I read the following today and found it meaningful. Thought you might, too.
On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln officially established the last Thursday of November as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise.” The following is an excerpt from his proclamation that I feel is especially poignant.
“But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. ...I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”
Amen and Amen! To think Lincoln penned and read those words 144 years ago...and how true the message still is. I must remember that ALL I have is due to the graciousness of God's hand...and by NO virtue of my own.
Though it sounds simplistic, we truly are thankful for you. Thank you for reading this ... may you have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Another Conversation
The last conversation and post was so enjoyable I thought I'd try it again! Here's round 2 for you:
What's your favorite thing to drink?
Nathan - chocolate milk
Robyn - chocolate milk
Seth - apple cider
What is something we can thank God for?
R: that Seffy feels better
N: that Daddy goes to work
S: for me feel better soon
What is something God made?
R: a rainbow and a tiger
S: Roar! And a twee.
N: an animal and a squirrel
R: and people
S: Where is the chipmunk?
How can you tell if two people are married?
R: Mommy and Daddy
S: Umm-cousins!
N: 'cause they stay more together than with other people
If it's a boy, what should we name our baby?
S: No, a girl!
R: Baby Joseph or Jerry
N: Smart Cookie or perhaps, maybe Timmy, but I like Smart Cookie more!
How about if our baby is a girl?
S: Sam "Sam?" Yeah, Sam!"
N: Julie
R: Flower
What color hair do want the baby to have?
R: Umm - black
S: Ummm - blue
N: Black
Mommy: Blonde!
Daddy: BROWN!!!!!
What color eyes do you hope the baby has?
R: blonde
S: Ummm, ummm - black eyes
N: Green
Mommy: Blue
Daddy: BROWN!!!
How much do you think the baby will weigh?
S: ummm - I don't know
R: like 6 lbs.
N: 2 lbs.
You're welcome to comment/email me suggestions for future questions.... :)
This week we are particularly grateful for good doctors and antibiotics. Our Seth suffered from high fevers (103 to 104 in the mornings) for five days, along with a barky cough. The fevers did come down with ibuprofen, but he was rather miserable. The Dr. first thought he had RSV, but when it was still high on Monday morning I called the Dr. back and asked if it could possibly be anything else. We were headed to Muskegon on Monday afternoon (where Dr. is) and he said they would fit us in. He put Seth on an antibiotic, not knowing for sure what it was but "obviously this is more than a bad cold." To be on the safe side, he had us get Seth a chest x-ray. We began his antibiotics on Monday evening and by Tuesday he was already perking up. On Wednesday morning he woke up with NO FEVER! Praise God! Dr. Watkins called and let us know the chest x-ray showed Seth had pneumonia and wondered how he was doing. He told us he could have "sedate activity" through the weekend. He is doing much better and is almost back to being himself.
I have new empathy for those whose children suffer from continuous illness or disease. I felt helpless with sweet Seth and wanted to HELP him in some way more than holding him, though I did love that. It was concerning to see him so lethargic and opposite from his normal energetic self. I also have new empathy for single parents. Ken and Nathan were gone on a "Prime Timers" trip to Kentucky (visiting new Creation Museum and other sites in OH and KY) from Thursday-Saturday, and it was a long haul on the homefront. Robyn was a loving big sister, getting Seth his juice, blankie, etc. (Mom - "But please don't kiss Seth" and "Can you wash your hands?") She was patient and understanding when we couldn't do the special things I told her we would do while Daddy and Nathan were gone. She is looking forward to being a helper with her new brother or sister.
In this time of Thanksgiving, I have renewed appreciation for "simply" feeling well and being privileged to experience good health. Thank you, Lord, for energy and good health in myself, Ken, each of our children, our extended family members, friends, etc. I am sorry I take that for granted. I pray for those who suffer from illness, especially our dear friend, Amy.
I'm not sure who my blog readers are. I would encourage you to express your praise and thanksgiving to our Almighty God for the health and energy that you and those you love possess! And would you, with us, pray for healing for our friend Amy?
Blessings to you!
What's your favorite thing to drink?
Nathan - chocolate milk
Robyn - chocolate milk
Seth - apple cider
What is something we can thank God for?
R: that Seffy feels better
N: that Daddy goes to work
S: for me feel better soon
What is something God made?
R: a rainbow and a tiger
S: Roar! And a twee.
N: an animal and a squirrel
R: and people
S: Where is the chipmunk?
How can you tell if two people are married?
R: Mommy and Daddy
S: Umm-cousins!
N: 'cause they stay more together than with other people
If it's a boy, what should we name our baby?
S: No, a girl!
R: Baby Joseph or Jerry
N: Smart Cookie or perhaps, maybe Timmy, but I like Smart Cookie more!
How about if our baby is a girl?
S: Sam "Sam?" Yeah, Sam!"
