Cranberry Classic Photos

Cranberry Classic Swim Meet

The kids swam in the Cranberry Classic this weekend. The video below is of Chan swimming the 50 breaststroke on Saturday. Usually this is his least favorite race because there are so many ways to get disqualified in it. For example, you have to touch the walls with both hands, you can't accidentally do a scissor kick, you have to watch how many strokes you take in the beginning pull out. It is way more complicated then it looks. Both He and Avrielle did a great job. Overall, I think dropped time in every event they swam which shows that all their hard work and effort is paying off. Sometimes practicing is hard work and swimming laps over and over again isn't a ton of fun, but it's days like this when they see their improvement that make it all worthwhile. If you want to pause the music to watch the video, just click on the blue music box on the sidebar and then push pause in the upper right hand corner.

Chandler Swimming the 50 Breaststroke

Thanksgiving Feast

A Week of Thanksgiving,Teas and Trials

It has been a while since I last updated because we have been super busy last few weeks. If you scroll down you can see all the different pictures. Here is a quick update for those people who I don't get to talk to all the time. Last Monday, David's Dad fell at home and is now at a rehabilitation nursing home. He is beginning to feel better as of yesterday, but all of the family was kept really busy last week figuring out the best way to help him long term. David's aunt also collapsed just a few days ago, and the doctors are still trying to figure out what happened to her. Our dear friend Kent Richardson had complications from his surgery and was in ICU this week. My friend Caroline lost her mother. Katja called last night and said that my grandma was in a lot of pain because she is not getting circulation to her feet, and she wanted to take her to the hospital too. Our family has felt pretty stretched lately with our own trials as well as bearing the burdens of others. Is is so hard to see people around you suffer difficulties. The good news is that the Lord promises us that when we are weak, He is strong. He is a refuge, and stronghold in times of trouble. We can cast our anxiety upon Him because He cares for us. I don't like hard times, but I do enjoy the comfort and peace of knowing God is sovereign, loves me and has a perfect plan that He is fully able to carry out for my good and His glory.

Mattie's 40th Birthday Tea

Mattie has been one of my best friends since I was 8 years old. We grew up next door to each other, and I could say so many nice things about her and share so many funny stories that I would be blogging forever. I will say one thing though. Because she was three years older than me, she would always say, "Do as I say, not as I do." For example, she would smoke and tell me not to, or she would go to a party with people and then tell me not to hang around them. As we have gotten older, she can now say with confidence, "Do as I say and as I do." She is the best role model I have ever had, and I am so thankful for her friendship and her example of a godly woman who loves the Lord. Her actual birthday is on Thanksgiving, and next week I will be giving thanks that God brought her into my life to influence me for so many years. Happy Birthday Mattie!

Mrs Osborne's Birthday Tea

Mrs Osborne opening her present. We got her a gift card for a tea house, and a little bag of her favorite English Breakfast Tea.
We asked her to step out of the class while the kids set all the tables.
Shannon, Hannah, Avrielle and Me
I had to take a picture of these cookies. My friend Wendy made the cookies in the shape of peaches. They were so beautiful, and tasted good too. We were in awe of her labor of love!
The 5th and 6th graders.

Breakfast in Bed

Last weekend the kids made David and I breakfast in bed. It was toast with peanut butter and a sausage. So cute!

Officer David Comes to Class

David brought all of his special equipment and let the kids take turns trying it on. They had a blast!

Our Visiting Bird of Prey

Every morning we have a bird (maybe an owl) that visits our yard. This morning we saw him pick up a rat and fly away with it in his mouth.

Civil War

Chandler's favorite subject in school right now is History. Over Veteran's Day we took him to see a Civil War reenactment that was amazing. We totally immersed ourselves in the time period. The actors talk in first person, and they camp out for the whole weekend. We were able to see their weapons, clothes, food and living quarters. It was so exciting that we went to the library to check out more books about what life was like then. The soldiers recreate the battles and even shoot canons. At the end of the war President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg address. It was so realistic.

Celebrating that Reese is with God in Heaven!

365 Balloons. One for every day she lived on Earth.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Trick or Treat

Katja came over for Halloween this year. Avrielle was a jelly fish, Chandler was an army soldier, and Katja was the tooth fairy. Katja even handed out little pieces of chocolate money. A two year old little girl who saw her, ran over to her mom pulled on her shirt repeating, "Mom it's the Real Tooth Fairy! She came to Halloween can you believe it???

Happy 75th Birthday Papa Rick!

Chandler and Happy Studying Language

If you want to hear the video better, you can push the pause button on the playlist to stop the music. It is on the right in the blue box. Enjoy!

David Swims ( I Mean Fishes) at Lake Castaic)

If you have tried to call David lately, and he doesn't answer his cell phone, it is because it doesn't work anymore. Why might you ask??? It sort of drowned when he fell out of his boat and into the chilly waters of Lake Castaic in the rain last Monday. David was fishing alone when he was trying to kick the trolling motor which was stuck with his foot. He lost his balance and fell clothes and all into the lake. I' m glad he is a strong swimmer and was able to pull himself back into the boat, but now I know what I am getting him for Christmas; a new cell phone and an inflatable life preserver. Make sure you tease him a little about this one...It's too good a story to let it go unmentioned.

Pray for the Kostjuk Family

Baby Reese went to heaven on her first birthday last Thursday. You can read about her precious little life if you click on the Kostjuk family blog. Please pray for Todd, Ashley Gavin and Lexi as they make all the plans for her memorial service this Saturday.