So many things have fallen on the same date -this weekend! So, we'll all be going in different directions but we'll all be having lots of fun.
It is that time of year again for my hubby and Zach to go on one of their historical reenactment camp outs with Frontier Camping Fellowship.
Packing for these events always stresses me out. Everything they bring and wear must be period appropriate. Which leaves out things like: normal tents, sleeping bags, paper plates, air mattresses, hair dryers, lawn chairs and lots of other things I wouldn't want to camp without.
But they always have a great time fellowshipping with godly men, hearing some great messages and eating yummy food made over an open fire.
It is also a Teen Bible Quiz weekend for Nathan! He has a practice tonight and a match tomorrow. This year Nathan has memorized all of Galatians, two and a half chapters in Ephesians, all of Philippians, two chapters in Colossians and all of Philemon. It's awesome!!!!!!
This is an important match and big day. Because of the traveling time, we'll be gone for about 11 hrs!- which means that we will have one unhappy parrot by the time we get home!
And, our church is having a missions fair again tonight!!!! And it was awesome last year. We just loved it. So, Joy and Andrew and I will go to that
while Nathan is at TBQ practice and my hubby and Zach are camping (and freezing) 1800's style.
I'm sure I got the good end of this deal. : )
~Becky
February 29, 2008
February 28, 2008
Sticky story that made me smile
Today during school one of the kids asked "Why is glue sticky?"
And another answered, "That's how it rolls." : )
February 27, 2008
Wednesdays in the Word
We had quite a thunderstorm last night at bedtime.
One of our kiddos was a little frightened and wanted prayer.
After praying, all I could think of was Julie Andrew's saying "The lightening says something to the thunder and the thunder answers back."
And because Joy and I had just watched The Sound*of*Music over the weekend, I had to break out singing "When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad...." and twirling around the room. : )
But what is MUCH better than singing (off key) about "your favorite things" when you're afraid, is to read what Psalm 27 says.
"Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear.
Though war may rise up against me,
in this I will be confident.
One thing have I desired of the Lord,
that will I seek'
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion,
in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me.
He shall set me high upon a rock."
~Becky
who is a big Sound*of*Music fan!
One of our kiddos was a little frightened and wanted prayer.
After praying, all I could think of was Julie Andrew's saying "The lightening says something to the thunder and the thunder answers back."
And because Joy and I had just watched The Sound*of*Music over the weekend, I had to break out singing "When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad...." and twirling around the room. : )
But what is MUCH better than singing (off key) about "your favorite things" when you're afraid, is to read what Psalm 27 says.
"Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear.
Though war may rise up against me,
in this I will be confident.
One thing have I desired of the Lord,
that will I seek'
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion,
in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me.
He shall set me high upon a rock."
~Becky
who is a big Sound*of*Music fan!
February 25, 2008
Making more than breakfast
On Sundays we are up and out of the house pretty early since we have a bit of a drive.
To coax us out of bed, my hubby enjoys making us a delicious breakfast every week. ~And do we EVER enjoy it!!!
Andrew is Daddy's breakfast helper.
He loves to get up early to help him cook. He and daddy happen to be total morning people.
Andrew wakes up with a smile on his face every day! I just love it.
One Monday he told me:
"It's so fun to cook with the best dad in the world. Cracking eggs really wakes me up. You know with all that gooey stuff coming out and all. I just couldn't ask for a better dad. Some dads are too nice and they spoil their kids. Some dads are too mean and harsh! But, some dads train their kids to do what's right and then they thank them!"
To coax us out of bed, my hubby enjoys making us a delicious breakfast every week. ~And do we EVER enjoy it!!!
Andrew is Daddy's breakfast helper.
He loves to get up early to help him cook. He and daddy happen to be total morning people.
Andrew wakes up with a smile on his face every day! I just love it.
