international relations right here at home...

We finally got involved in what Williamsport is known for: International Little League, though we STILL haven't seen a game (I'm embarrassed to admit). This year we offered our house as available rental for the week of Little League while we would be away in Virginia. Wednesday a film crew that had come to see the house the day before called and said they did want to use the home for their actors/actresses from Japan (they told us they were as big in Japan as our biggest American stars). They wanted the house Thursday night. Having every room and every corner, every bed, every pillow and blanket, tp, towels, water at each bedside to boot took a great burst of energy for me and Mike and my poor brother Spencer who had come to plan next year's landscaping with us! (Spencer ended up running/picking up children, distributing pets to their caretakers for the week, lifting, packing, cleaning, finishing our fence project and smooth talking the film crew who stopped by to investigate while I was gone to an appt. instead. To let you know how crazy all the comotion was he never even saw the inside of our new home! The finale to Spencer's visit with us was sleeping in small room- 1st at Kristi's then at the last hotel room available in Baltimore- 2 nights in a row. Spencer's sense of humor kept us all laughing instead of crying - THANKS SPENC!!! A special thanks to Kristi and Calton for letting us stay at their place a couple of nights upon return from vacation too! Love you guys SOOO MUCH!

Thumb's down for Isaac!

Literally.

Poor Isaac. Just as we were leaving town for family vacation Isaac took down the senior quarter back successfully but with a consequence. When he looked down at his thumb dangling there he thought, "that can't be right". He calmly held his hand up, "Hey coach, I think I messed up my thumb." His diagnoses proved to be right as the hand surgeon that operated Monday said it was the worst thumb injury he'd ever worked on. Plenty of damage and dr. visits and sitting out for the football season. We all feel bad for Isaac. He loves to run, lift, play, jump, and be major involved. For 8 weeks he's got to slow down. Mom feels like she's lost her right arm as Isaac's cast and pinned thumb prevent his regular lifting, pushing, pulling, fixing, as much as usual. We've all appreciated seeing Isaac's strength in other ways as he has not complained one bit and continued on with life day of the surgery quite normally and headed to the first day of school the next morning. We're proud of the way you've handled it Isaac. Love, Mom

We made a family dream poster when we came to PA. I believe goats makes all the dreams the kids posted completed (as my Dad always said: be careful what you wish for.) Dreams do come true (quite quickly sometimes and then look at the mess you get yourself into! Goats, chickens, horses, four wheeler, the barn to go with them, the dog to go with that, new house, the debt to go with that, serving the Lord was even on the list - stake president was not on our mind but I see now clearly fits in the category.) So go on.. make up your dream posters and watch out what you put on them: up side All YOUR DREAMS WILL COME TRUE!

Seriously we are having a lot of fun with life right now, even filled to overflowing. As much as Mom "balked" at the chicken and goat idea they are really cute and kid friendly and there's nothing like seeing the look of triumph on Clara's face when she catches herself a chicken (we're worried about the look of power on her face when she scares the goats - she could really get out of control thinking she's boss, you know!)

The goats came from a patient of Mike's who had been given them as a birthday present and could not care for them. Sadly they also came with drama as they escaped first thing (isn't that all goats are known for?) and upon returning the next day, SO CLOSE to the barn Ma (goat) got hit by a car and was killed instantaneously. Many tears were shed that day by the girls and the question "Do we give the baby goat away to be with other goats or build a more durable permanent enclosure and buy a companion?" I admit I definitely leaned toward the first option but was of course out voted which led to one of the funnest, hardest working days (weeks) our family has had as we built a new fence and chicken-wired it "for Ma" as the kids said. Everyone worked so hard, right down to Zoie and Esther who just kept saying, "We're workin' for MA!" I wish they'd work that hard for me!

Golden Summer

Though it has rained most the summer so far, we've found it full of sunshine in our hearts!

Lately we are grateful that we were able to visit the Joseph Smith Memorial with the Leavitt family. Mike was born on Joseph Smith's birthday. We realized as we stood at his birthplace that he was precisely the age Mike was that day when he died. It is unfathomable, incomprehensible, an absolute amazing wonder that Joseph Smith was able to accomplish all that he did in such a relatively short time at such a very young age. We stood in awe and humility as we rededicated ourselves to being disciples (better disciples) of Christ. The next weekend we found ourselves in Kirtland Ohio, another incredibly moving church history sight. We came away with more appreciation than ever for the sacrifices of early Saints that have lifted and blessed our lives forever. Mike and Isaac visited Palmyra the next weekend for youth conference. The spirit of that place is like no other, testifying of the sacred event that occured there. What a marvelous work and a wonder.

