Culinary Arts

Well I had my first day as a teacher! It was odd, and fun.

Jr High: The Jr High class is a lot more work. Thankfully, I have 2 rockin assistants! WOW. Erica Bost, and Terry Hartley, as well as Amy Ann Hartley for High School.

There is 30 kids in this class. Of course, the boys grouped together in the middle of room, and the girls had grabbed the other tables. The boys turned out to be quite a problem. I really had to back down, because as the first day goes, I dont even know these boys well. I actually yelled at them at one point, told them to shut up once or twice, and said some other things that I think flew over their heads like:

"If I needed your help teaching my class, I would ask you" or "If I thought your comments on everything everyone else said were relevant, I would ask for your input".

I cannot remember the other things. Anyhow, I dont blame them. I still cant sit still in an environment like that. It drives me crazy.

We broke them up into 5 teams of 5, I think there are more kids however. LOL. Anyway, the girls whined about having boys in their group, but thankfully, God had mercy and distibuted the boys fairly well. They are going to do Lasagna.

Sr High:

This groups is a lot more calm. They still have their moments. Many of them are flat out goofy. One student did bring me chocolate (dark) which I informed everyone in advance that if they did bribe me with dark chocolate, it ensured them an A. Good on him. It is a Fraser boy, and you can see how his Dad got to be such a bigwig! LOL.

This class got broken up into 4 teams of 5. 3 of the teams want to do something with chicken. 1 Team is going to do lasagna. This is harder, but they all wanted to go for it. Each team is offering me 3 ideas, I will pick out of the 3, and we will go for it. Im excited about this class.

One odd thing, I felt very led when I introduced myself to share my story with them. All of a sudden I felt like telling them what my High School experience was like, and the ugly parts of it, and the subsequent immediately after it. I think many of these kids wont have nearly the same experience, I think it is important to share thsi with them anyhow. We will see later why I hope.

I am now part of the establishment. I avoided it for 37 years. Thankfully, I am in a school that is very new, and very different. I think even my own Dad might like the way it works (He and I both hated school). Im challenged, but confident. I love cooking, and I hope that I can helpt hese kids. In reality, this class is just an excuse to encourage, assist, develop, be with these kids as they are making transitions out into the marketplace.

Im Arthur, King of the .....NOT

All I can say is I have been to Arthur Bryants 2 times. This is supposedly the best BBQ in KC, the country, and the world. It is not.

The Burnt Ends are overly salty, mushy, dark, murky and barely passable. The beef was very dry, and flavorless. The Ribs were good, but I have had MUCH better. I think they use MSG in their rub as well, because after, my breathing was a little messed up.

This is a disappointment. Here are the favorites so far...

Ribs (Baby Back): Jacks Stack
Ribs (SPare): Jacks/Gates
Burnt Ends: Jacks Stack
Sauce: Jacks Stack
Pulled Pork Sandwich: Oklahoma Joes (I dont think Jacks does pork shoulder, or they might be the winner here too)
Others:

Fries: Jacks, Gates
Beans: Jacks (I havent had Arthur Bryants)
Cheesy Corn get honorable mention here. IT isnt served anywhere else I know about, but it is a food group by itself.


Notice Gates BBQ on here? Their fries are good, but everything else is VERY salty. Ribs are good at Gates, but for Baby Backs Jacks beats out.

Im going to check out some other, littler places. We also need to go to KC Masterpiece. It seems we like our BBQ upscale. I just hate mushy, murky flavors.

Preggo

Danielle came down the stairs yesterday for our trip to Home Depot with the girls, and looked more pregnant than ever. I dont know why exactly, but it really sturck me. I didnt get great pictures, I was trying to be sneaky. Isnt she cute?

Here I thought I was taking a picture, but it was a movie.

SUPRISE SUPRISE SUPRISE.....

