Spider

After a trip to dump a bucket into the compost pile John came in and was squirting dishwashing detergent into the dishwasher as I noticed a black widow crawling up his back on top of his white t-shirt. I quickly but silently took my dishrag and killed it. He was a little shook up after I told him what I had just killed. They can deliver a nasty bite.

Beautiful June

We have had this pair of rarely seen Scarlet Tanagers hanging out in our yard. The male continually and deliberately runs into our windows. I am looking into this strange behavior. It may be attacking his reflection in order to protect his female? We are enjoying seeing the male up so close and the female was even hanging out in the Japanese Maple right outside our window.The look exactly like the birds in the image above. They are very beautiful.

June 8-Shop is up and running. Work is coming in and we are blessed to see this after only two weeks since the fire.

June 11-I just finished rocking 2 1/2 year old Joseph to sleep after his bath in a silent house. It was nice. John is being given a drawing lesson by Pris and the older boys are with Kenny. The first few hours of calm in over a week gave me a chance to think about the younger mom I was in those simpler days of watching the children run around content with their toys and outdoor time. I guess I am missing those days a little. I know it shouldn't be that way but to be honest it is such a scary transition time with my older ones. They are looking for their life, their purpose, and their desires to be met. If "there is no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in truth" than there can be no greater sorrow than to know that they are not walking in truth.

Of course we enjoy watching them grow and we want nothing more than to see them mature and make good decisions on their own. But I know they will make mistakes like the rest of us. Learning to trust- that is one of the keys. We are endeavoring to not be naive parents so we can know how to pray for and guide our kids. This is serious business -this parenting thing.

June-20 We took the kids out to Fort Loudoun see at http://fortloudoun.com/ ( a restored fort from the French and Indian War) yesterday in the 97 degree heat. They tolerated it quite well especially since we took some time to swim at the end of the day. Later in the evening Joshua, Hope, and Priscilla did a great job performing at a local downtown coffee shop. I especially love when they sing their own songs that they have written. It 's amazing to hear the lyrics that come out of Hope's heart. I am blessed! Go to www.myspace.com/hopeector and listen for yourselves.

The older boys went to jump off waterfalls, Kenny is golfing, and Lily and I are enjoying listening to music. I hurt my neck somehow and I am having a hard time turning it. I have never been to a chiropractor but this pain might push me to do so. The cause may be from straining it while working outdoors. I have excitedly started 4-5 different projects-building an entrance arbor, starting the greenhouse, digging in steps on the hill, digging out a decorative fish pond, and a chicken house and coop. I just had the vision and wanted to start it all at once. I guess I will have to rest since this pain is making me feel sick.
On another note. I want more of our Father right now. I want to see the Lord move in my life and those around me. HE is truly the satisfier of our soul and I want to know Him in a personal way because religion is tiring but His spirit is like water to our souls. I get tired of distractions that pull me away from what is important. People are important, prayer, and walking in peace.
Just wanted to remind myself of that today. Let's remember to keep praying for eachother!!

Big Fire

Last Friday (almost a week now) the sign company owned by our brother-in-law caught on fire and is now considered a total loss. While they were drying letters at the end of the day Kenny and my nephew in-law saw smoke and by the time they approached the area it was to late. After calling 911, they grabbed the computers and then found it impossible to save anything else but a plotter. (I'll post pictures later-our camera and cell phone were lost in the fire)
Meanwhile at home, we hear a few fire trucks but we are now hidden by trees from any view down below that I didn't bother to look out to see where they may be going. Joseph even said, "Hey mom, what's that sound?". "Fire trucks, Joe." 15 minutes later my neighbor and friend calls my phone and yells "Lori, did you know that the shop is on fire?" Fear struck me since I hadn't heard from Kenny so I jumped in the car and immediately tore down there. It crossed my mind that an explosion could have taken place and the neighbors might have called 911. I wondered if Kenny was okay. Even after I saw his beautiful form outside the building I couldn't help shaking. I couldn't believe the fire was out of control. Somehow Kenny and I both seemed to still have some kind of idea that he could conquer the beginning of a fire but the hose wasn't going to cut it as our nephew tried. They were amazed at how fast the huge place filled with black smoke and toxic fumes. There were about 10-12 fire trucks on the scene and they used 15,000 gallons of water out of the nearby pond/lake.
Ford and Lisa were on their way home from a vacation in Colorado and we were just sick at the thought of what they were about to face. They were and have been amazing about the whole thing. Even though they have insurance the amount of work in setting up temporarily and the stress of keeping clients is incredible. They are setting up shop in our carport which is now a closed in wired shop with machines all set up with production almost on its way. The office (our old bedroom we were already moving out of) is connected to the shop by our transformed plotter -room breezeway.It has turned out to be a nice set up. It hasn't been easy but it has been neat seeing everyone ( and I mean from 10 years old and up) buzzing around here as hard and fast as anyone can go. Taking our meals together has been one fun aspect of it all. Grandma and Grandpa have done an amazing amount of work pressure washing, painting, cleaning, cooking dinner several times for all of us and even helping me catch up on my laundry. Thanks to everyone for your work and prayers.

