Special Packages

My favorite picture of all!

Aunt *R* sent this adorable hooded towel for Mary along with a stuffed lion and shirt.





I have a Great Aunt who I adore, even though it's from a distance. She has been a constant in my life since she and my Great Uncle and her mother, my Great-Grandmother, flew out to Los Angeles for my ordination/commissioning and wedding over 12 years ago. But even before that, my mom would share such good memories of her. I was also able to meet up with her again last year when I attended a conference in Nashville. She sends cards and packages of goodies all the time it seems like! We got another in the mail today, and I decided to capture the moment on camera so that she can see how much we appreciate it. I sure do wish I could know her better! She is a fabulous christian woman who goes out of her way to reach out to her family.





It took some effort to get the package open. The longer it took... the more the anticipation.








The boys got pillows, books, hats and mittens. They loved it all!

The girls got a ton of dress up jewelery. They wore straight until bedtime.

They also got hats and mittens, crayons and such.

I have heard about Beth Moore for so long and am THRILLED!! to get my own 2 study guides!!

I'll start tonight!

A couple of the necklaces my Great Grandmother made.

I told the girls, these are not for dress-up.

I'll be keeping these with my things until they are much older.

Things like this are precious to me.

Other goodies too. Paul especially enjoyed a good book and some M&Ms. (his faaaavvvorite)

Our Terrifying Experience

At about 10pm last night, this plane a, c-130, flew about 200 feet directly over our house.



As I lay in bed reading, I heard a rumble in the distance, then it grew louder and louder until the windows and the whole house were shaking. I sat up in bed paralyzed with fear. My mind was working but my body wouldn't. I kept wanting to run out of the room but all I could think was "this is it" "here we go" "at least the kids won't know what hit them". All I could think was that a plane was crashing into our home. A terrifying experience. Finally, when the room stood still and the sound was farther away, I ran out of the room nearly crashing into Paul who was running down the hall to our rooms.

Paul had been in the front yard, sizing up the sky for the Space Station that will be visible to us on Sept. 7. He had been looking directly across our street when he saw the lights of the plane heading right at him. The plane's wingspan went entirely across the TWO HOUSES AND YARDS across the street. He saw/felt all 4 propellors whiz by him. His first thought was that it was crashing into the house.

David woke up, (praying he said) but the others kids rustled around and went back to sleep. We were on the phone for half an hour talking to the police and the Dallesport Airport about what was happening. The police and the airport said they were being swamped with phone calls. We were told that we could call the Airforce to file an official complaint and assured that there would be no more take-offs that evening.

I was so full of adreneline that I was shaking and beyond crying. I walked laps around the house with David to try and shake it off. I have never felt such dread in my life.

Now it's all we could talk about today. What a memory this will make!

Chuckie-E-Cheese!

For our first day of furlough (vacation for all the non-army folks!) we went with our very good friends, the Browns, to Chuck-E-Cheese in Portland, a 1 hour 40 minute drive. We switched up the kids between our two vans and us moms rode together with some kids and the dads drove together with some kids. (we have 11 children between us) I had amazing conversation with my friend, Stacie. I think that was the best part of the trip. Chuckie's is ALWAYS fun!! The kids have a blast and it's easy on us parents, just give the kids some pizza, pop and tokens and they're all set!

We stopped at Super WalMart on the way home and then the kids all went swiming with Paul in the backyard pool while I made dinner: Weiners, strawberries and chips (hey... I'm on vacation too!)

Tuesday, Corps

Today was our last Game Room day for the Summer. Ms. K and the kids made up ice-cream sundaes to celebrate. I passed out tons of flyers inviting the kids to come to church and youth activities which start in Sept.

I frantically worked in my office to get things finished up enough to take our "staycation" beginning tomorrow! Yay!! One of our Advisory Board members will be preaching on Sunday and I'm excited to go visit a church on Sunday and sit side by side with my family. Not that I don't like my church!! It's just that furloughs are our only opportunity to see what other churches are like. (I still like mine best he!he!) I think we'll be going to Gateway (Paul's pick) but I'd rather do the Synagogue that meets near Lyle on Saturday or a group of families that meet at the Sr. Center on Sundays. But Gateway's good too, that's where a lot of David and Elijah's teacher's attend. I bet they'll be extra good.