We are indeed grateful for the Son, that shines bright as ever in our hearts.

visit to NH!

We felt so very blessed to visit "home" in NH! It was extra wonderful due to the generosity of friends who welcomed us to use their comfortable and beautiful cabin in Lyme. Our visit was all the more joyful because of visiting Sohrweide's & Katharina and the dear Village home, playing in the ponds again (how we miss that!), stomping over Crossroads trails and peeking in school windows , visiting our beloved ward family, and enjoying catching up with good friends and role models from our residency program there. It was truly such gift to be there again. We have SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES AND GOOD FRIENDS WE LOVE THERE! From the hardest part of life so far have come some of the richest and most rewarding memories and friendships ever! Thanks NH!

Sunday Snapshots

The Harpers visit!

(Erica, this is the only pic I've downloaded so far! I hope you have lots more!;)

It was such a WONDERFUL JOY to have Erica, James, Elizabeth, and Abbey come visit us for some fun-filled days! We were overjoyed and so grateful that they would add us to their agenda on their trip East!!

Thanks Harpers!

visiting the house...

It's always a little escape to paradise to go visit the up and coming home. We love it up there, near the horses and though just 6 min. up the road from "town" where we now live, it seems a quiet and private refuge, complete with birds singing, and trees swaying in the gentle breeze ;)! "Just another day in Paradise"!

The windows are actually in now, they are working on brick this next week and finishing up electrical, heat, plumbing, preparing for insulation. We've really enjoyed the process so far. It hasn't been too cumbersome either in time or money yet! (Hopin' it never gets that way.)

house is comin' along well...

summer fun!

Good-bye to Pres. and Sis. Pugh

It was so hard for us to say goodbye to the Pugh's as the Harrisburg mission (after 40 + yrs.) became part of the Pittsburg mission.

We are SO DEEPLY GRATEFUL for the Pugh's service here and for the service of our missionaries in this area. We LOVE THEM!

We were also very glad to meet our new mission president and his wife, the Summerhays. They visited us in our home and we loved having them here with us and look forward to working with them in behalf of the people here.

We have seen so many witnesses that this Work is led through inspiration of the Holy Spirit and revelation from on high. We have felt that witness again as we experience these changes. Grateful for the past, relishing the present and looking forward with hope to the future.

Look to God and Live!!!

Reward Recognition (cont.) ')

Just a couple more special rewards we wanted to acknowledge.

Congratulations to Mikela who was given the Senate of Pennsylvania citizenship award. Chosen as one of two 5th graders with her good friend, Devan. We're so proud of you Mikela!

And Katey who was given the May student of the month award at Cochran Elementary for great achievement and citizenship!

We're thrilled! And deeply grateful for all the great supporters (i.e. grandparents, family, friends and teachers that have created the 'village' our children need to succeed!) Endless Gratitude to you all!

GREAT REWARDS!!!!!!!

CAUTION: Offensive content. Some parts of this post contain material that is extremely proud, even boasting. Please do not read further if offended by such entries.

The rewards of this spring seem almost too many to name! All that winter work was worth it and burst forth, like Mom's new and improved flower garden with beautiful BLOOMS! A quick list of REWARDING TIMES FOR US THIS SPRING!!!

- Mormon Helping Hands Project in Sunbury, PA - WHAT AN AWESOME, WINNING EXPERIENCE!

- Stake Conference! It is such a wonderful thing to be part of here!

- Isaac, Emily and Anna each earning the track team's Leadership award, along with Anna earning the "Most valuable player" for bringing in the most points for her team. She realized she always placed, only once in third, all other times in 1st or 2nd - made a lot of hard work worth it!

-Isaac was awarded, "Outstanding Offensive Lineman", and "Rising Star" "Andy" (ie.Tony) award for the Curtin Musical for progressing from a quiet, one-line actor in 7th to "a major leading role amazing audiences with his fabulous voice". Isaac also received the "excellence in painting award" from the WHSD Red Cross Club.