One Monday he told me:
"It's so fun to cook with the best dad in the world. Cracking eggs really wakes me up. You know with all that gooey stuff coming out and all. I just couldn't ask for a better dad. Some dads are too nice and they spoil their kids. Some dads are too mean and harsh! But, some dads train their kids to do what's right and then they thank them!"
Isn't that sweet?!
(~maybe I should try cracking some eggs the next time I have trouble getting up in the morning) ; )
~ Becky
February 22, 2008
More on our new bird
We've had the best time with our baby parrotlet, Lil' Jimmy.
He's been a bundle of fun. We are still feeding him with a syringe every two hours. He loves to be petted on the side of his neck. That first week he would eat and then fall asleep cupped in my hand. What a baby!
He's very quiet except when he eats. Then he chirps for the whole world to hear.
He did a lot of flapping that first week but he never got himself off the ground.
He's very punctual. Every night at 8:00 pm he's ready to call it a day. Once in awhile he actually sings in his sleep. It's a quiet, sweet little melody.
Well, because of those 2 hour feedings, he was our traveling buddy all that first weekend. He came with us to make 150 sandwiches on Friday night for the following day's JBQ match. Then he came with us to the matches and hung out while the kids quizzed 10 rounds!
Sunday, my family elected me for bird sitting duty. But I didn't really want to miss church so, I smuggled him into church with me in a little cage, in a large tote bag. : )
I fed him in the car before church and he didn't make a peep the whole service. Well, except for a little fluttering, but when I peeked in on him, he stopped. I was so, nervous the whole time because who ever heard of someone bringing a baby parrot to church with them?!
My hubby said I was definitely on my own with that and I bet he was relieved when something came up and he wasn't able to sit with me in the service. ha ha ; )
That Sunday evening he flew for the very first time.
And then, Jimmy turned into a whole new bird!
Very rarely will he sleep in our laps now. He has places to go and people to fly to! He's also started eating seeds! Hurray!
Andrew has taught him to come to us when we stick out our arm.
So, when we are taking breaks from school, you can find us all in the family room sticking out our arms and all saying "Come here, Jimmy" all at once.
Bless his confused heart. He looks from one to the other of us and back again like he can't decide who to go to.
Sometimes he just stays put on the arm of the couch and you know he's thinking "you people need to get a life." : )
We have high hopes that he will one day say "Jesus loves you." But, I'm afraid what he hears the most is "Come here, Jimmy." Which is not a very cool thing to have your parrot say. But we'll keep working on "Jesus loves you."
Now we are on week three in bird-land, and he doesn't bother to wait until we call him and stick out our arms. Lil' Jimmy likes to take off and fly to and from our heads!!! He's become quite the character.
He LOVES pencils!!!
My friend saw him the other day and couldn't believe he was the same bird.
Here he is in all his new fine feathered-ness!!! ; )
He's been a bundle of fun. We are still feeding him with a syringe every two hours. He loves to be petted on the side of his neck. That first week he would eat and then fall asleep cupped in my hand. What a baby!
He's very quiet except when he eats. Then he chirps for the whole world to hear.
He did a lot of flapping that first week but he never got himself off the ground.
He's very punctual. Every night at 8:00 pm he's ready to call it a day. Once in awhile he actually sings in his sleep. It's a quiet, sweet little melody.
Well, because of those 2 hour feedings, he was our traveling buddy all that first weekend. He came with us to make 150 sandwiches on Friday night for the following day's JBQ match. Then he came with us to the matches and hung out while the kids quizzed 10 rounds!
Sunday, my family elected me for bird sitting duty. But I didn't really want to miss church so, I smuggled him into church with me in a little cage, in a large tote bag. : )
I fed him in the car before church and he didn't make a peep the whole service. Well, except for a little fluttering, but when I peeked in on him, he stopped. I was so, nervous the whole time because who ever heard of someone bringing a baby parrot to church with them?!
My hubby said I was definitely on my own with that and I bet he was relieved when something came up and he wasn't able to sit with me in the service. ha ha ; )
That Sunday evening he flew for the very first time.
