- Jessica -
4-year-old Daniel was having a snack at our kitchen table with Grammy (my mom) and I was doing dishes. Out of the blue Daniel said, "What if I ask some ladies to marry me and they all say no?"
Grammy wisely took his concern seriously and encouraged him that if God wants him to get married, He will provide a godly wife for Daniel, and that he doesn't need to think about that yet.
Daniel replied with a solution to the problem, "I guess I could marry a dog or a cat ... Or I could just marry a man!"
Grammy calmly explained that God designed for a man to marry a lady, not another man.
Daniel said, "Yeah, that would be silly for me to marry a man."
Grammy elaborated that it would be more than silly, it would be sinful for him to marry a man.
After letting that idea soak in for a couple seconds, Daniel moved on to some other subject -- Bikes, Diggers, more snack ...
Whew! Sincere deep life concerns and lessons at the kitchen table!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Daniel at Homecoming 2006
- Joseph -
When Jessica and I visited our alma mater, Taylor University, during homecoming, Daniel was 2 1/2 years old and David was 6 months. We were in a large gymnasium mingling with our old professors and classmates. As I was talking with my professor, Bob Lay, I was watching Daniel about 50 yards away jump up and down on a mat with some other kids. I noticed Daniel was beginning to take his shirt off. I excused myself from my conversation with Dr. Lay and began jogging over to Daniel. All of a sudden he started taking off his pants and underwear - I began sprinting! I jumped on the mat and tackled my naked son, "what is going on?!" He answered, "I got hot, daddy." :-)
When Jessica and I visited our alma mater, Taylor University, during homecoming, Daniel was 2 1/2 years old and David was 6 months. We were in a large gymnasium mingling with our old professors and classmates. As I was talking with my professor, Bob Lay, I was watching Daniel about 50 yards away jump up and down on a mat with some other kids. I noticed Daniel was beginning to take his shirt off. I excused myself from my conversation with Dr. Lay and began jogging over to Daniel. All of a sudden he started taking off his pants and underwear - I began sprinting! I jumped on the mat and tackled my naked son, "what is going on?!" He answered, "I got hot, daddy." :-)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Fun at Gramps and Grammy's house!
-Jess-
The boys and I have been in Missouri since last Friday to hang out with my parents. Here's some of the fun things we've done with them!
- Fishing at a county "kids' pond." Daniel caught a 16 inch catfish!
- Visiting a local dairy farm to see cows milked.
- Eating donuts.
- Riding bikes around the block and on a bike trail.
- Making snow cones.
- Reading the Bible on the patio by candlelight. Daniel and Gramps read 100 pages in Daniel's Bible one night!
- Playing air hockey.
- Going to a friend's "Tree Farm." We got to ride in a paddle boat, on a golf cart and on a four wheeler!
- Skipping rocks in the Mississippi River.
- Swimming outside.
- Playing soccer with neighbor kids.
- Eating salmon.
- Visiting Great-Grandma.
WOW! Thanks, Lord, for special times together!
The boys and I have been in Missouri since last Friday to hang out with my parents. Here's some of the fun things we've done with them!
- Fishing at a county "kids' pond." Daniel caught a 16 inch catfish!
- Visiting a local dairy farm to see cows milked.
- Eating donuts.
- Riding bikes around the block and on a bike trail.
- Making snow cones.
- Reading the Bible on the patio by candlelight. Daniel and Gramps read 100 pages in Daniel's Bible one night!
- Playing air hockey.
- Going to a friend's "Tree Farm." We got to ride in a paddle boat, on a golf cart and on a four wheeler!
- Skipping rocks in the Mississippi River.
- Swimming outside.
- Playing soccer with neighbor kids.
- Eating salmon.
- Visiting Great-Grandma.
WOW! Thanks, Lord, for special times together!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
David's 2nd Birthday
-Jess -
Our second son David is two years old! We love that God made him and put him in our family! What a gift he is to us. We had a great week celebrating his birthday, and David now thinks all cake anywhere is for him because he's two. Here are some other fun facts about David.
* David really likes to be with his brother Daniel. They are quite a little pair, and are usually very caring of each other! That sure makes our job as parents easier at this point! :-)
* David is a great eater - he generally likes anything put in front of him, and he usually eats a lot of it! A few unique favorites are blueberries and cucumbers, along with more common preferences of apples, raisins, cheese, and of course, ice cream and cookies.