N: Julie
R: Flower
What color hair do want the baby to have?
R: Umm - black
S: Ummm - blue
N: Black
Mommy: Blonde!
Daddy: BROWN!!!!!
What color eyes do you hope the baby has?
R: blonde
S: Ummm, ummm - black eyes
N: Green
Mommy: Blue
Daddy: BROWN!!!
How much do you think the baby will weigh?
S: ummm - I don't know
R: like 6 lbs.
N: 2 lbs.
You're welcome to comment/email me suggestions for future questions.... :)
This week we are particularly grateful for good doctors and antibiotics. Our Seth suffered from high fevers (103 to 104 in the mornings) for five days, along with a barky cough. The fevers did come down with ibuprofen, but he was rather miserable. The Dr. first thought he had RSV, but when it was still high on Monday morning I called the Dr. back and asked if it could possibly be anything else. We were headed to Muskegon on Monday afternoon (where Dr. is) and he said they would fit us in. He put Seth on an antibiotic, not knowing for sure what it was but "obviously this is more than a bad cold." To be on the safe side, he had us get Seth a chest x-ray. We began his antibiotics on Monday evening and by Tuesday he was already perking up. On Wednesday morning he woke up with NO FEVER! Praise God! Dr. Watkins called and let us know the chest x-ray showed Seth had pneumonia and wondered how he was doing. He told us he could have "sedate activity" through the weekend. He is doing much better and is almost back to being himself.
I have new empathy for those whose children suffer from continuous illness or disease. I felt helpless with sweet Seth and wanted to HELP him in some way more than holding him, though I did love that. It was concerning to see him so lethargic and opposite from his normal energetic self. I also have new empathy for single parents. Ken and Nathan were gone on a "Prime Timers" trip to Kentucky (visiting new Creation Museum and other sites in OH and KY) from Thursday-Saturday, and it was a long haul on the homefront. Robyn was a loving big sister, getting Seth his juice, blankie, etc. (Mom - "But please don't kiss Seth" and "Can you wash your hands?") She was patient and understanding when we couldn't do the special things I told her we would do while Daddy and Nathan were gone. She is looking forward to being a helper with her new brother or sister.
In this time of Thanksgiving, I have renewed appreciation for "simply" feeling well and being privileged to experience good health. Thank you, Lord, for energy and good health in myself, Ken, each of our children, our extended family members, friends, etc. I am sorry I take that for granted. I pray for those who suffer from illness, especially our dear friend, Amy.
I'm not sure who my blog readers are. I would encourage you to express your praise and thanksgiving to our Almighty God for the health and energy that you and those you love possess! And would you, with us, pray for healing for our friend Amy?
Blessings to you!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A Conversation with the Kids
Since most of you aren't able to be in our home on a regular basis, I thought I'd relay a conversation we had tonight. Mom asked the (random) questions and typed the answers, verbatim. Our home is a place of many words (recently we've been working on taking turns and not interrupting) and many smiles.
"What was something fun you did today?"
Robyn: "Playing at Mrs. Rivard's and collecting rocks and all that good stuff."
Seth: "And I jumped in the leaves!"
Nathan: "I played a game in math and we went on a leaf hunt."
Seth: "And I wanna watch a movie because I'm sick."
Robyn: "I have a princess shirt on!"
What's something you like to wear?
Robyn: "My princess clothes!"
Seth: "I like to wear my motorcycle shirt with an alligator."
Nathan: "My new jet shirt."
What's something you don't like to wear?
Nathan: "This shirt." (new one Mom bought two days ago - nice)
Seth: "I don't like wearing anything because I'm sick."
What's one of your favorite songs?
N: "The Na-Na song." (Every Move I Make)
R: "We are Awana CUBBIES! I like the hopping part! and Jesus Loves Me."
S: Ummm- "We are Sparks for Jesus! Zaccheus and Only Day" (Only A Boy Named David)
What is something you do at church?
R: Reading stories
N: Singing songs - "LA LA LA!"
S: "I like - well, Mom - there's too much kids in my class." (good thing we're building a new church! Apparently our 2 year old even feels it's necessary!)
What food do you like to eat?
S: "PIZZA! Pepperoni Pizza! I like to eat soup too."
N: "The food we ate tonight! (Good answer, son! Tonight's menu: homemade curly noodle chicken soup and King's Hawaiian rolls) And goulash!"
R: "Spaghetti"
What's a food you don't like to eat?
N: "Tomatoes"
R: "Spaghetti" (?? Girls can be fickle)
How old should someone be when they get married?
N: 100!
R: 6
S: 6 or 5
How old is Grandpa Richards?
R: "37"
S: "31" "Is that pretty old?" "Yes."
N: "71" (our smart cookie)
What's something you like doing at Grandma Vanderwest's house?
R: "Petting DIXIE! I like petting Dixie!"
