Catching Up...Again!

When one is busy living life, it seems like there isn't time enough to document all the seasons, the changes, the progress, the fun.  It's refreshing just to go through the photos and remember the moments...here are a some of them from the last few weeks.

In September, I had the opportunity to take my class (of which Ryan is now a part) to a celebration rally in Columbus. The purpose of the celebration was to help push the Heartbeat Bill, a piece of legislation that has already passed the House and would eliminate 96% if Ohio's abortions if it became law. It was a great opportunity for us to be a part of history, and to exercise our rights as Americans and our convictions as Christians. The kids were also able to see a live ultrasound on a huge screen, which was pretty cool for them. :-)

Ryan's class at the Ohio Statehouse

Allison catches a drink from the "offering plate"
fountain at the Statehouse.

The celebration was held in the Atrium, a 'newer' structure which
connects both of the original buildings.

Ohio's congressional members stopped in randomly
(between committe meetings) to speak in support of the
Heartbeat Bill and to encourage the pro-lifers.

Dr. Jack Wilke, founder of the National Right to Life and
former president of the Ohio chapter, still carrying his black
tape recorder which plays the hearbeat of a pre-born baby.  This recorder pre-
dates all of the new technology that is so readily available today, but
has been an incredible means of influence through the years. 
Dr. Wilke, now in his 80's, is as passionate as ever and is putting
tremendous energy behind this bill.

The celebration lasted for 3+ hours, so they gave us a sweet snack
of heart-shaped sugar cookies!

What an amazing truth!  If only these were the mottos that were
taught in our state's classrooms each day!  Ohio would,
without a doubt, be a different place.

And then there were September birthdays...

Mom had a Wednesday birthday, and after having two root
canals that morning, wasn't feeling like doing too much! 
We did enjoy Skyline together before church, and McDonald's after!

Aubrey had a Saturday birthday the same week, so we partied
with her also!  This was about the best I could get when it comes to pics.
These princesses were hyper!!!

Mamaw decided to "help" all the little gals make a batch of cookies

Some measured, some poured...

and some ate the butter!

Papaw was inclined to take the little princesses and one excited prince
on a ride around the subdivision...there were probably some raised
eyebrows among the 'elite' on the street.  :-)

Grandma Burley also had a September birthday, and we're hoping to celebrate with her soon!
October 1st dawned clear and crisp, and it was time for girls and guys day out.  The guys opted for the gun show, while the girls headed north to Findlay for the craft show! 

Hot chocolate and kettle corn...two craft show 'necessities'

Panera Bread...mmmm

Kaitlynn had been begging for Panera.  She loves their soup, and
kept telling her we'd save it for a girl's day out since daddy isn't
quite into the place.  :-)

Then October 7th rolled around.  We had planned to go camping, but it turned warm and we are wimps, so we took a trip to see Uncle Adam and Aunt Valerie.  What a good time we had!  They moved into a much larger apartment this summer, and it seemed like we had room to rattle.  Greg felt very comfortable with the 10'9" ceilings!
GBS Homecoming also happened to be that weekend, and since we were in their backyard (literally), the kids were able to enjoy some of the Homecoming festivities on Saturday.

Sunny days are great for play...

And for hanging out on the deck!

Alli and Aubrey...reminds me of two little girls named
Andrea and Stephanie in a backyard on Erie Avenue...
now those are some memories!

Then came October 13th, and we finally went camping! It was basically just a weekend to sit in the RV and rest...allergies and sinuses have us miserable right now, and a little r&r was just what we needed!
Now it's on into another very busy week with work, travel, and our fall church retreat to wrap it all up next weekend!
Happy Monday!

Just a note to all of our blog readers (most of whom are sweet aunts from both sides of our ginormous families):  We have not been swallowed up by the earth or kidnapped by aliens.  We are living life in the "too fast" lane, and don't really have time time to talk about it right now.  :-)  Hopefully, this weekend will provide a little R&R and some blog time!  Until then...

Remembering...

This past weekend was one of such mixed emotion. We relished the beautiful late summer weather while camping as a family, but could not seem get away from the memories and reflections of 9-11-01. More than once, tears were flowing as we remembered the terror, the hate, the unbelievable determination of the enemies of freedom.

