Life~

So, here it is again, already the 26 of January 2008! How time flies by! Here is a little bit of what we've been "up to" lately.

• Lots of political activity for both the Ron Paul & Kevin George campaigns. This includes: distributing fliers, painting signs, talking to friends, neighbors and countrymen about these two candidates.
• School work of every shape and form: going to and listening to lectures on everything from ethics, and foreign policy, to life, liberty and the constitution.
• Taking care of sick children, and Mom's various health needs. Thankfully, nobody has ended up in the hospital, yet. :)
• Housework, cooking, cleaning, etc. This is my favorite thing to do above all the rest, and I get to do my share of it around here. :)
• Watching YouTube videos about Ron Paul and his stance on different issues. We have received an education just listening to him talk. I learn something new each time I listen to him.
• Going to church functions, Bible study and family worship here at home. Right now, we are slowly going through the book of Joshua during our family worship times. It has been a very enlightening study, even though we don't always get to meet each day, we still have our own quiet times, and hopefully we learn through that time spent in the Word of truth.
• Entertaining family. Our Aunt Jill and her 'tribe' come occasionally. They aren't really guests anymore, just like family and we love every opportunity we can find to get together. They have a new house, and have acquired several animals, including Chandler the cutest dog which they brought along with them this last visit. It's actually Dustin's, but he lets the whole family pet him. :)
• Learning Logic, using the very helpful book The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel & Hans Bluedorn. We just completed a session about propaganda. What a perfect subject to study during this political season!

We have been truly amazed at how God continually blesses our family. The Lord continues to work in all our lives, to bring us closer to Him, and to refine us into His image. We are so excited about 2008 and what it holds for our family! We don't know what all will happen, but as we look forward to some of the things we have planned, we do so with the knowledge that they can change in a second if the Lord so wills. We hope that you and your family will strive to serve the Lord in the way He would have you to! God's richest blessings to you in this year!

"Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him speak peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:10-12 ESV

Christmas - The Surprise!

eChristmas: The Surprise!

The story goes something like this...

Close your eyes!

About a week before Christmas, Joel called me from a local second-hand shop asking me if he thought he and the others should purchase an old, treadle powered Singer sewing machine, which he thought would be the "perfect" Christmas gift for Mama. I asked him the price, condition, etc. He seemed to think it was a "good buy", and in fairly good condition for is age. So... about 2 hours later, he and the other children returned from their Christmas shopping spree with the Singer. And what a beauty it is. It is in need of some minor repairs, but we were quite confident that it could be fixed in plenty of time for Christmas.

No Peeking now!

We all pitched in and helped with the polishing, oiling and the general repair of the old machine. Dad even got involved, purchasing a new belt, and helping with some of the other mechanical type repairs. Mom almost gave away her own surprise, because we had it stored in the garage under some blankets, and she was snooping out there, while on her way back from a walk. Phoebe said as casually as possible, "Mom, I don't think you're supposed to know what's under those blankets."

Oh my goodness!
On Christmas Aunt Jill, Taylor, Andre & Stefon came over to eat dinner, and visit. [Aunt Jill is Mom's sister]. After we had opened all the other gifts (we saved the best for last), we asked Mom to close her eyes and turn her head. The others in the room could see what was beneath the blanket, but all tried valiantly not to give it away. Soon the order or "you can look now" was given and all eyes turned towards Caleb & Phoebe and what was behind that blanket. The blanket dropped, and Mom completely taken by surprise, jaw dropping, and tears running, jumped up and with hands covering her mouth, ran over to the machine to caress its worn surface. Of course, she was enormously pleased with our selection, and I'm so glad that I had the camera in the position I did to capture that special moment. The machine still needs a few things tweaked to make it do what its supposed to do, but Mom's not really doing much sewing right now anyway. The table is very pretty, old wood and wrought iron, and makes a great side table for the living room, for right now. We, her children were very glad that we could surprise her with something she could actually use and was on her long time "wish list". We love you Mom!

Mom and her "new" machine.

Christmas Tue. December 25 - Gifts

eThe Giftse

Caleb looking pleased with all of his gifts

Phoebe and all of her gifts! Wow!

She was able to get some books for her new mandolin.

She was SO excited and is using those resources to play beautiful music. We are all enjoying her talent.

Joel with his many gifts!

Joel is wearing one of his gifts. Can you guess what it is? Leave a comment and we'll see if you're right. :)

Looking handsome

Mom & Dad's many gifts

Johanna with all of her beautiful gifts, including a doll!

