Thursday, June 24, 2010

Summer Days at Home

After all that productivity with the strawberries, I was ready for a lazy day.  I insisted on nothing from the kids so that I could read, write letters, study, etc.  It was rejuvenating for me.  This is what they created: a make-shift camper on Daddy's trailer that he now hopes to sell.  (Buyers??!?)  They had a telephone, table ... oh, I forget it all.  But, they were quite content playing on the trailer all morning.  They asked if they could please eat lunch there.  Why not, I thought?!?  So, I made tacos and we carried it down to have a picnic in the "camper."  (Emily is still at camp.  Marci was working for Mrs. Campbell.)
Jared insisted I take this picture so that you could get the "full view."
Today: no more laziness and playing!  I am on a mission to reclaim my house after all year of ignoring cleaning for the sake of school.  Today we tackled 7 windows inside and out!  And, they were all quite enthusiastic about cleaning their windows, mind you.  At least for the first half hour :)!  Well, I had to "tomato stake" one of them next to me for a couple extra windows for whining and complaining, but we did it! 
My most enthusiastic window washer -- love that sparkly clean window ... and that little grin!
We made it to Logan's class on animal tracks by 4pm.  Logan is studying to be a teacher and is preparing his portfolio this summer with excellent activities for the kids.  I'm very grateful my kids get to learn from a gentle, soft-spoken young man instead of ... well, me!  ;)  And, he has their rapt attention!
The class!  Quite the age range and he's doing a superb job.  Go Logan!
This evening we made it back to Montrose to catch the missions conference at church.  The kids had a great time touring different countries in the basement with Mr. and Mrs. Coleman.  Wow.  Upstairs the perimeter was lined with displays of the many different ministries based in Montrose, Pennsylvania displaying how they are reaching out to a world who needs to hear about Jesus. It was so awesome to have an ecumenical worship service.  Reminded me of my days at LeTourneau -- a great missions conference challenging us to pray for God's leading regarding where he'd have us serve him.  Eager to hear Mr. Newbrander's message this Sunday! 
Dan made it home with his new gooseneck trailer.  I really miss Emily who is away at camp. Blogging is therapeutic for me.  She enjoys getting the mail and photos from me, I'm sure!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Camping in Iowa

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Never a Perfect Family...

My favorite family photo from the Nebraska photo shoot.  You just have to love that littlest one who is aggravating his sister.  I would love a big one of this, but ... that face on Briella?!?  I guess this is an accurate depcition of family interactions in the Rose household.

Strawberry Day

STRAWBERRY PICKING
Our Green Acres - Owego, NY
Titus and Jared were left alone on the deck with knives while I stepped inside to help Marci jar up the jam.  What was I thinking?  Titus was going to prove that the knife was really dull.  It sliced his thumb really well, just like it does tomatoes.  I couldn't get it to stop bleeding.  I called my favorite nurse, Aunt Jenny.  She said to just tape it up tight.  He's sleeping now.  Maybe I'll super-glue it tomorrow. 

Fresh Strawberry Pie - a June tradition
Ahhhhh, the sound of lids popping.  A clean kitchen (mostly).  Mission accomplished.  Looking forward to sleeping REALLY well tonight to the soft pitter-patter of raindrops on the metal roof of the garage just outside my window.  Fresh air.  Sweet little guinea pigs sleeping in my basement.  All are tucked in.  Emily is having fun at camp.  Dan is still driving to Kentucky to get his gooseneck trailer.  God is good, life is good.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

No shame.  I'm trying to win a copy of the book Radical by David Platt.  See this: http://compassinmyheart.blogspot.com/search?q=radical

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Summer Music and Entertainment
Had a great afternoon with Mrs. Gaster and Odessa :).  Loved the music and the giggles!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Bible Bee Bonfire - Friday, June 11, 2010
Look what happened when heavyweights Grandma and Emily sat on the log!  Hee hee!
I think I'm laughing about Grandpa and Grandma fussing over their love letter correspondence!


And, my favorite photo of the entire evening.  Titus needs alot of coaching and Grandpa has been excellent to provide that for him.  I love this shot!
We had our Bible Bee Bonfire and reviewed what we learned from studying Colossians this week.  It was an excellent time of sharing about impactful letters.  Jared pulled a letter Grandma Jane had written several years ago.  I found something from Dan from 1989!  The kids enjoyed hearing it!  Grandpa told us his definition of "mushy."  I'm sorry, but you'll just have to ask him yourself!  "I love you very mush!"  :) 

I'm grateful for the Bible Bee and the materials it is providing to families this year.  If you haven't signed up, consider this a plea to do so!  We are enjoying the inductive study of Colossians and the reminder to step up on the hiding of God's Word in our hearts.  It's been so good ... taste and see!
SWIMMING LESSONS - ELK LAKE POOL - 2010


Briella takes a jump!  She loves swimming :)  Briella got to take with her good friend Bridget!

Jared's sweet face for his dear big sister, Emily!


Titus is so focused he sucks in his cheeks!


Floating on his back, thinking about straight knees!

My favorite seniors.  Boy, I'm going to miss you guys!!  Praying for each of you to be filled with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way, bearing fruit for every good work, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you might have great endurance and patience and joyfully give thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of Light.  May God bless you abundantly.
DANCE RECITAL 2010
Eager to see the show!
My little "Bugle Boy"
And, then the beautiful ballerinas...  Wish you could hear the music!
Emily received her 8 year award!  My, how the years do fly by...
Our good friends received the scholarship for a free duet next year!


And another good friend won the Teacher Award!  Dance on, girl!
Don't forget the flowers from Daddy -- :)
Beautiful ladies :)
The girls...
She loves this, don't question that for a minute!
And, it was all I could do to get these photos uploaded today.  No energy to expound upon our delightful evening...