Making icing is messy!
Squeeze and guide,oops! Up and down, oops!
We love Friday nights
Me and my work of art
YUM!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Cake Decorating
Last Friday night I(Rachel) started with the new cake decorating kit that my mom got for me and Sarah but I think I'll just use it.It was lots of fun. A bit messy too.
Making icing is messy!
Squeeze and guide,oops! Up and down, oops!
We love Friday nights
Me and my work of art
YUM!
Making icing is messy!
Squeeze and guide,oops! Up and down, oops!
We love Friday nights
Me and my work of art
YUM!
Family Dinner at Bravos
Eric's dad, Bob, was in town for our church's 20th anniversary weekend and whenever he comes into town we usually all get together for dinner at an italian restaurant called Bravos. The kids absolutely love it! All the cousins love to be together and my boys love the chicken tenders.
Heather, Augie and Bob
Scott,Katina and baby no. 5(it's a boy!)
Claire, Elise and Sarah
Jack, Matthew, Josh, Ryan and Gordon making silly faces
Ryan and Gordon
Jack, Matthew and Josh
Samantha, Rachel and Grace
Heather, Augie and Bob
Scott,Katina and baby no. 5(it's a boy!)
Claire, Elise and Sarah
Jack, Matthew, Josh, Ryan and Gordon making silly faces
Ryan and Gordon
Jack, Matthew and Josh
Samantha, Rachel and Grace
Friday, October 26, 2007
Trip to Philadelphia
I just got a new card reader and have a bunch of new pictures so I'll try to catch up. First, are the pictures Eric and I took while we were in Philadelphia for my grandfather's memorial service. It was so good to see my grandmother and lots of other relatives that I havn't seen for a while. I was reminded while I was there how much of an infuence my family has had on me even though we weren't very close. My grandmother is an amazing woman. She had five children and spent her life caring and serving them and my grandfather. She's my role model. My Aunt Donna is also a very caring person who I admire very much for her love and sacrafice for her family. She has three beautiful children and her youngest, my cousin Katelyn, is severly handicapped. Aunt Donna has cared for her and fought for her so many years beyond what Katelyn's life expectancy was. My Aunt Bonnie is the picture of grace and social poise. She is also a wonderful mother and now a grandmother. I can remember being with her when I was a little girl and admiring her zeal and laughter. At many points in my young girlhood days I thought how I wanted to be like them when The other really crazy thing was how much older everyone was. Including myself though I didn't realize it at first. Not only were my cousins and younger cousins grown and married and had kids but we've all aged. I was not prepared for that.
The one in my mind who never ages though is my grandmother. After my grandfather retired and they spent some years going down to FL for the winter they moved down there. She spent so many years caring for her children, mother, grandchildren, etc. and then finally started a new life spent golfing and socializing with all her new friends. I can't wait to see her again at Thanksgiving!
Here's some pictures from the trip.
The street I grew up on 4135 Stirling St. I can still remember my phone no. 338-4483
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
Sheena(my brother's wife),my sister Val and myself
Joey and Sheena
Where I went to grade school- Redeemer Lutheran Church
St. Matthew's where the memorial service was and where my dad went to school
Our last stop out of town was to this place for a cheese steak. We also came home with about 10 bags of philly style rolls. YUM!!!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Poppy
Friday afternoon my mom called to let me know that my grandfather aka "poppy" had passed away in the morning. He had been diagnosed with an agressive form of liver cancer a couple of weeks ago and his health deteriorated quickly. When I spoke to my dad ,who had been down in Florida with my grandparents along with his brothers and sisters, he said that the family was glad that my grandfather was out of pain but that it's hard to believe he's really gone. I'm glad he wasn't alone when he passed away and am so very glad that my grandmother has such wonderful children to care and comfort her.
After I talked to my mom I picked up a deck of cards that I had left in the kitchen. Rachel and I were going to play but then she went to a friends house so I just started playing solataire. I can't remember the last time I've played. Then I remembered that it was my grandfather who had taught me to play solataire. I can remember him playing cards at the kitchen table often.