* David's favorite color is blue. In fact, his only color is blue! He points to all colors of things and asks if they are "bue."
* David is learning cool words like "both" and "whole." Which kind of ice cream would you like? "Both!" Would you like your pizza cut up? "No, whole."
* David likes to drink [decaf!!!!] iced tea. "Mo tea peese!"
* David likes to climb up and jump off pretty much everything!
* David's favorite song is "ho-y" (Holy, Holy, Holy), which we usually sing at his request before bedtime and naps.
* "Ewwwwww! Ucky!" is what David says about his stinky diapers - as well as any food that doesn't taste good to him!
* David likes to play with bikes and motorcycles - and to look at pictures of them in his books. "Mo-mo-mo-mo!" is the sound a motorcycle makes!
* David is sweet with babies. At his cousins' house, the Bitners, David routinely pushes Abi's and Elli's babies around in their stroller.
* David prefers to wear "shotes" (shorts), and especially "bue shotes" (blue shorts) every day. And he really likes his "choo choo" sandals (with Thomas the Train on them).
* Daniel says that his brother David likes "balls, guitars and swimming pools."
David is certainly a pleasant tough little fellow, who for the most part, goes with the flow. He looks a lot like his dad and his pappap (his dad's dad), although he is named after his mom's dad! :-) What a blessing he is to our family!
Our second son David is two years old! We love that God made him and put him in our family! What a gift he is to us. We had a great week celebrating his birthday, and David now thinks all cake anywhere is for him because he's two. Here are some other fun facts about David.
* David really likes to be with his brother Daniel. They are quite a little pair, and are usually very caring of each other! That sure makes our job as parents easier at this point! :-)
* David is a great eater - he generally likes anything put in front of him, and he usually eats a lot of it! A few unique favorites are blueberries and cucumbers, along with more common preferences of apples, raisins, cheese, and of course, ice cream and cookies.
* David's favorite color is blue. In fact, his only color is blue! He points to all colors of things and asks if they are "bue."
* David is learning cool words like "both" and "whole." Which kind of ice cream would you like? "Both!" Would you like your pizza cut up? "No, whole."
* David likes to drink [decaf!!!!] iced tea. "Mo tea peese!"
* David likes to climb up and jump off pretty much everything!
* David's favorite song is "ho-y" (Holy, Holy, Holy), which we usually sing at his request before bedtime and naps.
* "Ewwwwww! Ucky!" is what David says about his stinky diapers - as well as any food that doesn't taste good to him!
* David likes to play with bikes and motorcycles - and to look at pictures of them in his books. "Mo-mo-mo-mo!" is the sound a motorcycle makes!
* David is sweet with babies. At his cousins' house, the Bitners, David routinely pushes Abi's and Elli's babies around in their stroller.
* David prefers to wear "shotes" (shorts), and especially "bue shotes" (blue shorts) every day. And he really likes his "choo choo" sandals (with Thomas the Train on them).
* Daniel says that his brother David likes "balls, guitars and swimming pools."
David is certainly a pleasant tough little fellow, who for the most part, goes with the flow. He looks a lot like his dad and his pappap (his dad's dad), although he is named after his mom's dad! :-) What a blessing he is to our family!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Visit to Missouri - April 2008
- Jessica -
In April, Daniel, David and I got to spend several days in Missouri with my parents. Here are a few highlights:
1. We had lunch with my Grandmother and Grandaddy, my mom's parents, in Illinois on the way. As always, it was great to see them, and this time I took my video camera and recorded the inside of their house. Grandmother narrated much of the time, telling where she got different pieces of furniture, paintings, etc. Very special!
2. We got to spend a day with my very dear friend from 2nd grade, "Miss Laura Graham," as Daniel affectionately says.
3. The boys wanted to wear "swim caps" in Gramps and Grammy's tub! Ha!
4. Daniel really likes looking like Gramps!
5. The boys enjoyed their first not-by-mom haircuts! Debbie has cut my hair since 2nd grade, and my brother was about Daniel's age when he started going to her! :-) She still cuts Mom and Dad's hair - 23 years later!
6. I was very thankful for a visit with my Grandma Anderson, my Dad's mom.
7. Mom and I worked hard getting ready for a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting at church on Friday. Mom does lots of organizing and communicating to keep this fantastic ministry running smoothly, and I was privileged to be the speaker this month, "Keys to a Heart of Hospitality." Very special to be a part of this encouraging group!!