Last week the girls were getting ready for their mom to come and pick them up. What they didnt know, is their 2 aunts (Carolyn and Katie) and their cousin (Ciera, Carolyn's daughter) were in KC to visit them, and were the ones at the door. Due to parental excitement, and technical difficulties, I missed the actual revealing. I should have just put it as a movie.

This is the first hug. The opening of the door, and the shock, and then the subsequent screaming was fantastic.





Then as things began to set in, it was great to watch my girls with some of their very favorite people. Israel practically spent the first 4-5 years of her life, and then the last coule years, with Katie Mae as an older sister, and Carolyn and her husband Chris, along with their children Cameron, Chase and Ciera have been critical to my daughters happiness.

This was such a great surprise. They went off and left me for the weekend! Danielle had to leave as well to do The Nazarite Uprising conference so it was just me and Zeb. And it was LONELY!!!!

Some lost christmas pix

This one is one I took where I found all these girls on a couch and the floor at Angies house. The one on the floor, thata Maria (or "Ahria" if you ask my cute little niece Hurricane)

Left to right, Israel, Judah, Angela, Ava, Leah, and Maria on floor.

This of course is Ava. Plenty of pictures of this one. This is her with her momma.

Lots of things

I realized we had a lot of pictures and things over the last month not posted and un documented. Im going to post some of these over several posts to show how wonderful and sometimes busy our life has been.

Baby Huck

Boaz was not a hero....

A few years back I had a little revelation about Boaz, and how he was fulfilling a commandment.

Basically, Boaz left grain in the fields for the "gleaners". These folks were the poor (widows, orphans, and aliens). There is commandments (not suggestions) in Leviticus that direct any land owner to ensure there is something for the poor. When you read the passages, there is something communicated that I think is even more heart felt.

The idea is that as you harvest, you make sure you DONT go back for the last amounts of grain scattered about when you tied up the sheaves. You intentionally leave it there, around the edges of your farm. This will allow people to come and "glean", or pick up the left overs so they have food to eat. The people allowed to glean are those in the Isrealite society that were incapable of providing for themselves.

The fact the grain is left around the edges is important too. It means that for the most part, someone could gather the grain, without having to be exposed in the middle of an empty field for being poor, and a "gleaner".

But here is the point. This isnt a suggestion. This is a command. It is to be part of your business plan so to speak. This is more than a command, it is THE LAW, or more directly, THE TORAH.

I suggest, Boaz wasnt a hero. He was simply obedient (interesting word here, as I believe his sone was named OBED?) to the Torah. A good Jew.

Now his behavior AFTER was exemplerary, but even then, not unheard of. He was a kinsman redeemer. There was provision for that. Other people did that too. Although it sure is a beautiful story, and helps us see God.

However, what is THE TORAH? It is the revelation of God. It describes who He is. Sometimes by what He is not (check the 10 commandments), but in this case, by who He IS. It is inherent in Gods design and His Heart that He provides for the poor, the oppressed, and the lonely. And to be called one of His people, the Jews were called to The Torah. If they were to be His people, they were to obey. It was a sign to the other nations. The covenant between the husband (God) and the bride (the jew) was Torah.

You cannot be His Bride without His covenant.

What about now?

Some people think Jesus overcame the Torah. But He was clear He came to fulfill it. He never once broke Torah. And what is clear is the 1st century apostles that were born Jews, kept Torah. Jesus didnt put away the Torah, He fulfilled the ceremonial aspects of the 1st covenant by fulfilling it Himself. We dont have to sacrifice to be atoned for, our faith in His atonement is sufficient. There is no more sacrifice. But we dont now go ahead and lie, cheat, steal, commit adultery etc... It isnt as if these things are ok.

The Torah still stand, but the positional and ceremonial aspects of justification are met via faith, not the blood of animals.

This being my conviction, this would mean it isnt enough to give when led. It simply isnt enough. The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the Soul. Maybe more than just my Soul? Maybe that perfect Law also demonstrates Gods heart, and His commitment to me, and mine to Him, is
to obey. So I must do more than reflexively give. I must include giving to the widow, the orphan, and the alien as a part of my "business plan".