And then, Jimmy turned into a whole new bird!
Very rarely will he sleep in our laps now. He has places to go and people to fly to! He's also started eating seeds! Hurray!
Andrew has taught him to come to us when we stick out our arm.
So, when we are taking breaks from school, you can find us all in the family room sticking out our arms and all saying "Come here, Jimmy" all at once.
Bless his confused heart. He looks from one to the other of us and back again like he can't decide who to go to.
Sometimes he just stays put on the arm of the couch and you know he's thinking "you people need to get a life." : )
We have high hopes that he will one day say "Jesus loves you." But, I'm afraid what he hears the most is "Come here, Jimmy." Which is not a very cool thing to have your parrot say. But we'll keep working on "Jesus loves you."
Now we are on week three in bird-land, and he doesn't bother to wait until we call him and stick out our arms. Lil' Jimmy likes to take off and fly to and from our heads!!! He's become quite the character.
He LOVES pencils!!!
My friend saw him the other day and couldn't believe he was the same bird.
Here he is in all his new fine feathered-ness!!! ; )
Quite a change from this photo!
One of the kids told me that they were very disappointed that Jimmy can fly and eat seeds now because "he won't ever be able to go to church with us again."
No, he won't. -Glory, glory, Hallelujah!" ; )
February 20, 2008
A Seed Bearing Fruit Many Years Later...
This story appeared in a church bulliten in AL. It was written by the preacher.
It is about my mom and the impact she had on his family many years ago.
"It has been over thirty since B was converted by a coworker. She was a very young woman then, so shy that she could scarecely look anyone in the eye or raise her voice above a whisper. Soon after her conversion, that same coworker introduced her to her to D.
B and D fell in love, were married and had two little girls. (one of those was me!)
While B worked, a non-Christian family related to the coworker, took care of her girls. As a result, a close friendship developed between B and this family.
By the time the girls were school age, they were no longer in regular contact with the non-Christian family. About this time, B learned that she had terminal cancer. Meanwhile, the non-Christian family went about their lives, giving little or no thought to God.
One rainy night, the doorbell rang at the non-Christian family's home. The teenage boy living there answered the door to see the diminutive B wet and shivering on the porch. She asked the boy to go and get his parents and sister because she had something important to tell them. As he let her in, the boy noticed that B was shivering as much from fear as from cold.
When the entire family assembled in the living room, B began to speak in a quivering yet louder and more purposeful voice than any of them had ever heard from her.
"I came to ask you to foregice me. I have known you all of this time and have not spoken to you about the Lord. Now I am dying and I want to beg you to please consider that Christ died for you and that you need to begin living for Him before it is too late," said B through tears that bordered on sobs.
After extending a polite "thank you" to B, she left. A few months later she died, leaving behind D and their two school age girls. At her funeral, the non-Christian family wept along with others, yet without the underlying joy expressed by B's coworker and fellow Christians. How can they bear such a tragedy as the loss of a young woman with children she will never see grow up, thought the teenage boy.
"Wasn't it a kind thing she did, coming to our house that night," each family member recalled. Each agreed it was the kindest thing they had ever seen anyone do for them.
Each of the four family members B went to visit that rainy night has since been influenced for good by many others. Yet each still recalls her beautiful act whenever anything brings it to mind.
Ten years after B's death, the teenage boy who answered the door the night of her visit was baptized into Christ, specifically recalling her deed. The next year, both of the boy's parents were baptized into Christ. And twenty years after her parents, and thirty years after B's death, the boy's sister was baptized, also recalling B's visit. All who heard B speak that night are now faithful Christians.
I am the teenage boy who answered the door. And what B did for my family over thiry years ago is still the kindest and most courageous deed anyone besides the lord has ever done for me.
I will never forget her, nor will I let anyone else forget. By the way, her favorite hymn was "Fairest Lord Jesus." It is mine too."
~ D.C.
May 11, 2003
I hope this precious story plants even more seeds today....