Dear Jaden with all his great gifts!

Me and my wonderful gifts.

Here I am with all the wonderful gifts I received,

including the blue bracelet and the sports watch on my wrists.

Jaden presents...

Jaden gave each member of the family, all seven of us, $1. Here he is giving his gift to me. I was 'elected' to have my photo taken with Jaden as he distributed his thoughtful gifts. This was his first year to really give anything to anybody else. He's either been to little to understand, or hasn't had the money. :) We give our gifts in order of age, youngest to oldest. We open all of them, one by one. It's really quite fun to do it that way, because everybody gets a chance to see what you got, instead of having lots of wrapping paper flying and chaos.


Can you tell we love to read!? I think that all of us received at least 1 book apiece. Some of us received several. Johanna got a big surprise: Caleb, Phoebe & I went together to purchase the rest of the Castleberry's Farm Mystery Series and ordered it. She had been wanting to get it but had not the money. So, I was able to do all of the ordering and emailing behind her back, and then on Christmas morning, she opened that box and was really excited! Can you guess what she's been doing the last several weeks? By the way, if you'd like information on how to order this great, wholesome series for your family, check out their website.

Christmas Tue. Dec. 25 - Christmas morning

eee

Here are the pictures from our Christmas day gathering. These are from our breakfast time. We had Scottish scones, tangerines, and rice with different toppings. It was all very delicious and was eaten in a flash! e

At the breakfast table

That's Jaden, Abby, Johanna, Caleb & Mom getting ready to eat! e

We didn't take very many pictures, and the ones we took were of poor quality. I apologize for that.

Our dainty breakfast

We had a wonderful time of eating and fellowship around the table. We are so thankful that Mom was able to take part in all of the days activities. It would not have been complete if she were not with us.

Christmas - Saturday Dec. 29 Gifts from Dad

Here are the pictures that we took of the first of several Christmas gift exchanges.

Dad went Christmas shopping for gifts for his children the week before Christmas. He wanted to present them early, so he choose to do so after we had family worship on Saturday morning.

Joel and his drill

He gave Joel & Caleb drills (DeWalt, Makita), both used but in great working condition. They will use them a lot around here with all the different projects they have and things to fix. :)

Phoebe and her baking dish

Johanna and her dish

He gave Jo, Phoebe & myself different items for our HopeChests. Johanna & Phoebe both received glass baking dishes, and a serving dish each. I received a glass 4 cup measuring cup. I really enjoyed getting it, and look forward to the day (Lord willing) that I'll be able to use it.

Me and my glass measuring cup

Jaden and his wrenches

To Jaden he gave a set of Metric wrenches, and he was just thrilled. Jaden already has his own tool box with quite a few tools, thanks to some garage sales he's been to. :)

Jaden's Birthday pictures

"Now I'm 5 years old!"

Jaden with his cake 'n ice cream

All his wonderful gifts

Birthday boy

OK, so by now you know that we are really bad about posting on a consistent basis. So much has been going on in our life lately (and always) that it seems like the only time we get on the computer its either to check for email or do something else on the net.

Here are some pictures taken the morning of Jaden's birthday, and than 2 days later, of his gifts and cake 'n ice cream. He was sick on his birthday and the day after, so we had to postpone his cake and ice cream for a while, but he got to enjoy it... 2 days late!

(Orange is his absolute favorite color!) Sorry, the photos didn't turn out the way we wanted them to. The lighting wasn't the best, plus he doesn't look his best in some of the photos. The photo of him and his cake, is really bad due to the lighting and also he still looks like he's sick. He is doing just fine now, and is as full of energy as ever! Praise God for blessing our family with Jaden J. Kautt on Dec. 19, 2002! We love you Ja!

Enjoy!

A New Year

In light of the changing of the calender :), I thought I'd post a hymn that we sang on Sunday (Dec. 30, '07) regarding the commencement of a New Year.

Another Year is Dawning
Francis R. Havergal (1836-1879)

1. Another year is dawning! Dear Father let it be, In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee; Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast, Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest.

2. Another year of mercies, Of faithfulness and grace; Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face; Another year of progress, Another year of praise, Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

3. Another year of service, Of witness for Thy love; Another year of training For holier work above. Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be On earth, or else in heaven, Another year for Thee. Amen.

A beautiful reminder of what our year(s) should be. Full of love, and service for our dear Master and Saviour.

God bless you richly this year!