Scattered News

Been so long that there is no way I could stick to a subject or even find a suitable title. I always feel revived in the Spring and it is definitely beautiful but my family is still going through the reality of my brother's death and that is painful to watch and feel. Please continue to pray for Stacie and the family.
Well, we have had a busy spring with John playing soccer and Paul playing on a travel baseball team again. They did well. We took a weekend to go camping with Kenny's sister and husband and their 3 kids in Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky. It was great to see them and we even survived a 6 hour severe lightning and rain storm the first night. I realized I liked camping more than I thought I would. The hard work in preparing pays off when everyone is relaxing around the campfire and eating Smores. The kids will always remember.
Joshua is working and schooling off and on. He is hanging out on Friday nights with some great kids. They started their own Bible study and He is liking it. Music is very important to him and he just purchased another guitar. He is taking part in the music his cousin Hope writes and they sound beautiful together. He is also running and lifting weights a few times a week with some encouraging young married men .
Kenny is working and playing ball with the boys. When I say ball I mean all kinds of ball- basketball, golf, football and oh yeah, does frisbee count as ball.? He keeps the boys busy several nights a week. This gives me time to do what I love and that is to work out in the yard or garden. I am stranger than most when I realize that I actually enjoy having a shovel or wheelbarrow in my hands. I love this kind of exercise. This week the garden is really looking spiffy. (can gardens be spiffy?) The younger kids run around outside till almost dark and then we go in for baths. We sleep well.

We are attending a new church where the whole family really listens and enjoys the speaker. We don't really care where we go as long as we are in God's will.
This week we have an 18 year old friend of the family coming to stay with us for a few weeks from Mo. We will enjoy showing him the beautiful sights and I'm sure he'll love joining the guys in their activities.

So much is going on with our friends and family. So many people hurting. Hope we are salt and light to these loved ones. ONLY IN HIM

Life

Nephew Ben, our Joseph, and Levi's Sam

Lily's new bird

The Boston Terrier-A gift from my brother Judah- we love him. Formerly Scooter now Goob

Baby Judah Samuel- one day old

baby Cousin Joseph James (Ben's # 2)with our Joseph Peter

John with another new pet

I can't believe it has taken this long for me to blog again. I think I have been extra tired at night. So much has happened since January. On the 29th of January my brother, Levi died suddenly from a blood vessel eruption in his heart while talking to my Dad late one night around a bonfire just after he arrived home from work. At only 31 his widow and the rest of us were shocked. His little two year old Sam will still remain close by as his mom has choosen to stay here in TN. Levi is buried just across the road from where I live. During the month of January our family had spent time with Levi in Bible study and worship together. My boys were able to throw a football around and play games with my funniest and easy-going brother. His funeral was meaningful as people full of faith shared their songs and memories. My dad shared how he felt honored to be there in the beginning and the end. (He delivered Levi at home) Please keep praying for my family as daily life has brought the constant reminder of his absence.

A nephew was born two weeks before Levi passed away and another nephew was born just a few weeks ago. New life brings an awe of the power of life and death and I cannot express how I feel about the mystery of it all.

Early December

Lily's hair is so ridiculously curly that I just had to blog about it. This picture was taken just after her hair had dried. By the way, she is doing much better and we havn't seen any seizures in about a month. We would like her to be off of Dilantin if possible. Thanks for praying. She is an amazing girl and is faced with a bit more boredom since she quit drawing as much. We are all trying to take time each day to do some activity with her after school.

Candace and Michael are here to help with the work load at the shop. I was so tickled and so were the girls when she came over one evening to play. Snuggling and reading to the girls meant a lot. The simplest things in life and the loving things we do for the "least of these"(Matthew 20) are really the greatest joy givers not only for others but for ourselves.

