OBCL BBQ

Earlier this month we decided to round up as many "OBCL Family" friends as were in our area for a little get together. We ended up with about 40 people! It was nothing fancy, just a fun potluck with hamburgers and homemade ice cream. We had such a good time, we're already planning one for next year!

Hannah and Sally catching up on life

Peter, Jonathan, and Mark trading stories

Chris (& Jonathan and Mark) giving Sean relationship advice

Playing a little basketball in the front yard (Jamie, Mark & Peter above)

Hanging out and getting to know each other (Jodie and Brian)

August Birthdays

My mom and Daniel both have birthdays in August. It seems right that they can celebrate together, since Daniel's best friend is his Mimi. He wants to go to Mimi's house every day. In fact the other day I told him that Mimi and Papa might move from their house to be our neighbors in our pasture. You should have seen the look of sheer bliss on his face! He checked with me several times throughout the day to find out if they had moved yet...

As a little surprise, we took the train boy for a short ride on the Amtrak to a nearby locale. Here we are as the train pulls up...Daniel is mulling the fact that real trains are bigger than he expected, and my mom is laughing at his comment "Look at the big BIG TRAIN!!!" (in his deep little voice). He uses a lot of double adjectives to get his point across.

Here we all are in front of our big big train. Hannah and Daniel didn't have to be told twice to stay close to Mommy! They were right beside me. The conductor was fabulous. Hannah had this paper luggage tag from the station that we told her to hold on to, and it somehow got dubbed "Hannah's ticket." When the conductor came through the car, I gave her the ticket stub for all of us, and Hannah pulled out her 'ticket.' The lady didn't skip a beat! She congratulated Hannah on being so alert, and promptly punched her 'ticket' as well. Hannah just beamed. I have it on video, but I haven't figured out how to condense it yet...
Speaking of not knowing how to do things, I'm not sure how this photo got in here. This one is at the zoo earlier in August. They are showing you how tall they are these days. Daniel actually had his 3 year old check-up this week, and he is definitely on the tall/thin side of the growth charts. He grew 4 inches this past year! (The average is 3.)

Back to the birthdays...This was taken at Daniel's birthday party. This is where Daniel can be found at any given play time outside - in the dirt. He is drawn to it like a magnet! I'm not sure what he's doing here, but it almost always involves moving dirt by fistfuls from Point A to Point B. We do have plenty of outdoor toys, but nothing can compare to DIRT. :-) Isn't he just so cute?!

We had a little kids Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party for The Buddy. Somewhere along the line, I decreed that I would not do a party for everyone every year, so they get to have a party every 3 years. This was Daniel's first one, and he had so much fun!

Hannah did too. A couple of her friends that are big sisters too came along to celebrate. They are (of course) playing dress-up. I think those feather boas were tied to the back of Peter's truck when we got married. We cleaned them up a little bit, and they made wonderful dress-up material. Notice the high heels too. You can't dress up without those! Those are shoes that I had from being a bridesmaid in several friends' weddings. It cracks me up to see Hannah get everyone all set up. This is Isabella, Hannah, and Brooke on parade.

Perhaps Daniel's favorite part of the party was the birthday cake. Notice the blue mustache...

I realized after the party, that this is probably the first time I've ever given Daniel his own plate of dessert. (OK, I know it is about time, but I really limit their sugar intake.) He was so sweet. He nursed that scoop of ice cream like it was the sweetest thing, and likely his last meal. He was still sitting there eating it while everyone else was up and running around, savoring each bite. It was a Thomas the Train Cupcake Cake.

If you want to see more photos from the birthday party click here. Veronica is professional photographer, and her shots are really good...

Lini's Wedding

Well, we finally have our Lini Bell. Isn't that a great name?

The wedding was lovely, the bride was calm and radiant, the flower girls were nervous and glowing. As far as our little brood was concerned, everything went fine, except when Daniel walked up to stand with Mommy and the rest of the bridesmaids a few times. (He was in the front row with Daddy and Mommy was just too close to not go hug. I love him.)

Hannah's hours over the last 7 months of practice paid off nicely. She even smiled while she walked and scattered the petals! It helped that she had two bigger girls with her (that were probably equally nervous). Right before the wedding started I heard the oldest one, Lydia, say to Hannah "OK. We're going to walk. If we run out of petals before we get there, we'll just hold hands and smile." I couldn't help but smile!

Here is a shot of all of us before the wedding:
Lini was so calm and beautiful. It was like she was just walking out her dream. She and Adam are so cute together.

