Austin Family Adventures

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Baby Names

Last time around, we had such a hard time coming up with and deciding on a boys name! So we need your suggestions! :) Do you have any boy names that you absolutely love?? We're really not into trendy names, but names that mean something nice. If you have any suggestions, send them our way. Either leave a comment or send it to my email at amyaaustin@gmail.com. Thanks!! :)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Ultrasound

Of all the tests, screenings, etc, you can have during a pregnancy, an ultrasound is the one thing that we do have. We're having this baby at home, like we did Dillon, so we aren't even pressured to have many of those other tests. But we love having an ultrasound! It's nice to know that the baby is growing and developing the way it should! And it's just fun to see the baby...it brings a sense of awe as we contemplate the creative power of God! And finally, we are thrilled to know the gender of the baby growing inside. It's a boy! We'll have two boys and a girl now. :) And truthfully, we would have been excited with either. Having one of each already, it didn't matter much to us which we ended up with. Chaeli is a bit disappointed that she won't be having a sister. In fact, she is already talking to me about having another so she can have a sister too! :) That is definitely not in the plans. :)

So that's our news. It's healthy. It's complete. It's just the right size for how far along I am. And it's a boy. We're happy!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Sabbath Nature Treasure Hunt

Here is a really fun treasure hunt that you can do this fall with your family. It's great for the Sabbath if you need a special activity!

1. Find 3 different leaves. Share together what their characteristics tell you about God.
2. Look for a bird. Consider God's care for all His creatures. Can you think of a Bible cerse that talks about birds?
3. Look for tree limbs or tree trunks that are shaped like a letter of the alphabet. Which Bible name (character or place) begins with that letter? (this was a favorite for us!)
4. Spend some time looking at the lake. What Bible story do you think of that speaks of water?
5. Find a nature object that looks like some type of animal. What "animal" texts can you find in the Bible?
6. Look for any kind of bug. What is the bug doing? How does that bug help its environment?
7. Look for an object lesson from something you see on your walk. Each person may see a different object lesson or you may have one per group. Share your object lesson(s).

Indiana Family Campmeeting

If you're at all familiar with the ministry Restoration International, then maybe you've heard of the family campmeetings they hold around the country. We were blessed to be able to attend one of them...the closest one to us is Indiana. It was held at the SDA Youth Camp there, Timber Ridge, so that's where we were for a long weekend.

I cannot begin to express what a blessing it was and will continue to be to our family. We were blessed and we were changed! We came back with a renewed focus and spiritual vitality. Jesus is coming sooooon, and as a family, we're going to be ready!

For anyone not familiar with their ministry, you can check it out at www.restoration-international.org. They have free sermons that you can listen to on the website and many more for purchase. Every message we heard, whether about marriage, parenting, our own christian walk or duties, was a tremendous blessing to us and we surely recommend them to you!

Besides canoeing, Chaeli's favorite part was watching the violins play during every song service. Then for church on Sabbath, they even all played together. She thought that was so grand!

This past weekend was wonderful for us. We enjoyed the time outdoors, the fellowship as a family, and the spiritual renewal and refocus that were all part of the weekend!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

The Joy of Fall Leaves

Just what the kids needed tonight! The little neighbor girl came over to see if they could play so after supper we went outside for a little while. The kids entertained themselves by raking piles of leaves and and jumping in them. From there it went to sliding into them and then even chasing each other and throwing leaves. It's gotten a bit colder (53 right now) here so we aren't outside as much and they desperately needed to get some fresh air and exercise! Mission accomplished!

Applesauce

IT'S APPLESAUCE MAKING TIME!!

This is actually my favorite fruit to can! I love my victorio strainer. It makes the process so easy and the kids love to help as well. This year I'm making many different mixes...mostly as an experiment to see if we can find other varieties that we like. The problem comes because David likes tart applesauce and I like sweet applesauce. Since we don't add any sugar, it's all up to the taste of the apples.

So far I have 13 frozen quarts and 17 canned quarts....with plenty to go as my livingroom floor is covered in apples! And I've tried different mixes that include any or all of ginger gold, macintosh, honeycrisp, and cortland. My favorite from last year is a mix of golden delicious and fuji! Yum! I also added some Mutsu to that mix and it was tasty as well so I'll be getting those next week.

Applesauce time is sooooo much fun! :)

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Brenda Walsh

Yesterday I was privileged to attend a one day conference with Brenda Walsh as the guest speaker. You know...the host of Kid's Time on 3abn, author of Passionate Prayer, and one of the cooking, singing Micheff sisters. What an inspiring lady she is! So full of life and love for Jesus! I was truly inspired to passionately pray and seek the Lord to use me!

