The Jaxx

We are a baseball family.

One of our favorite outings:
cheering on our West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx at Pringles Park.


The crowds are sparse, but the baseball and fan games are so much fun.
It's unfortunate more people aren't out to support our team. But, an entire seating section to ourselves does have its advantages: the kids are free to run and explore . . . and catch foul balls!
(We came home with 2 after tonight's game!)

There are 6 home games left this season.
"Take me out to the Ball game . . .root root root for the home team "

(Yes, we have a Tiger Cub Scout in the family!)

Young Lives Academy 2010-2011

Let school commence.

We are excited to teach, learn, and explore with our children: Young Lives Academy 2010-2011 is officially in session! We clearly hear God's call in our lives to home educate all five children - this is the best preparation they can have as they mature into Christian leaders. We trust God will again touch the lives of our young ones throughout another successful school year.

Hendrick's curriculum:

Tapestry of Grace (Year 1: Units 2-4)
Spelling by Sound and Structure
Primary Language Lessons
Handwriting Without Tears
Championship Chess
Math-U-See
God's Design for Life (Science)
Artistic Pursuits (Art)


We are also look forward to teaching Davis to read this year!

Missing

Davis' portrait of Mommy is missing something important . . .

CLOTHES!!!


Despite being "R-rated" - his drawing is impressive.
If you are looking for a nude figure drawing, I'm sure our 4-year-old artist would be more than happy to create one for you!

ONE

Happy FIRST Birthday Kolpin!!!

Our One-Year-Old:

. nods his head "yes" . pulls up to a stand . loves to eat . crawls on his knees .
. dances by bobbing his head and torso . pulls hair .
. is attracted to legos . loves bread . wears 12 mo. clothing . gives open-mouthed kisses .
. tries to assist with diaper changes . chews on his own fingers . gives"high five"and giggles each time .
. talks: "ay-yay-yay" "a-dah", "dadadada" "babababa . is on the move .
. sleeps 12 hours at night . will attempt a few steps with assistance . loves to nurse .
. proudly shows us his toys . blows zurberts . enjoys knocking down towers .

Hard to believe it's been a year since his amazing home birth. God has protected Kolpin from the beginning - our boy is a blessing. This little one brings our family such joy. We enjoy his sweet snuggles, cute giggles, and delightful sounds - he has been the perfect fifth baby. His siblings absolutely adore him, and he is very forgiving of their "hands-on" attention. We are so thankful for his first year. We are excited to watch his personality emerge as his continues to grow. God made Kolpin special - we are thrilled to see what HE has planned for Kolpin's future!

"Special K", "Mr. K", "Po-pin", our beautiful boy, Kolpin - Happy Birthday!

Yes, he's a stud

Twin Cities

Following our Purdue graduation, the great state of Minnesota was our home for two years. The land of 10,000 lakes was the place of our first jobs, our first home, our first baby, and our first church family.

For 5 years, we have been wanting to return for a visit . . .This past weekend, we (finally) made it happen!
We made the 1,750 mile* (32-hour) round-trip trek through Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Kentucky for the wonderful opportunity of attending a wedding - and as a huge bonus, got to spend special time with family and friends. We didn't have nearly enough time to spend and didn't get to visit with everyone - we'll just have to plan a second trip!

This weekend was a trip-down-memory-lane.

We first visited our lovely first home in the sleepy, historic, lake-side town of Waconia, MN. We had been the second family to own the house - built in 1900 - just a few blocks from downtown shops and Lake Waconia.
We stayed the weekend with our dear friends Cassie and Derek (the best people for the job of welcoming our brood) and enjoyed a houseful of 9 kids ages 6-and-under! Together we have 2 six-year-olds, 2 four-year-olds, 2 two-year-olds, 2 babies, and a bonus three-year-old! The kids had a blast: playing with transformers, watching Star Wars, creating master driveway race tracks, playing on the playground, and visiting Mall of America and Lego Land. Thank you for a special weekend - your kids are delightful and you two are awesome!!! We wish we still lived close-by.


Together we attended the wedding of N & K, former youth group kids from our Minnesotan church. N & K have a wonderful story and are a beautiful couple. We couldn't be more happy for them and are excited to see where God is taking them - the church is blessed to have them as Youth and Childrens Directors. Their wedding was so much fun and full of special touches - the kids especially enjoyed the ice cream bar! It was so great to be present to celebrate with them and their families - you mean so much to us, we love you!

This gorgeous picture taken by Angelicjewel Photography.

While in the Twin Cities, we were blessed to share a special dinner with Amy's uncles and cousins. As always, it is a joy to spend time with family.

Sunday morning, we attended our favorite Minnesotan church: South Metro Vineyard, where we were greeted with so many warm and familiar faces and celebrated as 12 people were baptized!


On our way home were were generously hosted for a delicious dinner at the home of a childhood/high school friend living in a quirky house (with lots of character!) on the isthmus of Madison, Wisconsin. We loved visiting, reconnecting, and meeting her wonderful husband. Thank you J & J - it was wonderful spending time with you (mosquitoes and all!).



Hendrick was thrilled to visit the land of his birth. He wants to move back!

