Game on!

Tonight was Jacob and Amarin's first soccer game of the season.

We're so happy that they're on the same team.

They have two of their friends on the team, too, and that makes it all the more fun!

 They have the biggest, most attentive cheering section, too.

Um.  Hey, guys.  The game's in the other direction.

Notice Char's shin guards?  He needs to wear them to help the boys warm up.

He's "sewious" about this stuff.

Since they play for a Christian league, they always start with devotions.

The head guy told them that they would be sure to have soccer time AFTER they heard the gospel message every week!

Char and Jenna started their own little soccer clinic with some friends.

The game started in a fast and furious way.  Both teams were doing great.

SCORE!  Jacob got the first goal of the night!

Amarin, being a year too young for this team, was allowed to play with Jacob if he could keep up.  We think he did great tonight.  He smiled throughout the whole game, just loving it...but stayed scrappy.  He had some great plays, and almost made a goal, too!

He did get kicked pretty hard at the end of the game and is really limping.  We'll see how he's fairing in the morning.

She Dances

The Sanguine Personality:  cheerful, confident, optimistic, hopeful.

Whoever came up with this personality must have used Jenna Mei for the profile because it suits her perfectly.  The world is hers to enjoy, and the world WILL enjoy her presence...she's sure of it!

Just look at this smile on her first day of dance class.

 Here I am, world!

 Leave it to me to forget my camera again, so the camera on my phone had to suffice today.

There is currently only one other girl in her class, so they had lots of one-on-one attention.

Jenna loved that!

When the teacher called the girls for class, Jenna walked to the door, turned around with a big smile and wave, and called, "Bye, Mom.  Bye, boys." And walked right in for class.

They did some tumbling which was hilarious.  The teacher tried supporting Jenna for a bridge (back bend on the floor) and Jenna kept falling and laughing because she's so ticklish!

She said her favorite was tapping.  After seeing how she bangs those shoes on the floor, I'm thinking the garage floor will be the practice place for tap.  They marched to music around the gym, and she waved and giggled as she walked by.  I don't think the smile left her face the entire time she took her lesson.

 They also did bar work.  Watching these little ones trying to "plie" is quite comical.  Of course, I'd end up looking like a pretzel on the floor, so I won't laugh too hard.

When we got home, she changed out of her leotard and put her dance bag by the back door...she's ready to go back for more lessons tomorrow.  Ummm...think we have to wait until Monday, sweetie!

March on!

Marching band season has begun!

Today was Jacob's first parade.  He was excited and nervous.

Probably most nervous about carrying a crazy-large, heavy sousaphone.

This isn't their regular uniform, but since the weather is warm still, they wore something a little lighter and more casual.  They looked great!

 Jacob isn't quite sure about the shoes.  They aren't on the top fashion list, but they are comfortable and durable.   However, this morning he found the word "womens" on them.  Now he's sure he's not overly fond of them!

 The weather was perfect for a parade...sunny, warm, with a nice breeze.

We lined up on the sidewalk about 40 minutes ahead of time to be sure we got a great seat!

 

 Guess who else was in our parade?  Cindy Williams, from Laverne & Shirley!

I have no idea why she was in our little parade, but it was fun!

 And here he is, playing his heart out on that sousaphone.  He was extra excited this morning when he arrived at the school because 2 brand new sousaphones had arrived yesterday...just in time for the parade.  And the band director, being the awesome lady that she is, stayed until very late to be sure they were well oiled, and ready to go for the parade!

 The band members, ranging from 4th to 8th grade, did a great job.  Another parade next Saturday and he can't wait!

School, and a long weekend

I suppose I'd better get caught up on my blog.  My kids will read this blog book years from now and wonder what happened to them during these missing weeks.  Well, I tell 'em....SCHOOL!

It has hit with a vengeance this year.

Compared to some of you moms, 4 kids to homeschool is not a huge number.

But for me, along with their activities, it's enough!

We started school over 3 weeks ago.  Schools go back early here, and Jacob had a week of marching band camp even before that, so I figured, why wait?  We'll slowly ease into our subjects, and we won't even notice a change in schedule.  Ha!  Fat chance of that!

Jenna is 5 and in kindergarten this year.  She loves to color, cut, sing, dance, and play. ABC's and 123's really are not a priority.  She's happy enough without them.  As a matter of fact, the number 9 caused a meltdown one day.  Not sure why (though the males in this house blame it on female emotions).  Blasted number 9!  She's experiencing AWANA for the first time this year, attends a homeschool co-op for art, music, and science, and will start dance next week.  She doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up (becoming a Christmas tree is no longer an interest, thankfully), but I have a feeling she will be fine as long as she can talk, dance, and sing her way along.