If anyone is interested in checking out her website, she has lots of interesting information, along with her schedule, materials, and "needs." http://www.brendawalsh.com/ Here is one of the needs she has right now:

Miss Brenda Needs YOUR Help!! Brenda Walsh and Kay Rizzo have teamed up once again for an exciting project… ”Miss Brenda’s Bedtime Stories.” This will be a five volume, hard cover set of books, which will include an illustration for every story. The series will be publish by Pacific Press Publishing Association and similar to the popular Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories that have been around for years and now are quite outdated. We are looking for 200+ fresh stories about children that are “character building” for today’s 6-9 year olds. No fiction please.We need:

Stories with a good moral,
Stories that encourage children to make wise choices,
Stories that inspire children to have a closer walk with Jesus,
Stories that glorify God through the experience,
Stories that illustrate honesty, respectfulness, acts of kindness, an answer to prayer, witnessing experiences, how they gave their heart to Jesus, etc. This is your opportunity to have Your story printed in these books! We are not looking for writers! Kay and Brenda will rewrite your story! Be sure to include the basic facts: who, what when where, why, and how. If you are willing to donate your story to bless others,

Please Send Brenda an Email If you have any questions, please call Brenda at 865-776-4908. Jesus is coming soon and our goal is to draw children around the world closer to Him! Remember we can only write as fast as we receive the stories so please don’t delay! Please fill out a Release Form and mail or fax it (703-880-5467) to me. Thanks for your help and quick response!

