Category: Children

It started snowing around 2:00 today and the kids went outside once the grass turned white. Except for a quick dinner of soup, the kids played outside until Allan took the older ones to their church program. The younger two and I stayed outside until it was too dark to see.

We borrowed a neighbor’s barn and had some fun getting up to date pictures of the kids.  It was colder than we thought and the kids ended up shivering horribly with bright red noses.

We returned home, enjoyed some hot chocolate, dressed more appropriately and tried again. This time worked much better!

My niece came over to visit with her little boy the other day. Jonathan is growing quickly and such a happy friendly boy. Everyone enjoyed being able to play with him for an hour or so.

I made this dress for my niece when she started school and we were going overseas. Now Megan fits into it and Esther is a mother of a sweet little boy!

I am so thankful for neighbors who are willing to help my children learn the value of hard work!

Not only do all the kids help to the best of their abilities, they are also learning so much more.  Yesterday, when Megan got tired, she sat and talked with our elderly neighbor she just met.  Everyone worked hard; there were lots of leaves to take care of, but they took time to be silly and laugh.  When they finished the first house, they had other responsibilities they had promised to help with, so the kids figured out how to get everything done even though they rearranged who did what.

They were exhausted at the end of the day.  I know they all felt good though.

Mark turned eighteen today! It is hard to believe the 5.1 pound baby we brought home is now at least 6″1′. He came home in a carry cot that Auntie Sao gave us that we had pushed under the driver’s seat because he was much to little for the carseat we had for him. Now Mark is cramped in smaller cars.

Mark is a wonderful son, showing Allan and me respect and love by his attitude and actions.  Mark laughs easily. He is hardworking and patient.  He works diligently at his school assignments. He loves his siblings and shows it to them in many ways. Many of our neighbors call him when they need help. It is wonderful watching how God is working in him and seeing the man that Mark has become.

Happy Birthday “Handsome Boy”.  I love you very much!

Monday was a beautiful fall day to roam Goshen. The kids enjoyed begging for candy, though they were disappointed very few people knew who they were dressed up as.

The kids and a friend all enjoyed dressing up yesterday. They created and designed their own costumes and only asked for my help for a few things.

If you are having trouble figuring out who the kids are dressed up to be, maybe these hints will help.