Our trip to Boston

So, where do I begin in sharing about our adventure? This was our first trip to the east coast- I did visit Vermont once, by myself with a 12 month old baby. I didn't see much between naps. And I was pregnant, I napped too.

Picture study in front of the Harvard Coop, in Harvard Square. We actually stayed in Cambridge this visit.

One of the students gave us a tour of Harvard.
This is the exit out of one of the gates. I don't
know Latin, but I think it says "Truth" at the top, then "Christ and the Church". We were so impressed by Harvard, and charmed by the town of Cambridge and impressed by the
Harvard Students. We were there the week before they began "shopping for classes", and we
witnessed many interesting sights- several
couches carried down the street, microwaves,
pots and pans, a television, mattresses...we were surrounded by dorms in Harvard square. I was most impressed by the the modesty in dress I saw exhibited by the students, it was refreshing.

Here we stopped for lunch on Boston Harbor.
I had the best clam chowder I have ever had.

"One, if by land, and two, if by sea".
This is Sky in front of the Old North Church
and the famous steeple where
Paul Revere's lanterns hung to warn the country
of the British troop's movements.
At 191 feet, it was Boston's tallest steeple and
is Boston's oldest standing church building.
It is still used as a church today, we were able to
go inside.
(yes, I got Sky to ham it up for me, he is so obliging...)

So, how did we end up in Boston? We'll, it's kind of an interesting story... Sky was looking around for cheap air fare to far-away places, and found some. We ruled out Ireland, it would have gotten expensive, we were looking for somewhere interesting to visit, and somewhere we could blend with the Church. We decided on Boston because two young Brothers in the Church- who we have had the pleasure of having over to our house every Sunday night for 2 years- were going to Boston to serve full time on the campuses there. We purchased our cheap tickets and made plans to visit them this fall. Funny thing happened as our trip got closer, the boys were sent to Texas for training first...and were still there when we began seriously planning for our trip- er, to see them!

We decided this was a good time to not only visit with the Church in Cambridge, see Boston, but to make new friends too. We were so blessed to be offered hospitality with a sweet couple who are serving full time in Cambridge. We met the students this couple minister to, and attended an evening fellowship of students they have in their home every week. We had dinner one night with another incredible couple, the husband who also labors serving the students on the campuses. It was a really sweet time, we feel like they are all family now. Our new friends in Cambridge are hopefully going to come stay with us this winter for our Winter Bible conference.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
-John 13:35

life is an adventure, that is why we hold hands.

oh, the places we go

I have been absent from blogland this past week, because Sky and I were on a trip and I didn't have access to a computer.

Can you guess from these photos where we went? -OC Mom can't play, because she already knows...

This was our first trip to this region, and we really, really liked it. We were gone 6 days, and even though we had a great time and made some great friends, and of course ate some great food...it is so nice to be home!

So, come on- guess! Where were we?

just add water

Two weeks ago we indulged in a day in the sun with the OC Sitcom crew. I keep dropping names, but again, I have no photographic proof. You all are thinking they are my imaginary friends, aren't you? I do, however, have lots of pictures of my kids!
*Here we have a view of Corona Del Mar beach,

*The boy, busy in the sand- he spends the bulk of our time at the beach digging in the sand...

*fun in the surf

* mugging for the camera

The beach isn't a far drive for us, and yet- we don't visit often. I think this summer we went 3 or 4 times. I do have to say that it is a much easier trek now that my kids are getting older.
It was way crowded...we are planning to go back once school is back and session and we can have the beach more to ourselves.

it's a cruel kindergarten jungle out there

Thought I would share some of our refrigerator art. Amie graced us with this composition.

Notice the realistic blood covering the cheetah's face after, what I suppose- a good helping of antelope.

Just keeping it real here.

It's fairly obvious

I loved these chickens! Next time we are in the market for hens, I want one of these!

Just a reminder to not be unequally yoked. They looked uncomfortable and really not in a good mood. Just saying. It's in the Bible for a good reason.

