Painting Crew....

Okay, Mom is the only painter as she loves to paint.

our bedroom...

girls room....

Naomi's room on left...

living room on right... the main floor is all the same color.

Our Cleaning Crew....

Before moving in...............

Jessica......

Esther.....

Hannah......

Our New Home

In August 2011 we moved into a new, to us, home. This home had not been lived in for 10 years so it was in need of cleaning, painting and repairs. The owners told us that it would only take their one cleaning lady one day to clean the house…. This is how we found it. (we did not want to take our shoes off at the door but did out of respect) We were also told that it didn't need painting as it was beautiful paint, but we could paint if we really wanted to. Since, the owner has been to visit and loved the work we have done on it.

Beautiful Naomi

July 2011

Naomi is in her final year of high school. Each of the kids participates in one way or another during sports day at their school. Naomi was wearing traditional Thai dress.

A Day With Rachel

We headed to Pattaya and had to stop and have breakfast in one of dad's and my favorite spots. We both had the same meal but Rachel had to eat all the toast as I can't. (isn't she beautiful - no more braces! It only took 7+ years but her teeth look good.)

Then we headed just south of Pattaya to the floating market. Now, many of you have likely been here before but not me and I have lived here for 5 years. (it is only about 40 minutes from our home) I had to pedal her around in this silly contraption. :) We had only bought fans as it was a hot day.

Then, of course, we had to finish with a relaxing foot massage. Somehow, in the heat it just isn't the same as in an air conditioned room. They did a good job, don't get me wrong....

Unwanted Visitor

Lil' Esther walked out our front door on Saturday afternoon and was daydreaming as usual when................. AAAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! MOM!!!!!! Yah right, what is mom going to do? I won't run from a snake but I don't want them in my house. He was just over 2 feet long. These 3 brave boys looked after things; David tried to mop the snake away, Steve did sweep it off the step and then Mark flicked it with the broom handle over into the next yard. They were our hero's for the day. He was pretty though. :)

Sporting a new Apron from Jenner

I was spoiled from our daughter in Canada, she knew I could always use an apron over here. The kids always ask mom if she will make pumpkin with curry...... they know it is one of my favorites. Hey, if they ask me to make it then perhaps they won't have to cook. All the older kids to do take turns cook

ing at times. Even the four little kids are getting really good at making rice. Here Ruth was helping mom cut up fruit for a fruit salad for dessert. We were having some guests over for dinner. We do have fun and just so you know, the apron is reversible..... the kids wanted me to wear it with the flowers out but I just thought it was too busy for the shirt I was wearing. Oh yah, I am just so fashionable! Love you Jenner........ Thank YOU!!! XOXOXO

Lil' Stories

Peter...21 years old

He has just finished his 2nd year at Bible College. He is working part-time at 7/11 over the school break, he doesn't like it much but he is trying to stay focused. He works 6 days per week for 10 hour shifts........ long and tedious!

Steve...19 years old(20 in September)

He is in his last year of high school. He is on a work practicum right now, through his school. He loves the work but finds it very tiring. He is one of the quieter kids.

Naomi...19 years old

She is in her last year of high school. She is also working part time at 7/11 which we would like her to quit but she wants to keep working. She is hoping to go to University next year, for 4 years, I believe. We don't see her much except at around midnight every night when she gets home.... I don't know how she does it, I have a very hard time keeping awake to pick her up from work.

Mark..... 17 years old

Everyone thinks Mark is the oldest as he is definitely the tallest. He is growing in to an awesome young man, on fire for God and very involved with the Youth Ministry and the worship teams.

David....14 years old

Wanting to be grown up so badly. He is working hard at playing guitar and is doing fantastic. And David loves to cook, making different dishes too!

Hannah........ 13 years old(going on 30 sometimes)

Priceless, the other day I was taking the kids out for a swim at Pattaya Park and as we are driving she says she can't figure something out. What? Well, she says, "Mom, you only have 2 feet but you have 3 pedals to drive, don't you need another foot?" I lost it, she had been contemplating it for a while before she asked me. Too, funny - I told her that I just turn my feet sideways so I can reach all 3 pedals at once......lol

Alan..... 11 years old

He is our new bass player in the kids band. He is a fantastic help around the house. He is one of those kids that makes strange noises or loud ones just to get attention. They all have their little quirks but I how love them all.