I cannot escape this. I must generously "leave something in the field". I dont try to squeez out every bit. I slosh a bunch of it around, and make sure no one is exposed by having to come through my field and pick it. In fact, I make it as easy and kind as I can. And I NEVER discriminate as to who comes through. I dont pick only pretty young girls, or Africans, or "full time" ministers who are single, people who fit my paradigm of a "gleaner" etc... I leave that to God.

I encourage you, if you own a business, to consider obedience to Torah as a reality. You simply MUST allow for the gleaners. Not as an afterthought, but as a pro-active commitment on the part of your business. If you dont "own a field", you have work somewhere. You have a harvest. You have the Torah, and you have the revelation of the Torah (Jesus/Yeshua).

Do you need anymore?

Misc and Loose notes

Cloudy 10°F
Feels Like
-4°F

Wheeeeeee haaaa. I knew it was cold the other day. Im actually really built for the cold. Lots of insulation layers etc... I found myself running Zebulun around the other day after I got back from the gym. I was in shorts and a sweatshirt. I realized it was 20 degrees F! That was a little cold for me.

then the other day I took zeb out, and by the time I got to the end of the block, my eyes were tearing, my cheeks hurt, my nose felt like it was burning and all the saliva in the corners of my mouth was frozen. It was actually starting to get painful. I turned around and went home. I found out it was 5 deg F with a little wind, so it was like -1. I hit my limit.

Danielle is back after a very neat conference. She has done a great job, and had lots of funny stories to tell about how when Lou Engle was calling for people who felt very connected to the LIFE movement stand up, Huckleberry started wiggling like CRAZY. I guess Huck Like LIFE (go figure) and probably LOVES Lou. I think all kids do.

Our lives are finally settling down. The holidays are too much disruption for me. Between that and a 3 week break from school for the kids, and then a death in the family, it was pretty chaotic. Im getting so busy that it is becoming evident we need to have som stability around here. A consistent Schedule helps.

It is one of the problems around here. Everything is so active, I have to say no to lots of great things. I am limited in scope, and need to stick to what I know God has told us.

Some things God has led us to believe and pray for:

1. 150 adoptions in the local KC area, especially the IHOP community by 12/31/2008.
2. $1,000,000 in donations to the Zoe foundation by 12/31/2008.

I am also turning my focus to The Daniel Academy. I see a budding, richly diverse group of kids that need to be equipped far more deeply than I needed. Part of this will be just helping organizationally as we see needs, but also teaching. I listened to the Teachers Meeting, and all I can say is I could never see myself able to teach a typical class like Math or English. These people have such a higher level of organization and detail ability than me it is almost sad. I am not built like that, and can really appreciate how much effort they go to in helping my children.

A really sad tragedy struck here in KC. A family Danielle met right before they left for India, the Maas family, suffered the loss of their husband/father. This family sold most everything and left for India, with 4 kids, and gave themselves to orphans. I dont know the whole story, but Im not sure they even got to the place they were supposed to before Dave got sick, and had 2 heart attacks and died. I have not met this family, but Danielle did right before they left.

This is a hurtful story. People giving everything they have, and the hurt and anguish they must be feeling. Having to come all the way back, an exhausting trip, with no resources etc... We all know God will provide, but He often does it THROUGH THE BODY. I cannot say enough. You either help widows and orphans, or you dont. It is clear in scripture. I dont care if it is $5 or $50, all believers are called to help. Those who dont consider themselves "Christians" etc... still find it in their hearts to give. If you want to contribute, we have information. Email me.... Personally, this is a non-negotiable. I may not have much, but that is irrelevant.

Just Another SNOW DAY

Woke up at 3 am, couldnt sleep. So at 4 went down and worked until 6, and snuggled with wifey until she had to get up and go to the airport. She is a VERY Important Person. She is coordinating the Nazarite Uprising Conference for The Call in Ct this weekend.