Summer Reading

I've only gotten through 4 books this summer. I am just not finding the time to read! But here is what I've read:

• "The Mommy Survival Guide" by Barbara Curtis. This was a GREAT book!! Easy reading and just a good perspective on mothering. The author has 12 children, 6 of whom she's still raising, and she has good common sense, not a bunch of "methods" to turn out perfect children (as if that were possibe!) I learned about this book in The Salvation Army's War Cry magazine which features books on the first page.
• "Womanly Dominion: More than a gentle and quiet spirit" by Mark Chanksi. I finally found a book that makes me feel okay about my personality to take charge and run a tight ship! Before this book, I would kind of lay low about just how I manage my family and ministry, because I've been told (mostly when I was a kid) that I can be "bossy" and I certainly don't want to be percieved that way. (My "bossiness" is more refined now! (ha!ha!) But you know what... God told Adam and Eve to take dominion over the earth. To rule the earth and subdue it. That's exactly what this book is about, except in very specific areas. I would highly recommend this book, however, due to my Wesleyian background, there are a few areas I disagree with, but not enough to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The most important thing I took away from this book is that as women, we must be pro-actively engaged in living out our life for the Lord, not just weenie-victims-of-circumstances. I will definately be reading this book again.
• "The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the age of entitlement" by Jean M. Twenge, PhD and W. Keith Campbell, PhD. I have loved this book, also an easy read. I could feel my blood pressure rising just skimming the pages. The authors hit the nail on the head with their examples of and explanations of the "me, me, me" world we live in. This is not a "Christian" book, but there is definately a message here. When I read this book "deny thyself, take up the cross, and follow me" kept ringing through my brain. I am also implementing my new knowledge into my parenting to minimize this culture taking hold of my children's hearts. P.S. Is blogging narcissistic????
• "The Culture of Narcissism" by Christopher Lasch. I found out about this book through my Christianity Today magazine. Originally written in the 70's, this book gives warning of what happens to society through narcissistic motives, beginning with the "self-awareness" movement. This book was a hard read, referring to a lot of psychological terms, but so worth the effort and very enlightening to why things are the way they are in America. This is also not a "Christian" book, but it totally spoke to me that only God makes one Holy, and constantly being on the prowl for the next "self-improvement", "holier than thou", "another rule (law) to live by" is actually narcissism disguised as spiritual formation because it leaves out God's grace and power to make us holy. A fine line indeed!
• "Female Teaching" by Catherine Booth. I have re-read this only to give a better answer for my faith and to gain better Scriptural insight as to the whole women preaching thing. It is not enough to just say "I am called" (well, it's enough for me, I had the experience!). I want to be able to answer intelligently when some would rather not have the gospel preached than to put a woman at the pulpit. God is not a respector of persons. Enough said (well, wrote). Not trying to start anything here ;)
• "The Treasure Within Your Child" by Pam Farrel. I got this book a few years ago when the author spoke at our women's retreat. I skimmed through it before and shelved it, finding it again a week ago. I'm almost done reading it now. I am liking this book especially because it reminds me that my children are different from eachother. I would never want to lump them all together, although I can at times. They are each unique in their personalities and temperments and that's OKAY!! For example, I've NEVER had a 2 year old quite like Hannah. She has for sure broke the Chouinard mold. She is still not completely potty trained, even though all my other kids were entirely potty trained by 2 years 2 months. (I think she has a short fuse between her bladder and brain, she keeps peeing on the floor in the bathroom). And Ann- she is a total chatter box. She has always needed a little more attention than anyone else. She is clingy too. BUT Ann is super smart, extremely helpful and has an amazing mothering/nuturing/instinct. I could go on and on... but don't want to embarrass my kids or "brag" about how wonderful they are (ha!ha!) There are some real precious jewels in everyone!

So anywhoooo, those are some great reads that I've enjoyed. I have also been studying Hebrews this summer. What have you been reading???

Family Bible Camp

We went to Family Bible Camp this past week. It was a great time for us all. God, Family, Friends... what more do you need?? Our family stayed in a cabin all to ourselves. Yes, we take up that much room. We brought 5 other campers from church with us who were able to be in the cabin next to us. In the morning was workshops (I helped in the Kidzone), afternoon was freetime and the evening was a meeting filled with good, Biblical preaching on Holiness. I felt like I was on vacation! It was so nice- five days of having all my meals prepared for me, no laundry, no cleaning, and no Corps work, other than the people we brought with us. I wish I would've taken more pictures, but I was too busy having fun!

