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!!