More winter stuff

We're now officially under a blizzard warning with an actual temp of 6. So much for my goal to NOT cancel church services this winter. Our 40 mph winds today are quite impressive. The artwork that the snow and wind create is still a unique thing for Bama people to behold.

The Lake effect snow machine has begun

[note: this post is written mostly for a "southern" audience--for you Michiganders, it's old news]


Tomorrow is December, so it stands to reason that it might start snowing sometime soon. Today, the lake-effect snow machine started cranking out its stuff. In spite of all of the winter weather drama here, nothing matches the enthusiasm of Alabama's James Spann when there's a tornado warning. My most memorable December weather event ever was certainly Spann's live tornado coverage from December 2000 when Tuscaloosa was hit with an F4? (click here!)



Today, the boys could care less about forecasting or meteorology. Once they see the white stuff...they bolt outside to start snow-sledding, snowball fighting and snow fort building. Here's Daniel enjoying the "novelty."

The Death of a Geo

Stephen was driving down a country road (bringing Paul and Thomas home from school) when an SUV crossed the road in front of him. They were supposed to stop and either just didn't, or did, but then pulled out in front of him (didn't see him or thought they could make it??). He slammed head on into their rear quarter panel.

We're so grateful for God's protection. Seatbelts and airbags no doubt spared them injury. While the accident was not weather related, the snowy conditions may have actually helped as Stephen was driving slower than normal. He was probably driving less than 55 and could easily have been going 65 in that area had the weather been good. The reduced speed would have lessened the impact.

So, we're very thankful. We'll try to remember that as we face the hassels of insurance and replacement!

Daniel and Andrew in costume

Devotions gone crazy

[Steve is hijacking the blog]—We we’re reading a devotional tonight at the supper table about God’s command to Joshua to pull out the flint knife and circumcise the Israelites. (The topic had to do with commitment). This naturally required me to explain what circumcision was to our eight sons (the ones who didn’t know). Not that our supper table is ever formal, but as you can imagine, this conversation erupted into a little bit of chaos. After I explained to our fraternity that they had all been circumcised as babies (which caused some eyes to get large), one of the guys clarified to 7-year-old David that “yes, a piece of skin was cut off the end of his [whatever you call it in your family]”. David immediately responded with confidence that he was certain that “the end of his was still there.” Great encouragement among the brothers during family devotions!

The snow is falling....

and my last post had kids in the pool on July 4th. Guess I'm a bit overdue to update, huh?

Obviously a lot has happened since then. Here's a month by month overview:


July - One highlight of that month was the week we spent in Hastings, MI at Winding Creek Camp for Family/Youth Camp. Everyone enjoyed camp and the change of pace was nice. We were thrilled to have the use of a cottage all week and enjoyed "camping" with no tents!

Abby came home right after we got back and it was wonderful having her with us. We got to work on wedding plans and even found her wedding dress! Fun time for Mom!

August - Simeon joined us and we spent another week at the cottage at Winding Creek. It was great spending time with no agenda and just enjoying being together. We played games, went swimming, played putt-putt, and some of the gang even spent time tubing down the Thornapple River (in the rain!). Those times together are suddenly a lot more precious now that the kids are leaving home!

And speaking of leaving home, Joshua made his exit from the nest as he headed off for his freshman year at Indiana Wesleyan University. We miss him, but are happy that he's doing really well.

September - Paul and Thomas started attending "real school" the day after Labor Day. Big changes for all of us, but it's been a really good thing. They're doing great!

Philip and Sam started back in the homeschool band and orchestra. Philip plays cello in intermediate orchestra and is 1st chair in percussion for the intermediate band. He's also playing a big bass drum in preparation for next summer's marching band season. He still plays piano a lot, too. He's really becoming quite the musician!

Sam plays trumpet in intermediate band and is finding a bit more competition for chair position than he had last year, but is doing great!

Andrew picked his intrument - trombone - and is plugging away at learning in the beginning band. His arms a little short to play all the trombone positions, but they won't be learning them all this year anyway so he has a year to grow out his arm!

