New Place. . .new pets. . . .

Jon, Josh, and Bek (Sarah taking the photo) get ready to walk (from left to right) Jacob and Esau, twin black labs, and Little Guy and Chewy (goats) around the block. . .
Caleb doesn't look much like a barn cat yet. . .but he'll grow into the role! I thought we should call him "Tiger" since he's orange and I graduated from Clemson. . .but since Caleb means "dog" the kids thought it would be fun to call him that. . .odd children. . .Paul's humor, I think. . .

Sarah shot this one of the new geese family. . . we haven't named all the wildlife. . .no doubt in time. . .

Farm life. . .

Hello, again!

Well, no promises of getting started back on blogging. . .but it is amazing how the days fly by. I really have no more time today to blog than any other (we all just have 24 hours, right?), but for a moment it is relatively quiet and feel plagued that I have not kept up with photos of the family. The oldest four are out on a walk with some of our newer family members!

Since the last blog, Naomi celebrated her 4th birthday and Joshua turned 11. Sarah just entered the "teen years" which we calculated will continue now for about 2o years! New baby is growing well and should be here in August. Jael has entered a new phase of "little girl" although she still has the toddler look. With "big girl panties" and talking she is now a playmate and not just a "destroyer". The past months also brought a move to a new location with LOTS of land.

Jael Turns Two. . . and other news!

Our baby turned two last week. . .thankfully another is on the way! We celebrated Jael turning two and anticipating her change to Big Sister status towards the end of summer!

In light of our population expansion I thought this was an interesting website you might enjoy as well: http://www.demographicwinter.com/index.html. Enjoy!

Preschool Christmas Program

Hannah (5) , Jael (23 months), and Naomi (3)

Time again for the famous Preschool Christmas program at church. This year we had two participate. Hannah, our angel, was cast appropriately. Perhaps our little Nay-Nay was too! She was a darling sheep who began losing her "wool" as the stage heated up. Good thing the zipper was in the back! Jael was very excited to watch and anxious to be a part of things next year. What joy to hear praises from little voices.

Christmas Cross

This is a small view of Jon's ornament. . .unfortunately the camera was left outside. . .
another reminder that it's "just stuff", right?

Perspective. . .

Christmas . . . I admit, I love this time of year. I love the traditions and everything that precedes the celebration of our Lord's birth. Somehow I always envision our family gathered around the Christmas tree, hanging ornaments gaily, sipping eggnog, the cozy fire in the background. Sounds like a magazine cover - just not my house! Oh, if was fun. And there were tears. Usually mine, as one of the ornaments shatters. With fourteen little hands, it's inevitable that something will happen. As I watched the crushed face of one of my girls, God reminded me again that it's not the ornaments that are precious. . .

However, there is one ornament that is given a place of honor on our tree. Front and center. Most would not think it worthy of such a spot. It's a plain, leather cross with minimal decor. 1992 is stamped at the bottom. It was one of the first ornaments Paul and I were given that first Christmas together. Made by the hands of my older brother, a testimony of God's amazing love and grace in the life of one undeserving. A reminder to me of His power and faithfulness. A "stone" that we set out in order to proclaim to the next generation that God is good and He does good. Jon and Linda survived a near fatal car accident that previous June and the cross was made in rehab. It is a reminder, as well, that same God who saved them physically and spiritually, is continuing to keep them and complete them. And me.

I love traditions, but only has they point to Christ.