Steve saves the day!

After quite an absence from the blog world, I'm very happy to say we're back - and with a handful of pictures to help you catch up!  We've had problem after problem with computer issues, starting with the crash of our former pc.... but tonight, thanks to Steve's help and his work computer, I'm happy to join you again!

This first one is just for fun, taken yesterday.

This is what happens when boys play with dolls...

Cinderella borrowed Ariel's shells

"so she could have goggles and go scuba diving".  ;o)

Here's Haddie a couple months ago, celebrating the success of our high school football team.

We were delighted to have friends from our sister church in Ukrain here for a visit.

Seth and Haddie had fun learning to count to ten in Ukrainian!

My dad's side had a big gathering for Thanksgiving. 

We had much to be thankful for - especially the presence of my grandparents.

(Last spring my grandma broke her leg and my grandpa

 spent many months in hospitals and nursing homes due

to a severe rare blood disease.  Both have recovered remarkebly well!)

The cousins on Steve's side...

Antonio, Haddie, Seth and Hayden.

This is how most of the group photos turn out! ;o)

Christmas Eve at our church.

The cousins on my side...

Daniel, Caleb, Haddie and Seth

Seth and Haddie being explorers.  :o)

So, as you can see, we're still alive and things have been going well! We've been working on support raising, packing, and house projects, along with all of the usual family happening.  Thanks so much to those faithful followers who continued to regularly check in during our previous absence!  Barring another computer turning to toast, I'll be back again soon!  :o)

"Here and There and Everywhere"

Whew! Our family has been on the road a LOT lately! I thought I'd bring you up to speed by sharing some pictures - which works out nicely because my mind is mush and I can tell that narration of scenes is about all I can come up with tonight! ;o)

"Here"

Steve, Seth, and Haddie at home in between trips.

Haddie turned two! Here she is with Grandma Sheila at the farm.

Haddie and Aunt Tammy

"There"

We made a trip to attend a graduation party for Steve's cousin. There we enjoyed visiting with many of Steve's relatives we don't get to see often! (Here we are with his Grandpa, Boyd)

Steve and his cousin Jordan.

To celebrate Jordan's birthday, Steve and I, as well as Jordan and his girlfriend Ashley, went to Outback Steakhouse. Mmmmm. That was good.

.... I think I'm hungry.... ;o)

The middle boy is Steve's cousin.

Seth took a liking to him - and a fascination with his game!

Celebrating Haddie's birthday with Steve's side.

Steve's sisters had their boys at the hotel. Two of his cousins, an aunt, and also an uncle brought their children as well! That was ten kids for this picture!

Here's another angle to help you see the gang.

Just wanted to throw this one in because we drove to "The Farm" several times in the past few weeks, and we love how these flowering crab trees look in full blossom as they line the horse pasture.

Steve and Haddie planted beans with Uncle Shaun for a while one morning.

Seth planted with Grandpa Dewey.

"And Everywhere"
Seth, Haddie, cousin Daniel and cousin Caleb, posing at a National Park we visited together.

Seth and I at the same park (he's doing "the wink" for you).

Taking a walk down to the river to throw "plunkers" - one of our kiddos' favorite pastimes.

The kids around the table at the Bunkhouse. This was our first experience with a separate "kid's table". The kids thought it was awesome! (And it went surprisingly well!)

Steve and Seth throwing plunkers (sorry, the pics got out of order...)

The Angus Ranch we were guests at.

The last night we were at the Bunkhouse someone special was hung in the Room of Death. ;o) It was an enormous buffalo. The picture doesn't do his size justice.

I love the expressions and movement caught in this photo.

Some crazies we found at the park. ;o)

(No, just kidding. Some of our favorite people to hang out with.)

Caleb

Daniel

He he... here's my first try at putting a video on the blog.... ;o)

(It was supposed to be higher up in this slide show... but I'm tired so I'm going to leave it where it is!) Anyway, I drove a couple hours to go to my lovely sister's bachelorette party recently - where we went go carting. :o)

OK. That's a wrap!

Thanks for stopping by!!

"ING"

A random summary of what I'm doING today...

Anticipating: Getting some flowers planted in the ground pretty soon! (Maybe a veggie garden too??)
Missing: Steve. (I know, mush, mush) I do though. He's away for a couple days.
Debating: Should I clean the house, throw in a chick flick, or go to bed?
Cooking: (cooked) Pasta for supper
Cleaning: leaves off our floor (the dog keeps dragging them in)
Eating: Chocolate Moose Tracks ice cream. Polished it off, actually. Sorry Steve. ;o)
Reading: "Joseph" by Chuck Swindoll (Steve reads and I listen) for inspiration and entertainment, the book of "Job" for spiritual nourishment, and "Green Eggs and Ham" for the kids
Listening: To a CD of piano music playing in the hall outside the kiddos rooms as they sleep
Watching: A video of a little girl who was adopted from China about a year ago
Finishing: My spring cleaning of the clothes closets and storage bins - Yay!
Enjoying: A day that was warm enough and kids who were healthy enough to spend three hours outside this afternoon! That was an amazing and long-awaited blessing!
Feeling: physically - sleepy. Emotionally - excited for the next thing God has in store for us
Trying: To focus when I do devotions lately, instead of letting my mind wander to the dozens of chores I could/should do sometime soon.
Learning: (and re-learning) to try to do all things out of love, including disciplining our children (instead of out of anger or frustration)
Thinking: About some loved ones with failing health
Planning: The details about what needs to be done on our end before Jessica's wedding in 6 weeks!
Traveling: To the doctor's office and back, then (biking) to the park and back!
Recalling: That I need to get to sleep soon if I hope to be engaging with the kids tomorrow!

(A neat lady I know gave me this idea from her blog this winter. If you want to check out some exciting things in the life of a Teacher to Missionary Kids in Japan, see Lori's blog here http://www.tckteacher.blogspot.com/)