We love you, Stan and Genie!

Several years ago, our lives crossed paths with a couple who needed the Lord. Their children were already grown, and so I never met their kids. My dad introduced them to Jesus, and they were never the same. They are passionate people, and when they met Jesus, they sold out lock, stock and barrel. Their lives and volunteerism have touched many.

My parents have since moved away, and Stan and Genie have moved several times as well. But they still all keep in touch. They called mom and dad Thanksgiving weekend to say hi, but missed each other.

The next time they spoke, the tone was much more somber. This time Genie was clinging to a photo of her daughter who had tragically died that day.

Today Stan and Genie said one of many goodbyes to Tina. They were joined by 20,000 other mourners who gave Officer Griswold and her comrades a hero's memorial.

We never know what tragedy lies around the corner for those in our lives that we love...or for ourselves for that matter. I'm so glad they have Jesus to comfort them, and I'm so glad they have the Body of Christ to be His hands and feet.

We you join me in praying for Stan and Genie DeLong today?

Shopping, Celebrations, and Symphonies

'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the home,
Every creature was scurrying to get it all done.
There were events to attend and gifts to be bought,
Birthday parties to hold and baked goods to be wrought....

This is always our busiest week. Two birthdays, and a world that decides it is best to get all Christmas events out of the way the first ten days of December.

We celebrated Riley's Birthday on Saturday.


My kids have a thing these days for drawing their own pictures on their cake. Riley wanted a medieval theme, and drew the best Gifford Coat of Arms he could do with food color markers on frosting.


Again, my camera is misbehaving. You would never know that at one time, my family saw great potential in my photography skills.


Yes, that *is* a snow ball sling shot!

We celebrated Bill's birthday on Sunday.


Yes, another French Press!!


My wild-eyed man with his birthday pie - Jeff Davis, of course.


....and then there is Audrey. Sigh. She is getting so big. She is really starting to coo and smile. The cousins had great fun with her yesterday. If you can't tell, her little onesie says, "Who needs Santa? I have grandparents!" Too cute!

Saturday night, we took the kids to North Idaho College for their annual Christmas concert. They did so good at Battle of the Bands, that we decided they were ready for this. We soon found out that our oldest and youngest thought this was an experience that would cause death. They did survive, but they made sure we knew they didn't enjoy.

Hayden was a convinced that one of the songs was sung in pig Latin, and Riley was very concerned when we sang "Don we now our gay apparel"; but overall it was a great success.

We later asked the kids what their favorite part of it was.

Hayden: The part where we got to sing.
Ian: When Mrs. Price sang (one of his teachers - ahh).
Riley: The box drum! (No surprise there.)
Clayton: When we got a candy cane and got to go home.

Last night, we planned on going to Journey through Bethlehem. The kids were so looking forward to it. It is, however, an outdoor event. It is also in Spokane. We left early, so we could hit a couple of Spokane stores first. When we walked from the van to the mall, we suddenly realized something: it was COLD! Not just a little cold...not just bundle up good and you'll be fine cold - but you'll freeze your face off in a matter of seconds COLD. It was so windy, and 1/2 the kids were in tears before we got to the door.

We really wanted to go, but we decided that our skin would indeed freeze off, and there would be no joy in having the kids see frozen dead animals and frost-bitten bible characters....if it wasn't even canceled.

Two of the munchkins were very sad, but Happy Meals make almost everything better.

So today we wake up to 8 degrees. Riley left his clothes on the heat vent last night which will be good for his clothes, but bad for their room temperature....and off we zoom into the second busiest week of the year!

An Invitation

Join us at Those With Young this month!

First Day of School '09

Today was the first day of school. We've been gearing up for days. The most important thing this weekend was shoelaces. The kids all wear uniforms to school, so things like shoes show a definite sense of individuality. Ian needed a haircut (and I just can't get his right by myself), so we headed to the mall where we hunted down the best shoelaces a few bucks could buy so they could express themselves.


Clayton started 7th grade today!! He is at Lakes Magnet School (formerly Lakes Middle School) in downtown Coeur d'Alene. It has gotten a full remodel over the summer and will be a magnet for health, science, and art. His first year of changing classes and lockers with padlocks.





Riley started fourth grade today. His teacher doesn't know what he is in for. Asher, Riley, and Josiah were all put in the same class. No one has ever done this on purpose before. But Mr. Vaughn is a military man, and I think he'll handle it just fine.


Ian began second grade. He was so ready for school. Yesterday, was spend labeling supplies. I kept asking, "Do you keep these or turn them in? Do you keep this and turn it in." He finally just rolled his eyes at me and said, "Mom! I'll just handle it when I get to school. You don't know what you are doing. I do."



Ian gets to sit by Danielle. heart. sigh.

Hayden had his first day of kindergarten! My baby! He was so excited to join his brothers at Sorensen Magnet School for Arts and Humanities. It was hard for him to understand that he didn't get to go in the morning. He had to wait until after lunch. And it was especially hard for him to understand that on the first day, he only got to go for an hour with his mom. He must have ran around the house for two hours with his backpack on, waiting for the time to leave. :)


Everyone had a great day, though. I think it is going to be a good year!

Preschool Graduation

The day I never saw coming...when the last one graduated from preschool!
Here is a tribute to Hayden!

Memorial Day

Bill and I both worked on Memorial Day, but we had friends from Phoenix (who now live in South Carolina) that were vacationing in Montana, that we REALLY wanted to see.

So...we drove to Missoula for dinner! It was great to see Avery and Laura (and Cracker Barrel is always good too)!

Clayton's Birthday

Clayton turned 12 this month! We followed the annual tradition of having 1170 boys to the house to play. Well, it wasn't really that many. But it always feels like it.

At Clayton's first birthday, we made a dinosaur cake. For 12, it was an electric guitar. For his 1st birthday, he got things like a picnic table and inflatable Tigger. For his 12th, he got things like a machete and enough money to buy his own i-touch.

When I turned 12, I got an alarm clock with a telephone that sat on top. I could plug it into the landline. With his i-touch, he can text, e-mail, get on the internet, and make calls with i-call - anywhere he can tape into Wi-fi. Gracious!