Keep Praising Jesus,
Kay and Brenda

Quotable Kids

The kids were talking about what day they would get married on. Chaeli was talking about Friday and Elijah never! Dillon says, "What day do you think I want to get married on?" We guessed a few but we didn't guess right as his answer was, "Wednesday." What?! I asked why and his response was, "so my wife can watch me go swimming in the evening." Apparently he is only going swimming on Wednesdays and he likes the idea of her watching him. The moment was hilarious. We laughed so hard!
Words of wisdom from the almost 5 year old: "Mama. If you want my room to stop being a pigsty then stop giving me stuff." :) True. True.
Wearing a white skirt and having just spilled something on it, I said, "guess I can't wear this anymore." Chaeli's reaponse: "Just put white out on it!"
Wisdom from the 4 year old to his siblings: "The more times you think you can, then you can." At least someone's been listening!
I was singing a song and scratching Elijah's back while putting him to bed and he said to me, "Don't scratch cause I might get duckbumps." hahaha....he makes me laugh!! I told him that he meant goosebumps and he giggled and said, "goosebumps and duckbumps!"
"Mommy...you, me, and papa are the only ones who haven't lost a tooth." Whew...I sure hope it's not me or papa who are next!! :)
Chaeli is just starting a typing program and she asked if I had learned to type when I was a girl. I said I remembered learning to type on a typewriter back in 9th grade. I asked her, "do you even know what a typewriter is?" She replied matter-of-factly, "Yes, I've seen one in a museum." Now that makes me feel old! :)
While we were at the bank setting up savings accounts for the boys, the clerk asked Dillon his birthday. He told her Feb 5 to which she respond, "which year?" He looked at her like it was a trick question and with a big grin he said, "every year!" I could hardly contain my laughter!!
Three year old's are just funny, I tell you! I asked Elijah not to saw the word 'now' in the phrase 'turn it off now' because it sounded rather demanding. Dillon and he are playing with a train set and when there's a problem he has started saying, "Please turn it off this day!" hahahaha!
Hilarious!!! Lately whenever littlest boy is frustrated with biggest boy, he states very sternly, "Dillon Nichole Austin." Of course, it frustrates biggest boy because that is Chaeli's middle name, but it is so humorous to me!! :)
After thinking and talking to himself quietly for a bit at supper Elijah said out loud: "Misterssippi and Mississippi go together."
Why is my 6 year old the voice of reason? I said I felt like making cookies. He said, "Remember, sickness is going around." Hmph. True.
Chaeli pointed at Elijah's knee and said, "this is the kidney." Not liking when they lead little brother astray, I let her know that wasn't okay. She said, "it's a kid knee." That made me laugh!
After listening to Give Me Oil in my lamp Elijah informed me that really "it should be May I Please Have Oil in my Lamp." :)
Dillon is trying to help Elijah understand N,E,S,W as they play. I mentioned to Dillon that at three he would have a hard time understanding. In a frustrated voice Elijah says, "I do understand. They are north right now and soon they're gonna be yeast!"
I said "Amen" after praying with Elijah and started tucking him in. He said, "And could you please ask Jesus to come get us?" Of course, I did.
So thankful that when my littlest one is scared of the dark he says, "Can you pray,Mommy?" Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus!
I'm singing: "I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary. I believe whatever the cost....I'll still cling to the Old Rugged cross." Elijah looks at me and asks, "is that a real song?" I tell him yes and he says, "thank goodness."
I asked Elijah if his pants were too big. As he pulled them up he responded, "No they just keep falling down a little."
Chaeli: "I don't think I want to get married now because he'll want to kiss me a lot."
We've been learning about the voting process and reading about some of our past presidents. Apparently, at lunch Dillon was still thinking about it. Dillon: "I want to vote for Lincoln." Me: "I do too, son, but that isn't possible." Dillon: "Too bad." Yes, it really is too bad. :)
Snuggling Elijah on my lap, I said to him, "Can you just stay little so I can snuggle you always?" "Sure!," he replied. Finally one of my kids agreed to stay small!
The end of the school week and Chaeli says, "Dillon, if we have any free time, let's play school." He furrows his eye brows and shakes his head no...
"I love you all day, Mommy, and I love you all night." -Elijah
I exclaimed in Elijah's presence that my nose was so stuffy and wasn't working. He said to me, "Mine isn't. You can use it." How generous!
Dillon announced that he needed both David and I to sit down together. He proudly comes in and presents us both with a one dollar in quarters. "This is for you, Mommy and Papa....for taking care of me." We assured him that we would do it without pay, but he insisted! :)
I was reminding Dillon that when something doesn't work we should keep trying. I said, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. If at second you don't succeed, try, try again. If at third you don't succeed, try, try again. If at hundredth you don't succeed...." (paused waiting for Dillon to finish). Chaeli piped up with, "ask for help!"
‎"I could do more because I listened better." Dillon quote after swimming lessons this morning. Good lesson to remember!
I told Elijah he needed to try going potty. In all seriousness he responded, "I already went potty. I went yesterday."
Elijah wanted to skip the rest of his meal and just go right to the applesauce at the end. He never finished so he didn't get applesauce. As he brought his plate to the sink he exclaimed, "In heaven I'm just gonna eat applesauce!"
We're in the garden looking over the tomato plants and Chaeli says to me, "Mommy, where are the aroma tomatoes?" I guess roma tomatoes do smell good!