My handsome boy, Amarin, is 10 and in 5th grade.  He has the typical math, history, grammar, spelling, reading, and logic, as well as anatomy, band (drums) and art at the co-op.  Piano is continuing, too.  He's really enjoying history and anatomy so far.  But he's most excited about his Lego engineering class that starts next week. This boy is all about constructing, fixing, and building.  LOVES it!  He says he wants to be an engineer someday, preferably with the Lego Co.!  Add AWANA and soccer to the mix, and he is one busy boy.  What amazes me is that when he came home 3 years ago, we started him in first grade work.  Yeah...he's doing great!

 Charlie, my 6 year old dynamo, is wrapping up first grade in a few months.  His reading has really taken off this fall and he's actually eager to try new books.  He's also waiting expectantly for a "big boy Bible."  The kids all have to be reading well before they can get a "real" Bible, vs. a kid's story Bible.  He has reminded me several times about his upcoming birthday!  Char's first grade work is accompanied by piano lessons, AWANA, and Lego engineering with Amarin.  At this time, he's wavering between becoming a policeman, and a preacher with his Bible on the Ipad.  Either way...he will be teaching somebody right from wrong with a "weapon" in hand!

 This is a big year for Jacob, and one that is bringing some challenges with it.  He has always been the one to whom most things come easily.  So, we upped the ante a little this year, and put him in high school.  He's carrying a hefty load including physical science, writing, grammar, U.S. history, algebra, German, and typing.  He's playing his tuba/sousaphone in a marching band, playing soccer, continuing piano lessons, and participating in AWANA and co-op.  He still finds time to read about collector cars, and right now, becoming a maritime pilot sparks his interest...or any other fun job that makes good money, doesn't consist of long hours, and for which he can earn a college degree on a tuba scholarship.  Let us know if anything like that exists!

 And with that all in motion, we decided to take a long weekend to visit family.

On the way, we stopped by Lake Michigan for a picnic.  We do miss living near these beautiful lakes.

I can't think of a more relaxing time than being by the water.  It's so soothing and peaceful.

 We didn't have bathing suits handy, so we waded.  I predicted that someone would be drenched first.

My prediction came true!  Just look at the innocence on his face!

 My girly-girl was a little more cautious.

Good idea to feel the temperature of the water before proceeding.

 I have no idea...flying?  KungFu Panda move?

 Keeping Laura out of the water is exhausting.  She LOVES being in the water and will not give in until she is in it!  Jamie and I had to trade off to spare ourselves from sore arm muscles.

 Skipping stones

 Laura was laughing so hard she could hardly catch her breath, and as always, ended up with a terrible case of the hiccups.

 Next came their first trip up a sand dune.  Jamie walked with Jenna...

 until she bailed because of "sore legs."  My boys would say...she's such a girl!

 Here come the boys flying down the hill.

 Charlie bit the dust...er...sand.  He was spitting sand and needed a drink badly!

We're home now and back in full swing.  I'm going to take a nap now.

Surprise!

 Who doesn't love a surprise?

Especially when it involves friends we haven't seen for months and months!

Of course, we moms had it all planned out, but I left my kids in the dark.

So when the doorbell rang and they saw who was standing there, Char and Amarin started yelling and Jacob choked on a gulp of water.  It's not every day that friends show up on our doorstep that live hours and hours away!

All recovered from the initial shock, and they had a great time playing.  Like 8 months had not even passed since they last saw each other.  And even though my sweet friend, Amy, is a seriously healthy eater...she caved and agreed to pizza for lunch! :)

 Within minutes, the arsenal was out and in full force.

 Laura made it home from school just in time to get in a quick snuggle with Amy before they had to leave.  We're so glad they came to spend the day with us!

Laura's First Day

 We have a 2nd grader!

Laura started school yesterday with a 1/2 day.

(Why do schools bother with 1/2 days?)

Anyway, someone was NOT happy when Mama woke her up at 6 A.M.

Talk about gettin' the stink eye!

So I thought I'd get that look on camera for proof.

Because no one ever believes that she can give me "the look."

But as soon as she heard the camera click, this is what she gave me.

 Aha!  I caught the look!

Oops.  Better put on my happy face again.

 

 Is anyone still looking?  Can I give Mama the stink eye again?

I chatted with Laura's teacher after school and she said she had a great first day.

