Proof that he climbed in there voluntarily (Kate actually caught this picture)

NOT a bad idea, Ben... NOT a bad idea......

This doesn't give the best idea of what it will be like in the end (esp. since those 2x6's will eventually be a wall covered in cabinets) but... I had to show a bit of my husband's awesomeness since he did such a good job on the future-family-room windows. And there's my little girl vacuuming sawdust. What a helper. :)

This pic is for my mom b/c she couldn't come see it the other night. The new windows in the kitchen... just a tiny taste of what it will be someday -- and notice that it's not a picture of "things with no people." ;)

She wanted me to take a picture of the finished product to put on the blog

Kate working diligently on her first paper

We sat down to start homeschool and look who popped himself right up on to the bench. :)

Today is a BIG day for Kate!! It's her 6th birthday AND her first day of Kindergarten at the Anderson Academy for the Extremely Gifted and Adorable. :) She wanted to start school ON her birthday.

Happy bday, sweet girl - and happy first day of school.

Numbers 11:4-6
Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving and the people of Israel also wept again and said, "Oh, that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at."

"Obsessing on an unmet desire takes away our joy and delight in all that God has provided for us TODAY... If we focus our thoughts on looking only at what we hope tomorrow will bring (or what yesterday had), we will miss the pleasure of today. Life is made of todays, not tomorrows. What do we have today? Whatever it may be - a good friend, a hug, a freshly baked bagel, sunshine, a place to call home - can bring us joy because it is God's gift for our enjoyment. Taking joy in the little things is... CONTENTMENT."
- Lydia Brownback

Oh... I love you cheeseball...

A little background on this picture... our little Ben LOOOOVES to help Todd w/ the remodel. He's so funny! If you give him the option of a pile of toys and a few tools in a half-demoed room, he'll pick the tools everytime. And he loves just following Todd around "helping." It's pretty cute. He even has a preference for certain tools... Todd has a tool bag w/ various sized socket wrenches and screw drivers in it. Ben will pull each one out, look at the tip to see if it's the one he wants and if it's not, he puts it back in the little slot where it belongs... and he just keeps going until he finds the one he wants. It's pretty funny to watch.

ANYway... here's Ben helping when Daddy's not even home. And as you can see, he even got into some paint. I had to take a picture b/c I knew someday it would be funny (it wasn't funny at the time)

Kate, you crazy girl - why would you WANT to get in this picture?

Ben fell down right before this picture and Eliab didn't like getting his picture taken, I guess. It makes for a hilarious picture though, don't you think??? :D

Hi Eliab!

Sarah and Sam came over the other day to visit and brought Eliab (of course). Ben was curious about his baby cousin... or was it the pacifier he was interested in? :)

I forgot to get a picture of Jesse's first day of school (he was able to go back yesterday). Sorry. :( But I do have a slightly humorous story...

On the way to school, we had prayer time and Jesse's prayer went something like this...

"... and Lord, help me to have a good first slash third day of school." I couldn't help but chuckle. :)

I forgot to express my heart of DEEPEST GRATITUDE to my mom who is loaning me her (very nice) little camera until I can get a new one. Thanks, Ma!!! :)

Close-up of the cheeseball :)

Notice the little cheeseball... I told all the kids to get together for a picture and he wiggles his way right in there, turns around and yells "DEEEE!" Made us all laugh...

All 5 of 'em!
Jesse's being a good sport and wearing a smile (and the un-matching clothes that he slept in), Kate hasn't brushed her hair and picked out her own clothes (that's her favorite shirt, by the way - Misty bought it for her and it says "girls rock" ~ see post for 3-14-08)... and the next post will be a little story about that little shrimp b/t Sam and Isaac...

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Sam's in big bad Junior High (7th grade) and Isaac's in 6th. Jesse is in 4th grade this year but he is sick today - on his first day. He's very disappointed. :( Hopefully we'll get a "first day of school for Jesse" picture tomorrow morning.

Here's a cool action shot that Isaac captured

Okay... look at this picture for a minute and then hear me say very emphatically... I CANNOT BE THIS OLD!!!! Look at him! He looks so... BIG! I remember a picture of my brother Sam that looks almost exactly like this (if I can find it, I'll post it)... and now Sam's all grown up and has a BABY of his own!! Lord, help me!! It's all going way too fast!!!

Great Grandma brought popcorn to Sam's first soccer game. I don't know if she knew that it's Ben's absolute favorite!! Here they are... sharing so nicely. :)

I'm not sure what the story is behind this picture - but it's cute.

Great Grandma and Grandpa bought a house w/a swingset in the back yard... and left the swingset for their great grandchildren. I think it's so sweet. :)

This is Kate at the church picnic on Saturday... thoroughly ENJOYING Icees and Cotton Candy. Mmmm...

(p.s. - Thanks, Faith B., for letting me steal your pic) :)

Isaac is my baby-lover. Here he is adoring his new baby cousin, Eliab. Awww...

Who me?
I'm just the innocent cute little baby brother...