Marking Manhood

My boys. How quickly they have grown. And I was concerned they would fall off the horse. . .now we have weapons.

Sarah and Gray Gray welcome little Boo! Sarah was hoping for a sister:)

Marking manhood in the Micu home usually involves weapons! Jonathan prefers more unconventional weapons and is enjoying a new bow set. The last one he received was a bit too manly - he'll have to hit 18 perhaps!

When the boys have turned 13 we have then sent them into the wild with their weapon of choice to hunt, kill and provide food for their party that evening. Ok, not really but it sounded cool. Jon's favorite food is pizza, but Paul did feel the manly thing to do was to BBQ - so burgers and dogs it was! (hotdogs, that is.) The fathers of his closest friends and significant men in Jonthan's life enjoyed gourmet burgers and then it was fireside time. The fire pit installed in time for Josh's big 13 was lit and the men enjoyed time around the pit as the older men ushered Jonathan into manhood. I'm not part of that time. The girls and little Joe hung out inside getting the birthday dessert ready - dirt cake complete with gummy worms.

Paul reported it was a special time and I don't doubt our boys will remember the evening that marked their manhood. Why 13? It's just an age we have chosen to officially mark the end of childhood and the entering of manhood. I've always enjoyed the line from the movie Courageous - "when did you know you were a man?" The one response - "when my dad said I was." Many chose other ages. Age 16 with the acquisition of a driver's license, age 14 entering high school, etc. However, we noticed that the ntertainment industry marks the age 13. Children's meals and tickets and reduced prices are for those 12 and under. There is not a teenage price. You are a child or an adult. The rest of the society has difficulty with out this plays out - allowing for young men to remain children in their thinking and actions until way past 13.

Manhood. The training takes on a new urgency. My son's role to provide, protect, care and lead is called out. He is to sacrifice. He is to serve. He is to submit. He will be called to suffer. He is to put off childish ways and embrace becoming a man. As a Mama, this is huge. Moms struggle to let their boys become men and often handicap them in their manhood, keeping them their "baby boys" far too long.

We were thrilled on September 21, 2000  - a Thursday - to welcome a baby boy into our home. Joining 3 year old Sarah and big brother, Joshua (18months) it was a joy to have our Boo-Boo. Jonathan was unexpected. In fact, having to take some medicines early in the year, I was given a pregnancy test prior and told it was negative. So, not having avoided hot tubs, snow skiing and other dangerous activities our Boo Boo was born.

Of all births, the day of Jon's was the most relaxing. Due to contractions on and off in the morning, Paul came home and the two little ones went with family. We enjoyed lunch out, time to wash cars and afternoon nap before leaving for the hospital around 4:30. We even stopped by a friend's home to have a photo taken:). Jon's birth and delivery were uneventful. A beautiful son.

A week later that beautiful boy had a 105 fever and was being rushed to Children's Hospital. . .what a time. While we know each child is a blessing and gift from God to be enjoyed for the time He allows, this cemented our faith in our Sovereign Lord. If we only had Jonathan a week it was enough and God was good. The meningitis left a toll - hearing loss and seizures. Speech therapy. Learning struggles. But we were allowed to enjoy our son 13 more years - a precious gift. His role in our family is unique. Laughter, wit, humor, creativity, intelligence, musical. . .sound like Paul?! Jon is his father's son.While Josh shares many other aspects of his father, Jonathan is the closest in personality leading to interesting conflicts at times between these two "show stoppers." If Jon is gone, the house seems dull and quiet. What would I do without all his inventions on my counter. He loves making treasures from trash.

Jonathan Samuel Micu. Named not only for the two outstanding men in the Bible but for the two oldest uncles on both sides of the family. Paul's oldest brother Samuel and my older brother Jonathan. May he continue to grow into men like these.

Enjoying his special day!

Chick-fil-a Date with Daddy

Chick-fil-a hosted a lovely "Daddy/Daughter" date night a few weeks ago. Paul was able to reserve a time with the girlies and enjoy some daddy/daughter time. He thinks he won "most girls" contest! A few dads came in with four daughters, but six is pretty special!