N: "Watching her sew that blanket." (crochet)
S: "I like to play puzzles and doing the Strawbewy Showtcake puzzle."
How old do you think Grandpa Vanderwest is?
R: "Six years old"
S: "Ummm- 31"
N: "61"
Wow - According to the kids, Grandpa V wins the youngest contest, though both Gpas are the same age!
S: "Mom - you're so pretty!" He spontaneously says this to me and "Dad, you're so handsome!" to Daddy.
What does Daddy do at church?
S: He sings songs! And he works things. I like to go to the new church.
R: Ummm - Go in his office.
N: He works and gets money for us!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
R: A Cowboy!
S: A Frog!
N: A policeman or fireman. Mom, when do policemen and firemen go home?
With kids as cute as these, we ought to have more!!
"What was something fun you did today?"
Robyn: "Playing at Mrs. Rivard's and collecting rocks and all that good stuff."
Seth: "And I jumped in the leaves!"
Nathan: "I played a game in math and we went on a leaf hunt."
Seth: "And I wanna watch a movie because I'm sick."
Robyn: "I have a princess shirt on!"
What's something you like to wear?
Robyn: "My princess clothes!"
Seth: "I like to wear my motorcycle shirt with an alligator."
Nathan: "My new jet shirt."
What's something you don't like to wear?
Nathan: "This shirt." (new one Mom bought two days ago - nice)
Seth: "I don't like wearing anything because I'm sick."
What's one of your favorite songs?
N: "The Na-Na song." (Every Move I Make)
R: "We are Awana CUBBIES! I like the hopping part! and Jesus Loves Me."
S: Ummm- "We are Sparks for Jesus! Zaccheus and Only Day" (Only A Boy Named David)
What is something you do at church?
R: Reading stories
N: Singing songs - "LA LA LA!"
S: "I like - well, Mom - there's too much kids in my class." (good thing we're building a new church! Apparently our 2 year old even feels it's necessary!)
What food do you like to eat?
S: "PIZZA! Pepperoni Pizza! I like to eat soup too."
N: "The food we ate tonight! (Good answer, son! Tonight's menu: homemade curly noodle chicken soup and King's Hawaiian rolls) And goulash!"
R: "Spaghetti"
What's a food you don't like to eat?
N: "Tomatoes"
R: "Spaghetti" (?? Girls can be fickle)
How old should someone be when they get married?
N: 100!
R: 6
S: 6 or 5
How old is Grandpa Richards?
R: "37"
S: "31" "Is that pretty old?" "Yes."
N: "71" (our smart cookie)
What's something you like doing at Grandma Vanderwest's house?
R: "Petting DIXIE! I like petting Dixie!"
N: "Watching her sew that blanket." (crochet)
S: "I like to play puzzles and doing the Strawbewy Showtcake puzzle."
How old do you think Grandpa Vanderwest is?
R: "Six years old"
S: "Ummm- 31"
N: "61"
Wow - According to the kids, Grandpa V wins the youngest contest, though both Gpas are the same age!
S: "Mom - you're so pretty!" He spontaneously says this to me and "Dad, you're so handsome!" to Daddy.
What does Daddy do at church?
S: He sings songs! And he works things. I like to go to the new church.
R: Ummm - Go in his office.
N: He works and gets money for us!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
R: A Cowboy!
S: A Frog!
N: A policeman or fireman. Mom, when do policemen and firemen go home?
With kids as cute as these, we ought to have more!!
Friday, November 9, 2007
A Walk in the Woods
We have a treasure near our home. Just a few miles away is the Howard Christensen Nature Center. Paths, ponds, boardwalks, creeks, trees, hollow logs, animals scittering, and leaves crunching all call to us. So, we ventured for a walk last Sunday afternoon.One of the caretakers was there, so the second entrance was open (which usually is not). Good fortune was ours; we encountered new scenery!
Ken proposed a game of hide and seek halfway through our journey; what fun for all! Ken would call, "Where are my kiddos?" to hear Seth answer, "Wight here!" Jessie wasn't too good at that game, either, as she would "help" the hiders (or was it the seekers?) by going and sniffing them to make sure they were ok.
Ken proposed a game of hide and seek halfway through our journey; what fun for all! Ken would call, "Where are my kiddos?" to hear Seth answer, "Wight here!" Jessie wasn't too good at that game, either, as she would "help" the hiders (or was it the seekers?) by going and sniffing them to make sure they were ok.
Of course Mom thought it would be great to get a cute fall shot of all the kids. I have a new theory - trying to get all your children to look good in the same picture is overrated. My new theory: get cute individual shots of them in action and use PhotoShop to make a collage and voila' - good pictures of all. My other theory: who cares if they're all looking sweet and smiley; the action, real-life shots sure show the personality!
A fun family outing we'll be sure to repeat soon! If you live anywhere near KC, don't overlook this wonderful resource!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)