Im just plugging away doing my stuff. I was supposed to teach my first day at class today, but it is a SNOW DAY. Good and bad. Kids Home,,,, fun but bad because it is hard for them when I am working. Bad that I dont get to try and teach and meet all these new kids Im going to LOVE this semester.

Oh well...

So I shoveled the driveway because it is a PAIN to not do it when it is going to stay cold for several days. My driveway is an ice skating rink. Like a good midwestern boy I did my job.

I love it here. I am so grateful I have a warm house, children, babies coming, friends...I just want to be faithful, and one of the best ways I can thank God is to enjoy it, and appreciate it because He gave it all to me because He loves me.

My Danie

My Wife turned 25 yesterday (well actually 24, it all depends on who you ask). In the haze of some recent events, and the fact that Im just not very organized or aware I simply came upon the day.

It isnt that Danielle isnt important, it is more my mindset than anything else. I dont like birthdays particularly, and could care less about mine. I dont care about getting older, I just simply look at a birthday and think "neat" and move on. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks like that, and once again.... my narcissism catches up with me.

And how many things am I going to be able to say about Danielle that havent been said yet? Anyone who either knows her or reads my blog is going to say the same things. We ALL love her. We all admire her. And I think she is the cutest pregnant lady on the planet.

It has been a sad time the last couple of days/week with her father passing away. The grief is really now just beginning to surface. It is a bizzare time, there is a baby growing in there. It is a stressful time, as working for a disorganization takes its toll on an administrator. It has been a sick time, and just yesterday was the first day out of bed (for some of us anyway).

And all through this, my lovely wife is just so lovely. She is all that she is, all the time. I wish there was ways that could give you the emotional understanding of what it is like to be with someone of this stature (even at 5' 3"). To say something like "She completes me" is a lie. She makes up a good 85% of the real stuff in our marriage and family. The rest is either fluff or personality on my part.

I wish I had been more conscientious Danielle. And to be totally honest, it isnt like I didnt have a few nudges from lots of sources. Im so sorry (yet again). But I do love you, just not well enough yet.

Its a, a, a, demon?!

Some people who check out my blog might want to stop right here, and read something else. It is always amazing to me people actually READ this at all!


Yesterday as we left onething, I began to have this weird yawning thing. It isnt a real yawn. It was like a series of shallow yawns that seem unproductive. Danielle commented on it, and I was kind of thinking it was odd. This was coupled with the fact that her father just died of what we bet is congestive heart failure, and I, for some odd reason, was having the weirdest little twinge in my chest since Saturday night!

I was fairly confident the thing in my chest was actually just being sore from working out, as it wasnt that strong, was more sore than anything, and very small and localized, but just throw a little fear in there....

Anyhow, I had also commented to Danielle on Saturday that I was feeling rather at odds with what I was seeing. I typically have to steward my eyes a little, as I tend to be a very visual person, and I also receive revelation via "seeing". But I also need to be careful, as that same factor makes me oddly vulnerable to women who carry any kind of seductive element. So I simply understand that, and dont engage it.

My mind has been getting stuck on songs and sounds and phrases lately. I will get things just stuck in there, or I will hear certain things over and over again that arent something I want to think about or remember. This is another sign I am dealing with something that is personal, and specific rather than internal and general.

Anyhow, as we left onething, I began to yawn, and then I began to feel rather..... oppressed. I dont know how to describe it, but if you have ever had it, you would know. My head was a little foggy. I could physically feel tension moving up and around my back and my neck. After the 10th yawn, I said "This feels like deliverance". That it typically the way I have gone through it in the past. Most of the time it is that jaw stretching, deep, cracking kind of yawn that almost leaves me dizzy! This time, I couldnt seem to get anything out.

Within about 10 minutes, it became clear to me that God was taking something out of me, and I needed to get into it and push. Deliverance often involves the Will of the individual. At the same time, I am racking my brain trying to figure out what, if anything, I had done to engage something dark. I honestly couldnt figure anything out. At this point, if I cannot determine any place in my own life I actually invited oppression into my life, I have to determine it is either an current assignment, or something way back. Either one is possible, espeically as I have been reading lots of things about this lately, and especially Derek Princes stuff.

