Category Archives: Jaymison Joshua

Hello November

Our phones were chiming all Halloween Eve with photos of nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews all dressed up for the night. We got to see our Pirate family in person when they came to our door for their treats. Addy was eager to share her treasure with us, too. She and Great Aunt Vera had fun with the bouncy balls in the hall. She wanted to take Auntie Vera home with her. Too cute. Our Bothell and Lynnwood kids got creative with their costumes, too. Josh was Bob Ross and Laura was his happy accident. So clever! Katie and Andrew went back to the fifties for their inspiration. Still waiting to hear how many kids came to the door. But here we go on to November!

Look at how cute our little parrot’s costume was. Jamie created it for JJ.

Bouncy balls in the hall with Great Auntie Vera.

 

“November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.”
–  Elizabeth Coatsworth

Happy November everyone. Today we are heading across the line into Canada to the town of Trail for some Persian food.

Happy Reformation Day!

Martin Luther’s nailing of his ninety-five theses to the church door on October 31, 1517, provoked a debate that culminated finally in what we now call the Protestant Reformation. An important day in history.

“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone” ~Martin Luther

Halloween happens to be on October 31st, also. For us Halloween is all about handing out candy to any little trick or treater who comes to our door.

Now that we live in the country the only little ones who come to our door are driven here by their parents. Addy and JJ will come by tonight to get a treat. They carved pumpkins last night and I borrowed this collage from Addy and JJ’s parents. Thank you!

It’s going to be a cold night to be out. Our Trick or Treeters better dress warmly.

I’ve got my red cape to keep me warm.

In other news we are very excited that on November 10th the MLS Cup final is going to be played on our home field for the first time! Our kids have traveled to Toronto in the past for other finals. Our kids get 4 tickets for the game and they have offered their soccer loving mother one of those tickets. Now I just have to figure out whether to drive (dependent on pass conditions) or fly to Seattle. Thanks for indulging me in my excitement and enjoyment of the game of soccer. Hmm, indulgences were a big part of the conversation in the talks that led to the Reformation so maybe my post is more cohesive than I thought.

Ice on my windshield on Wednesday morning. It will be nice when Dear’s shop has a roof on it so we can get my car back in the garage. The materials for building the shop are being stored in the garage where my car usually rests. We are still waiting on the company on some materials so that Dear can move ahead and raise the trusses and clear enough stuff out of the garage for my car to fit.

I’ll leave this random hodgepodge of a post with good true words from Martin Luther:

“Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God–
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!”
― Martin Luther

Family Colors

Early on Tuesday Laura started a text with our family members asking us to show our Sounders Colors. We texted her back our shots of support and she made the collage. When it comes to sports we are a Sounders Soccer Family. And right now David (Sounders) beat Goliath (LAFC) 3-1 on their home field. Our boys are going to the MLS Cup Final on November 10th against either Atlanta or Toronto. Those two teams play each other tomorrow night. It was fun sending texts back and forth during the game. It will be a while before I can fall asleep now…

…So I’ll add some fun things that more people can relate to in this post.

Speaking of colors Jamie and the kids were able to enjoy some color and leaves before the weather turned on us.

How cute are they covered in leaves!? Maple Trees are the best for an abundance of leaves. This was how the day was going before we had that freak snowfall on Monday the 28th of October. All the snow is gone and temps are still cold but we are on a slight warming trend.

Fresh apples off the tree before the bear eats them all. Yep, our kids have had a bear visiting their property. Hopefully he’ll go find a place to hibernate soon.

Do you have any wild animals that visit your property?

Six Months

While we were in California Jaymison Joshua reached his 6 month landmark.

He was able to enjoy some slimy solid food for the first time and despite the look on his face he thoroughly enjoyed it. He has graduated to the high chair which means Addy will now enjoy a booster seat at the table.

He’s also reached that 6 month classic separation anxiety stage when he can’t see his mommy. Crawling is beginning and life at our kids’ home will be getting more exciting with each new skilled learned.

We had some beautiful sunset views on our way to Kettle Falls on Friday evening. A blustery storm blew through earlier in the afternoon leaving us with these great clouds.

Hope the last weekend in October is a good one for you all.

The Hunters and the Bakers

While the male folk were out hunting the woman folk decided to tackle a Great British Bake Off Cookbook recipe. Jamie came up with the idea and besides Sticky Toffee Pudding we decided on the Plaited Rich Saffron Loaf.

 

Katie pulled off a portion of the dough for Addy. Addy watched Katie knead the dough and she mimicked well.

They plaited Addy’s little loaf, too.

The guys were home from hunting early on this day since they were not successful in coming across any deer sightings.

While the dough was rising Laura and Katie enjoyed a walk outside with Addy.

Addy and JJ enjoyed their quality Uncle and Auntie time.

Gramps and Baba were in on the action, too.

 

The bread was delicious although we didn’t necessarily detect the saffron. We enjoyed the bread with a pot of Borcsh (borsht) and sour cream.

Katie and Andrew had to leave after the bread was ready so we took our 3rd Annual Family Hunting photo as we said our goodbyes.

On Tuesday Dear and I flew to California and Dan and Josh went out for another day of hunting and were successful in getting a buck in their sights. Look away if hunting is not your thing…

The deer was dropped off at a local butcher for processing and packaging. The head and antlers were dropped off at the taxidermist.

