Seth's Spring Piano Recital

As usual Seth did a great job at his recital. This was a close one though. We almost didn't make it because he got into poison ivy again. His face was starting to swell, but he decided he had worked too hard to miss the recital over a little swelling. 

He played two songs. The first, which was a duet with his teacher, was "The Chicken Dance". "Pure Imagination" (you know... the charlie and the chocolate factory theme song) was the second. Of course he changed it up a little and made it his own. I loved it!

Well, shoot! I tried to upload the video, but for some reason it will not work... I think the file is too large because we recorded both songs together. Oh well, you will have to trust me when I say it was really good. And no, my opinion has nothing to do with me being his mother!

This is a good looking group.

Seth you did a great job and we are very proud of you.

What We've Been Up To...

Wow! I can't believe its February already. After the hustle and bustle of Christmas we have finally settled back into somewhat of a normal routine again. The past month has been filled with many good things like...

 

Training our new puppy, Phinehas. He has been a great addition to our family. As you can see even our first born (canine), Mordecai, has grown to love him too. Don't let the above photo fool you though... Mordecai is still the top dog around here and he's not about to let some little scrappy puppy come in and steal his place. He reminds Phinehas of this quite often!

In January, Joshua and Seth started attending Civil Air Patrol meetings. (You can check out their website here.)They have decided to join CAP and I am so excited. CAP is like military for kids. They teach leadership skills along with many other important skills. The boys go to a meeting once a week and practice drills, learn new skills, have PT (physical training). They will be entering as cadet airman basic, but have the opportunity to move up the ranks by passing written and PT tests. As they progress ranks they have more and more leadership responsibilities.

CAP is actually affiliated with the Air-force and can in some situations be sent on real life missions. If they so desire they can start learning to fly at age 14. The CAP cadets run the local air-show that comes to town once a year. They plan and run everything! Adults are there to supervise and for safety reasons, but the cadets pretty much do it all.

The boys have already had the opportunity to take a class on first aid and blood born pathogens. They are going to learn soooo much. I wish we had discovered this years ago. The boys have officially joined and are waiting to receive their id numbers. They have purchased their BDU'S (battle dress uniform) and are learning how to wear them and how to press them. This is no joke...the pockets have to be pressed completely flat and the coat and pants should have no wrinkles.

Joshua wouldn't let me get a picture of him ironing... so this is what I got. He was being silly. Along with signing up for CAP Joshua has decided to take some classes at our local community college. They have a program specifically designed for homeschoolers that want to earn some dual enrollment credits before they graduate high school. He has taken the placement test and is looking into the EMS program. We are still waiting to hear when he can actually begin classes. We found out that through CAP he can earn credits also for EMS training. They have an EMS division within CAP. I know the skills and knowledge they obtain through CAP will help them now and in the future.

Sometimes as moms we can worry about our children who seem to have not found their direction, but then it just happens. The Lord brings it all together. One of our favorite verses in the bible is... And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Now that doesn't mean that we wont have bad things happen to us or that we only experience GOOD things. What it does mean is that we can have confidence that whatever IS happening to us is in God's hand and He is working ALL of it for our ultimate good. Our number one goal is to live a life that brings glory to Him no matter what we are going through. So we continue to draw near to Him and trust His plan for our lives.

2011 Christmas Recital

One of my favorite events of the Christmas season is Seth's Christmas recital.

Months before December he starts practicing his song. This year he played "Hark the Herald Angel Sing". As usual he added a little something extra to make it his own.

Here Seth is waiting for the recital to begin. Slightly nervous, I think.



But still all smiles.



It's hard to get a good picture during the performance, so after it's over I have him go and pretend to be playing.



Here's the whole group.



And here he is with Mrs. Denise, his instructor.

Seth, you did a great job and looked soooo handsome in your pinstriped suit. I love to hear you play and I love having a home filled with music.

Seth's 13th Birthday Party!

Happy 13th birthday, Seth! It was time to celebrate!

Joshua helped light the candles on the cake. Again, you wanted Cinnabon cinnamon buns for a cake.