Thanks, Lord, for a trip that was overflowing with evidence of Your grace and kindness! What a gift!
Daily Life - May 7, 2008 - Snoring
- Jessica -
I want Daniel and David to learn many many things from their dad. But this request was a bit too far! ;-)
Tonight when Joseph was putting Daniel to bed, Daniel called from his room, "Dad!"
Joseph, from in the hallway: Yes, Daniel?
Daniel: Can you teach me how to snore?
I want Daniel and David to learn many many things from their dad. But this request was a bit too far! ;-)
Tonight when Joseph was putting Daniel to bed, Daniel called from his room, "Dad!"
Joseph, from in the hallway: Yes, Daniel?
Daniel: Can you teach me how to snore?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Shaklee
-Jessica -
I have been using Shaklee cleaning products, vitamins, and suppliments for several months and I am very thankful for healthy (and often cost-effective) alternatives! http://Shaklee.com Want to learn more? Want to try some?
I have been using Shaklee cleaning products, vitamins, and suppliments for several months and I am very thankful for healthy (and often cost-effective) alternatives! http://Shaklee.com Want to learn more? Want to try some?
"Couponing"
-Jessica -
Did you know that "coupon" can be a verb? To me, "couponing" is the act of acquiring, cutting, organizing, and using coupons in conjunction with local sales for rock-bottom prices and major savings! I started doing this in the last month and we are viewing it as a small part time job - the money we save are our "earnings"!
There is a web site that charts store sales and combines them with newspaper coupons for maximum savings. http://thegrocerygame.com/ Check it out and let me know if you want to talk about it.
My friend Becky also has a blog dedicated to helping with couponing and the grocery game. http://littlecabinsavings.wordpress.com/
Did you know that "coupon" can be a verb? To me, "couponing" is the act of acquiring, cutting, organizing, and using coupons in conjunction with local sales for rock-bottom prices and major savings! I started doing this in the last month and we are viewing it as a small part time job - the money we save are our "earnings"!
There is a web site that charts store sales and combines them with newspaper coupons for maximum savings. http://thegrocerygame.com/ Check it out and let me know if you want to talk about it.
My friend Becky also has a blog dedicated to helping with couponing and the grocery game. http://littlecabinsavings.wordpress.com/
Daily Life - March 2008
-Jessica-
Allow me to introduce you to the honorable "Sir Daniel," a knight at Rachel Kimbell's princess birthday party. What a valiant dragon-slaying guy!
Bikers? Swimmers? Skiers? Soccer players? Basketball guys? Football men? Runners? I never know until a given minute which sport they are pusuing, but they definitely love their athletic outfits!! They would wear a "sports" outfit everyday and everywhere if they could!
A Little Taller
-Jessica -
Daniel is walking a little taller today. We occasionally go to a "Parent's Night Out" that the seminary hosts. It is great! Childcare at the Rec Center and an evening for Joseph and me! Last night Daniel was put in the big gym with the 4-6+ year olds, though he is 2 months shy of being 4. To his mom, he looked like a little guy in there, but he his favorite teacher from "motor skills" (Mr. Jeff) was there to look out for him.
As we left, they were getting ready to play Daniel's first ever game of Dodge Ball. That has to be a turning point in a boy's life, doesn't it?! I mean, the goal of the game is to throw balls at people! That is like a dream! ;-)
When we picked him up, I said, "How did it go?" His reply was, "Great. Nobody ran over me!" We have high expectations around here.
Daniel's other highlight was running on the track above the gym with his class. Very cool!
Daniel is walking a little taller today. We occasionally go to a "Parent's Night Out" that the seminary hosts. It is great! Childcare at the Rec Center and an evening for Joseph and me! Last night Daniel was put in the big gym with the 4-6+ year olds, though he is 2 months shy of being 4. To his mom, he looked like a little guy in there, but he his favorite teacher from "motor skills" (Mr. Jeff) was there to look out for him.
As we left, they were getting ready to play Daniel's first ever game of Dodge Ball. That has to be a turning point in a boy's life, doesn't it?! I mean, the goal of the game is to throw balls at people! That is like a dream! ;-)
When we picked him up, I said, "How did it go?" His reply was, "Great. Nobody ran over me!" We have high expectations around here.
Daniel's other highlight was running on the track above the gym with his class. Very cool!
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