Isaiah and Elias Video

Just because they are my kids and I thought this was pretty cute!

Iblings Family Reunion

On Friday, July 11th we traveled to Vancouver to pick up my brother Will who has been at Bible School in New Zealand this last year. (Check out http://www.capernwray.org.nz) I can't even explain how good it is to have him home-he is a changed man and it's awesome! Isaiah talks about him all the time and I don't mind one bit if he wants to emulate Will and the lifestyle of serving and loving and giving that I've seen come out in him even more since being away. Did I mention how good it is to have him home? For now that is...I know he'll be off again soon. Will was barely home three days when we all headed up to Cedar Springs Retreat Center for a reunion with my dad's side of the family. 70+ Iblings at one location can be a bit overwhelming at times, but it was wonderful! This season of life doesn't afford me much time to sit and talk to people without distraction (we'll call those distractions Isaiah & Elias!), but just being there to see the growth in our extended family was so encouraging. We meet every three years and spend four days together. How grateful I am to belong to such a group that loves being together and that takes great effort to gather from all across the US and Canada to celebrate our heritage and our Creator.

Isaiah and 2nd cousin Lillian spent most of the day chasing each other around the grounds, kicking the soccer ball, playing games and reading books. I can't wait to see what kind of mischief they get in at the next reunion when they are six instead of three!
One of the big blessings was getting to see my Grandpa Willard again. He is 86 and is starting to show his age both in physical and mental capacities. He connected very quickly and very well with the boys though and the picture of him giving high fives to Isaiah or just holding Elias' little hand will forever be etched in my memories. A firm reminder to love well and as often as you can while you have the chance here on earth. All in all the last two weeks has reminded me again about how thankful I am for family and how we are created to be in community with our families. Check back again in three years for the next Iblings Family Reunion Update!

Bouncy Bubbles

We recently got the bouncy house out and it's been a great way for Isaiah to release some of that 3 year old boy energy. Seth asked if we had been watching WWF before we went outside to bounce, but no...that is all pure boy coming out. Can't wait to see what two boys in one bouncy house will do. For now Elias just likes to watch and blow bubbles. He is pretty good at the bubbles and had a nice conversation with Junior Asparagus today. He is working on getting those neck muscles stronger and loves to smile and giggle at Isaiah. He seems to LOVE attention when he gets it.
We have pictures AND video of the first time Isaiah rolled over-the whole family was there cheering him on. The first time Elias rolled over I was busy helping Isaiah. Elias was laying on the floor and when I looked down to check on him, he had rolled over to his tummy. We try to notice him more often now. :) Of course he is very capable of letting us know when we have not paid enough attention to him and rightly so. It's been getting more and more fun to have two kids!

The Big Three Ohhh.....

Yes, the moment we have been waiting for has happened. Seth officially turned 3o and now is mature enough to start Seminary. (without a bachelor's degree you have to be 30 years old to get your master's degree) I'm ashamed to say that we didn't have a huge party for this event, but enjoyed a fun day together as a family and then had dinner with my parents and sister Bethany that night. Seth did hit a hole in one on the local frisbee golf course, a wonderful birthday present. He also received at least six books on the "must read before school starts" list and I'm pretty sure we will never leave the house without one of them along!

In case you didn't know, Seth will be starting school in January '09 at Regent College in Vancouver, BC, getting his Master of Divinity degree. This is one of the main reasons why we moved back to this area, so that we were close enough to my family and close enough to Regent for Seth to commute from this side of the border. He is so very excited to start school and I am so very proud of him for following this calling on his life. He loves to study and teach the Word and although we are not sure where we will be led once school is over, it's an amazing opportunity for him to be able to sit under such great professors at Regent. And yes, that is a Pocahontas birthday bag you see in the picture. It's been passed around my family for birthdays for at least two years now and has a tear in one side, but it is precious to us all.