See the results? - He doesn't talk anymore, and she has let herself go...it's pretty obvious. Read your Bible.

No sweetie, we can't take it home.

So. Ca freeways...it's every man for himself out here in the mean OC.

This is part 2 of our day at the fair...see part 1 *here*

Fair perspectives

Took the family to the fair last week, it's become a tradition. And yes, we pretty much go for the food. Sigh.

Sadly, here is an example of what happens when a group of young sheep hang out together too much, unsupervised and directionless; they go baaad.

Notice the hooded robes. They are known as the uuu clan. It's alarming and disappointing.
And saaad.

Ewe talking to me??
yeah, I've got your number, "fluffy"....

Dad's the fun one. Nobody wants to walk with mommy anymore.
But, it's all fun and games- until somebody gets hurt...then they come running to me...

-this is part 1 of our day at the fair, see part 2 *here*

abundant living

Last night we enjoyed a family dinner outside on
the front patio. The crowning touch to the meal
was our home-grown corn-on-the-cob.

Sky has had a garden each Spring for
several years, and the harvest is usually only
one or two plants each year..the rest a scene of deadly dryness and disappointment.

This year was the best year ever, great success with many plants. We've had several salads from different lettuces he has planted, a bumper crop of tomatoes-different kinds, even green
tomatoes;great for saute-ing with olive oil and putting on blt sandwiches. We've got onions for fresh salsa, our own garlic, asparagus, artichokes,
green beans (the little kids like them raw),
strawberries, raspberries, squash, pumpkins
and of course corn.

We decided last night that
we need to find more space for more corn....

I am truly amazed out how much food we got this year from our little garden. We are thinking that next year, if we stagger plantings, we can get
much more. And it all tastes so wonderful, even
the lettuce was better. I felt like Ma Ingalls, going out to the garden to cut lettuce for our salad.

His banner over me is love

I know my husband loves me, and that he sacrifices for me and our family all the time. His life is one of giving his all to his family. I know that he would lay down his life physically for us. I know this, but to really know this- as a concrete fact laid out before you..it is stunning and humbling.

Tonight I went for a walk through our neighborhood, I do this often. Tonight, Sky decided to go with me-which does not happen often, and we were attacked by two big dogs. We came out of it without a scratch, just very scared and jittery- I am just so proud of how my husband acted.

The dogs looked part St. Barnard, they were pretty big. They came running fast, out of a house and rushed us-barking and growling. I fully expected them to stop half-way across the street, as I have seen aggressive-type dogs do before, we were across the street on a sidewalk infront of another house. It happened so very fast, faster then I could have ever imagined. As they rushed at us, we began backing away-fully expecting them to stop or slow down when they saw we were not approaching their "territory", but they kept coming. Sky headed for the next street (we were at a corner house)..I guess his logical mind looked for the quickest route out of there, I at first turned my back as I moved away-thinking to show them I was not challenging them or a threat. I was moving towards a house and thinking of climbing onto a car in the driveway-but it was all happening so fast and I suddenly realized I had no time to do anything. The dogs were now within reach, I had turned to face them now..telling myself not to run...and I realized that I was helpless and that I was going to be bitten. I started screaming, I so surprised myself, I had always wondered if I would be able to scream in an emergency moment..I am really a quiet person. As I started screaming, Sky came running in front of me and started kicking the dogs. He was wearing shorts, I screamed louder in panic because I knew he was going to be hurt. The owner came running and calling after my first scream, as Sky started kicking- the dogs sort of froze in surprise when I screamed, and then they ran home when the owner called them.

I have never been so scared and helpless before. I always thought I could handle a situation like this. There was nothing I could do, they moved so fast..no place of safety to get to, no weapon.

I was so proud of my husband. He didn't even hesitate to come to my defense.
My husband is awesome.
I was going to title this "Army of one" because that is how he came blazing in to my rescue. But I think the bible verse sums it up best.

He's the man.