Life is good...

...when you have all the right tools.

College bound

As of next year, we will have four in college.

Jordan and Rachel will return to their schools in the fall.

Jessie started classes at City this last May.

Ben will begin in August.

Seniors

Our kids' senior pics are done!

Mariano even makes taking pictures on a hot afternoon fun.

FYI: This photography work was all donated to the Campus Bible Church AWANA auction by good friend Mariano.

We had to bid like crazy.

Gotta love this guy.

Check out Mariano's blog:
http://marianofriginal.com/blog/

Some Random Pictures for your Enjoyment

A family photo at Christmas time...

Rachel, self-portrait (taken with her phone in Riverside)

I just love my boys in ties...

Jessie, jumping for joy, with sunflowers...

No Greater Joy

Working on my 7 x 7 caused me to ponder the following question:
What things bring me the greatest joy?

I'm still thinking it over, but for now, here are my top three:

1. My husband in God's Word.
He's so consistent that it is like breathing for him. Such a good example to all of us.

2. Godly teenagers and grown children.

I never imagined when we began this adventure called home schooling that I would have our children home for high school. (It was hard to imagine much past the year we were in and the new babies that were coming...) Having young adults home is just like dessert. I often well up with emotion just looking at them as we go about our day. I benefit so much from their insight, and my heart is full as I see their tenderness with the younger ones.











3. The privilege of watching new believers come to Christ.

(Some of the Young Life kids at our home.)

Need I say more?

Still pondering the other 4...

7 x 7

My 7 by 7, by Jessie


7 Things I'd like to do before I die:

1. bring at least one person to Christ
2. stay friends with someone forever
3. snowboard in Canada
4. design my dream house
5. cry for a good reason
6. get married
7. make a movie


7 Things I say often:
1. I'll take care of it.
2. are you kidding me ?
3. same difference
4. my bad
5. can i come over?
6. close the door, please
7. turn the light off let me sleep

7 Things I'd like in a future husband:

1. Loves God more than he loves me
2. makes me laugh
3. tall/good looking
4. likes to go every where
5. likes my family(all of them)
6. wants to just be by me
7. knows how to be a leader

7 Things I can't do well:
1. not finish a book
2. spelling
3. run
4. talk to people
5. swim
6. stay warm
7. fly

7 Authors/books I like:
1. beverly lewis
2. janette oke
3. brian jacques
4. God
5. Charles Dickens
6. Lori Wick
7. Wanda E. Brunstetter

7 People I tag:
1. Helayna
2. Angel
3. Mom
4. Rachel
5. Bethany
6. Katie
7. Amanda


My 7 by 7, by Lori


7 Things I'd like to do before I die:

1. Have no pets (like that will happen).
2. Have no debt.
3. Give a lot of money away.
4. Be my daughters' best friend.
5. See each of my sons find a godly wife.
6. See each of my daughters find a godly husband.
7. Read through the Bible in a year.
8. See my grandchildren walk with the Lord. (Sorry...I got carried away.)

7 Movies I enjoyed watching:
1. The Princess Bride
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. The Sound of Music
4. Sleepless in Seattle
5. Hook
6. Cheaper by the Dozen (the old one)
7. Ben Hur

7 Things I say often:

1. Whose dishes are these?
2. Whose wet laundry is this?
3. Turn down the music, please.
4. Have you finished school?
5. You are my favorite 9 year old (11 year old, 14 year old, etc...)
6. Time's up. Get out of the bathroom.
7. Has anyone seen my glasses?

7 Things I admire in my husband:

1. He loves God more than he loves me.
2. He makes me play racquetball.
3. He eats my cooking cheerfully.
4. He prays for me.
5. He's the brother of 10 and father of 7.
6. He gives me a backrub, even when I don't give him one.
7. He leads his family spiritually.

7 Things I can't do well:

1. jump off waterfalls (trust me)
2. exercise
3. watch a movie without falling asleep
4. finish a book
5. applique (like on a quilt)
6. sit in a car for very long
7. go to bed on time

7 Authors/books I like:

1. CS Lewis
2. Charles Dickens
3. Phillip Keller
4. Louisa May Alcott
5. Nathaniel Hawthorne
6. Gary Paulsen
7. Jean Fritz

7 People I tag:

1. Tiffany
2. Aubri
3. Shelby
4. Savannah
5. Ben
6. Jordan
7. Meghan

What do you like to read?

(Bekah)


Dr. Seuss books (Can you tell?)

Little House books

Mandy Mysteries

(Josiah)

The Castle in the Attic

Magic Tree House

The Hardy Boys

(Luke)

Motor Trend Magazine
Random stuff

(Ben)

the Funnies

USA Water Polo magazine

(Jessie)

Everything she can get her hands on...

Especially novels by Jane Austin, Janette Oke, and Lori Wyck.

(She used to read a lot of Tolkien, too.)

Jessica

This is Jessica. She is 16, and a Sophomore in High School. Jessie is the Varsity Goalie on the girls' water polo team. She also sings alto in her home school choir, and enjoys hanging out with friends. When she is not doing one of these things, she can be found reading a book...usually while listening to music through headphones. Jessie is extremely organized and diligent. People hire her to clean and organize their kitchens! She is a faithful sister and daughter.