We explained in detail the events of that fateful morning to our children and allowed them to experience some of them through photos and You Tube clips. Listening to 911 calls from people who would be forever trapped was sickening, to say the least. If this had been an accident, how much easier it would be to accept! The idea that people plan, connive, train, and literally give their lives for this cause is beyond all reason.

In 1994, less than two months after the 1st anniversary of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, I stood on top of one of the towers, overlooking the harbor and the beauty of New York City.  I felt secure, in spite of the ongoing repairs that were taking place due to that first bombing.  Any fear that I may have experienced was simply because of the tremendous height...I've never been crazy about high places.  The last thing I would have imagined is the possibility of a jet ramming through the huge structure beneath me.

 I often wonder about those who were atop Towers 1 & 2 that September morning.  As I sat at home cuddling my babies on that sunny Tuesday, there were certainly both tourists and locals enjoying the spectacular late summer beauty from high above the busy streets of New York City...and they never would have imagined their fate.

Those of us who love life and love our country have been forever changed. We have willingly given up some of our freedoms to ensure more security. We are more suspicious and less trusting. We are more intentional and less assuming. Hopefully we are more compassionate and less spiteful. More than likely we are more fearful and less confident.

But God has another plan for us. The words of Deuteronomy 31:6 ring clear...
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
We should be aware of our enemy, but not paralyzed by him. We can live with confidence because our hope is in the Lord!

***photos taken at the World Trade Center Traveling Memorial and the Healing Field, both at Bear Creek Farms the weekend of 9-11-11.  How blessed we are by people who are carrying on such a worthy cause.

We're Off To Pilgrim Christian School!

Allison Brooke ~ Preschool

~Sisters~

Kaitlynn Ann ~ 2nd Grade

Evan Matthew ~ 5th Grade

~Brothers~

Nathaniel Ryan ~ 7th Grade

On the night of August 23rd, there were at least 4 kids in town who had difficulty getting to sleep...and they all have the same last name. :-)
The excitement of a new school year is something that never gets old. Year after year, the energy builds and we find ourselves renewed and ready to open our minds to new information and relationships. The biggest changes for our family are that Allison is now enrolled in class, and Ryan has moved to a new classroom. Everyone is acclimating well, and we are excited about the possibilities brought to us in the 2011-2012 school year!

On The Road Again...

We hadn't originally planned to take a vacation this summer, but opportunity knocked, and we answered. What a great time it was! Both sets of grandparents were able to come along, and we were blessed to spend a gorgeous four days in Mackinaw City, MI. Dad and Mom Nichols traveled with us (we were both pulling RV's), and Dad and Mom Burley were able to get a cabin near us at Mill Creek Campground. Lake Huron was just a few feet from our campsite, and we had a great view of the bridge and Mackinac Island from there. Greg hadn't been to Mackinaw since he was 14, and Dad and Mom Nichols, Kaitlynn, Allison, and myself had never been there.  We are thankful for a safe trip, and a relaxing time.  We didn't need a vacation to recover from this vacation.  Love it.

Lots of time was spent resting by the water, taking in the beauty of nature, and laughing together.

Coffee, ice cream, fudge...nightly rituals in Mackinaw City.

Still amazed at that bridge!

Allison loved the water, and was chasing her duck...they're all hers, by the way.  :-)

Cruisin' out to Mackinac Island

Touring the island by horse and carriage...for about two hours!

Check out that shoe!  :-)

One of the beautiful natural spots on the island

A free ride on big brother's shoulders...

I could handle this in my backyard...

Wild flowers, rocks, insects, lots of cool "free" stuff!

Another two hour ride, this time through the Locks in Sault St. Marie...

We went out through American waters, and back in on the Canadian side...it's the only way to get the kids to Canada without all the documentation these days!

A backed-up bridge coming into the U.S, from Canada...

Canadian shores...

Ready to head south toward home...we'll definitely be back again!

I didn't take too many pictures of local sites, and now I wish that I had. Visiting the Island is like taking a step back into time...all the historic buildings and homes, bicycles, horses and carriages...it's amazing. The people are friendly, and the pace is so relaxing. It didn't take long to scout out a favorite coffee shop and a favorite boutique. :-) A return visit will definitely be in the plan!
Hope your summer was wonderful!