~Becky
It is about my mom and the impact she had on his family many years ago.
"It has been over thirty since B was converted by a coworker. She was a very young woman then, so shy that she could scarecely look anyone in the eye or raise her voice above a whisper. Soon after her conversion, that same coworker introduced her to her to D.
B and D fell in love, were married and had two little girls. (one of those was me!)
While B worked, a non-Christian family related to the coworker, took care of her girls. As a result, a close friendship developed between B and this family.
By the time the girls were school age, they were no longer in regular contact with the non-Christian family. About this time, B learned that she had terminal cancer. Meanwhile, the non-Christian family went about their lives, giving little or no thought to God.
One rainy night, the doorbell rang at the non-Christian family's home. The teenage boy living there answered the door to see the diminutive B wet and shivering on the porch. She asked the boy to go and get his parents and sister because she had something important to tell them. As he let her in, the boy noticed that B was shivering as much from fear as from cold.
When the entire family assembled in the living room, B began to speak in a quivering yet louder and more purposeful voice than any of them had ever heard from her.
"I came to ask you to foregice me. I have known you all of this time and have not spoken to you about the Lord. Now I am dying and I want to beg you to please consider that Christ died for you and that you need to begin living for Him before it is too late," said B through tears that bordered on sobs.
After extending a polite "thank you" to B, she left. A few months later she died, leaving behind D and their two school age girls. At her funeral, the non-Christian family wept along with others, yet without the underlying joy expressed by B's coworker and fellow Christians. How can they bear such a tragedy as the loss of a young woman with children she will never see grow up, thought the teenage boy.
"Wasn't it a kind thing she did, coming to our house that night," each family member recalled. Each agreed it was the kindest thing they had ever seen anyone do for them.
Each of the four family members B went to visit that rainy night has since been influenced for good by many others. Yet each still recalls her beautiful act whenever anything brings it to mind.
Ten years after B's death, the teenage boy who answered the door the night of her visit was baptized into Christ, specifically recalling her deed. The next year, both of the boy's parents were baptized into Christ. And twenty years after her parents, and thirty years after B's death, the boy's sister was baptized, also recalling B's visit. All who heard B speak that night are now faithful Christians.
I am the teenage boy who answered the door. And what B did for my family over thiry years ago is still the kindest and most courageous deed anyone besides the lord has ever done for me.
I will never forget her, nor will I let anyone else forget. By the way, her favorite hymn was "Fairest Lord Jesus." It is mine too."
~ D.C.
May 11, 2003
I hope this precious story plants even more seeds today....
~Becky
February 19, 2008
Sweet memories
February 17, 2008
Great books for boys
One of my favorite things to do is read aloud to my kiddos. 
Joy may be outnumbered but sometimes we read girl books too. And these were excellent. The boys enjoyed them as much as Joy did.
I just love it!
I love to see them playing chess or Lego*s or doing some other creative thing while I read.
I love when they get so into the the story that they beg for one more chapter!
I love when they get so into the the story that they beg for one more chapter!
There is a quote I read once that said something to this effect:
"If you don't read books aloud with your children, then you won't know who their friends are." (being the characters in the book) Isn't that sweet!?!
Our 'new friends' are Peterkin, Ralph and Jack.
And we've just finished reading The Coral Islands and are about to start the sequel The Gorilla Hunters. These were written by R.M. Ballantyne in the 1800's.
Vision Forum's catalog introduced me to R.M. Ballantyne and his books for boys. And when I read this I had to give them a try!
R. M. Ballantyne "was perhaps the most influential writer of boys' literature of his generation. He was also a devout Christian....And the only outspoken advocate for Christian boyhood to have a monument paid for and dedicated in his honor by grateful children."
I was so glad to find that our public library had two of his books. Now, this particular one took about twenty chapters to get exciting but when it did, it was full of adventure! We stayed up way too late and I read so much that I just about had a hoarse throat but it was fun.
I loved how the importance of scripture memory was emphasized and courage was displayed and dangers were risked to protect women.
