.  I love the perspective.

The boys under the dock.  It was a fun place to mess around, get hermit crabs and play.

We taught the boys to play Rook while we were there.

Pier at the resort we stayed.

Luke snorkeling.  He and another little boy found a baby Baracuda.

Tayler reading.  The girls and I brought 4 books and we all 3 read all 4 during the trip.

Family Vacation

We just got back last Sunday from a week in the Mayan Riveria compliments of NWA and buying a week of timeshare from a friend of ours.

We  had been wanting to get the kids' passports for awhile so we would be ready for a family missions trip.  We have them now!

We had a great Winter Break with the kids.  Explored Mayan Ruins, Natalie and Blair went scuba diving for the first time and Tayler and I did a Dolphin Swim. (compliments of listening to two different time share presentations)  Ha Ha

Friends from Afar

Our friends from 5 years ago, Wolfgang and Kelly, are home from their UIM mission field in Durango, Mexico.  

We met them when they stayed w/us for a week during our missions conference in 2004.  We spent a wonderful afternoon catching up on their ministry, sharing my trip to Thailand and enjoying fellowship w/a dear people.

We love you guys and look forward to seeing you again this Spring!

Building the Cabinet and 80s is In

Tayler demonstrating the 'old days' (my childhood) which is coming back "in" fast and the boys helping Blair build our vanity.

Gorgeous Snow

The other night I went to grab a piece of wood to put on the fire and the snow was just glittering.  I thought it was SOOOOO beautiful and thought my aunts, uncles and cousins who used to live in MN and now reside in always sunny Arizona, would appreciate the fine beauty of this w/o the cold.  I hope you can see the glitter!

It's Snow Fun

Luke and Tayler (the two outdoorsy people) built little forts and had a snowball fight with the most recent snow last weekend.

Luke is always on the hunt for icicles.  This one broke for him, but he brought it in to show me the thickness.  Note the bottle of water in his opposite hand...used for pouring over his snow fort to harden it.

Tayler is 12

Her favorite Dessert is my Homemade French Silk Pie.  She wanted to try and make it this time, which she did and it turned out delicious.

I had found this Eiffel Tower lamp in November for Tayler.  It's SO cute and I was so excited to give it to her and am amazed I held off and didn't give it to her for Christmas.  The rubber boots is something she has wanted since we were in Alaska this summer.  Glad to have found them for her.  I think she's worn them everyday for the past 2 weeks!

Sawyer in Soccer and a visit from Uncle Kurt

Uncle Kurt came for a MLK weekend visit.  He was able to take in lots of snow, Sawyer's Soccer game, football Sunday afternoon, relaxing and eating.  Now that he moved to Chicago, we hope to see him MUCH more!