As we get on the 435, a voice in my head says "You are going to want to pull over". Im thinking "Great, if I need to pull over, what the heck is going ot happen!?". I have had a LOT of dealing with this kind of thing years and years ago, and I simply wont tolerate them. I have cast these things out of me on the freeway before! But I knew it wouldnt hurt.

I came up on 103rd Street. I figured that was a good Psalm, and I wanted this thing out. We pulled over, I claimed that whole Psalm, especially


Ps 103:1-5
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
(NIV)

And then Danielle and I prayed. It took a long time! We actually had someone drive up to us (in a red truck), and stop and ask us if we needed help. I didnt see them, as I was too busy yelling "God didnt bring me this far so I could live the rest of my life with some stupid demon, GET OUT". Danielle just waved and told them "Were fine thanks". Then they turned around and left.
Anyhow, we finally got deliverance. Im not afraid to talk about this, and Im not ashamed. God has delivered me from SO MANY THINGS. It is one of the best things He does for me. And I am not in any willful activities (AMAZINGLY!!!!!) that would allow for that to be welcome in my life. There has been so much deep change over the years, that this is actually not common any longer. But there is the reality that we contend with this more than we think.

The more I engage my calling. The more I receive from God. The more I seek to bless and love. The more the enemy wants a piece of me back. I have been both a willful participant, and a victim of things demonic in my life, and I hate all of it. And as I go along my life in my little Kansas City/IHOP bubble, I forget that there is also a proactive agent against me. It isnt just always my flesh or my weak/broken soul. I have an old accquaintance that seeks my life. Just as Ruach Adonai seeks out my life, so does a very real, very evil person.

I am more motivated now. I have felt over the last few weeks that I need to, and am getting, ready to contend with things like this again. It is odd for me, because the last 3-4 years hasnt been full of that. But as God keeps restoring vision and focus to my life, I am finding old tools and things He gave me, and they still fit my hands. As I remember how to swing them, and use them, life is coming back into parts of me that have been fallow on purpose.

This might all sound odd if someone reads it. I dont claim not to be odd. But Im excited. If for no other reason than God delivered me YET AGAIN from something. He LOVES ME THAT MUCH. He wont stop.

A Sad Announcement

We were woken up at 4:30 am yesterday to hear that Danielles father, David Wheeler, was having a problem. At that point we assumed something healthwise, but didnt understand. An hour later we got another call informing us that he was dead.

This was obviously a shock. We are very sad, and trying to piece together the things that have happened, as well as the things that will occur now. And as we do this, around the edges is this grief that wants to come out.

We could all see that Dave was having a hard time at Christmas. And the consensus was thankfully he was starting insurance from a new job Jan 1, and should be going to the Dr to start checking this. Dave had at least one heart attack I am aware of 20 years ago. In hindsight, Im betting he had several more.

I think the thing that has hit me the most is this is the 3rd time I have experienced this same process. My grandmother was having a little bit of trouble 12 years ago on Mothers day. We realized something was wrong, but didnt know what, or how serious. She died within a week. My Grandfather seemed to be having a little bit of trouble a few years back during Easter I think, and died suddenly within a day or 2. Last year, my wifes grandfather was having trouble all of a sudden,a nd then they foud out he had cancer, and died within a few months. My fathers mother was going downhill for a while, and my Dad (Im positive on a divine whisper) decided to go and see her again, got there just in time for her death. Now Dave.

I dont know if I have learned something, or see something, but here is what I believe now.

1. Everytime someone dies, you feel that kick in your butt to do something to take care of yourself better.

2. You commit to connect even more with people.

3. You realize signs in hindsight that you assure yourself you wont ignore again, but you do.

4. You try and process things, and remember, but it drifts into the past.

In several of those cases above, it was a shock. there was something going on, but there is always something going on, and everyone seems to get over it, except for the ONE TIME they dont. In the other cases, NO ONE regrets the extra effort of being there even though it is sad and difficult.