Excited for their special date with Dad!



Special treatment added to the fun, memorable night.

Nice that to have a photographer:). Thanks, Sarah! Bekah is a bit unsure about the crown thing. She came straight from soccer which is more her comfort zone.

Ok, is Nay Nay hysterical or what?! What a face!

 I loved reading Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, and other novels involving groups of sisters. I always wanted a sister. So blessed to have these girls in my life. I love watching these sisters be sisters!

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.

Colorado Springs

Moving on eastward, we traveled to Colorado Springs. It hit some incredible thunderstorms and arrived late afternoon in the middle of one. We stopped off at Focus on the Family and the kids all enjoyed the exhibits there. Sadly, none of the photos turned out well.

Stalking Tim and girls, we stayed at the same hotel. Some kids enjoyed a cool, evening swim while others bundled up for games in the lounge. We all ate to our hearts content the next morning! A very good breakfast buffet.

The next morning was beautiful and we headed on the Garden of the Gods before completing the final leg of the journey up to Estes Park for the reunion.

 The kids all enjoyed Garden of the Gods. It's a big, natural playground for all ages:).

 We enjoyed family devotions in an isolated setting, even watching deer go by. Then there was Joe! Little man had to go!

What is vacation without a trip to the Apple Store? The only store designed for a family of nine children! I love it. Ipads for everyone. Wish there were one closer to home because it would be worth it for everyone to have "computer time" at the same time each day:). Just 30 minutes per kid/per day at our home equates to 4 hours!

Pagosa Springs

Having fun in the creek

We enjoyed Monday with the cousins before they pulled out Tuesday morning. A local told us about the hot springs downtown which flows into the creek. While the creek was cool, the day was warm and the hot springs a bit hot for even me!  The kids, and Paul, could have done it for days.

Warming out feet in the hot springs.

 After cousins left, we enjoyed a few more days of family time.

 A few games of golf:).

 The timeshare also had a number of crafts for the kids. They enjoyed several painting activities, including this birdhouse. Hmm, how to travel with six of these... so much for keeping the van uncluttered!

Thrashed

Well, I expected a tough game last night between my Clemson Tigers and Florida State. But I did expect a game. What happened was a thrashing. We watched until the painful end, something the fans in Death Valley decided not to do. It was sad. Still love my Tigers, though.

Colorado Continued. . .

After a nice (but extremely long) birthday breakfast at Dennys, we continued traveling on toward CO. We made the stop at Four Corners which has turned into a mini-enterprise and we did feel "ripped off"  by our fellow countrymen who forced us to pay to see this site which all Americans should have free access to, in my opinion. Or, at least pay for National Park fee. . .but this was ridiculous. As if we aren't already supplying money to this group of people . . . well hold off on those views.

So, here's the photo. :) A once in a lifetime stop - the next time the kids can do it on their own . . .

I had hoped to stop in Mesa Verde, but time didn't allow. We pulled into the timeshare later than we hoped, but was nice to have Tim, Hannah, and girls ready with a nice dinner! They were kind to let us follow them out to CO and invade on a bit of their vacation prior to the reunion. We overlapped a day and the cousins enjoyed time together.

Our  view from the timeshare at Pagosa Springs, CO

Golfing with AR cousins! Golf Team 1

The styling golf Team 2!

Daisy

Farmer Paul with his new girl!



Bekah and Miri give a squeeze!

  This photo was taken at the fair. . .but is utterly coming true. Some husbands bring their wives flowers. . .I guess in a way mine did, too. He brought me a cow named Daisy! We've never been your conventional family so I'm not sure why I even get surprised anymore. But I was.

So, we have a new farm animal who is cute as can be. Since neither of us know much about Holsteins, I'm thankful for u-tube. She's still young, so it will still be a while before we get some fresh milk. And research purports that babies learn the most in their early years. . .I bet they didn't research city folk who move to a farm! :) My learning curve remains way up.

As far as Daisy goes, we're more of a Tulip family so we're considering more traditional cow names. Elsie, Bessie, Pattie, and Angus are a few thrown out. (Can you guess the male choices?)

