we played pirates

Uncle Ben and Emma play together. They play many things. Sometimes they play pirates. They have fun. Lots of fun. Can you tell?

Ben and Me - two years ago

Mi hermano y yo...
Don't we make a lovely pair?

from the mouth of Ben

"Ya know what a wedding shower party is? It's a big care package party. Uh huh."

and another gem from today: "Funny? What do you mean by funny? There's no such thing as funny in our house."

unloading the groceries

Ben did it. At least, I think he did. It's not too often that you walk into the kitchen only to be faced by a sniper!

Sunday - morning and evening in pictures

Julia really is taller than me now, by about 3/4" (you just can't tell because I wear taller shoes)

notice Julia taking over for Ben?

making space ships

a boy and a train

At The Christmas Tree Farm

from the mouth of Ben

Ben and I were working on his math homework yesterday when I heard him mutter to himself, "Now that is just vulgar."
Vulgar?
What?!!! Since when does an eight year old boy know words like "vulgar"? Hmm. I do not think he knows what it means, but I am curious to know how it got into that little noggin of his.

A Bit Of Time Together (away from home)

Lake Tahoe Vacation

Daniel, Anna, Leitha (a friend), and I went up to Lake Tahoe on Friday. We met the rest of the family at a friend's cabin, and spent two very wonderful days with them. It was a short break from the normal routine of work, school, ministry, work, school, ..................
I only wish it had been longer!

A Boy & A Longsuffering (& Clowinsh) Cat

Apparently, yesterday was portrait time for Ben. Mom allowed him to grab the nearest prop he could find, Anna's Kittie. Some rather humorous pictures were the result!

*note: Kittie actually enjoyed the pictured activity. She was purring the whole time.

Family Vacation

A Montana Sunset, originally uploaded by Lizi Beth.


taken by Mom on July 18, 2007

Sidewalk Hieroglyphics

by Ben

Feet

Twenty Toes, Ben & Julia

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for 'Whoever will call on the Name of the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!'"

- Romans 10:12-15

Do you have beautiful feet?


It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ...
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

- John 13:1-5,14-17

How do you "wash the feet" of those around you?

A Question From Ben

"Is Ronald Reagan George Washington's father?"

Hmmm. Maybe Ben was thinking of the Bush family .... All those similar names can get confusing!

And, in further news, Ben has declared himself to be "roll-able". He was helping Mom clean the garage and found an old pair of roller skates. Now Ben is in the kitchen, sitting on his heels and scooting around. He doesn't have a care in the world!

tut, tut! it looks like rain ....

a malapropism

Ben just came running in from playing with Julia. He announced, "I need a gun! We are soldiers and we need to offend ourselves!" as he was running toward his room.

Daniel's Girl?

Ben: "Daniel, do you got a girl?"
Daniel: "No, but you would probably be the first one to know about it!"
Ben: "What kinda girl do ya want?
Julia: "One that can cook!"
Dad: "One that can fix broken heads."
Daniel has yet to answer ....

Boys

"I'm plannin' on gettin' muddy!"
- Ben

Now He Is Eight . . . .

“Ben, how does it feel to be eight?” “I don’t know!”

“Since it’s my birthday, can I lick my plate?”

“Do I have to do my school work today?”

We had a pancake breakfast (with 8 candles) for Ben

Presents? Oh goody!

- A birthday phone call from Gramma -

Dad took Daniel, Julia and Ben to the Zoo this afternoon, at Ben's request. His favorite animals were the prairie dogs. Why? "Cause they pop up an' down an' dance around an' sing."

Thank You, Lord, for eight wonderful years with our little guy.

Quote of the Day

"That's you, baby."
-ben

Ben was looking for a pair of jeans to wear, as his drawer was empty. Mom told him to look in the dryer, and he came back with his Wrangler “slim fit” jeans.

"Mom, are these the 'stranglers'?