Dave Wheeler was a really neat guy. He was someone you had to sit and wait for the golden pieces that would come out, because on the outside, he tended to be a little aloof or quiet. But if you waited, you would hear some of the funniest things. It was Daves idiosyncrasies that were the best part. The guy smoked, drank a pot of coffee, and ate whatever he wanted. Didnt excercise etc... and the rattle and cough he had was an indicator to me that he was about as unhealthy as he could be, and still be a live. That was part of his little quirks. He was a headstrong guy, with a lot more IQ than I would guess people realized if they didnt listen to him.

He also brought me some venison to try, when he found out I never had tried any. And a bottle of "spring water". Turns out, he probably meant "still water", and when you talk North Carolina and "still water" it is what started NASCAR (i.e. moonshine). It was my favorite gift of the whole thing! It was such a pleasure trying something like this, and enjoying it while feeling special that he brought it for me.

Dave LOVED Charlotte, Ava, Leah, and Patrick. Patrick was as much Daves son as anyones (I think having 3 girls does that to you). Ava was doted on, and I have heard stories of Leah saying "Pop, I wanna go in the boat", and him dropping just about everything and getting her out in the water.

I now look at myself, after gaining 30 pounds since July, with a heart condition etc... at my age, having a new baby coming etc... and keep asking God for the Grace to enjoy food, but get healthy at the same time. I want to know I have done all that I can to be strong and healthy for my kids, and the calling on my life. I struggle with that daily. And it is clear I am not supposed to live in fear, but it is hard not to make a bigger deal out of something when someone isnt doing well physically.

You just never know. It should motivate us to do what we are already commanded to do, Love Each Other. Serve Each Other. Greet Each Other With a Holy Kiss. Submit to One Another. Seek to Bless and Not Curse. All of these things make sense when you get the crap knocked out of you as someone irrevocably leaves. I cannot do a thing to change this situation.

Im pissed off, because I barely got to know him. My girls and I had high hopes of someday learning how to fish with him. Im sad my wife lost her father, my daughter wont know her Grandfather. Im wrecked my Mother in Law has lost her Father, and her husband within 6 months of each other. Im mad that I didnt recognize the problem, and take him right there to a hospital (even though he probably wouldnt let us). Those are all my little griefs. But Grief is often rooted in Love and Affection. At least this Grief is. I am sad, because so many people lost something wonderful. It is a blessing to have had the wonderful at all.

Over the river and through the woods

I heard you can get to IHOP by going down to the end of our street, and walking through the woods. Danielle and I went for it, and it was an adventure.

The first issue is, our neighborhood seems to be the last (if ever) set of streets to be plowed or salted. This meant that as we walked up and down hills, we were mostly on ice, or packed snow. This was a drag, and hard to do. Add pregnancy, and a dog who is SO excited to be on a walk, and we had quite a work out.


Then we found the woods. We started walking down these little trails, and there was lots of snow, as it doesnt melt down there under all the trees etc... We let Zebulun off his leash, and he became the worlds happiest dog. He was in the woods, running around, showing us everything. You can tell that he is a hunting dog, and comes from a family of dogs that is meant to be outside running around.


There is our fearless Zeb leading the way. It is hard to describe his behavior, only he would dart all around, then look back to make sure we were there. Then he would race off again, and find something to investigate. Thats my pregnant babe trudging up hill. We ended up going up quite a long hill at the end, and found ourselves in someones backyard!


We came across a car! Someone drove this thing down this hill, and left it. It is old enough that all the rubber and seats and such is decayed. We didnt find any bodies (we dont look for those things) or money (we look for those things)


My lovely wife made it the whole way. I am now convinced I NEED my motorcycle here to help me with this. Had I lived in this house as a kid, I would have been on my bicycle, and in these trees all the time. I dont know how much trouble I would have gotten into, as opposed to the trouble I did anyway, but man would it have been fun!