Speaking of walking...

Here she is!!! My big girl is in the center. This was her dream come true. You know, goals you can achieve, but dreams just happen. One of Hannah's dreams was to be a flower girl - this was before Lini and Adam were even courting. Peter and I explained to her that we couldn't make it happen, she would have to be asked, and we didn't know who might ask her. She was convinced that she would be one soon. Is that faith?

Finally, here's the 5 of us:
Congratulations, Adam and Lini! We love you!!!

Caleb's Great Escape

Before I go on to all of our July events, I just have to tell one hair-raising story about #3.

When we got to our condo in Florida (for Lini's wedding) the kids needed to a quiet activity, so I set the older kids up at the kitchen counter barstools with crayons and coloring books. Caleb was right there under my feet (where he always seems to be).

The next thing I know, he was gone. I started calling him, but he's at the age where he can walk fast but hasn't fully grasped the meaning of "come." I started looking through the condo, which wasn't that big, and realized he's not here. I shouted to Peter to come look for Caleb, and headed outside.

My first thought was the water out in the back. In Florida, they don't necessarily have fenced backyards, and standing water of some sort is always right nearby. In this case, there was a very nice lake/pond about 15 feet from the back door. I ran around the back of the condo calling his name - but no Caleb. There was just a man a little ways down sunbathing, squinting at me quizzically, as if I had just awakened him from a nice nap. Then I realized, the grass was probably 5 inches tall, and Caleb has short baby legs. He couldn't have come very far back here, and there is no movement in the water. I ran around to the front.

Peter was checking the side of the condo, where the trash area was. I ran to the front calling him, but he was nowhere to be seen. It was a surreal moment...Here I was in Florida, far away from home, we've only arrived 10 minutes before, and I've lost my baby boy. I'm thinking of the horror of not finding him...

Then, waaaaaayyyy down the street, I saw Caleb toddling out of the parking lot and into the street and some guy reaching down and picking him up!

I ran over there (with no decorum at all) screaming "That's MY baby!!!! That's my BABY!!!!," to which the guy started to bring him towards me. Caleb immediately reached down to me and kissed me with great delight, and the guy was clearly checking me out with this 'how could you be so negligent?' look. But I didn't care. All I knew was that he was home with me and safe. My precious little guy!

Following that, we started to deadbolt the door whenever we closed it. We don't know if we had accidently left the front door slightly ajar, or if he let himself out (the door handle was the flat kind that he can do).

When it was all over, Peter said "Well, I wasn't so much worried about the water, or the street...I was more worried about alligators."

Ugh. I don't even want to think about that.

Caleb's Summer

Caleb was the one to grow and change the most this summer. In June he learned to walk, and starting signing words to us. He also switched from chattering syllables to focusing on intonations. We're trying to get him to go back to words, but right now he carries on entire monologues with lots of inflection and tonal changes all with the sound "gungh gungh gungh," in the back of his throat. It is really funny, and hard to not copycat him! Instead we speak back to him what we think he's saying. Here are some photos to keep you up to date...

Here is Daniel running through a bounce thingy at a birthday party he and Hannah went to at Pump It Up. Daniel was very cautious about everything for about the first 45 minutes, but warmed up nicely. Hannah had no fear at all and was jumping down a 2 story slide almost as soon as we got there. Each of the kids are so different...

Jumping must run in the family. Here is Hannah in action! One day I accidently left Caleb's pool out on the back grass. Then the sprinklers came on, and then I let Hannah and Daniel out to play. Then Caleb and I heard the most delighted squeals of laughter in the backyard. Peeking to investigate, I saw Daniel filling the pool with dirt and pine needles, and Hannah delightedly "washing her hair" with the gooey mud. It was so gross and so funny, that I couldn't even be mad. I just had to grab the camera...

And here they are, the little partners in crime!

My handsome boy. He's quite an eater. When he turned 15 months in June, I compared his growth statistics with Daniel's at 15 months. They were the same height, but Caleb is 3 pounds heavier! That is a lot for this age. Still, Caleb is not fat, he's just sturdy. Look out kids when Caleb starts to jump!

Other notables this month:

- Hannah and Daniel got the 24 hour flu on the day I planned to work on potty training Daniel. Oh well!

