First for mommy this time!

My first experience at a monster truck show was enjoyable.  The trucks were predictably big, loud, and entertaining.  Unfortunately, they had to compete with two crazy guys on motorbikes, who sped up a ramp and did really cool tricks in the air before they came down on the ramp on the other side.  Their stunts were incredible!  The monster trucks were cool, too.

Isaac has a thing for monster trucks.  He loves them!  When I asked him if he was excited about the show, he lit up and gave me this face.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Baptism is a picture that Sam wanted everyone to see.  He wanted folks to know that he believes in Jesus as his Savior.  What a blessing and a privilege to see God at work in Sam's heart!

Goodbye, to a good friend!

Yeah, Thomas, we will miss the late night games around the dining room table.  We've gotten a taste of what it will be like to have a teenager around, and it's been fun.  I will miss hearing you ask, "do you want some help?"  :-)  Our kids will miss their "big brother for a few weeks".  

We miss you already!

Quality time kid?

My kids are all so different.  I try and pay attention to their needs, but, I think at times I'm not always as sensitive to their different needs as I should be.  Marcus is my quiet, fearful, yet stubborn kid.  He doesn't very often demand my attention, and often I find that I spend the least amount of time one-on-one with him.  He doesn't complain, but I've been making more of an effort do try and find time to do things with him; just him.  All of my others seem pretty comfortable making their demands and need for mommy known.  Marcus not as much.  This morning after we camped at Grandma and Grandpa's for the night Marcus, began asking to go down the huge slip and slide Papa had made.  I had just sat down to breakfast, was swarmed by 3 of my 4 kids with various demands, and I wanted to just make it stop.  I brushed his request aside initially because I really wanted to eat!  But, after that, I decided to just go and spend time with him.  He lit up!  We hung out at the slip and slide for a good chunk of time.  He'd go down, thrilled and happy, I had a turn, and we just hung out together.  After he'd had as many slides as he wanted, he was ready to go and join the others in the swimming pool.   

He's a keeper!

Fun times!

A few weeks ago I saw on a home school message board the need for a host family for a student from France.  The student would be here a few weeks, wanted to work on the English language, and needed a family to stay with.  I am fascinated with other cultures, and thought this might be a fun possibility for our family.  I contacted the lady from our church who works with this organization, got a few more details, and we made a last minute decision to host Thomas!

He has been such blessing to our family!  He comes from a family of 4 boys, and so fits right in with the craziness around here.  He's helpful, loves on the boys so well, and is a delight to be around.  My boys will miss him when he leaves next week.  It's been fun to show him America, and we've really enjoyed learning more about France, his homeland.  This has been a really fun experience for us! 

Isaac and Thomas, bowling.

Cooking dinner!

Caught a fish in the Shenandoah.

Hiking Raven's Rock.

Last birthday for us this year!

I'm a few days late, but our baby boy is now 1 year old!  He's our little chubby darling, and we sure love him!  He's such a joyful, fun addition to our family, and we can't imagine life without him.

Birthday boy!

I am a few days late with this one, but Happy Birthday to my better half.  Words can't express just how thankful I am that God has given me this man to love, to walk with me in this crazy world.  He's that calming, steadiness that I am so grateful for!  My boys are so blessed to have this man for a father!

I hadn't notice until today little Isaac peeking out near Peter's tummy!  So cute!

We love you so much!!!  Here's to many more years!

Summer fun with the NC cousins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sky Meadows

Yesterday the boys and I went for a hike at Sky Meadows state park.  I've only been there once.  The boys have gone several times with their aunt, and they always love their adventures there.  This spot is really close to where my sister lived several years ago when she lived in Virginia, and it is truly a beautiful place!  After looking over the map we decided on a route which took us on an upward trek.  Once at the top, we had a truly gorgeous view of the valley below.  The boys did fabulously well.  We were going to try one other trail, but by the time we finished this trail, they were pretty tuckered out.  It was a hot day!  Maybe next time.  I had several older couples comment on my crew and one even stopped and thanked me for getting them outside to enjoy nature instead of putting them in front of the t.v.  I thought about that, and you know, I have to thank my parents for helping me with that whole issue.  When I was growing up I didn't understand why my folks didn't let us watch much television, but I get it now.  While my kids do watch some, (their afternoon movie/nap is one of the only free, quiet times of my day right now, and computer and video games interest them a lot) I also see how important it is for them to also get time away from the screen and be more focused on all that God has given them to enjoy whether it's the great outdoors, good writing, their own imaginations and creativity among other things.  It's already a bit of a battle for sure.  Sam regularly asks for an ipod and cell phone, and there are always so many things to do and watch on screens.  But, I also know that these are precious times in the lives of my kids, and I hope one day they will understand why mommy tries to balance t.v. and screen time with other learning and exploration!

Sam was our fearless leader.  He loved looking over the map to try and figure out where we were.

This guy is such a fan of adventure!

While this one got tired a few times, he kept up like a trooper.

This one slept the first part of the hike, then took it all in from his ergo.

These cuties found a bench and decided that this would be our picnic spot. 

As we were loading up this little guy finally got a chance to explore a bit.  

boys+exploration = new discoveries

A few weeks ago we were at a cookout and our pastor's wife mentioned this fun place we should take the kids.  It used to be a golf course I guess.  We checked it out yesterday, and we loved it!  It's right on the Shenandoah river, so we were able to swim, wade, fish, and explore!  One other thing we loved is that the trails are paved, (at least the ones we explored) so we brought bikes, stroller and scooters, and the kids were able to be kids!  I love places like this.  Just nature, and freedom for my boys to be boys.

The water was a really pleasant temperature, and all of the kids (and grown ups) loved playing in it.

The beautiful nature has to be one of my favorite things about this state of Virginia!