Adrenaline Junkie?

Baby Bryson has a new friend!

(yes, I am aware he is not much of a baby, but I am claiming it until he is 2)

Isn't this a cute back-pack? It is also a very useful tool!
A safety harness!
The tail links on when needed...
and if any child would need one, it is him!

We have had...

a cautious child,

an active child,

a clutzy child,

a dramatic child,

and one that can be a bit aloof of his surroundings;

but this one?

he will run into sticker bushes, bound for cliffs, leap off anything;

and yes, he gets hurt at times, then laughs and tries again!

So this new lil friend is a favorite right now...

may Bryson never discover the skateboard!

Science in a Bottle?

Objective: to create "Invisible Ink"

Method: Using acidic based items, then applying heat.

The "invisible" part worked very well, don't ya think?
The Challenge: applying the heat.

Attempt #1-blow dryer-it bombed.
Attempt #2-by candle flame-caused charcoal marks (can you guess what page it was?)
Attempt #3- hot burner-this did work, but took a long time to pull the picture out of the paper.

Analyze Results: Lemon & O.J. worked best, vinegar failed.

Conclusion:

I think we will stick to the "white crayon" method of invisible ink...

easier, quicker, & more legible!

For those whom choose not to earn an income in order to be with your kids, what is your job title??

Housewife?
Stay-at-home-mom?

Domestic Engineer?
J.A.M. (just a mom)?

My job title? MOM
My employer? GOD

My job description? Teacher, mentor, nurse, limo driver, cheerleader, life coach, house keeper, cook, activities co-ordinator, party planner, nutritionist, accountant, driving instructor, fitness trainer, & missionary... (to name just a few).

My hours: on call...24/7

My salary? PRICELESS!

I love being a mom! It is an amazing gift to receive. It is joyful, and heart-warming, a simplistic beauty... (pictured above is my sons TJ & Joe)

Oh....I hear you...
I did not say it was easy! It is a tiresome job, full of mistakes, and challenges at every turn...

~My kids are spaced out very evenly, so I feel I have been changing diapers for over 21 years now.
~I have not, but on rare occasion, the priviledge of sleeping through the night.
~yes, those ear-piercing screams of a toddler hurt my ears also!
~I do have moments of feeling like I am drowning in housework.
~At times, there are poor choices & complacency to correct.

...but at the end of the day, when I pray over their sleeping faces, I am in awe of what has been entrusted to me!

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE
~winter study


~ Waterfalls...

~a very active squirrel...

~bare trees...

~and mossy rocks...

~makes for a successful nature walk!

What do the littles do while the rest of us watch football all day?

Katie-girl was quite creative making a spinning merry-go-round w/ Tinker Toys...

Bryson was quietly, yes quietly, playing with a Bristle Block airplane that brother Andrew shared w/ him!

I could not get a good shot of the "airplane" ...

because...

...it was flying at jet speed!

SHARING LIVES FOR A SEASON

Picture: Myself & Chanelle

Chanelle: A super-fantastic aunt...whom takes the boys to soccer and hockey games, teaches us all French, enthusiastically joins us for family-read time, leader of Katie's campfire group, and puts up w/ sleepless nights along side me when Bryson feels the need to scream at 2 a.m.
She is also a fabulous friend, always positive, always encouraging, and always kicking my behind w/ endless miles of walking. (really, who walks 8 to 14 miles a day??). I could not ask for a better sister-in-law; I am blessed.

Note the word SEASON above...
Our days of living in a wee bit of a house together is sneaking up to an end. The house is going up on the market next week, thus I am actively looking for a place for our family to live. It is time...Chanelle is ready for her own place, own life, and an opportunity to finally settle back to the States on her own terms (fyi...was in Ireland many years). She is a beautiful free spirit, much like a butterfly who needs to flutter about, touching many lives as she enjoys life!

Fred & I are praying that God will open up housing opportunities to us; the right town, with a house that meets our needs, to prepare our hearts while seeking out a church for our family, and mostly to trust Him in His timing for answers to all of those things. At this point my dear m.i.l. will also be moving with us. To let go of what she knows in turn for relocating to a new area will be challenging for her, it may be full of change, but can also be full of blessings...just praying one moment at a time...

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW....
NOT!

Snow seems to be falling everywhere...but here!

Sooo, we headed to the park!

I chased these two, played pirate ships, went on a nature walk, and had a blast.

Baby Bryson, on the other hand, was entirely content to play soccer with his older brothers!! An hour of non-stop ball dribbling, shot taking action was all in his game!