Happy Birthday

Yesterday we gathered at a park with another family to celebrate Silas's birthday. As we drove to the park it started raining a little and we were wondering if we would have to change our location. But by the time we got there, the rain had stopped and we were greeted by this beautiful rainbow.
Silas brings so much joy to all of us. We are thankful that God gave him to us. Here are some pictures from the party. There are a few more on in my Facebook album.

quick peek at the family

Last week we went to an old farm. David was taking the pictures so I could be in them. However he didn't know that the camera was on video mode. So here are some super quick videos of us...

Trash for Cash

Our county wants to clean up some roads so they are offering non-profit organizations money for each mile of road we clean up. So a group of us from Cornerstone International House of Prayer cleaned up the road that leads to the mission base. Here are some pictures a friend and fellow trash picker-upper took...

the Spaceship

Yesterday, I was washing dishes and Micah came inside to ask me to come out and see their ship. I was thinking they had made a boat. Upon my arrival in the backyard, I saw quite a sight. Then Micah said it was his turn to drive, got in, turned a few "buttons," and said "blast off!" Wait... "What kind of ship have you made?" I asked. A space ship of course! Enjoy the cute little boys. They were actually playing so nicely together. I even got Silas on the video, too. He really likes to be outside.

gardening

This year has been the most fun, productive garden we have ever had. We have a plot out at the Cornerstone mission base (where David and I are on staff as intercessory missionaries) and tend to it several times a week. The kids all help. For them the funnest job is picking the beans or digging the potatoes. However, they all, except Micah, pull or hoe weeds. And earlier in the gardening season, the boys and Abby were my potato watch dogs. For weeks, they pulled off the potato bugs and smashed them. The kids are eating the "fruits" of their labor, learning to keep working even when they are hot and sweaty, and getting to watch how God has designed plants to grow and reproduce. It really feels so good to me to work hard in the garden. We were there this morning, everyone working hard. And our reward will be dinner: Basil Parmesan Chicken (with basil from our garden), roasted potatoes (from the garden), and sauteed green beans, also from the garden. We could even have a salad from the garden, if we wanted! 100 years ago it wasn't so cool to grow your own food, but today, we are thankful for this experience. And our bodies will be healthier, too, from the work, the sunshine, and the fresh, organic food.

Superman

Keenan likes to draw and has lately developed a fascination with superheroes. So a couple of weeks ago he made this drawing for me. I wanted the grandparents to see it so I took a picture of it. Enjoy superman and the burning building.

Look at Me!

Babies grow and change so quickly. It is so fun to watch. This week, these are the "big boy" pictures of Silas that we captured. First Silas is on the stool in the kitchen. Next, he is in the car being pushed around by Abby. And Finally, Abby is swinging Silas on the swing David put up under our balcony. We will celebrate his birthday in a couple of weeks.

Silas's first haircut

This morning we gave Silas his first haircut. It was a little past due since he hair was hanging in his eyes a little. But I really enjoy that "baby hair" look so I let them go as long as possible before cutting it. Rachel was photographer again and David was feeding Silas cheerios to keep him still. It was a very painless, tearless experience! And pretty quick, too. My hair dresser friend might be appalled at his "style" since I just pretend to know what I am doing, but I figure he's just a baby! We'll buzz it when he gets a little older and he'll look even more like his brothers.

Trimble Restaurant

We had lots of leftover pancakes for breakfast earlier this week and the kids and I were talking about what to do with them. We decided there were too many for Daddy to eat (he was not here that morning) so we decided to fancy them up like Denny's or IHOP's kids meal pancakes. We got some whipped cream in a can, made some eggs, etc... Abby named us the Trimble Restaurant and made menus. It was great fun! Maybe some day you can come to the Trimble Restaurant too, where the food is good and making it is fun!

Father's Day Water Gun Fight

For Father's Day, the kids and I got David some water guns for a family water gun fight. We had a blast! It was 3 against one the whole time as the pictures will tell. I even got in a few shots at the end. But look, we still liked each other after it was over! That's love! Thought you might enjoy the pictures. Rachel didn't want to join the fight (preteen?!) so I dubbed her the official water gun fight photographer. What do you think, Dad? Do we have another photographer in the family?

Run as though to get the prize

Last weekend, several of the kids participated in a local road race. Many of you know that David enjoys running and often will run in road races. David found out that there was a race very close so he asked the kids if they would like to run it. 4 of the 5 participated in some way. Abby and Keenan ran in the one mile fun run and both finished in under 8 minutes!! Wow! They were both 2nd place, Abby for the girls and Keenan for the boys. Rachel wanted to run the 5K despite the blisters she had gotten a few days earlier from a practice run. She worked very hard and pushed herself to finish! She was first place in her age group. David pushed Micah in the jogging stroller and ran with Rachel for encouragement. She told he after the race that it was hard and that she was glad that Daddy was with her or she would have quit. Isn't that life sometimes, too. It's hard and painful. But we have Jesus to run along side as an encourager. And we need each other in this race of life too. "So run in such a way to get the prize," like Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9. Don't forget to encourage some else along the way. And don't forget to look to Jesus. He will give you the strength you need to "run and not be weary."

The pictures are from the pre-race, the warm- up (notice Micah trying to do push-ups no matter what every one else is doing:), David, Micah and Rachel finishing the 5K, and Abby and Keenan finishing the one mile race.

swimming

Rachel has been spending a lot of her summer in the pool. She joined a swim team in May and has been enjoying her experience on the Wilmore Dolphins swim team. She has been learning a lot and enjoying the social aspect of the team, as well as the actual swimming. She is decorating her room with the ribbons that she earns. Next week will be her last swim meet for the summer. The rest of the family will be glad it is over because swimming has lately taken over our schedule. Enjoy the pictures.