Just Chalk It Up to Great Imaginations

Some fine weather, chalk, hands, and great imaginations....that's all they needed.

They even thought of writing messages to Daddy.

I love this stuff. 

 I'm thankful something as simple as chalk in their hands makes for such a fun afternoon. 

Because enjoying the simple, the what's-right-before-you,  breeds a contentment with what we have instead of a desire for what we don't. 

And that's always a good thing. 

There were no cries of, "This is boring," or "What do we do?"

They knew how to enjoy what God had provided.

They savored the messes and just enjoyed the moment.

They're always teaching me something.

Love and learn.

Happy 6 Weeks, Jedediah!

Yes, he's 6 weeks old already.  You can read my mushy post here, or you can just enjoy these recent pictures of Cap'n and those chubby cheeks that jiggle on our dirt roads. :)

Almost the Real Thing

Ooh, I'm lovin' the sports setting on my camera!  Scribe challenged Mountain Man to a sword fight this past Sunday afternoon, and I must have taken 50 shots of those two going at it.  These are the swords from Vision Forum that Little Big Man requested for his birthday, and they've been quite the hit here.  The men love how realistic they are, and sword fighting is quite the workout.  Toys?  Not really.  You can scroll down to see the damage these guys did to one another.  And, I'm not even posting what happened to Scribe's face yesterday in a duel.  Seriously.  I was calling him "Scar Face."  Most affectionately, of course.

The Case of the Kissing Bandits

~Here's culprit number One....known as Peep to her siblings.  Blonde hair and blue eyes....lightweight and as cute as can be.  Quite the climber and giggler-extraordinaire.  Expert cuddler.

~Peep's Accomplice....known as Little Bit in close circles...quite the adventurer and not easily intimidated by razors or glass doors.  Has adorable dimple that has saved her life many times.  Loves to love.

~The Recipient of the Alleged Bandits' Kisses.....little Jedediah, known as Cap'n to some in the house and Beauclerc by others.  Receives numberless hugs and kisses daily.  Head fits perfectly under one's chin during nap time. 

THE EVIDENCE

~Who me? 

~Partners in crime

~The laugh that says it all.....Ha, ha, ha, ha!  They'll never catch us.  Our tiny toddler legs can run fast and furious....for we are.....THE KISSING BANDITS.

When the Threat of An Early Bedtime Looms Overhead...

....creativity abounds.  :)

And yes, it worked. 

Jedediah's Baptism

Our computer monitor decided to play tricks on us Friday, so today is my first day back on the internet since then.  Sunday was Jedediah's baptism, and here are some of the pictures.  Thank you, Caity! :)

The boys in the house insisted that Jedediah would not be baptized in a gown, so I searched for an alternative and found this cute baptism suit. 

Here's our new Pastor with Jedediah, and yes, Pastor Brainerd is just as kind as he looks in this picture.  Jedediah didn't cry at all during the baptism.

      ~I'm so thankful Caity got this family picture for us.  It's amazing that almost all of us are looking at the camera AND smiling. :)


Love,

****Having grown up Baptist, I'm well aware that infant baptism is often misunderstood by and even offensive to some.  It's a recent change of position for our family and one that wasn't come to without much prayer and study.   We're not Catholic, and we don't believe that baptism saves.  That said, our family blog isn't the place to debate this issue, though of course we would welcome personal e-mails if anyone has questions.  However, I have posted links to some helpful articles.

"Because sacraments are signs and seals, they do not, in themselves, save.
They testify to God's grace, they point us to Christ, and seal to us his salvation. Just as circumcision did not save, neither does baptism." R. Scott Clark

Infant Baptism

Infant Baptism: How My Mind Has Changed

The Biblical Basis for Infant Baptism

A Glimpse of Smiles to Come

You've been with us for a month, Jedediah, and the time couldn't have been any sweeter.  How blessed we are to have you in our family....your precious feet, your baby sighs, your wonderful cries.  Oh, what joy you've given us, and we look forward to all the love-filled days ahead.

And, just for the Grandmas....the sleeping smile....instead of bird-watching, this Mama was diligently smile-watching, and God blessed me with a glimpse of those sweet grins to come.

Praises and Prayer Requests-500th Post

I just noticed that this will be our 500th post...Wow!  How fitting that it should be one of praises and prayer requests! 

Praises...

~Our Pastor and his family have bought a house here and will be closing on it soon!

~I had my post-natal check-up yesterday, and everything went well.  This recovery has been much quicker, and we're so thankful for how smoothly the surgery went and for blessing us with such a kind and competent doctor.

~Mountain Man has actually gotten home before 7:00 a couple nights this week.  We love that!

~Jedediah is strong and healthy.

~ My cousin is not going to have to go on dialysis for now since her lab results are looking much better.

Requests...

~Please pray for our cousin Patty's husband, Clyde.  After recently facing colon cancer and going through chemotherapy, he was recently told that the cancer has returned, and there are lesions on his lungs and his liver.  Pray for God's healing and for strength and encouragement for this dear couple and their family.

~Please continue to pray for my cousin, Michele, that her lab results would continue to be normal and that her visit to the specialist in August would bring good news.  Pray for continued strengthening and healing of her body.

~Mountain Man has been battling shoulder pain for awhile now.  Please pray for healing and for restful sleep at night.

~My foot pain continues as well as calf pain now, and it's become quite intense on some days....very painful to be on my feet.  Please pray for healing.

~Please pray for our Pastor's wife..that God would bless her recent treatments for back pain and give her relief and sweet sleep at night.

~And for everyone, as always, pray that in the midst of whatever pain and whatever trials that there would be much praise to God from the lips of the afflicted.

Because He daily loads us with many blessings,

This Good Life

Four weeks ago today, sweet Jedediah was born....but, we still have a couple more days before we have to call him a month old.   And, I'm more than happy to wait.

While Mountain Man was holding Jedediah last night, he asked me if this little boy was the same one we brought home just a few weeks ago.  He's changing so quickly.

So what have we been up to when we're all not doing THIS?

~

~Remember this poor shed, and the great job the older boys did on repairing the roof?  Well, last week they painted it, and it looks wonderful.  I'll post an "after" picture as soon as they get the final trim pieces put on.  We're so pleased with the green we chose, and I can't wait to get the house painted, too.

~Last night I made caramelized onions for the first time.  This recipe made everything easy to try, and the onions tasted great on our hot sandwiches.

~Scribe has been working on a movie review site, Reel Quick, and has finally launched it.  He's put a lot of thought into his reviews, and you can check them out here.

~Mountain Man and most of the children enjoyed a bluegrass concert by the Winton Family on Sunday after church (thank you, Linda!), and Mountain Man even won a free cd for answering a bluegrass trivia question.  You can sample their music and read more about this wonderful family here.

~While Mountain Man and I were looking for some things at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, we came across this

scalp massager or at least one like it (except we only paid $3.99).  It ranks up there with back scratches and the Ped Egg. :)

~While we were getting ready to go to an appointment last week, Reaches Up asked to make Mountain Man eggs for breakfast.  He was thrilled when Daddy said, "yes," and what a great job he did.  The two "men" sat down for coffee together (everyone else was still asleep), and Reaches Up shared his infamous animal trivia while Mountain Man enjoyed his breakfast.  Such sweet moments these are.

With a heart thankful for God's many blessings,