Picture pending. . .Sarah now has a phone (finally! making her no longer the last/oldest child in church youth group to have a phone. . sorry other parents who loved saying "well, Sarah Micu doesn't have a phone yet. . .!") and is the family photographer/instagramer.

Lovin on Bess
While she needs another year or so before we can milk her, she is a cute addition to the farm. While known more for their milk production, perhaps we can have other fresh milk products eventually. Raw milk is the one milk that Hannah can tolerate:).



Bess! Our new Holstein. . .and hopeful milk source!

 Papa is going to have to give us lessons when he's out on calfing, milking, and cows, in general. Growing up on a dairy farm, I'm sure it will all "come back" to him.:) In fact, my maiden name means "dairy farmer" so I guess we're just carrying out the Senn tradition. So this little girl is not for eats, my Filippino friends and family! Maybe she'll have a son and we can also have some nice steaks. . . not too soon to start planning for wedding feasts in the next 5-10 years!

And so we continue. . .

We left Fresno on Joey's birthday and pulled into Las Vegas that evening. I'm not a real big fan of Vegas. We don't gamble, smoke or drink. I don't really like walking around having my children avert their eyes. You can't even look down for all the porn litter all over the sidewalks. So, why Vegas? Typically, we would try to drive further on the first day of a trip, but Vegas does have a nice family timeshare-off the strip that we have come to really enjoy. Palm Desert Wyndam is a wonderful place to stay, thanks for my folks:). Not only is the price right but it beats hotel rooms. So, even a brief stay makes us feel spoiled and on vacation.

Although Hannah's birthday wasn't until Sunday, the 4th. She became the providentially lucky birthday girl on the trip! Yep, that's Ben Franklin! She found this lying on the ground in the bedlam of Vegas.


No worries, not in a casino but in M&M World! Yes, we tried to locate a crying, frantic person who might have lost money. . .but no results. . .so Hani was blessed:). Despite some envy, no doubt (speaking for myself), everyone did a great job rejoicing with Hannah.  

What better kid to find $100 than our Hani?

Not exactly Disneyland, but they were excited to see Mickey and Minnie out on the town. Joey's typical "excited" face.

50th Anniversary

Ronda Marie Keller wed to David James Senn on August 24, 1963

50 years later!

The six kids took Mom and Pop out for a relaxing dinner at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO

Dignifed pastor, or not, youngest brothers never change! Yep, here's Timmy....

Back at the cabin the grands not only watched the younger cousins but the gals (led by Emily) put together a delicious cake and had a welcome surprise for Gray Gray and Papa.

Part of our reunion time in CO included honoring Mom and Dad by celebrating their 50 years together. It was a special evening out with just the adults and we got to hear some new stories and remember some old of their first meeting, date, engagment and early life together.

As we enjoyed time together, we were struck by God's faithfulness in that each of our spouses' parents had all also celebrated 50 years together. What a legacy to leave to the grandkids!  May our marriages (and theirs in the future) reflect Christ's love and forgiveness for His Bride, the Church.

Congratulations Mom and Dad!

Packing Skills

Following Joey's birthday breakfast (we waited on the scooter gift until we returned home. . .how brutal would that have been?!) it was time to head out for the trek to the family reunion in Estes Park. With the dates being later, we took a few extra travel days to stop by some national parks and enjoy some family time on the way....

The Popster taught me well! Not bad for a family of 11 traveling for two weeks. 5 suitcases, a pack-n-play, umbrella stroller, small cooler, swim bag, shoe bag and some groceries. . .we pack less for 11 than we did when we just had Sarah!!

(Get used to the outfit. . .packing light results in wearing clothes several times:))

July 4th

Over 7 days in the triple digits - with the entire week almost over 110... ice cream tastes great!

 With the young adults at a 4th celebration. Young adult men + micu children = craziness

 Wish the nice resolution was due to my camera. . .alas, no.

 Great Grandpa always participated in the July 4th parade so JJ decided to keep up the tradition.

She's just soo cute!

Since moving to the country we have enjoyed fireworks from the back porch watching Wild Waters...not just on the 4th but several days prior and after. . .