We are truly blessed with wonderful friends and family - thank you for your hospitality and generosity!!!
We return home feeling incredibly loved and missing Minnesota more than we ever realized.
We hope we can make a return trip soon.


*We have managed to put 10,000 miles on our van in under 3 months!

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

. . . three kids in the pool . . .

Up A Tree

Hendrick's new favorite "Pirate Play" spot . . . up a tree (or ship mast)

Outdoor IN

An Indiana outdoor weekend . . .

Thanks to Uncle Dann and Aunt Julie for hosting our family and giving us a wonderful Summer weekend. We had a perfect two-days filled with outdoor energy-expending activities and special treats (puppy play, popsicles, pizza, and picture coloring). We hiked at Ritchey Woods, visited a playground, played board games and hide-and-go-seek, and picnicked at a water splash park.

We are always thankful for time we get to spend with Dann and Julie (and for Euchre partners!).
The kids (as always) had a blast and were so sad to leave.

I guess we'll have to come back for another weekend getaway!

Woof!

Our dogs balance each other and are amazingly good with children. Chaska, our old Lassie dog, is the mother - incredibly gentle and watchful over our children; protecting them, herding them, always nearby but at a respectful distance. Olive has remained the playmate - she plays like a puppy, keeps Chaska on her toes, dances with the kids, endures endless hugs and kisses, swims like a champ, and actually obeys the little ones.

God assigned people to be rulers over His creatures on earth. We have a responsibility to care for God's animals. We are thankful for our dogs' companionship - we hope that through them, our children will learn responsibility as care-takers of God's creatures.

Wakeup

The littles share a room. In the mornings we hear joyful "talking" and squealing. Maegli fills Kolpin's crib with toys and sometimes climbs over for a visit - she is a good big sister and he adores her. It warms our hearts to watch (and listen) as they delight in each other and nurture a growing relationship. We pray their relationship will continue to grow as they do.

Kolpin's new trick has aided their wake-time interactions . . . he can pull up to a stand!

Numbers

I know age is just a number


Aren't I still a little girl?
It seems like yesterday
I can't possibly be 30

I couldn't wait to turn 10
I couldn't wait to turn 20
I can't possibly be 30

That sounds so grown-up
Aren't I still young?
I can't possibly be 30

I've been married 8 years
I have 5 kids
I am 30

I am thankful
I am blessed
I am 30


I hope to wear 30 gracefully
-Amy


This made my day . . .
Real Age says I'm only 20!

Me

I don't do everything right
I forget to put God first
I get overwhelmed
My kids get dirty
My laundry piles overflow
My yard is littered with toys
I stay up too late
I don't show people how much they mean to me
I am shy
I am stubborn
I try to do things my way
I lose my temper
I have more ideas than time
My kids whine and fight
I have to remind myself to let my kids be kids
I take naps on the weekend
I don't shower everyday
My kids make messes
There is crayon on my table
I fall behind on my cleaning list
There are crumbs on my floor
My kids don't always listen
I don't call my family and friends often enough
I don't snuggle with my kids enough
I don't always make my children do their chores
Some days we don't do school
I forget to write thank you notes
I have unfinished projects


That (imperfect) me
today I'm 30 - yikes!

Living Life in the Grace of the Lord
And thankful for it!

-Amy

Ssssssnakes!

Ring-Necked Snake

This morning, we appreciated the Message brought to us at Family Worship Center -
about how God desires to restore humanity to the "Pre-Snake Bitten Condition."
How ironic that we found some of our own crafty serpents today!

Critter-catching is a favorite pastime for our kids - we are fortunate to have a home situated on a large wooded lake-front property teaming with critters:
frogs, toads, deer, skinks, bugs, and snakes!

Hendrick has been determined all summer to catch a snake, and has found success catching babies.
We have been proud temporary keepers of a slightly poisonous baby ring-necked snake, a baby rat snake, and are currently are housing (in a bucket outside) a baby garter snake.

We hope our kids are learning to safely appreciate and care for God's amazing creation.
Some snakes are safe, some are not, and you always have to be careful - you don't want to get bit!

Garter Snake

Maegli with her own rubber snakes

Our 8th

8 Years Ago, we were wed.

8 years ago, we had one year left in college and grand plans for our future.

A lot has changed in 8 years.

We were carefree, young and in love. I never imagined a life in Tennessee, with 5 kids before the age of 30. Adoption was a fantastic but impossible dream. Home school was not even a consideration. Homemaking, organic food, strict financial budgets, family camping trips, endless laundry, t-ball games, home repairs, 15-passenger vans, and poopy diapers were not even thoughts.

I am thankful for the road on which God has led us. I am thankful that God's plans trumped our own - praise God! I am thankful for our life together. I am thankful for our strong marriage.
I am thankful for our FIVE kids.
Our life together is immensely richer because of God's perfect plan for our lives.


The road has not always been easy,
but through the bumps we have learned to rely on God and support each other.
I think we make a wonderful team . . .
and with God's help, we're growing a wonderful team!

I love my spouse. I am blessed and privileged to have him as my leader and partner on this journey.
It's been a fun ride.

I can't wait to see where God moves in our lives next.
Are you ready? Hold my hand, let's jump in together!
Happy Anniversary!
-Amy

Blowing Bubbles

We love blowing bubbles!

(And taking bubble baths!)