-Emily and Anna were awarded 1st place in the 7th grade science project and Isaac's project placed 3rd in 8th grade. Anna was shocked to get the "technology" award for her class (she and Em had been terrified about this subject, but both excelled!) And Emily and Anna were honored with the "Lamp of Learning" award - meaning they were 4th and 7th of the top ten 7th graders in their studies. We feel so lucky to have such great learners! (And their friends!) Emily won the art award (along with $15 bucks!)

- Orhcestra and Band competition at Hershey!!! I, as Mother, was SOOOOOOOOO PROUD and THRILLED to witness the Williamsport District Youth Symphony take first in their division and first overall!!!!! In fact their symphony earned 192 out of 200 points!!! Unheard of and such a JOY to HEAR!!! I am just so THRILLED with Mr. Radspinner and all the amazing student musicians and supportive parents around here. CONGRATULATIONS WYSE!!!! The band was a thrill to hear as well - what a GREAT experience! The band took first in their division and I LOVED listening to them. Emily and Anna play violin and Isaac plays sax and baritone.


- Mikela's awards were no less impressive! She did a BEAUTIFUL job with her proud 5th grade chorus and orchestra concert. Mom LOVED accompanying and the beautiful flowers her teacher rewarded Mom with too. But the proudest award of all was the achievement of her girl scout troop as each of the girls received the BRONZE AWARD!!!! It took two years of musical cultivation and service in the community, and 2 AMAZING girl scout leaders to earn this great achievement. Mikela did an extraordinary job (if I do say so myself ;) ) at her harp that evening. We feel so lucky that she could be part of such a great thing! (It's let her play her harp for many people as well.)

-Kate and Esther!!! I'll post the cute pic later but we just wanted to commend Katey and Esther on their very 1st gymnastics show. It was so FUN for us to watch them!! Good job Kate and Esther! Kate also came home today with news that she had won 1st in her class spelling bee then went on to win second in her grade!!! What an accomplishment!

Who would have thought that these hard-working, achieving kids would have come out of all that 4 under 4 chaos we experienced early in life ;) !!!! How we love these children - all 8! (We never did come out of chaos just so you know.)

P.S. In the midst of all these awards, Mikela shocked us all by arriving home on her BRAND NEW WIN - a BEAUTIFUL BIKE, HELMET and LOCK. She was thrilled!! So funny that she won it just after I had talked to her that morning about why she got so many great things out of life - cause she's such a GREAT GIRL (peacemaker, helpful, happy, kind!) Good for you, Mikela! May many more blessings come your way!

Belle's Brought to School!!!

That's right! Belle enjoyed her first school day last month! Thanks to two amazing teachers: Mrs. Rider-Dincher inspired creative thinking to allow such an event and Ms. Beatty who made it happen by setting up a round pen and trailering Belle down to the school for Emily's report. Ms. Beatty was the "Pro" onhand as Belle got really upset as the first group of kids headed back into school (she seriously looked like "hey, the show's not over - it hasn't even started yet and you're leaving!") Emily and Ms. Beatty and Belle handled the whole new adventure beautifully. Emily had been worried Belle wouldn't "go" in front of all the kids. When the time came we were a little concerned to put Em on for Belle was "going strong". Emily climbed on an rode Belle beautifully to finish the report. We believe Belle learned a lot from her first day at Curtin.

The CUTEST Brand new THREE year old!!! Zoie Grace!

Brithday Chicks! (I mean Esther, Emily and Anna!)

Five and Thirteen all in one weekend! We fit it all in somehow and headed swimming to finish the party off on Monday following! FUN!!

Birthday Bunnies!

Emily and Anna's 13th b-day wish list included : clothes, make-up, and a goat. A goat? Mom wasn't ready for anything else that chewed stuff up (one dog is enough) so when their friend Stephanie called a asked if she could give them bunnies, Mom's consented after considering that they are contained, quiet and fairly small animals. The great part is Mom knew they'd appease the girls wish for something "LIVE"(...to go along with all the other 15 living pets around here - oh, yes, we didn't tell you Daddy bought the children 6 new chicks to go along with the "farm". Mom's just really glad the "farm" finally moved out of the kitchen and up to the barn as the animals grew strong enough to tackle cool weather this week. They're all adorable and thriving.