He's Eight

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Sam is 8 today. Eight. We were trying to convince him to just celebrate his 7th b-d again. As obvious by the new age, he didn't go for it. *sigh* There's always next year.

He chose his favorite meal for dinner, spaghetti. He also custom ordered his cake (as all the people in my family do!). Strawberry cake with cream frosting.

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Sam, we are so proud of you. We are thankful that God chose to put you into our family. You are a hard worker and you try hard to follow God's will. We love you so much! I know of no other kids who love to watch on-line surgeries and pour over full photo biology books. We know God has a special job for you to do and we're excited to watch you follow Him! Thank you for trying your hardest to stay neat and tidy. You've done a great job at that. You are such a gentle brother! You have learned to share well. People who don't know God will know He loves them because of how you love others.

We love you Samboe. Daddy and Mama.

This his birth story and last years post.

More Friends and Fun

These first two photo's were taken this past Thursday. Anna and her kids came for a visit. I might add here that Anna is just N-I-N-E day's post delivery! I did ask repeatedly if she really wanted to come over. "Yeah. I'm feeling good!" was her reply. We had so-o much fun! The kids all played super together (after wise Anna suggusted a separate time for just the boys to be in the pool =) and I got to hold cutie Anderson. Ahhhhh!

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These last two photos were from last night. We made home made ice cream and watched our own display of fire works. Essy was scared that the sparks would catch something (or someone) on fire. We showed her we had the hose all ready to go, just in case. When the fireworks were all done, she got to spray the smoldering boxes. She loved it!

Independence Day

Each Fourth of July represents the anniversary when the 13 original colonies declared their Independence from Great Britain. A few of the more popular signers were; Edward Rutledge, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Silly side note....I've never actually read all the way through this amazing U.S. document, but I did skim it =D Here is the link to see the original text.

The act of signing was, basically, declaring war on an unfair, harmful government. They were pickn' a fight.Because of them, we are able to be free and for that I'm proud. Proud to be part of this country. We've made mistakes (some bigger than others) but what country has zero problems? We're human, we mess up. I thank God that this is still the land of the free and home of the brave.

Here are some quotes from some of the signers that I thought were exquisite.

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin

"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people." John Adams

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." Thomas Jefferson

"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks." Samuel Adams

And one from my favorite President, Abe Lincoln. "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

God bless (and help) America!

Here is last years post.

Budding Musicians

Sam received an early birthday gift yesterday. He is so careful with his new violin! He's been so-o great about sharing it.
My Dad and I were talking about my kids yesterday. Each child has such potential. It's dumbfounding (and all together scary). What will this one be good at? Arts? Music? Literature? Science? Mathematics? And I'm not just talking about my kids either, but all kids (really all people).
I remember working at a day care (I was pregnant with Esther) and all the little guys were laying down for 'nap time' (I'm not sure why they called it that.....most never napped) and reality struck me. The room was full of all the potential of all the kids. I started to cry. They would change the world, for good or bad. They would impact their world and thus mine.

Whoah! I didn't mean to get so philosophical today. Talk about rambling!

Sam-7.99 years =D-------------------------Sis-9








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Joe-6.5----------------------------------------Zach 6.5

Our Week-end

The days are hot but the mornings are cold. This is how the kids cope with the mornings. My little peas in a pod!

Ben fixing my car.

The Twins followed him around the whole time. Joey told me that they were looking at the exhaust =D

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The lightning storm on Sunday. I love storms!

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We also had Josh and Kristi and their kids over for dinner on Saturday. 9 kids in all! They played good together. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures =(

Laughing Early

Essy received a gift at church yesterday. It is the coolest thing. It's called Magnetic Poetry. These magnets have one to four words on them and you put them together to make a story or a funny sentence. She was excited to use them, so right when she awoke this morning, she started creating. This is the story she created today. (there are no capitals or punctuation included with this toy. I added periods where she would take breath.)

the old king files a plane with dreams. he reads a book. the cat makes a scary noise in the lake before the monkey eats hot dogs or laughs. is too funny. the pirate sails a boat but is quiet and then chases the dog but digs a hole on the nice queen. later that day on t.v. a farmer swims with me.

Mine was; sometimes I eat under my bed and I laugh.

The other children awoke to Sis and I laughing at our silliness. Summer break rocks!

Fun in the Sun

We had the pleasure to spend yesterday afternoon with our cousins and second cousins. (?what do you call the child of your cousin?)

Kari and I had a nice time visiting and our kids played great together! Both our girls are the only girls in their families so they understand each other =D

Es (9) & Brianna (5)

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Little Isaac (10 months). Side note: this guy is the most inquisitive boy I've seen. You can't tell in this photo but he was grabbing the dirt and squeezing it then watching it fall as he drooped it down. Such a boy!

Anderson Landeen

I had the privilege to witness the birth of a blessed baby boy today.

Aaron and Anna, your son is blessed to be your child. You are also blessed by him! I pray that he will be held in God protective mighty hand and grow in God goodness and grace. I pray that he "Will not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates both day and night." Ps. 1:1+2


Love you all!


















After we all saw Andy the kids got to play together in a cush family waiting room!

Strawberry Fields

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We went berry picking this morning with my Mom. The kids did so great! What good helpers. They were told to pick 10, eat 1. We picked a total of 32# in 1 hr. 15 min. My portion was 20 lb's for just $19! Such a great price!

Two funny things the kids said; After picking for about 10 min. Sam said "This is strawberry heaven!". And when we were just about done Zach said he knew why they were called strawberry's. "Because they're so juicy, you can put a straw in them and suck the juice!"

Esther's Baptism

She told me right as the church service was starting (the event wasn't till after service) that her tummy hurt =( I all could do was pray for her. Once Sunday school was over she was fine. YES!

She was so-o brave! Our Pastor asks all the baptisee's why they're being baptised. Es said "Cause I want to love God more." Ahhhhh! Music to a mother's ears.

This is where my photo's end. My batteries died. Bummer!