Category Archives: Photography

P365 – Day 106 (Yo-Yo’s from Norway)

The relentless pace of this Project 365 drives me to take pictures (at least ONE) daily. My children and other fans keep me blogging practically daily. The look Joshua gives me in the morning when he discovers I haven’t blogged (which has only happened ONCE or TWICE since I started) is heart breaking. Okay, it’s amusing and gratifying (keep ‘em hungry I always say) at the same time but serves to keep me on the straight and narrow path of blogging.

samuel and daniel

Cousin Samuel and Daniel May 2006

I’m not very good at approaching thing in a balanced manner. The idea that I could take a picture (and therefore still fulfill the basic requirement of the Project 365) and NOT blog on it, is very difficult for me to grasp. Tim tells me I can take a day off from blogging now and then but all I hear is “Wah, wah, wah” like he’s Charlie Brown’s teacher. Of course, I know what’s really going on. He just wants to get me off the blog so HE can do some writing. Some people are so devious they’ll use anything in their power to steal a blog.

samuel and daniel

Samuel and Daniel as Indians in the Nisqually Historic Re-enactment, April 2006.

All of this (way too long) is to say I just can’t let Day 106 fall into obscurity. I simply HAVE to blog on it. I took the pictures. I have things to say (I heard that :snort: Tim). Heaven forbid I let there be a lapse in the blogging days.

Whew, it feels good to just get that off my chest. Now I can go on to post a very short blog on Day 106.

Daniel got a package from Norway. Yay! The Cousins live in Norway.

group of missionaries

A bunch of Nisqually Missionaries.

The Cousins were here for all the birthdays last year. Samuel and Daniel spent many hours playing together and plotting sleep overs. Only good things come from Norway (in our very limited experience).

As soon as Joshua saw the package he announced, “It’s a yo-yo.”

daniel's package

What could it be?

Okay, I have very strict rules in my house about presents. You are not allowed to give away secrets. You are not allowed to feel packages and guess what they are. You are, under no circumstances, allowed to tell the birthday person what someone else got them. This is a line that we DO NOT CROSS. The fact that Joshua would tell Daniel that there was a yo-yo in his Norway package was a serious offense!

what is it?

This looks suspicious!

I immediately took Joshua aside for a lecture and possibly some push-ups. Birthdays are sacred events and infringing on gift secrecy is a big deal. From the push-up position Joshua maintained his innocence. “I just guessed. I don’t KNOW what’s in there.” Since Joshua is generally considered a trust-worthy and honest young man, we decided to take him on his word (and let him out of the push-up position).

Imagine our shock when, indeed, Daniel’s package from Norway contained a YO-YO!!!!

It IS a yo-yo!

All eyes flew from the yo-yo to Joshua, who immediately burst into laughter. “I didn’t know! I didn’t know!” He protested (between guffaws). “It was just a guess. Really, you have to believe me.”

laughingmore laughing

Thankfully Daniel is a kind-hearted boy and doesn’t hold grudges. He forgave Joshua’s indiscretion, whether it was real or accidental, and went straight-away to try out his new yo-yo. The rest of us, however, are still a bit miffed. I shudder to think what The Cousins are going to do once they read this blog. It’s a good thing Joshua’s birthday isn’t until October, he has plenty of time to redeem himself. I can just imagine what kind of package Joshua COULD receive (those Vikings were some intense warriors).

Kathy

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P365 – Day 115 (Middle School)

Joshua’s Middle School Small Group came to our house this evening. It was quite an honor to be chosen as the host for the night. The standards were high. The e-mail from one of the leaders said,

All we ask from our hosts is:

1) A godly example of a Christian home
2) A place to meet
3) A snack

I imagine #1 was important to the leaders but not something the 7th graders particularly care about (or even notice). #2 was high on the list for both leaders and the students. #3, however, was the real killer. Gotta have a snack (or more than one if possible).

We’re talking about teenagers. Boy teenagers. The kind that come through, eat all the snacks in the pantry and then wonder how soon dinner will be served.

