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.