Joseph and John on Joe's birthday

The first half of December we celebrated Joseph's 2nd birthday. He is a unique character, one that leaves me puzzled at times. We are loving this age especially when he is just sitting still with a handful of my hair sucking his finger. We are not so fond of this age when the curiousity takes control of his being , which has led to mayonaise covering himself and the floor surrounding him, a hop in the tub fully dressed (including his dirty diaper which led to the contents floating in the water) with at least a 1/2 gallon of water on the floor, a tea party hosted by Joe himself as he filled up Sarah's plastic tea pot with toilet water and spilled it on the carpet of her bedroom floor, Lily's cassette tape bin dumped and tape pulled out, marker art work on the doors, toys and soggy cereal thrown into the bird cage, Grandma's decorative pebbles thrown into her toilet, our toilet clogged with who knows what, and.... should I stop here? I know what some of you are thinking....... What is wrong with his mother and why has she not trained this kid?, she definitely knows better...... Well I am much more occupied than I used to be but this guy does his mischief with lightning speed. Have you seen Dash from the movie the Incredibles?.. well it's just that he is usually up to no good the minute he is out of our sight. "Go check on Joe, where is Joseph?, what is that noise?," -These words are the neverending sounds coming forth from my mouth! Some of the things he gets into are definite no no's that have already been ingrained into him but do you think to tell your kid "'Don't pull the mayo jar off the counter or Don't throw things into the bird cage? Lately my motto has been .. "No Joe, it's not a toy. Not a toy, Joe." But everything that isn't a toy is so interesting to him.His cuteness and his repeating of all he hears is counteracting his naughtiness and we are still enjoying this crazy but tiresome kid.

A Little Bragging on Josh

I don't brag on Josh enough, in fact, I don't give him enough breaks sometimes. I wanted to tell a little more about his life. Joshua saved and bought this drum set in Missouri while we were on vacation. It has been a loud but valuable asset to the musical activity in our home. My favorite sound is Joshua's voice as he plays his guitar. He has now saved enough to buy an electric acoustic guitar. We are all thankful for his seemingly effortless ability to improve. He might disagree and say he practices but I am clueless when it comes to musical ability. Joshua works part time for his Uncle's business doing office work such as bidding jobs, dealing with clients over the phone, E-mails, etc. He is very fortunate to have this opportunity and I know the confidence and skills he is acquiring are priceless. He takes great care of the kids and house when Kenny and I are away. He is also blessed with a love for reading and is serious about his education. Golfing (and improving in the sport) with Kenny and Paul is also a huge part of his life. Because high school homeschoolers don't seem to have team sports opportunities in this area we have let him work out at a boxing gym with some great guys a few times a week. But most importantly he seems to have a love for his family and Creator so..... I couldn't ask for a better son!!! (sometimes I don't hesitate to send constant correction to the kids and while that can be good, I know they need to be told all the good and how much they are appreciated so I am announcing to all that we are grateful for what God has given us. God spared his life on that sad day when his brother went on to eternity. At three years old he became an even more precious gift to us. We told him then and we tell him now ..... You are here with a purpose.

Joshua and Hope hang out often and play music and sing together. Hope is a talented, God-fearing friend and cousin and we are grateful she lives right next door. I am looking forward to the day when many others will have the opportunity to hear the songs she has written.

I ask friends and family to pray for our teens as they are up against so many lies being yelled out to them in every direction. I don't hope for perfect teens, nor expect it but I hope they can through the power of God in their lives ....Do Hard Things.... like the book Josh just read by the Harris twins. They can rise above low expectations not for the purpose of their own glory but to the encouragement and uplifting of others. How can others know of the love of God unless we are confident in showing it? Josh just told me today of his disgust when he sees Christians come across like they are better than others. While we should never be ashamed of the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, others need to see that it's only through our allowing Him to live in us. Our pride is smellier than blatant sin. Jesus seemed to portray this as he dealt with others. Lord, humble us and help us to glory only in the cross......Let our Christianity be relational (as my friend Tina says) and not religious. Anyway, please pray for Josh as he will be seeking direction in the next few years.

Just a note: Lily has had a tough week with close to 200 seizures in 5 days. Her seizing was worse at night and they would come in clusters of 10 or so. She is better now and on a third med. She is glad to be sleeping better and she handles it so well but please pray this does not become a common week in her life. So far this only has happened twice before. Both times she was hospitalized but this time it was manageable at home since we had all the meds we needed. Thanks for praying. She is amazing.