My grandfather was someone I looked up to from a distance. I never had many conversations with him growing up and probably because I was incredibly shy but even though there weren't many words shared I admired and respected him greatly. He worked hard to provide for his family, a wife and five children. Mostly though I think I admire his love and devotion to my grandmother. He will be greatly missed.
On Sunday Eric and I will head up to Philadelphia for the memorial service. Please pray for us if you think of it that we can somehow be a blessing to my dad's family and share the love of Jesus with them.
After I talked to my mom I picked up a deck of cards that I had left in the kitchen. Rachel and I were going to play but then she went to a friends house so I just started playing solataire. I can't remember the last time I've played. Then I remembered that it was my grandfather who had taught me to play solataire. I can remember him playing cards at the kitchen table often.
My grandfather was someone I looked up to from a distance. I never had many conversations with him growing up and probably because I was incredibly shy but even though there weren't many words shared I admired and respected him greatly. He worked hard to provide for his family, a wife and five children. Mostly though I think I admire his love and devotion to my grandmother. He will be greatly missed.
On Sunday Eric and I will head up to Philadelphia for the memorial service. Please pray for us if you think of it that we can somehow be a blessing to my dad's family and share the love of Jesus with them.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Books
I know another boring post with no pictures. My camera battery is charging right now so I can down load some pictures from this weekend. Katy Van told me how to add lists on the side of the blog so I gave it a try. If you havn't noticed it's the list of books.
Most of the books read towards the bottom of the list were from a book club I was in up until a few months ago. I was in the book club for a few years and really enjoyed for the most part all the different kinds of books we read. But this summer I just couldn't keep up anymore with the reading for book club, other things I wanted to read and books I want to read with the kids. It was fun while it lasted. I really enjoyed The Good Earth and found The Bookseller of Kabul very interesting and without hesitation I HATED The Memory Keeper's Daughter. Unfortunately, that was the book I had picked and needed to a lead discussion on but I couln't even really tell you why I disliked it so much - I just did - alot!
If you've ever seen the movie Hotel Rwanda then you'd be familiar with Paul Rusesabagina (who?). He's the man who ran the hotel during the genocide in his country and saved many lives. I have had a fascination with Rwanda since I saw the movie and thought "where was I in 1994 when all the killings happened". I then realized that our compassion child we sponsor, Ihirwe, is from Rwanda.
Growing up I read Agatha Christie mysteries all the time. I am happy to say that I have bore fellow Christie junkies. The kids and I have rented from the library this summer all the Miss Marple movies we can find. My latest favorite mystery author is P.D. James. I first remember watching her first mystery story, Cover Her Face, on PBS with my mom when I was probably Rachel's age or younger. My goal is to go back to the beginning and read the rest of her books in order.
The other series I have really, really enjoyed has been the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. I find the characters and the whole setting of these books endearing and enjoyable. The latest one, The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, just came out this spring so I snatched it from the library and now I'm back to waiting for another.
Years ago a very Godly woman I respect very much had said in passing that she tries to always be reading a book that helps or encourages her in her role as wife, mother, homemaker, etc. I have tried over the years to glean from her wisdom by reading more like a book a year. Shopping for Time was a quick read and a good reminder to be more proactive in my planning of areas that I am responsible to manage. Heaven at Home was the first Ginger Plowman book I've read. I just loved her perspective and "say it like it is" but with grace ability to commucicate.
Regarding books I'm currently reading is a little of a joke. I had hoped to get through the whole Mitford Series while on vacation to Nags Head and then in Texas. I've only read chapter one of book one so far. Hints on Child Training is a reread. I absolutely love this book and will even go so far to say that every parent should read this book while their kids are young. He covers topics such as training a child's faith, to self control, their appetite to "dealing tenderly with a child's fear", a child's imagination all the way to fun incite and encouragement regarding Christmas and a very wise chapter called "Goodnight Words". I have been provoked to love my children more from this book than any others I have read.
