Best Friends for LIFE!

Our two little princesses!

I couldn't resist posting this picture from yesterday. The girls were on their way to church after having a special afternoon together.

Perfect weather for a walk to the creek.

What Ben does when Mom's not around!

Steve Sturdevant and Dave

Emily is sooo excited about her new violin! She starts lessons this summer or fall. She's been begging for a violin, but when she heard the terrible racket it made when she attempted to play it, she burst into tears. I guess she thought it made music on its own!

Where is Spring?

It's a beautiful day in Jackson today! Come on out, groundhogs, Easter bunnies, and daffodils. Old Man winter is being banished from these parts, and sent to hang out with you northern bloggers!
We are starting revival tomorrow with Dan Durkee. I am looking forward to a spiritual renewal. I guess I need spring in more ways than one.
We had the privilege of entertaining Steve Sturdevant a couple weeks ago. He is involved with Arms Around the World missions organization. His presentation was so challenging. It was great to renew our acquaintance. He and his first wife were missionaries to Papua New Guinea at the same time that my folks were there. I was just a kid back then!
Updates on the kids:
Josh----went to the hospital with Dave last night for a late-night admission (I guess he is continuing to test his interest level in a medical career.)
Ben----has grown out of three pant sizes in about nine months. He really wants to be taller than Josh.
Zach----is determined to shoot the resident squirrel in the treeline behind the house. I guess he has hit it several times to no avail. Zach said it is moving a lot slower. It's probably filling up with BB's. Now, you animal rights activists, no
unkind judgments of my parenting skills!
Caleb----has a new favorite word--ambitious! As in, "There was a log bridge over our ambitious creek." Or, the reason he disobeyed me and went ahead and played the computer was because he was a little too "ambitious"!
Emily----is feeling very saintly lately. She told Ben that the reason she couldn't turn her bedroom light off for the night was because she "needed to have her devotions and hear what the God said".
Never ever a dull moment around the Boardman Ranch!

Let the show begin!

Love my girl!

Lauren and Em

My homeschooling mentor, Robynne Bollig

Best Buddy, Ellie Bollig

Josh catching a little air!

Ready, set, fly!

Happy skiers!

February Fun!

This month is gone already! In some ways it has been a month filled with blah winter days; however, when I remember all the special times we have had together over the last few weeks.........I am blessed!
Our little buddy, Andrea, is in the hospital for a few days so we get to have the Truitt kids at our house. My kids love it! (So do I!). Right now, Debbie(Nana)Mahan, has taken them back to their house to get their schoolwork done for the day. The kids all play really well together and it's almost easier having nine than five! Mealtimes, I will admit, get pretty interesting.
Last night, I took Emily, Caleb, Travis, and Lauren to see Go Diego, Go Live. Let's just say, I felt like I was in a Preschool pep rally. Two thousand toddlers yelling and clapping. You get the idea! Emily loved it! Caleb and Travis endured it! Lauren was my willing source of adult accompaniment. Actually, this was supposed to be Andrea's birthday present from Emily. We were sad that Jenn and she had to be in St. Louis last night.
Well, I had better go and do lesson plans for the next few days.
Love to all!
Heidi

Catching a few snowflakes.

Check out the rosy cheeks!

Wild Man Zach!

Emmy enjoying her hot chocolate.

I guess this weather is "for the birds"!

Snow Days!

I can't believe that it's the middle of February and I'm just now posting. Let's see........maybe I can update you on what we have been doing. We had a going away party for our dear friends, the McLean Family. They have been stationed in Eugene, Oregon. Only three years and maybe they'll come back! Our church already misses them. Forty people came over for the get together and it was a blast!(Other than the fact that I was coming down with the flu. God bless you, Ibuprofen!
Last week, we got about six inches of snow. Even Dave got a snow day! He went out and bought all kinds of sleds ,saucers, and a snowboard. A good time was had by all!
Monday, it started sleeting and it didn't stop for almost 24 hours. We ended up with about four inches of ice and no electricity. Between the fireplace and extra blankets, we managed until Dave brought home a generator and a kerosene heater. About the time our power came back on, the Truitt's lost theirs. They don't have a fireplace so they came over here for a big slumber party. One of their boys commented that "This is the best day of my life!".
Dave and the three oldest boys are leaving tonight for Galena, IL. to go snow skiing with Boardman brothers, uncles, and cousins. Pray for protection over life and limb! Caleb, Emmy, and I have big plans of going to McDonald's Playland. Wow! Emmy said, "Mom, can we actually go in the door?" As you can tell, I'm more of a drive-thru Mom!
Sorry I've rambled so................................Until next time, Ciao