Music to this mommy's ears: "I can't wait to have my personal worship. I love reading my Bible!" -Dillon
Elijah and I were walking/running ahead of the others down the pier. Joyfully he says, "We're beating the others up!"
I was explaining to Elijah the role of an air traffic controller and how he tells all the planes when to come in and when to take off. I ended with "because he can see everyone." There was a pause, a thought. Elijah says, Oh...is it Jesus?"
Standing at our tent during campmeeting, Elijah states to me, "Mr. Shultz just went by. First the girl Mr. Shultz, then the boy Mr. Shultz.
I was sad that we couldn't go to church on David's birthday because Chaeli wasn't feeling well. Dillon says to me, "Well, you know all things work together for good. We may not like the process though." Praise the Lord for children who give us spiritual reminders!
I walk into the kitchen where Elijah is on the counter with a bag of carob covered peanuts. Around his mouth is all brown. I said, "Elijah, why are you eating those without asking?" He said very seriously, "Mommy, I just ate one, two, free....and free more!" At least he's honest!
Elijah while trying to take his shoes off: "Mommy, the tie-er won't untie!"
Elijah is sitting on the counter next to me as I'm making popcorn for supper. He leans over and says, "There's a melody singin' in my heart!" Big grin and then he goes back to singing. That kid makes me smile! :)
Dillon: "I'm having a brainstorm." Me: "You are? What do you mean?" Dillon: "My mind is thinking about one thing and then thinking about another thing. Round and round."
I said to Elijah, "You need one of the big kids to help you with that." He replied, "You are a big kid, Mommy." :)
This morning on Elijah's third birthday he said, "When I was little..."
As I'm putting Chaeli to bed just now she says to me, "I wish I could have gone to school with you. But I can't, you're my mom." Love that girl!
Standing on my bed, Elijah is forcefully saying, "Take these pillows hence!" Correspondingly he throws them off!
Chaeli said to me, "Are they washed?" Elijah responded with, "I don't want squash!"
Dillon said to me this evening, ‎"Whenever I start to do something hard I think of "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." That makes a parent happy!
Dillon informed me this evening, "I think there will be fireworks in Heaven - on the night we get there!" I can't deny that it will be quite the celebration! :)
"I'm gonna get down and have a time out." -Elijah
"Dear Jesus, I'm sorry for making you cry. Amen." -Elijah
Elijah is playing with the train track set and I see him putting back in the container. "Are you putting it away," I ask. "Yes, I'm taking it to where Papa lives," he replied. I laugh big and then ask, "where does Papa live." Very matter of factly he said, "In the office."
Just over 2 1/2 and Elijah says to me, "I like red and blue. Red and blue make purple." Wow!
Dillon asked, "Mommy, when Jesus comes is everyone going to love Jesus?" I explained that everyone would have had a chance to say "yes, I love Jesus" or "no, I don't love Jesus." After a moment of thought Dillon replied, "when I grow up, I want to be a missionary."
"I'm gonna be loving you," Elijah said, as he jumped into my lap. A very good start to my day!
Chaeli reading a road sign: "Lane ends. Marriage Left." {chuckle...}
The kids and I were out identifying trees. Chaeli and I were pondering over our last tree leaf when I looked up to realize that Dillon was standing at the neighbor's chicken coop singing "I've Been Redeemed." Maybe it wasn't specifically to the chickens but it really made me laugh!
From the mouth of the five year old: "I have lots of dollars in my wallet because I want to feel like a real man." :)
Chaeli, said, "when I'm all grown up, I'm going to skip being a mommy and just be a grandma." To that Mommy responded, "so should I have done that?" Chaeli: "Yeah... NOOO!!"
From the FIVE year old: "I've been thinking whether I want to ride a motorcycle when I grow up....I don't want to get hurt, you know." Wonder how long he's been pondering this deep question. :)
The group is singing 'These are the Days of Elijah.' Elijah looks at me with wide eyes and says, "They're singing me!"
Elijah referred to a pastor friend of ours today as "Mr. Katie." Katie is his wife.
"Lay down," I said to Elijah. He sits back up and says, "I can lay up, Mommy."
Very sincerely Dillon says to me today, "Mommy, did you know there was a state called Dilaware?" Until I broke the sad news to him, he thought it was cool that there was a state that started the same as his name!
My 5 years old is cleaning and shining my kitchen sink for the third night in a row! And it really does sparkle when he's done!! The first night he said to me, "come over here and watch, Mama, so you will know how to do it too." :)
E's little 2 yr old voice right before breakfast - "Is it hungry time, Mommy?"
During Sabbath school this morning E told me, "There's nots (snot) in my nose." I looked and it wasn't runnning out so I said we would blow it in just a minute. He turned to me and blew on my nose. He said, "I blow mommy's nose." :)
I said, "I can't wait to get my Sabbath school programs." Chaeli replied, "I can't wait till I can drive." My, oh my!!
You know...the people they use to bury in pyramids?? Chaeli's answer: "Oh yeah. Dummies." Mommy: "I think you mean mummies." We were really trying to get the word Pharoah but the answer was just so funny!
We were talking about symbols of America and I asked Chaeli what reminded her of the USA. Dillon pops up with, "Walmart!"
At potluck to a friend of ours Dillon dramatically says, "Give me pie, or I die!"
We had just made some pretty healthy caramel popcorn. Chaeli says with a big smile on her face, "Mommy, this doesn't taste like it's healthy!"
Dillon quote: "Chaeli, you take some and I'll take the other some."
"Mommy, Jesus can do magic. He can snap His fingers and it just happens." - Dillon