Victor....12 years old(13 in July)

Vic is one of those kids that can take anything apart and put it back together better, faster, and greater then before.(I sure hope he never gets hold of my sewing machine!) He will never go hunger. He is one I must never forget to give him his hug - everyday or he just doesn't function properly the following day.

Ruth... 12 years old(for the 2nd year in a row - her birth certificate was wrong?!)

Ruth is a huge helper around the house. She is a real joy. She is fantastic at translating for mom too! And, what a prayer warrior she is becoming....... so grown up!

Esther...8 years old(9 next week)

Everyone loves Esther, she isn't a follower and she isn't pushy or bossy........ she is just beautiful. Here, she was not tired, she wasn't going to fall asleep. So precious!

Isaac...8 years old.

One day he came and told me he was going to fast not the next lunchtime, but the next one.(supper) Supper time came, I called him, he was playing with domino's on the floor and he said "No Mom, I am fasting - remember?!" Well, you don't play while you fast, you need to read your Bible, so off he went and read his Bible. He has fasted 2 times so far - he might not understand the whole concept but he is growing. :)

Last night, he came home from school and said "Mom, I hope it was okay, but the snack you gave me, I forgot to eat it. At the end of the day I took it out of my backpack, but I gave it all to my friend mom cuz he didn't have any food. Is that okay? Praise God, what a blessing Isaac is!

Jessica...7 years old(8 in August)

Never stops coloring 'I love you Mom' pictures... She never wants to be left out of everything but becomes a little overbearing because of it. She will learn.... she loves to help and be in the middle of everything. Or should I say, she wants all the attention from everyone.

Matthew.... 6years old

Full of life, laughter and stories. He is in grade one this year so he is now in the big kids school. He was such a softy, now he tends to fight the strong fight........ he will have to learn the middle area. Fun and games!

Our New Worship Leader

Moses is gone; Rachel, Sarah, Samuel have moved out; Peter is in Bible College; John, Steve, Naomi are working and Mark is at Music Camp; all who would lead our worship, who is going to lead Worship now? David has now stepped up to the job! How neat is that! David has been learning guitar, Alan base and Victor drums, so we will continue to have a band in our home. All the kids have learned from one another and from hearing. They are all so clever! So, the other night was David's first time leading worship and he did a fantastic job. He did 3 songs and by the end of them his fingers were killing him.

As you can tell, our family seems to be shrinking. It isn't really, but with 3 kids off working and 1 in Bible College is makes few at home for our meetings. We do have 13 still at home and the others come home whenever they can make it.

All In a Days Work

When the kids are on holiday for 2 1/2 months it is a very busy time for me. So much to do and just one set of hands to do it. The kids are growing up so fast and they are such an incredible help to me it definitely lightens the load. They really have grown over the past year.... the home has a real peace over it! Praise God!

We have really been sticking to a schedule for learning English. The kids are already tops in their class in speech so we are working on writing and reading.

The older kids are getting very good at pronouncing words phonetically, which will be very beneficial to them. They love to learn too, first thing out of their mouths in the morning is 'who are you teaching first Mom?' I usually teach the six older kids individually as a couple of them were just following the ones that understood, not under their own understanding. With the younger kids I am working on the alphabet and on reading. They can pick out many words on their own and are very excited to point them out. They are taught English in the school system but usually by a Thai teacher that can't even speak English themselves. My grammar isn't always the best but the books they send home in English are terrible.... I can't believe that they aren't written properly. The kids bring them home now and say the teacher would like mom to read the book and correct the mistakes.... too funny. (oh, if they only knew the difficulties I had in school.... lol)

Something new for me this year; I am working/over seeing the English Nursery in our ministry for 5 weeks. Becky and Matt were making a trip to Canada for some rest and rejuvenating and they have helped me out so many times that it was my turn to return the favour. The kids at the nursery are so precious. I also brought a couple of ours so that there would not be difficulties in the home when I was away. I only go for 1 1/2 hours in the morning and in the afternoon. Between Mark and David taking turns caring for the younger kids we were able to pull it off. This past week and next week, Mark is away at Music Camp so David is looking after things for me. They are such awesome young men.

On the left, Victor was helping out, by washing the floor when the kids were having their snacks. On the right, he was hiding from the Thai teacher so she wouldn't give him any more chores to do - ah, he is good at hiding. :) I only have one week left, which I am looking forward to. I definitely draw my strength from the Lord!