- I attended my first home school convention. One funny thing was my silly notion of other home school moms. I had this major dilemna getting dressed for the convention! I thought home school moms must always wear denim jumpers, and I decided I was going to shatter that image and wear...capris. Much to my amazement, I don't think I saw any denim jumpers that day, as almost every other mom there was wearing...capris. By the way, we've started school with Hannah already. She is rip-roaring ready to read. I think she's learned by osmosis, because we just started consonant blending today, and she's reading first grade level books that she's never seen all by herself. I'm being a realist on this, I realize that her ability has nothing to do with me. She's just incredibly bright.

- Peter's car spent almost half of the month at the shop. I don't understand what went wrong with it. I just understand the gouging in the checkbook to the tune of over $3,000. Yikes!

- We attended the final adoption hearing of some friends who adopted three new children into their family, bringing the family kid count to a whopping 8. Amazing!

- Uncle Joe turned 28. That just makes me feel so OLD. I remember when he was born! Daniel sang Happy Birthday along with us - the first time he has sung with others! Joseph loved it. He is such a great uncle. The kids adore him.

- Dad and Peter's officemate, Jim Parks, retired. Our office seems so empty without him! Jim is "retiring" to spend more time on his other vocation - being a full-time pastor. I will miss him at the office. He has been like a second father to me since I started working for Dad when I was 16 years old.

- Peter and I learned country English line dancing at a friend's graduation party! It was fun. I don't think I could do it without some coaching again, but it was a blast.

Stay tuned for a soon-coming July report. It was more eventful.

May Days

So so so busy! It seems like summer sped our lives up. I don't even have time to post what we've been up to! I'll start back where I left off, and catch up gradually.

We had the wonderful privilege to be visited by Peter's parents over the Memorial Day weekend, all the way from the the land of the Gators. We played outside, harvested our loquats, shopped for a new flower girl dress for Hannah, Grandpa and Daddy trimmed a LOT of trees, and we discovered new wildlife on our property...not the kind I wanted. Granny saw a garter snake, Grandpa saw a gopher snake, and we all saw SKUNK! Peter says that it was providential that they saw the slithering kind and not me, but seeing a humongous skunk was an experience too. It looked like an overgrown fluffy cat, ambling up on our lawn. We quickly went inside, and it hobbled away. I don't think it was aware of our presence as it came up, even though we were standing right there talking. Come to find out, they don't see well! Let's just hope we don't see (or smell) much of him again. Here is a photo of Granny, Grandpa, and Hannah and Daniel at the yummy California Pizza Kitchen.

The drama with Hannah's flower girl dress was that Lini had found adorable little dresses for the girls on ebay. How can you go wrong for $14.50? Well, we did. Granny brought the dress with her from Florida, and we all couldn't wait to see our little angel all dressed up. She was adorable - for about 5 minutes. That was as long as it took for her entire body to be covered with hives wherever the dress had touched her! After she had recovered, we sent to David's Bridal to find an emergency replacement dress. It was so cute to see her trying on these dresses in the midst of all the brides-to-be. We came home with an even better dress, that fits better AND causes no outbreaks. On top of that Granny found her mother-of-the-bride dress during her visit too! They both look so lovely.

The hives thing was just so weird. I've never seen anything like that before. The mother of the other flower girls told me that she had had a similar experience as a teenager, so at least I don't feel like I'm crazy.

OK, I need to take care of The Littles. I'll fill you all in on June next time. One hint, it's all about Caleb...

$138,095

Just when I was starting to feel like my stay-at-home-mom line of work is not worth anything, I stumbled across this.

I'm feeling a lot better about myself right now.

Selective Role Play

Hannah and Daniel both have very vivid imaginations. It's wonderful---except when it goes awry...

Hannah: "Let's pretend. I'll be Jesus, and you can be my disciple."

(I smile while I hear a pause.)

Hannah: "OK, this is our Last Supper. This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

(Another pause.)

Hannah: "Bud! Eat it!!!"

(I'm stifling a giggle in the next room.)

Hannah: "OK. This is my blood which is shed for you."

Hannah: "OK, now you can be Jesus, and I'LL GET THE LEATHER WHIP!"

At this point Mommy interjects from the next room to save said second born.

A Win

I just have to brag about Peter for a second.

He got the news yesterday that he won his trial from a few months ago. I know he wouldn't tell you all, so I'm saying it. I'm so proud of him. I'd be proud of him even if he hadn't won, but he's happy, and giving God the glory, and I'm happy for him.

Overheard

Hannah and Daniel have become friends recently. (Praise the Lord!!!) Now that Daniel talks, Hannah has started to include him in her little playworld, as well pour her somewhat vast (for a four-year-old) collection of information into his little sponge mind.

