Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Long Time, No Skype!

Seth finally has Skype!  We had been communicating via Face Book, but Skype will be much better. We will be able to see his face more often. We were finally able to talk to him by video phone last night.  That was very enjoyable.  Molly kept yelling, "WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME!!??"  Seth would tell her that he was right here in the living room and that he was stuck in the computer, but she wasn't going for it.  He says he's now climatized to the desert weather there in 29 Palms (also part of the Mojave Desert).  I must confess, I don't think I have fully climatized to Washington weather; I lived in San Berardino County where Seth is right now and I would love some of that heat up here.  He says he needs to study hard in his computer class, which he has compared to learning rocket science at times, but for the most part likes what he's learning.
 


We are hoping to see Seth in August.  He will also be turning 20 in August.   We miss Seth, but don't worry about him much.  I give glory to God for this.  After all, how can natural parents (especially a mother) not worry about their children!  Our word for Seth is that he gets into his vocation with his whole heart.  Why not!  He's gonna be doing this for a few more years at least.


"So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
                                                                                                          Isaiah 55:11

Friday, May 27, 2011

Kid Logic Friday - Lazy Boy

So we just got done with our Bible reading and we were talking about our plans for the day.  From there we began discussing our plans for rearranging the living room.  Everyone had opinions for where the couches and chairs should be moved. Mom suggested a new spot for the La-Z-Boy.  Sam, puzzled, raised his hand and asked, "What's the lazy boy?"  Mom pointed to the recliner that Peter was sitting in.  Sam, still puzzled, pointed to Peter, "That's the lazy boy???" 

Post by Peter O'brien

Monday, May 23, 2011

No Squeamish Girl Here!

I couldn't resist posting this picture in light of the last post.  Molly was holding a frog one of her brothers caught for her when it all of a sudden jumped on her nose.  She was quite delighted!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Turtle Time



Oogway the Red Eared Slider Turtle

One of our family pets is a turtle.  Molly loves to hold him these days.  She does very well with pets and is not one of those squeamish girls who shy away at the sight of  bugs, snakes, and other creatures.


On one of her first times holding the turtle (she must have been just barely two), the turtle bit her finger and wouldn't let go!  When the turtle finally did let go she had a HUGE triangle mark on her finger for the longest time.  I thought she would never want to hold it again, but this wasn't so.  She does bring up the time it bit her just about every time she does hold it though.



The reason Molly is missing her shirt by the way, is because we actually had nice enough weather yesterday  for everyone to play in the sprinkler.  But of course, Molly doesn't like to keep her wet clothes on.  She's only three so she is still allowed.....................................barely   : )



David took the picture of the turtle at the top of the post.  He likes to use my camera as often as he can. His picture came out pretty good!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Fire Pit Nights



Since spring is here, FINALLY, and the weather is getting a little warm; my family has been starting fires in our fire-pit. We have a lot of scrap wood that comes from just about everywhere - our old chairs, unused two-by-fours, bamboo, etc.  So, Wednesday night, we broke out the marshmallow bags, got some blankets, and enjoyed a fun night around a blazing, orange, incredibly hot campfire! While we were out there, my Mom got some nice pictures of us and the fire, which you can view below :).

Fire Pit CampFire


Peter and David (with a marshmallow face!)


Sam wondering about roasting dandelions


Dad and John taking turns on the guitar


This is David's picture of the stars. A happy sight!


David enjoying one too many.


Molly like her marshmallows too.

  
Do you like marshmallows? What is your favorite way to eat them? Crispy, raw, gooey? In my opinion, burnt takes the cake (or should I say marshmallow).  If you don't know how you like them, I've just presented to you a lovely excuse to start a fire with your friends and family, along with a few bags of marshmallows, and find out! :)

      - Amy O'Brien


Friday, May 13, 2011

Kid Logic Friday

The other day we took a trip to the grocery store.  My main reason for going was to pick up a couple rotisserie chickens for a friend.  I had a few other items to get too so I didn't want to get the chickens until last so they wouldn't be too cold by the time I got home.  Knowing my memory, I asked the kids to not let me forget the chicken.  As we were on our way to the checkout, one of the kids (I won't mention who, since they are "older") reminded me to not forget the Rototille ChickenThat was a new one for me, but what was really humerous was this somewhat intellectual child of mine was completely serious!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Our Second Son

John @ 17 yrs.
 
It's so easy to post about the younger children with all of their funny sayings, personalities, and perspectives of life. I even have posts about the eldest, but not many about the children in between.  John has been on my mind lately - in a good way.  I was thinking how thankful I am to have him home.  Not home as in living in this house, but home as in his right mind, as in upholding the direction that his dad and other Godly men in the church give and in upholding God's Word; as in giving to his younger brothers and sisters by talking with them - not just at them.

John's Baptism 2006
    
     Anyone that knows John knows he is not necessarily a man of many words.  (Even when he was born I asked the doctor if he was o.k. because he didn't cry-he was very quiet!)  He still doesn't yak like some in our family, he gets to the point in what he wants to say. His middle name, Steven, is fitting because he looks the most like his dad out of all our children.  We call him the "mad scientist" on the piano.  He loves the
challenge of learning the most difficult piano pieces-the "busier" the better.  If he tries anything new, whether it's sports or a new instrument, he makes it look as if he's done it for years.


John playing his favorite instrument

      Most children love to be around John.  He seems to have a way of making the simplest things fun. For example:  Yesterday he came home from work and Molly was so excited to see him.  After saying their greetings John says,  "You want to watch me take my shoes off?!"  And Molly jumps up and down with excitement, "Yaaaaaah!!!!"  She thought this was the greatest event of the day!


John and Molly
   I'm thankful for Godly men and women who help us in the raising of our children and for God's Word which tells us what is normal for children, family, life, etc. 

John teaching a song

".....being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."   Philipians 1:6

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Kid Logic Friday

Several of us were having a conversation on all the different eye colors in just our family alone.  Peter has a light green color, Sam has a dark green, David, Amy, and Seth have blue eyes, and John and Molly have a more hazel colored eyes.  Towards the end of the conversation I asked David where in the world he got his mouth-he's got such "fat lips!"  David, without any thought or hesitation says, "Oh, I got that from the dentist when he made my mouth numb that one time."

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Take One Every Hour

Sam, unfortunately has had the flu for the past couple of days.  He's a hard guy to settle down even when he's sick so when he spent the day on the couch I knew he was really out of it.  I checked his temperature by giving him a kiss on his forehead and told him this would help him get better soon.  After about an hour I gave him another and told him, "It's been an hour, can't forget the kiss, this will really help you."  Being so out of it, he didn't reply to my comment.  I did this several more times throughout the day with still no reply from Sam, but that was o.k., I knew he wasn't feeling well at all.  It's very rare for Sam to be so quiet!  At one point I made him drink Gatorade because he hadn't eaten anything since early that morning and he didn't want to eat or drink. I didn't want him to get too dehydrated.

Evening had come, Steve was home and everyone (except Sam) had just finished dinner and "retired" to the livingroom.  I soon hear this little voice calling me.  It was Sam.  Did he want dinner? A drink? No, he wanted me to know it had been an hour now...........Yes, my eight year old wanted another kiss to help him get better.  He really made my day  : )