All this and an adventure that included pirates, cannibals and the South Sea Islands!
The one thing that surprised us was that it was rather graphic and gory in places but that was due to the whole cannibal thing. And except for those parts, Joy enjoyed the story as well as the boys.
I found that these books are available here for free as ebooks.
Joy may be outnumbered but sometimes we read girl books too. And these were excellent. The boys enjoyed them as much as Joy did.
~Becky
February 13, 2008
It is well
We've been blessed to be hearing the hymn "It is well" resounding in our house all week. (about 25 times a day!)
Our son Nathan is going to play it at the state fair tomorrow!!!
His piano teacher is having her students perform in the old country church in the living history village. We are so excited for him and a little nervous. He only learned how to play the song last week! But he excels under pressure! I wish I did. He is my hero. : )
Even though "it is well with my soul" my body needs a little help. I caught a beastly cold and I hope to be better by tomorrow so I don't miss this big event! I've been laying low today.
Nathan's piano teacher also has all the family members of the students who are performing, sing a song together for the finale. (this qualifies us all as 'entertainers' and our families get free admission)
We'll be singing "Holy, Holy, Holy."
Seeing our tickets marked "Entertainers" is a little scary. His piano teacher has obviously never heard me sing before.
I may be mouthing it because even without a cold, I've only been gifted with the ability to "make a joyful noise." ; )
~We will be praying that these hymns will touch the hearts of people visiting the fair and that they would be reminded of the One who "hath regarded their helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for their soul."
~Becky
Our son Nathan is going to play it at the state fair tomorrow!!!
His piano teacher is having her students perform in the old country church in the living history village. We are so excited for him and a little nervous. He only learned how to play the song last week! But he excels under pressure! I wish I did. He is my hero. : )
Even though "it is well with my soul" my body needs a little help. I caught a beastly cold and I hope to be better by tomorrow so I don't miss this big event! I've been laying low today.
Nathan's piano teacher also has all the family members of the students who are performing, sing a song together for the finale. (this qualifies us all as 'entertainers' and our families get free admission)
We'll be singing "Holy, Holy, Holy."
Seeing our tickets marked "Entertainers" is a little scary. His piano teacher has obviously never heard me sing before.
I may be mouthing it because even without a cold, I've only been gifted with the ability to "make a joyful noise." ; )
~We will be praying that these hymns will touch the hearts of people visiting the fair and that they would be reminded of the One who "hath regarded their helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for their soul."
~Becky
February 11, 2008
Goals for Mom
The other day, one of our boys told me,
~Becky
that there are two things that I need to learn to do before I die.
I was quite intrigued and I began wondering what these two important things must be.
Plus, I'd just heard a sermon on how we need to be obedient to the Lord to accomplish all that He has planned for each of us to do while we are on earth.
Here is what he said:
"Mom, you need to learn how to make artichokes and fried chicken."
~Too funny! I should've guessed that a list from a teenage boy would have to do with food. ; )
~Becky
February 7, 2008
The best investment
I came across this old Chinese proverb today and it reminded me of my hubby:
"If your vision is for a year, plant wheat.
If your vision is for ten years, plant trees.
If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people."
Isn't that great?!
My hubby totally lives and believes in investing in people.
The best thing is that first and foremost, he invests in our little people. (which aren't so little anymore)
I am so thankful for the passionate way he invests himself into their lives. ~All five of us, are so very blessed! : )
~Becky
"If your vision is for a year, plant wheat.
If your vision is for ten years, plant trees.
If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people."
Isn't that great?!
My hubby totally lives and believes in investing in people.
The best thing is that first and foremost, he invests in our little people. (which aren't so little anymore)
I am so thankful for the passionate way he invests himself into their lives. ~All five of us, are so very blessed! : )
~Becky
February 6, 2008
Wednesdays in the Word
No matter what is going on in our lives, our country or the world,
"The Lord is King forever and ever." Psalm 10 :16
-End of story! : )
And I love that fact!