October - was a beautiful fall month here in Michigan. The seasons are so nice. (Remind me I said that on a cold icy day in February.) This is our biggest birthday month. Philip turned 13, David turned 7, and Thomas is now 15.

November - came in with a return to summer weather! But, of course that quickly changed and today we are having our first "real" snow. It won't amount to much, but it does signal what's ahead.

Now on to what everyone really wants....pictures!!

July 4th Weekend

We've had a fun July 4th weekend. The weather has been perfect for enjoying outdoor activities. Here are a few photos:

David, Philip, and Daniel in our backyard pool

On Uncle Mark's lake

Peter

The older guys jumping on the water tramp

David

Pictures

Andrew and Sam in front of their cabins at Kids' Camp


Paul's Kittens - 3 weeks old


One at 4 weeks


David and Andrew with our neighbor, Donna, in front of
her hollyhocks - the largest I've ever seen!

June

Here's what's been happening with the Jones family:

Abby is in Oregon. For some strange reason she seems to like being out there! :) She and Simeon are doing concerts together - every Sunday a different church - and she has a job at a store (something like a T.J. Maxx is how she described it). She's having a great summer!

Joshua is in Canada where he's in the EXALT choir once again this year. They'll leave this weekend for a 10 day tour around New England. He'll come back early July and hope to work as much as possible before heading off to college the end of August.

Paul turned 16! Due to our move, we got a late start on the extensive MI requirements for licensing, so he's still a few months away from getting a driver's license. He's doing really well behind the wheel and we're logging the necessary practice hours as quickly as we can. The day after his birthday his cat had a litter of 4 kittens. Everyone's enjoying them! The biggest thing in Paul's life right now is that he was accepted into our local zoo's summer teen volunteer program. He's loving being at the zoo, working behind the scenes, and getting to be around the animals. It's definitely "his thing"!! :)

Thomas - is logging lots of miles on his bicycle these days. He's doing an Algebra class this summer to get ready for the transition to the charter school in the fall, so he needs lots of time on his bike to clear his head after studying! He's been hoping to find a job - maybe on a local farm - but it hasn't happened yet. He really wants to work and will do a great job, so we're hoping and praying something works out for him.

Philip and Sam - are marching!! Our music program continues in the summer with marching band. They spent a week in band camp and have already marched in their first parade. Philip played cello during the school year but moved to the more parade-friendly cymbals for the summer.

Peter and David waiting to see the parade start











Andrew is looking forward to going to camp this week. He and Sam will have a great time, I'm sure!

Peter, David, and Daniel are just enjoying being outdoors. They spend most of their days riding their bikes, jumping on the trampoline, "helping" our neighbor in his farm, and just being boys! There's never a lack of dirty clothes with them around!

Another highlight for June was our Gorveatte family reunion. Most of the family was able to come to Michigan and be together to celebrate Nanny and Grampy's 50th Anniversary! We had a lot of fun and made some special memories.

Left: cousins John and Josiah Gorveatte with Paul Right: cousin Joel Gorveatte with Thomas and Joshua (That's Uncle Mark standing)

Left: Philip, Seth, Andrew Right: Jordan, David, Kate

Mom, Samuel, Daniel, Peter, and Grampy

Ruth Neyman, Tracy and Joel Gorveatte

And yet another benefit of a large family...

Family Volleyball!

(and Daniel and the engaged daughter weren't available).

Summer Sunset in Burnips

We're in that time of year where we see sunsets after 9:30 pm. Within a matter of seconds, the colors morph from bluish pink to reddish orange.

Josh Graduates!

Josh graduated from Byron Center Charter School as valedictorian! We're proud of you Josh!

Marching with Chuck Taylors!

The valedictorian speech has the principal laughing!

They're Engaged!!

It's official!! Simeon and Abby are getting married! It's bittersweet for Mom and Dad, but Dad did consent and had given his blessing. We are thrilled that she's found a wonderful man and have no doubt God has great plans for their future.


The proposal happened at Disneyland and Simeon had made arrangements for a photographer to capture the moment. Here he is down on one knee.



She said, "Yes!", much to his relief! :)


Disneyland gave them VIP treatment for the rest of the day.



We'll share a date as soon as it's set, but are planning next spring.