I bought a large bag of chips. There was a half cup of crumbs left by the end. Joshua made a delicious looking pan of brownies. The younger children were so excited. They just knew there would be extras left over and they could all have a snack before bed.

Ha! What silly thoughts! As if nine 7th graders and two youth workers would walk away from the house while there were still brownies left in the pan. I think it’s pretty much part of the contract they sign going in to middle school.

“I, Joshua, do solemnly promise to eat all the food that is placed before me as well as the food placed in front of my neighbor (if he is so foolish to close his eyes during prayer time).”

The boys were loud and boisterous although Joshua says they were surprisingly subdued this evening (ah, a matter of perspective perhaps). I put on headphones and drowned out the noisy sound of chip crunching and brownie slurping.

I did manage to get a picture or two before the horde departed.

middle school

It’s wonderful to have a church family and a group of adult Christians who care about your children and wish to see them grow in their walk with the Lord. The snacks are just a perk!

Kathy

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P365 – Day 114 (Sweet Sarah is Sick)

Sarah (age 4 1/2) was sick today. She had a mild fever and a sore throat. Poor little one. She slept in, lounged around for most of the day, played just a little bit and then fell asleep watching a movie (must have been an action flick). It sounds like such a great day, I’m trying hard not to be too envious. Can I have all of that without the pesky fever and sore throat?

sarah

Sarah plays a quick game on Tim’s cell phone.

I took thorough advantage of her sleepy/snuggly state and grabbed her for some yummy time rocking in Tim’s super comfy chair.

Through it all, however, Sarah was careful maintain a proper sense of fashion. She had on a little pink summer dress as a night gown. I told her to get dressed this morning but she just looked at me, overwhelmed and weary. I realized she wasn’t feeling well so I suggested she just stay in her pj’s for the day.

The next time I saw her she had on white tights and a hot pink fuzzy sweater over top her night gown. It’s important to keep up appearances, even when you are feeling a bit down.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 113 (A Guy and His Wheels)

I’m fairly certain this is the conversation that went on at Julee’s house this afternoon.

Chandler: “Hey, Yo, Mom! I’ve got a great idea. Let’s ride on over to Mrs. E’s house and pick up some of her kids (she’s got enough there to spare a few). I’ll cruise along in my stud-mobile and you can walk along side, looking pretty.”

Julee/Mama: “You got it, Little Buddy, let me make the call and we’ll be on our way. I have to tell you, Chandler my good man, that shirt is totally working for you. Love it!”

Chandler's wheels

Chandler (holding out hand): “Thanks, Darling! Can I get a drink to take along with me? Something frothy and cold. I know you can make it happen.

See, I told you! Lots of kids and this isn’t even all of them. Let’s take these two little ones home with us. Mrs. E. won’t even notice they’re gone.”

chandler and the kiddos

Chandler (a slight grimace of worry on his face): “You know, Mom, I like that girl. I mean she’s pretty cute (almost as good looking as you, Doll) and she did take good care of me last time I came for a visit, but really, she needs to take her hands off my cruising machine.”

“Sarah, respect the perimeter around the convertible, will ya! Thanks, you’re a love!”

And with that, Sarah and David were off for a “ride” with Chandler. I know, for a fact, that they were appropriately impressed by his cool wheels.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 112 (Little Girls and Butterflies)

Sarah and her friend Miriam in their Sunday School class this morning.

miriam and sarah

David’s caterpillars decided to emerge this weekend. What excitement! We put a little dish of sugar water in the netting this morning on our way to church. When we got home we decided to release the butterfly into the great outdoors. David kept telling us we had to find flowers. I tried not to wonder at his eyes since there were flowering bushes all over. Tim handled the great butterfly migration.

butterfly outsidehanging the netfly away home

The butterfly fell, fluttered its wings and then gently flew off. I couldn’t help but think of us and how much we resemble a butterfly in our Christian walk. We start off as slow, plodding creatures, barely able to see the world around us. We find ourselves wrapped in this strange cocoon as Christ transforms us. It feels confining and different and even painful at times. Then, oh, then, we emerge as new beings. Able to fly and soar and see everything in a new and glorious light. Now we are beautiful.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Kathy

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