Here is some of what I've been hearing:

Scene: Kids are playing together outside on the teeter-totter. Having a great time. I hear lots of giggles. Hannah says: "Look, Daniel, we're orbitting! I am Venus and you are Mercury!" Daniel now calls himself "Mercury."

Background: Hannah has a placemat the 43 U.S. Presidents on it. She has been studying it and memorizing it. At breakfast, she quizzes me: "Mommy, can you tell me who the 8th president was?" Fortunately, Mommy can read and count. Correct answer is: Martin Van Buren. She praises me: "Good job, Mommy." Recently, I noticed Daniel at the table pointing to the presidents and saying: "Abe'ham Lincoln, George Wash'ton, Andrew Jackson, Richard Milhous Nix'n, Grace R'formed Bapt Church, Ron'ld Re'gan, George Dub Bush... In case you're wondering, the 5th one there is our new church.

Daniel is way overdue for a haircut. I usually cut his hair, but he's got SO MUCH HAIR, and it's so overdue, that I decided that we needed to take him to get a professional haircut. I talked to my dad, and we made a plan to go see his barber, so Daniel could watch first and then have his own haircut. All week, Daniel has been prepping himself: "I go see Big Tony. I get haircut. I be BRAVE."

And finally, a few minutes ago, I was on the computer checking email. Hannah walks in: "Mom, when you're 36, I will be 76 take away 70." She's right. (Wow!)

60 and 1

March 29 is my dad's birthday, and now my son Caleb's birthday. We didn't plan it that way - in fact Caleb was due to be born on my grandmother's birthday (tax day), but we were just happy that he was OK when he was born a little ahead of schedule.

It seems a little unreal that it was a whole year ago that he was born. I remember feeling a little like my life was being lived for me when my labor was induced, and then rather foggy that he was having trouble breathing. It seemed like it couldn't be happening, and that I'd surely wake up from my dream at any time. I praise God that he is fine and so healthy that, aside from those days in the ICU, he hasn't had so much as a cold in his whole life!

Caleb is definitely my happiest baby. We call him The Smiler, because he is so friendly and contented. He loves his brother and sister, and watches everything they do, for surely they know where the most fun is! He cries when they go play outside without him, and he always wants to play with Daniel. I've noticed that he's very good about not grabbing from them. I think he knows his place, even at a mere 12 months. It is going to be fun to be with him as he grows up. I can't wait to see him play sports. He loves balls! He bats them with his hands and then does his speedcrawling to catch them. He is also starting to appreciate books. He is so sweet and fun, and we all love of our little K-Guy. (That's the name Daniel gave him.)

Papa is the name the kids call my dad. I'm convinced that my father is one of the finest man living. He is one of the wisest, and sincerest persons I've ever known, and the word "gentleman" embodies him. He loves my mother so entirely (of course, she's just as much of a gem, and who wouldn't?), and Dad has faithfully led our family as well as various other groups in his professional career without fail throughout his years. I am proud to have him as my father.

It has been hard to see my father suffering this past year as he copes with Parkinsons Disease. I see HIM, not his shaking. When I think of him, my memories of him are laughing and playing together in the pool growing up, driving home from my wedding rehearsal dinner with him, or Joseph and me as kids wrestling with him after dinner. I remember how he always made us go sit in the front row of whatever church we might visit on a family vacation (I'm rolling my eyes and smiling just thinking of how embarrassed I felt each time), "underwater speedy rides" in the pool, long talks at the dinner table, working together at the office, and his definite tastes in clothing and home decor - the latter traits not common to many men I've known. He is still that man, and will continue to be. I love him for who he is. I just wish more people could know my dad like I do.

This birthday was a milestone for both Dad and Caleb. One turned 60 years, the other 1. Those two really enjoy each other, and I know why, because I do to.

Thank you, Lord, for surrounding me with such wonderful family!

Daniel's Identity Crisis

Daniel is having a hard time putting a few things together. Here is evidence:

Daniel: "Mommy, I eat grass."

Mommy: "No, Daniel. You're a boy. You eat people food. No grass."

Daniel: "I a cow, Mommy. I eat grass."

Mommy: "No, Daniel, you don't eat grass. Grass is for animals, not boys."

Daniel: "I a horse, Mommy?"

Mommy: "No, Daniel, you are a boy.

Daniel: "But I a COWBOY, Mommy, I eat grass!!!"

Then the flash of recognition hit. Cow-boy. He likes to pretend he's a cowboy. He thinks cowboys eat grass because cows do... I love him.