Movies are fun

I always wanted to try and give a picture of our house and the snow. This is the best I can get. Some people have already gone up and down the street, but it shows our pretty street, and the snow.

Just after this, Danie left. She backed out the driveway, and she made a mistake, she started turning to point her nose up the street. Once you do that, if you are unsuccessful, you are stuck, and up for another adventure like I had earlier. She slid, the wheels spun, but thanks to her years of experience, and subtlety (and lack of brash, unrestrained personality) she made it. but barely. Today is going to be fun watching the people slide.

Why we love Christina

We love Christina!! It is hard to explain, but it is like a combination of all sorts of things you would love, coming to live at your house. She has been gone for too long, and is coming back today. She will get no rest, Im sure of it.

right before she left, she was getting sick, so we made some carrot juice, and ground up a few small cloves of garlic. She went for it, and it was really funny. I didnt capture the actual deep shudder that happened, but this still gets kind of the fun of it.

Shade of things to come

Christmas Part 2

Off to Cincinnati. North, East, then unfortunately West for about 20 minutes. Missed a turn off, and toured Indianapolis for a bit. We went to a mall that poses as a church and watched an awesome production called "Awaited". It was truly touching. The music was fantastic, and the concept and story was very well done. I cried through most of it, and found it difficult to not sob.



I caught up on some reading. Im finding myself reading books I have read a long time ago. I didnt remember this one until I read it that day. I fell asleep, and Danie tried to catch a picture of me. Eating Sausage and Cheese balls, fudge, and
Pringles is catching up with me.

Within the first 5 minutes of waking up, I made Ava cry (she looked at me from across the hall). I seem to be keeping up my current habit of scaring children.





This is Chuckles. She is the newest Norwood baby that any of us seem to care about (I might be wrong about that, but you have to ask Danielle). She is probably the most easy going baby I have seen since her older sister, which is hard to imagine. This kids gets shipped all over the room any time she is awake. Sometimes, we make a lot of noise just to wake her up so we can go in and get her.


she simple turned around, and like a mack truck, beeped and backed up until she found IsraelsThis is a picture of Israel and Chuckles. You wills ee throughout the whole process most pictures of Israel include at least one kid. Israel has always been a baby magnet. Kids love her, and it makes perfect sense to any of us that know her. She usually has one kid on one hip or more. I hear that as soon as Ava saw her, lap, and then sat down. Compare that with my experience!


I found all the girls on the bed playing with babies and kids as soon as I left it. The girls basically need a ride to go somewhere, so I drive them, and then they wait for me to leave so they can have fun playing together. I tried to get the camera in time, but Angela and Leah were in there too, but scooted out right before I came for evidence.
Poor Ava! She has been invaded. It took her a day or so to catch up with us. She has now decided she isnt sure about all of us, however she is confident we will in fact leave at some point, so therefore she can enjoy us. She is benevolent with her favor, and holds court from either her high chair, or a specifically chose lap.








And of course presents. My kids made out like bandits, and so did I! Danielle navigated the maze of who does what and buys for whom. Thats (L-R) Israel, Maria, Judah, Angela, Ava, and Leah.

Tomorrow there is something like 70+ people on the Egbers side (Mom Wheeler) coming to somewhere. All I know is I brought my IHOP approved ear plugs, an appetite, an attitude, and my fish oil so I can remember everyone.

Christmas all week long

We started at our house (which in itself is truly a gift). Grandma and Grandpa Henry sent us a big box with lots of stuff








Then we had a fun gift where Grandma Henry got the girls matching tops, notice Huckleberry's laid out over the belly. Looks like it should fit, but we dont know if the big girls will outgrow theirs before Huck gets here!

God forbid we ever get a pool table

My Dad bought a pool table. And it looks like this. All his wifes craft stuff is on it. I might have that to look forward to!