And she agreed that Laura has indeed become quite loud!

A little kindergarten girl started in her class (also non-verbal) and was shushing her all morning.

Sounds like this could be a funny year!

Watch This! UPDATE

UPDATE:  Actual voting is taking place at this link:
http://on.fb.me/PdsJNe
(look for Caleb Blaha's name under the video at the bottom right) 

In short, please click HERE and watch this awesome music video.

It's totally family friendly.

Oh, and share it with your friends, too.  I'll explain more below if you want to read.

In long...here's the story behind it.

The family that made this video is some of our best friends back where we used to live.

Their son and Amarin are like two peas in a pod.

And Jacob and Amarin stayed with them for 2 weeks when we went to China to get Jenna.

They are a sweet, sweet family, and just love the Lord.

Caleb, the dad, is a very talented videographer...I think that's the right term.

He has put together family movies based on Bible stories, and novels.

When our boys stayed with them, they all worked together to write a script, and turned it into a fun, short film, complete with animation, costumes, etc.

Caleb recently entered a video in a contest by Andrew Peterson, based on his new song, Rest Easy.

The winner of this contest will win a cash award, as well as have his video used as the official song video.

Caleb's video made it to the top 10!

Now the voting begins by simply watching the video.

Ultimately, Andrew Peterson will choose the winner, but the voting will count, too.

So please take a moment to view this video, and then you can share the link on FB, blogs, or whatever other way you would like.  It is very well done and so fun to watch our friends!

Leave me a note and tell me what you think.  I know there are lots of you out there from lots of different countries that lurk without leaving messages!

PS.  As you watch it, pay attention to the video that the kids are watching while lying on the floor.  The two sword fighters...those are my boys in the video that they made while staying there!

Happiness is...

 sharing popcorn with a baby sister.

 and holding on to a big brother, 'cause he will keep me from falling.

 Calling "mamamamamama" while trying to eat popcorn.

 Using those little fingers to take food...

 and feed myself like a big girl.

 We're happy.

Babies and Justice

 Jamie's home.  After 11 days, 6 flights, and a ridiculous number of time zones...he's home, safe and sound.

And jet lagged.

But enough about that.

Here is a picture of the goods he took over for the children under the care of BaoBei.

We were thankful that we could fill one suitcase with much needed items for the sweet babies.  Even the suitcase was donated so Jamie could just leave it there.

Well, he had meetings for work the first week he was in Shanghai, so he met with one of the co-directors of BaoBei on Saturday.  Such a sweet lady, and so hospitable.
She showed Jamie a quick video about BaoBei, talked with him about what they do for children, and then...here's the best part...took him to see two babies!
Oh, I would love to show you the photos I rec'd of Jamie with these little ones.
But I can't.  So just imagine with me two of the cutest babies ever.  Are you with me?
OK.
One baby girl was recovering from a recent surgery.  She was hooked up with lots of wires so he couldn't hold her.  But...he got to hold a baby boy and feed him a bottle.
What a precious photo I have of the two of them!
Unfortunately, this baby boy's surgeries hadn't corrected his health issue as they had hoped, so his days here on earth, barring a miracle, are very short.  Jamie's heart was so touched by this little guy.  We just rec'd word this A.M. that Jamie's newest buddy was transferred to an awesome care facility to spend his last days.  And the caregivers promised that when he was in his last days, they would hold him 24/7.  Anyone have a tissue?  That, my friends, is what it's all about.

In line with this topice, I just finished another wonderful book called Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just, by Timothy Keller.

 You see, once you realize what God has done in your life, you just can't look at life the same.  You can't look at the orphans, widows, foreigners, or needy in the same way.  They are not lesser people than the rest of us who are so privileged.  In fact, the Bible mentions caring about these groups of people over and over again. And it's not a request.  It's a command.  And it's not charity, because charity is optional.  It is simply living out the command that we were given.  The command.

When I see pictures of orphan after orphan after orphan come across my computer screen...orphans needing families and surgeries and a chance to live...it just overwhelms me.  And when I see the cost of surgeries that could save their lives, I wonder why some of these kids are still waiting at death's door, enduring pain and discomfort like no child should.  And when I hear about the amount that Americans spend on frivolous items throughout the year, it makes me angry.
For example,
"Americans are going to be spending $6.9 billion on Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation. That's up from the $3.5 billion they spent on the scary holiday in 2005."
 Do you realize how many life saving surgeries that could cover?  That's not generous and that's not justice.  How I pray that more and more people will wake up and see the need "Beyond the Horizon" and their own front door.