Books that I'm reading

I'm not sure I'll be able to keep my resolve to write a book report for myself on each book.....maybe....{g}

Sad Birthday

Poor Josiah is so sick that he’s spent most the day in bed. His voice is bad….and his throat is very sore. He is feeling so poorly that he staggered out an hour ago and said, “Would you all mind if I didn’t open gifts today?” It seems that this thing is striking on their birthdays…..I hate to see anyone so sick they can eat ice cream on their birthday. {G}

Books, books, books!

I love having these paperback books show up in my mailbox. What a great idea Paperback Swap is. I've been mailing out books I know I won't read a second time and finally am starting to see some new books show up! I requested two Elizabeth George books today...an author I've always "meant" to read but never got around to ordering. The ones I recieved in the mailbox? "Miss Julia" mysteries....a new series to try....in a bit...still waiting for the first one. Ya'all know I can't read a series until I have them in order. {g}

Happy Birthday Josiah!

Seventeen. Wow. I’m not thrilled about this birthday. It is very close to EIGHTEEN and I’ve come to realize what THAT means this year. There seems to be no stopping the clock. We are surely in the “nest down-sizing” phase of life….

BUT – some words on Josiah. This young man amazes me. He is becoming such an awesome example of a man of God. Hey, he reminds me of his daddy. When the girls left home this fall, he stepped right into the “leader of the pack” role. The other children admire, respect and crave his approval. He steps in and lends a hand when he sees me beginning to falter. He is quick to offer assistance in a variety of ways throughout the week. He still has a phobia about diapers…but I can live with that. {g} He has a marvelous sense of humor. He is very nonchalant and drops his zingers with a totally serious face. He is content to let it slide if you don’t catch the joke – which makes it even funnier.

In the Philippines the oldest brother is “cuya”. This man has the responsibility of over-seeing his siblings. He is asked and gives final approval for many of the decisions that siblings make. He is well-respected and loved in most families. He cares and nurtures the younger ones and in later years his parents…. Josiah defines this role. It’s been a joy to watch him mature from childhood to youth to adult. This would be a good place to share a link to an article that influenced the way we view the “teenage years”. We read this when BreAnne was 6 years old. We’ve been able to apply many of the thoughts shared in this article and currently have 4 children who have navigated through the transition from child to adult without passing through the “terrible teenage years”. Please understand when I mention this, that I am NOT saying that if your child has some rough years during this time that you did something "wrong". I am only sharing that this article challenged us not to EXPECT that ALL children will rebell etc...you know the pop psych stuff that we so often hear both in and out of the church. It helped to shape our vision of how we'd parent during these years. This was important to me personally as I was living in a borading school during quite a few of my "teen" years and so never watched how a parent parents through this phase. {G} Click here to read “The Myth of The Teenager” by Dr. Michael Platt.

Happy Birthday Son!

Birthday’s Galore!

Mike is the most awesome Dad and husband. In the midst of his horrendously busy week at work, he came home long enough to have dinner, open presents and have some ice cream. THEN he went back to work. After this crunch week, I think the ORI will seem like “light duty”. {grin}

Bre called and had the entire Master’s Commission sing Happy Birthday to Nolan. He was thrilled. Unfortunately, when they called back we told them we’d call as soon as we were done opening gifts…and we couldn’t. They’d called with a pre-paid plan and we couldn’t reach them with the number. We’re sad – ok – I’m sad. {sigh}

Some pictures from the evening’s festivities! Ah – looking at these pictures I realized we forgot the Pig Hat for the first time in years….bummer!!!! Maybe they can take turns with him on Saturday. {g}

We’ll have the big cake on Saturday. The boys opted for cookies and ice cream tonight. HOWEVER….enough singing already…let’s get on with the eating part!

Trick Candles….

Our miners – yes, I realize Zander is without clothes in many of these pictures. I figure when it is nearing 70* outside it just isn’t worth the fight. Those from AK will be happy to know that he no longer takes his clothes off at chapel…or the commissary…. Thanks Cynthia for the suggestion of these lights!

Nolan gets a glimpse of his Radio control JEEP.

Zander did remarkably well watching Nolan with the Jeep. He opened his big gift and it was a bike helmet. He said, “What do you know – one of THESE!” He didn’t understand the significance of the gift. When he saw the bike…wow. Mike teased him and said something to the effect of “What do you think of my new bike, Alex?” Zander came right back with, “Actually Dad, It’s MINE!” {g}

It really is like Christmas around here….Zander ends the birthday celebration the same way he ended Christmas…playing with the *BOX*!

Poor Baby

Stacia with her rosy-feverish cheeks. 

Health Update!

Nolan - hoarse but motovating.

Zander - stuffed up and cold-like but VERY full of energy.

Stacia - please pray. She finally went down for a nap but her nose is running, she's coughing and sounds hoarse and I think she has a fever...but I didn't have the heart to wake her to give her meds quite yet.

Josiah - fever is better but his throat is really sore.

I'm thinking that a benefit to family parties is that you can carry on even if someone is sick and they don't have to miss out on the festivities.