Most of the books read towards the bottom of the list were from a book club I was in up until a few months ago. I was in the book club for a few years and really enjoyed for the most part all the different kinds of books we read. But this summer I just couldn't keep up anymore with the reading for book club, other things I wanted to read and books I want to read with the kids. It was fun while it lasted. I really enjoyed The Good Earth and found The Bookseller of Kabul very interesting and without hesitation I HATED The Memory Keeper's Daughter. Unfortunately, that was the book I had picked and needed to a lead discussion on but I couln't even really tell you why I disliked it so much - I just did - alot!
If you've ever seen the movie Hotel Rwanda then you'd be familiar with Paul Rusesabagina (who?). He's the man who ran the hotel during the genocide in his country and saved many lives. I have had a fascination with Rwanda since I saw the movie and thought "where was I in 1994 when all the killings happened". I then realized that our compassion child we sponsor, Ihirwe, is from Rwanda.
Growing up I read Agatha Christie mysteries all the time. I am happy to say that I have bore fellow Christie junkies. The kids and I have rented from the library this summer all the Miss Marple movies we can find. My latest favorite mystery author is P.D. James. I first remember watching her first mystery story, Cover Her Face, on PBS with my mom when I was probably Rachel's age or younger. My goal is to go back to the beginning and read the rest of her books in order.
The other series I have really, really enjoyed has been the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. I find the characters and the whole setting of these books endearing and enjoyable. The latest one, The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, just came out this spring so I snatched it from the library and now I'm back to waiting for another.
Years ago a very Godly woman I respect very much had said in passing that she tries to always be reading a book that helps or encourages her in her role as wife, mother, homemaker, etc. I have tried over the years to glean from her wisdom by reading more like a book a year. Shopping for Time was a quick read and a good reminder to be more proactive in my planning of areas that I am responsible to manage. Heaven at Home was the first Ginger Plowman book I've read. I just loved her perspective and "say it like it is" but with grace ability to commucicate.
Regarding books I'm currently reading is a little of a joke. I had hoped to get through the whole Mitford Series while on vacation to Nags Head and then in Texas. I've only read chapter one of book one so far. Hints on Child Training is a reread. I absolutely love this book and will even go so far to say that every parent should read this book while their kids are young. He covers topics such as training a child's faith, to self control, their appetite to "dealing tenderly with a child's fear", a child's imagination all the way to fun incite and encouragement regarding Christmas and a very wise chapter called "Goodnight Words". I have been provoked to love my children more from this book than any others I have read.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Perspective
Okay, when I set up this blog it was for the sole purpose of sending pics of the kids and writing about our life, etc. for our family and whoever else might be interested. I had no desire or plan to post my thoughts about things because.....I just didn't want to. Eric has convinced me otherwise and now I only wish I had a picture to illustrate my story.
Well, last week while sitting at a stop light I noticed a bumper sticker on the car ahead of me. It said "sometimes I wish I were a missing person". Some of my immediate thoughts ran to the tv show "missing persons" where the people have been abducted or killed. I thought "that person has no idea what they're wishing for - what a stupid thing to say". Then, even while that thought is in my mind my thoughts begin to transfer down another path and I think to myself "but, I kind of know what she means(I'm assuming it was a woman). Who doesn't want to just dissappear from life for a little while to get a break. " Just then I noticed the bumper sticker on the car to my front left and it said:
" 9/11........(two thousand something) people killed or missing"
Well, last week while sitting at a stop light I noticed a bumper sticker on the car ahead of me. It said "sometimes I wish I were a missing person". Some of my immediate thoughts ran to the tv show "missing persons" where the people have been abducted or killed. I thought "that person has no idea what they're wishing for - what a stupid thing to say". Then, even while that thought is in my mind my thoughts begin to transfer down another path and I think to myself "but, I kind of know what she means(I'm assuming it was a woman). Who doesn't want to just dissappear from life for a little while to get a break. " Just then I noticed the bumper sticker on the car to my front left and it said:
" 9/11........(two thousand something) people killed or missing"
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