Every morning we did a Chouinard cuddle time in my bottom bunk.

The empty space you see was my spot.

This is David rehearsing for the praise band. He played every single night (5 nights). At one time there were about 6 guitars up there going, plus the drums and the piano. David did awesome. He played and practiced so hard that he split two fingers open. Slapped on a couple bandaids and kept playing. At the end, a couple of the Officers gave David over 40 sheets of music to play at our Corps.

Hannah DANCED every night to the music that lasted over 1/2 an hour.


Ann wiped out walking back from the pool. Here we are treating her wounds.

Elijah took this pic of me kissing on my baby girl.

She was so spoiled at camp. So many people held her and loved on her, especially during mealtimes, so I could eat and handle the other children.

One afternoon, we spent a few hours up on the playground with a couple of Corps people. We had a blast. We put the baby down the slide, played hide-n-go-seek

and I even did the monkey bars. I wish I was a kid again.

Elijah on the monkey bars. Suits him well.

David on the monkey bars.

Rough-n-tough Hannah on a chain ladder. She climbed that thing over 30 times

(I lost count after that.)

I was so blessed this week. It was truly refreshing to me in every way.

I love being with other Salvationists. It encourages me so much.

I am so proud to be a Salvationist!

The Salvation Army is the BIGGEST Army in the World, with over one million Soldiers. (Not including our staff, volunteers, adherents, Officers.)

Thank you Lord!

A Day (or two) in the Life

Saturday:

Coffee and nursing

Breakfast, get kids dressed and ready for the day

Chores

Head to a friends, Stacie's, to pick-up a pair of soccer cleets (sp?) for Elijah

To Kramer Field for Elijah's 10am meet the coach and practice

Amidst the confusion find out that they changed his time to 11am. NOT GOOD! (I had planned all around the 10am thing) Thanks a lot soccer people! I was not the only unhappy camper.

Load kids back up, leave Kramer field and go to the bank then to the new Farmer's Market at the City Park. A very small market, we did the whole thing in 15 minutes. Picked up some green beans and the kids shared a pint of blackberries and a pint of strawberries. Hannah looked a mess!

Back to Kramer field

Left in the middle of Elijah's practice to take David to guitar lesson (thankfully our friend, Steve, could watch Elijah while I was gone)

Came back, loaded up all the kids (you other moms know what all this entails!!)

Went to Big 5 to buy Elijah soccer stuff

Went through the drive through at McDonalds to pick-up lunch for Paul who was stuck at the Corps. We ended up getting lunch too because we were still not done running around town.

Picked up David

To the Corps, had lunch with Daddy in the Fellowship Hall. I worked on a couple quick things while the kids played and loaded up the car with a few drums from the bandroom that haven't been touched in all the time we've been here, 5 years. We're using them at home for the time being because Elijah will be taking drum lessons soon when we can find a teacher we can afford.

Went to the music store on 2nd St. to get drumsticks and guitar picks and to look around at the electric guitars and other instruments.

Went to Fred Meyer to get supplies for the Bible Lesson I'm teaching at camp this week, Jesus turns the water into wine. (No, I did not buy wine. Thought about it, you know keeping it authentic and all, but settled for grape kool-aid powder and jugs of water).

Went home. Gave the kids a Push-Up Popsicles OUTSIDE, as it is always a huge-o mess-o everywhere you look-o

Worked on chores and packing while listening to our new Chouinard band, David on the guitar, Elijah on his drums, Ann singing and playing the timbrel and Hannah shaking a maraca while periodically screaming. This lasted for hours. I'm not kidding. Hours. My ears are still ringing. Thank you Lord that we have a downstairs and a garage that we will soon be moving them to.

Baths, de-briefing with Paul, chasing kids to bed

Sunday:

Sunday School and Church. Went good, we were missing 3 families though who went camping together so we only had about 40.

Home for lunch

Went to the Veteran's Home to do church. David played guitar for the first time and did a great job. Ann and Elijah helped sing. Hannah and Mary stayed with Daddy.

Came home. The kids went swimming with Daddy while I worked on packing and chores around the house. I turned the TV on and watched/listened to cooking shows while sipping a Diet Coke to make it all more enjoyable.

Talked with in-laws on the phone.

Made up a "kids" dinner tonight... Corn dogs, Mac-N-Cheese and Apples. Guess who loved it... that's right... the kids.