Daddy "delivering" the cake.

There were so many candles on your cake I had to stick some on the side. Your cake looks like a tank.

Wonder what a thirteen year old boys wishes for?

As soon as you saw the candles on the cake you knew they were the trick candles that wouldn't stay blown out. We were all laughing because you blew them out on the first blow. They never relighted. So you were still tricked!

Time for gifts.



A gift card to a local sporting goods store.



A bag of candy.

And last but not least... A new bible! You have been wanting a new bible for a while now. I love to see you reading the word on your own.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

You had a great birthday surrounded by good friends!

Happy 13th Birthday, Setharoonie

Well, it is official, you are now a teenager. We like to refer to this age as young manhood. Although some moms and dads shutter at the teenage years, we have come to really appreciate this special time in our kids lives. It can be a great blessing!

Here you are not yet 24 hours old.



One of your favorite places to be... Bapa's leather chair.

Your big brother was always eager to take care of you. Here you guys were watching TV together.

Here you are practicing sitting up.

Sometimes you were a little stinker... Like when you were suppose to be playing with your toys. I left the room for a minute and this is what I came back to.

This is a really cute picture of you wearing your daddy's hat.



One of my favorite baby pictures of you. I love your joyful smile!



After enduring colic for the first 3 months of your life, we cherished your smiles most of all.



Here you are at your one year birthday.



You loved your brother and always enjoyed playing with him.



Here you're around 4 years old.

I really like this picture of you at Nana and Paw-paw's beach house. You were dancing around the room with those dancing flowers on your head. From the very beginning you were a performer...

and you still are to this day. You continue to amaze us with your creativity, musical talent, and your determined spirit. Since you were 4 years old you have pretty much known what you wanted to be. We can see how God has blessed you with many talents to get you there. You have such a sweet spirit that is always eager to share with others. We continually thank the Lord for you. What a special blessing you have been to our family! Happy Birthday, buddy.

Our Braces"ville" journey

Today we arrived at Braces"ville". I have mixed emotions upon our arrival. I'm sure if you have been there you know what I mean. Some are fortunate enough to not have to go this route, but for those who are not, it is bitter-sweet. Thankful for the opportunity to travel this road, but shocked at the heavy taxes collected along the way. I know after our two year journey we will be glad we took the trip. And with two more boys I have no doubt we will travel these roads again.

Seth's Spring Recital

Here are a few pictures of Seth's spring piano recital. I love the recitals. I love hearing Seth practice and practice his music for the recital. I just love to hear him play!

Here Seth is waiting for the recital to begin. He seemed a little nervous this time for some reason. He played wonderfully. The piece he played was "Our Detective Agency".

As usual Seth rearranged the piece to make it his own. I love that his teacher gives him the freedom to make a few changes here and there.

Seth also has composed several songs himself. I especially like to hear those songs.

We are extremely proud of your hard work and dedication this past year. Keep up the good work!

Masters End of Year Celebration

Well another year of Classical Conversations has come and gone. Seth and Noah were really looking forward to the End of Year Celebration. This year their tutor took them to Celebration Station to reward them for all their hard work.

Seth was excited to finally be big enough to ride the big go-carts by himself.



Go Seth! Watch out, Logan is hot on your trail!



Noah had fun riding the smaller go-carts...

He didn't quite meet the height requirement for the big go-carts. He was bummed, but it gives him something to look forward to next year.

It was a beautiful day. They enjoyed getting soaked on the bumper boats.



It was girls against boys.



I think the boys lost!



Well, he wasn't completely soaked.



Mrs. Sherri riding with Noah on the big go-carts.



He's ready to go!



Looks like they are having tons of fun.



Here they are waiting for another turn.



Now Noah will try his hand at golf.



Noah the score keeper.

hmmmm, wonder who will win?



Now it's Seth's turn.



Batter up!

ahem, I mean FOORE!



Noah riding the bumper boats.



Wow! What a fun day. I can't believe another year has gone by so fast. Good job guys!