Visitors, Games, Parades and Movies

That pretty much sums up the past few days.

Thursday, Charlie and Maddie, the Baldwin's grandkids, came and visited for a few hours. Although it was a rainy afternoon, we had fun playing Wii and Xbox. Nothing like some good old electronic entertainment.

Friday Tate came to stay with us. He'll be here for a couple days while his dad recuperates from back surgery.

Friday night was the annual Corn Carnival Parade in Gladbrook. The kids came home with bags upon bags of candy. I have already banned them from it, not because I fear mouthfuls of cavities, but because I'm fed up with finding candy wrappers all over the house. Enough is enough!

This morning we went to the children's games at the Corn Carnival. Jackson won first prize in the Basketball Shoot, Tate won third place in his age division in the Basketball Shoot, and Naomi won fourth place in the Corn Cob Throw. Chase participated in the Basketball Shoot, but couldn't hit the broad side of a barn :) Katie was the returning champion in the Corn Cob Throw, but alas, she had to move up a division and participate against 6 year olds this year, so she didn't place. Colton participated in the Corn Cob Throw, and made his debut in the Greasy Pig Contest. He was one of three boys that had a grip on the pig, but he was nice, polite little boy, not a pushy, shovey boy, so he didn't come away with the win.

Alex, Jack, Chase, Bryce and Tate went to the matinee of the Indiana Jones movie. They were a bit disappointed in it. They are heading out in a few minutes to go see Prince Caspian. Gotta love those $.99 movie theaters!

"The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it." Proverbs 10:22

64 Days Left

Last year I committed to reading through the bible in a year. I found a website cleverly called bibleinayear.org and signed up. They have several different translations to choose from. I'm doing the NKJV in chronological order. It's been very cool reading in this order. Every day an email appears in my inbox with the allotted reading assignment, usually 2 to 3 chapters. I had gotten WAY behind in reading--over 30 days worth--but as of about 5:30 this morning I'm officially caught up. My inbox is empty again. I REALLY like that.

"When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you." Proverbs 2:10-11

Jr. Boys' Camp

Last evening Pastor Garry Moore from Dysart left a message on our answering machine asking for prayer as he speaks this week at IRBC. Monday evening 5 boys were saved, and many others made decisions for Christ. How exciting is that!?! He asked specifically that we pray Philemon 6 over the camp and workers. This verse states "...that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."

It's such a blessing to have a resource like our camp close by that we can send our children to each year. I don't know how many times a year I answer the question from one of the kids, "How many more days until camp?" I can't wait to hear how God has worked in Chase and Bryce's lives this week!

"He also taught me, and said to me: Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live." Proverbs 4:4

Removed and Saturated

Alex and Jackson left on Saturday to spend the week with Pastor James and some teens from Nevada Baptist Church on a hiking trip to Colorado. We last spoke to them Sunday morning when they called to wish Shannon Happy Father's Day. They were at a Village Inn somewhere in Colorado--their last "real" meal for a week. They will be hiking several miles each day, carrying their backpacks and provisions everywhere they go.

Chase and Bryce are in Clear Lake at Jr. Boys' Camp at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. They will be back on Saturday.

Hiking trips and church camp are great times to be removed. Removed from:
TV
Xbox
Wii
Music
Email
Instant Messaging
Sports schedules


We also pray that they will be saturated.
Saturated in:
Prayer
God's word
Bible Study
Worship
Discussion about God

Please pray that they will have safety while gone.

"My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings." Proverbs 4:20

Jackson/Shannon

Jackson decided last week that it was time to cut his hair. I didn't hesitate long enough to give him time to reconsider!

I attempted, while cutting of piles and piles of hair, to recreate the look Shannon had when we first met. It was close, but not quite right.

This is the final product. He's just not Jackson unless he's spiking his hair.

"Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding;" Proverbs 4:1

Bathroom Remodel

The Thursday before Memorial Day I got the whim to redo our upstairs bathroom. The idea had been rattling around in my brain for quite some time, but I had never acted on it. Shannon, being the good sport that he is, went along with my plans.

The boys and I started demo on Friday morning. Jackson started out taking off cupboard doors. Alex worked on demoing the baseboard and wallboard surrounding the shower. I removed the old wallpaper boarder. We were ready to start painting within 45 minutes of starting. It's such a blessing to have big, strong guys around that can do a lot of the hard work.



Painting the walls went fairly quickly. The cabinet doors took more time than I would have liked. Remind me next time to use primer.

Friday evening when Shannon got home from work he installed the wallboard. Why he decided to use the circular saw in Chase's room across the hall still eludes me. Needless to say, cleaning carpets is now on my to-do list.


Alex and I installed the flooring on Sunday afternoon, as tornadoes ripped apart the town of Parkersburg about 25 miles north of us. We were oblivious to the whole thing. There are no windows in the bathroom. The kids played contentedly outside in the sunshine for most of the afternoon. We didn't even get any rain until later on in the evening when we had more tornado warnings and our youth group kids over at our house. There were about 23 of us in Alex's bedroom in the basement for quite a while, but that's another story...

We were pleased when the bathroom was finally completed, although we didn't get it done in the allotted three days. We've finally replaced all of the fixtures, towel bars, hooks, etc.


Remind me next year just to take it easy and enjoy those three day weekends!


"My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change." Proverbs 24:21

Cedar Valley Cup 2008

Chase, Bryce and Colton wrapped up the soccer season with a three-day tournament in Cedar Falls. We had beautiful weather this year, and it was a pleasure to spend so much time in the sun. Colton's team won 6th place in their age division, Bryce's team won 5th place, and Chase's team won 3rd place. They all did a great job this season and improved their skills.




"Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble." Proverbs 3:23

Colton's 7th Birthday

On May 28th Colton celebrated his 7th birthday. He woke everyone up early to watch him open his presents, then had to wait ALL DAY for his very first "kid" birthday party. We invited his friends from Sunday School to meet us at the church for a party during church time on Wednesday evening. He had a pirate theme, with a Treasure Chest cake and a Pirate's Lair ice cream fort. The kids were able to play some games after eating their cake and ice cream. Colton had a great time and loved being able to share his day with his friends.



"So you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness." Proverbs 2:20