The guys were home and showered by dinner. A good hunting day for them.

A side note about hunting: We live in the 2nd poorest county in the state of Washington and many of the people in our county depend on meat they garner from hunting to fill their freezers and to sustain themselves and their families.

Psalm 8 (ESV)

O Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

The Patch 2019

As we finished up at the Maze and Patch the rain started to gently fall. We patted ourselves on the back for coming early and leaving before the crowds arrived and the rain came down. We headed home for sandwiches and it didn’t take long for the guys to come home from hunting because of the rain. Naps were in order for the grands and some of the guys, too.

I’ll leave you a verse from God’s Word, The Bible, and a prayer from Spurgeon inspired from this verse:

Thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever. (2 Samuel 7:29)

…Lord, we cannot doubt thee: we are persuaded that every word of thine is a sure foundation for the boldest expectation. We come to thee and say, ‘Do as thou has said,’ Bless thy servants’ house. Heal our sick; save our hesitating ones; restore those who wander; confirm those who live in thy fear. Lord, give us food and raiment according to thy word. Prosper our undertakings; especially succeed our endeavours to make known thy gospel in our neighborhood. Make our children thy children. Let thy blessing flow out to future generations, and as long as any of our race remains on earth may they remain true to thee. O Lord God ‘let the house of thy servant be blessed.’

Corn Maze and Pumpkins

So much has happened in 7 days and I’ll start a little catch-up by going back to last Sunday and our time at the local Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. While the guys were hunting the gals and JJ made a visit to the Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Lots of photos and few words. Did I mention…lots of photos?! I’ll start with the Corn Maze and then add another post about the Pumpkin Patch.

Katie is the best maze navigator and Addy was interested in hearing her instructions as to where we should go.

We stopped at each marker we found and put up the appropriate number of fingers.

 

Along the way in the maze they gave you easy ways to exit if you needed an easy out.

We made it to station #8 and at this point Addy wanted to be carried which made it a little more difficult to soldier on so we took the next Easy Out we spotted and headed to the Pumpkin Patch.

JJ was content and contemplative about the whole experience.

We are making a slow transition back to life as normal after our trip to California for the amazing conference we attended. I hope to catch up with all your blogs early this new week. As happens frequently when traveling, we are experiencing an attack on our health from being confined in airplanes and rooms with many people who are spreading their germs and illnesses with the rest of humanity.

Hope the tornado warnings in the Dallas area were without injury to anyone. We were happy to hear our family members were okay and got the all clear. Praying October ends well for y’all.

Smiles and Stunts!

It’s not hard to get our little JJ smiling.

I popped over to the gymnastics gym to watch Addy in her class and was able to get some closeups of JJ.

Jaymison Joshua will be 6 months old on October 16th.

Parents and Grandparents can’t go beyond a certain point so I had to make use of some of the mirrors behind the warm up area to get photos of Addy on equipment that was out of sight.

She doesn’t hold back and seems fearless with exercise.

I have to admit that it made me nervous watching her climb up the ladder. When they get to the top they ring a bell.

We have a busy weekend ahead and we are so looking forward to having all of our people on this side of the mountains. A large pork shoulder is smoking on the Traeger for dinner tonight. It’s been smoking since 5 AM.

Our Canadian neighbors are moving into their Thanksgiving weekend. Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, here are some stanzas from some hymns that turn my eyes to what I’m so thankful for and hope for…

From Fairest Lord Jesus;

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

From Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts;

O Jesus, ever with us stay,
Make all our moments calm and bright;
Chase the dark night of sin away,
Shed over the world Thy holy light.

From What is the World to Me?;

The World is like a cloud
And like a vapor fleeting,
A shadow that declines,
Swift to its end retreating
My Jesus doth abide,
Though all things fade and flee;
My everlasting Rock-
What is the world to me?

Singing in the Rain

When Addy was here on Monday it started raining in the afternoon. She started asking if I had an umbrella for her. I wish I would have recorded her saying umbrella. It was something like umbuella or umbebella. So darn cute. When we went to the garage and found this one she wondered if I had something smaller for her. Sadly no but she managed to navigate with the big one.

JJ and mommy watched Addy and the progress on the shop from under cover.

We were hoping for another dry day today but alas it is raining. Dear will have to navigate the last 4 huge beams into their holes in the rain and then hope to get the concrete delivered tomorrow morning during a dry period, if possible.

And, in other news, our kids have spotted a bear on their property and lots of evidence that the bear is enjoying the apples from their apple tree. It also tried to get into one of their out buildings. YIKES! Just another day in the country… Thankfully this is the largest wild animal we have seen on our property. She was really staring us down as if she owned the property and wondered what we were doing on it. We were behind the slider.

Gleaned from my morning readings from Piper this time, Life As A Vapor:

Don’t be duped by the gurus of the age. 

One enslaving fad follows another.

The wisdom of this age is folly in view of eternity.

Don’t follow a defeated foe. Follow Christ. It is costly. You will be an exile in this age. But you will be free.

Five Months!

Jaymison Joshua (JJ) is now 5 months old. It’s been fun to see him interact with people.

I’m laughing about the photo in the collage where he’s grabbing Addy. She does not look pleased.

I had to add this one of JJ with Auntie LoLo. That smile!! Lolo’s, too.

Happy weekend everyone.