~Becky
"The Lord is King forever and ever." Psalm 10 :16
-End of story! : )
And I love that fact!
~Becky
February 3, 2008
Lil' Jimmy
This all seems vaguely familar for some reason...
He is ever so sweet and fragile! And nothing like Chipper.
Next came Joy's turn. She is really getting the hang of it. She didn't get any food in his eye. ; )
Feedings every two hours,
'baby' food on our clothes,
lots of poop,
extra laundry
and lots of cuddles.
The differences between this baby and our four, is that this one is a bird and it sleeps all night, something our kiddos didn't really do. : )
We picked up our parrotlet yesterday! The kiddos have named him Lil' Jimmy.
Here he is:
He is ever so sweet and fragile! And nothing like Chipper.
(ignore that date! We haven't set Joy's camera yet)
We have to feed him with a dropper every two hours. I haven't quite got the hang of it yet and squirted food in his eye, poor thing! Isn't he tiny? My hubby and I did the first feeding.
Next came Joy's turn. She is really getting the hang of it. She didn't get any food in his eye. ; )And what hadn't occured to me is that he will also have to be our traveling buddy anytime we'll be away from home for more than 2 hours. That is just now registering with me.
The breeder used to take him around in a purse or her husband's shirt pocket. (this may be the reason we never become breeders) : )
In two weeks, he will be eating on his own. Until then, he needs to be cuddled, kept warm and fed by hand.
And did I mention that he poops every 15 min?!
They told us that he needs to sleep next to a light for warmth and well, my Taco shop was the only one we had on hand.
As you can see, he was pretty intrigued by it. 
He probably spent the whole night dreaming about guacamole! ; ) I'm jealous!
~Becky
~Becky
February 1, 2008
Two memes of fun
This is fun. I've been tagged by two sweet new friends to do some memes.
Susan at "House-full of Maidens," tagged me with this one.
Here are the rules:
1. You must post the rules before you give your answers.
2. List one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details).
Noble (because I'm a daughter of the King of Kings -yay!)
It was rough when one of them was ten and a half pounds though.
3. I lived in the same house from birth until my wedding day. (I had the opportunity to go inside it last summer. It was really special.)
Susan at "House-full of Maidens," tagged me with this one.
Here are the rules:
1. You must post the rules before you give your answers.
2. List one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details).
Active (my life is non-stop, but I wouldn't have it anyother way.
Neatfreak (clutter stresses me out)Noble (because I'm a daughter of the King of Kings -yay!)
I lucked out in having such a short middle name. I used to wish it was 'Anne with an e' though. : )
And for the next one:
Miss Sniz tagged me to share seven weird things about myself.
The rules are as follows: Simply link to the person who tagged you. SHARE SEVEN WEIRD things about yourself. Tag SEVEN bloggers to do the same AND include a link to their blog. Let each person know that they have been tagged and finally post the rules on your blog.
Here they are:
1. I don't like coffee so I've never learned how to actually make it. But, oh do I LOVE the smell.
2. I had three of our babies at home. A lot of people think that was weird but, I loved it.It was rough when one of them was ten and a half pounds though.
3. I lived in the same house from birth until my wedding day. (I had the opportunity to go inside it last summer. It was really special.)
4. Somehow I have a knack for mixing up dates. This has caused me to show up at events weeks in advance! ; ) My poor kiddos!
5. I was 25 yrs. old when I finally saw snow falling for the first time. (that's what you get when your only homes have been in southern CA and FL)
6. I enjoy ironing and because of a certain golden retreiver, I think I have a lint brush obession. ; )
7. I spent many years of my childhood praying to be 5' 7" tall. And I'm seven inches short of that. Oh well! ~"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit unto his stature."; )
OK, well, that's my seven. I'm sure there's more. ha ha
Consider yourself tagged and pick whichever of these memes is your favorite. Let me know because I'd love to read what you write!Have a great weekend.
~Becky
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