Prayer Tree

A few weeks ago (sorry for not updating sooner!) we had to stay home from church because Gabrielle had viral pink eye and could not go to school for 10 days (per doctor's orders). Well we were blessed that no one else got it in our family but for a girl that loves school and her friends it was not fun! We got through it and I think the Lord taught us both a lot about patience and trusting Him in times we don't understand! She really had a great attitude and for homework she had to draw what she would dress up as. Gabrielle drew a princess with pink eye. It was hilarious! She then proceeded to draw her Uncle Nate a birthday card of a jellyfish with pink eye because she does not like jellyfish or pink eye. Not sure that Uncle Nate thought of this as a happy card but at least she was getting her dismay out about pink eye! Anyway we stayed at home and constructed a prayer tree...with prayer requests on leaves stuck on the bottom and then when the Lord answers them we move them up on the tree branches. We got to move Gabrielle going back to school up and are still praying for the Wood family (Steve is deployed), the Kings and the Witte's missions fundraising, and lots of others. I will take a picture sometime of it but right now Caleb and I are sharing a camera and his is always in his truck...

A few days at the Lake

A few weeks ago we were able to spend a couple days at my parent's lake house..we had a restful time (Caleb and I did) but the kids were busy! They got in the lake (in October!), hot tub, rode on the boat, went to a football game with my parents, and played with my sister's dogs. The kids love the dogs..Josiah has bonded with them also..he followed them around saying "dog dog".

Sentences and words

Gabrielle wrote the sentence "TODA  si sttembr 28" I did not help her at all...actually I had no clue what she was doing because Josiah was screaming..she asked me what date it was and I told her...wow! She is writing and sounding out! So proud of her!!
 Josiah said "Neigh-Neigh" today...let's see how many of Josiah's uncles read this blog...yes I tried to get him to say his other uncle's names also...

From pink bears to stomach bugs

It has been an interesting month...Josiah is still loving pink bear (even though I tried to get him distracted by a blue one) and we have had a stomach bug and sore throat/laryngitis at our house. I had the laryngitis which made making phone calls for work and parenting very difficult. Caleb, Josiah, and Joshua had the stomach bug but have recovered. Thankfully it is the end of the month and my contacts for work are made and now it is time to catch up on housework and other things! The twins still love school..they did a feely walk 2 weeks ago where they got to walk through noodles, paint, and other things and use their senses to explain them. They loved coming home with green feet. They are learning their sight words..and, I, a, to and also are doing well learning Bible verses for Awanas. The big thing at Awanas this year is that if they learn verses they earn points and in Dec. they get to go to the Awana's store...let's just say they saw what the older kids bought last year and they don't give me any problems when I say it is time to learn the verses. Caleb had drill last weekend where he actually did some pt. Now he is bogged down studying for his classes...but this weekend we had Parent's Night Out at church where we dropped allll the kids off and went out on a date. We went to dinner and then didn't know what to do..so we went and got dessert...It was nice to talk to Caleb without distractions! So we have had a great month (busy and interesting) but nonetheless good!

Pink Bear

Josiah and Pink Bear

Yes, that is a pink bear that Josiah is holding. A few weeks ago I decided to allow him to sleep with stuffed animals since he is 18 months old now and our friends Jen and Daniel's son sleeps well with his stuffed animals. We were desperate for some good night sleeps. But somehow Josiah got a hold of Gabrielle's pink bear and LOVES it. Everywhere we go he wants pink bear to go...he waves to pink bear in the car when we walk into his school. The funny thing is that Caleb and I would have never let Joshua sleep or have or be near a pink bear. I think by the 3rd child we are tired and just want some peace!! So now my problem is that even though Gabrielle has been so nice and let him use pink bear for a month she wants pink bear back...well the whole story is that I asked her if pink bear could be Josiah's for good or if she wanted the bear back before it got really nasty this winter with colds etc. So Gabrielle wants pink bear back...so the problem is: do I get Josiah a pink bear or a blue/green/other color but pink/purple???

First day of school

Gabrielle and Joshua had a wonderful first day of school. I could not get much out of them but I did gather that they did a craft and had circle time. They like the other 10 kids in their class and I love that it is a small class! I think it is going to be a great year. The teacher already gave us 25 sight words to practice and we are practicing everyday. Tomorrow they go for 2 hours and then next Tuesday they start their regular schedule of 8-12:15.

Playing in the classroom..

In front of school...

Gabrielle, Mrs. Davis (assistant), Joshua, and Mrs. Grubbs (teacher)

Josiah at his school at a different church

Then I was on to Josiah's open house..we met his teacher and he played...he enjoyed the room..not sure about the other children but he liked the crayons! It will be good for him to be with other 1 year olds!

Top 5 reasons Caleb knows he is in the Army now...

1. When his children visit the PX on base they shout "Look Mommy there is an Army man" really loud whenever they see anyone in uniform...also they call his uniform an "Army costume".
2. He has learned the phrase "Hurry up and wait" well.
3. When his wife pulls out the military ID card everywhere she goes trying to get a discount.
4. When he shows up for his first weekend of drill expecting to do hard core physical training and sits in front of the computer most of the time.
5. On a "family day" at the lake his wife asks the Colonel in charge to get her husband to play tug of war...(I didn't know he was a Colonel..and I jokingly told him to go tell the 2 Chaplains to do tug of war...Caleb and the other Chaplain came fast because that is what you do when a Colonel says come...my bad)

Waterpark fun

We visited the Fort's water park this weekend. The twins loved the water slides. I liked the lazy river. Josiah liked the rocks in the decorations. Well next year Josiah might actually like the water! We have school stuff going on this week...Thursday is the big K-5 day for the twins. I am excited for them...they are not so excited but I think they will love it! They will be attending a small Christian K-5 program this year...next year, well, we are still praying about that!
 Update on our life: The twins are 5 now..Josiah is 17 months..Caleb is in the Army Reserves as a Chaplain Candidate, taking 4 seminary classes which begin 8/30, and works full time as a carpenter. I work for the state making home visits and setting up services for elderly and disabled clients. I have around 40 clients now. I signed on to help teach 2nd grade Sunday School which is going well. Community Bible Study begins next week for Josiah and I where I will be studying 1 Peter and Josiah will be playing! Other than trying to keep my children entertained and the house semi-clean that is our life right now...we did have a wonderful summer with two great trips to the beach with our super fun and loving families and friends...well now it is time to settle down into our real life routine of school!