I said to Dillon, "My ears itch!" He replied, "Then don't listen." :) Hope it solves my problem.
Once again my 4 year old cracks me up! He's laying next to me and I hear him sniffing. When I look at him, he says, "I'm smelling you to see if you are good to eat!"
I was holding Elijah and thought I smelled something so I asked Dillon to come over and smell Elijah's bottom. After smelling, Dillon looked at me and very slowly and seriously said, "Yuuuck. It smells like chips." Upon changing the diaper I confirmed my suspicion that it was NOT chips in there!
Chaeli was trying to learn how to ride a bike without training wheels today. Even amid all the falls, Dillon was her greatest fan. All of a sudden he exclaimed, "Hot dog! She's good!" Makes me chuckle every time I replay it in my mind! :)
I had to trim a few of Elijah's hairs tonight for the first time. I said, "should we keep them?" "Yes," says Chaeli. "Yeah," says Dillon. "Lets glue them to Papa's head!"
Chaeli says, "a ride-on!" Huh is my reply. "A ride-on shovel," she says as we pass a front end loader!
Chaeli: "I have a good forehead. I can remember!"
Chaeli about the Superbowl: "I was watching my favorite part where they get down on their hands and knees and run into each other!"
After hearing "The First Noel" only a few times, this is what Chaeli was singing: "The first noel the angels did say, on a cold winter morning in fields and in hay... :)
You know your husband has done too many funerals when one morning you say, "I wonder what Papa is doing," and your three year old replies, "Maybe he went to the graveside."
I had just finished singing "You are my Sunshine" to Dillon. 5 minutes later He comes over to me and says, "Do you remember that I'm your little Mary Sunshine and no one can take me away?"
We hung out at the beach this afternoon. While we were in the water, I said, "Dillon, see the big fish." He tensed up and said, "Does it swallow?" :) I reassured him that they wouldn't swallow him like the big fish swallowed Jonah. "Ooohh...okay," he said.
"I have to close my eyes. When I open my eyes the sun hurts my eyebrows." --Dillon
"Mommy, when we play Sabbath school and church tomorrow, can we have potluck too?" Chaeli asked.
Totally out of the blue Dillon says, "Thank you, God, for blue blankies."
Dillon: "Mama..........I love you. You and me are gonna be neighbors." (he's talking about heaven!)
Chaeli's favorite phrase of the evening: "Go up thou bald head." She kept saying this to Dillon as they played on the porch this evening. :)
"Dillon, we need to decide what we're going to get Papa for his birthday." He replied, "Let's get him a BIG duck!" (we both had a good laugh) "What kind of duck are you talking about," I asked. "A BIG, BIG duck!"
"Dillon, why are you up so early?," mama asked. "Because I want to see you, Mama," Dillon sweetly replied. Even though it was 5:30am, I surely couldn't send him back to bed after that.
Dillon is standing near me giving me a funny look. "Are you okay," I ask. "Yes, mommy. I just love you." he says, as he runs away.
"Dillon, it's time to take a nap," I said. "Do you need to go potty?" "No, I don't have to go. I went last week," he replied.
"Chaeli, your gum is darker red now that you're chewing it," I said. "That's because I turned it inside out," she replied.
"Look at that tree Dillon." I said, "See the red and yellow and orange and green all over it?" "Yes," said Dillon. "We should do that to our tree."
Lately Dillon has been singing the song "In the Garden." At supper yesterday he started again and sang, "I keep coming to the garden alone..."
Chaeli says to Dillon: "Dillon. Did you know that Jesus made Adam out of dirt and then blowed heat into him and he became a real lived person?"
Dillon got 10 dimes from Grammy and we explained about tithe to him. Going up the stairs last night with his dimes, I reminded him that one was for Jesus. He took one dime and placed it on a stair. "I'll leave it right here so Jesus can get it," he said.
After explaining to Dillon that mommy has a baby growing in her tummy, he turned and said to us, "I'll water it."
According to Chaeli, I am now "the baby lady."
Chaeli was telling me that she needed help putting a tape in the tape player. She said to me, "I forgot how. I haven't done this in years!"
Dillon is on the stairs with his hands folded, crying and crying during a little meltdown! He stops and says to me, "Pray, Mama." Usually we pray for self-control during these episodes and he knew he needed to!
I'm going to wake Dillon up. I say, "Wake up, Dillon. We're going to MOOville so we can eat ice cream." Dillon's eyes pop open. He says, "It's gonna be cold.....I'm gonna say brrrrrrr."
Inside Chaeli's head: "I have a piggy bank. Dillon has a piggybank. Mommy is putting money in our Sabbath school jar." Chaeli says to mommy: "We have lots of money in this house!"
We're driving down the highway last night and we pass a small lake on Dillon's side of the car. All of a sudden Dillon exclaims, "Oh, a swimming pool!"
At the end of dinner tonight Chaeli said to me, "I'm all done. I can't eat anymore." ....2-3 minutes later.... "Well," she added, "done with this food. I have room for pie."
No matter what Dillon's actual memory verse is for the week, if you ask him to say his memory verse, he'll say to you, "Be kind to one another. Ephesians 4:32." It's the first one he's ever learned completely by memory so in his mind, THAT is his memory verse!
As any good parent, we're endeavoring to teach our kids to speak politely. When Dillon wants us to hold him he says, "May you please hold me?"
Whenever I tell Chaeli that I like what she is wearing she kindly tells me that when she grows up, she'll share it with me. The implication is that it will be larger as well! :)
We were playing on the playground behind our church school and suddenly Chaeli exclaims, "My shirt is clean! Clean as dirt!"
Traveling home from church not long ago, Dillon was in the mood to sing..."Amazing grace how sweet MY sounds..." Truly, it was sweet! :)