ESL fun!

A little look into what our days with English as a second language can look like:)

So this cute picture shows what?

Yes, the boy is "ABSENT" from school.

Now this unknown word is partially due to ESL issue, but also because of homeschooling he is never 'absent' from school.

Always interesting to find words that are fairly common, yet he has no idea what they mean like: mental, actress, dental, atlas and insult. And these were all today.


But the word that took the cake today was not only a word that he did not know what it meant, but that even after trying a dozen times he could barely say the word--it was fun laughing with him as he tried.

I can not even explain how he was saying it, but we finally got---

EN-CHANT

And yes, we had to totally syllablize to get him to wrap his little tongue around it. In fact, I think he is still saying it as N-chant.

So we finally get the word pronounced correctly and I ask him what it means....

Didn't you know that it meant 'old', you know like ANCIENT!

Wow, you gotta wonder how confusing life must be when so many words are mixed up in a little head.

So I tried you know--enchanted--where have you heard that word Caleb?

His answer--

Yep, the movie--LOL.

We finally got that:

ENCHANTED=magical

ANCIENT=old

Then you should have seen his face when I told him in "Beauty and the Beast" the castle is both 'enchanted' and 'ancient'!

It was priceless confusion!

I can never say life is dull around here-LOL!

Running and Freezing

My wonderful husband is back to running, as you saw with his Pear Blossom Run last weekend.

He had not run since he hurt his leg in his ultra marathon a while ago, but in good old 'David fashion' he jumped right into a 10 miler with no training!

He talked and laughed his way through and is now still hurting, but determined to go on.

So......what fun would that be without convincing a bunch of others to go for an early Saturday morning run. Then....of course...you have to jump into the freezing river to 'ice' your aching legs.

And that crazy bunch all jumped in with him?

I think they have all lost their minds.

I say that very nicely, Nate, Dustin, unnamed friend, David and Darryl!

David and his dad, Darryl, who by the way got second in his age division at the Pear Blossom with David pushing him every step of the way--LOL!

Newest Jordan.....

Bet that got your attention----LOL!!

Actually this beautiful dove, and her protective husband have chosen to nest on our front porch!

Two little eggs are snugly tucked under mama.

We are anxiously awaiting their arrival.

What a nice treat after our 10 week study on birds this winter.

A Big Decision and a Move

Michael and Erinn have some big news.

Besides looking forward to his leave soon.

Michael has just reenlisted!

Here you see him at his ceremony on his field of duty.

They will be transferred to.......

You guessed it, HAWAII!

Think they may deserve a little R-N-R on this beautiful island after spending most of their first year of marriage apart!

Congratulations both of you. We pray that God blesses you abundantly as you continue to serve Him where ever He leads you.

Drew Freshman Update #2

This video is of Drew's race this weekend in Spokane. He got in the second heat and won his heat, but placed 3rd overall with a new 1500M PR.

A little update on Drew.

He had to stay on campus for spring break, due to track season, so Erinn went up to visit him. Think they both enjoyed the break.

He was sick while she was there and found out he had a lung infection. So he has had a rough start of track season.

He rabbited one race, and has run a couple of 1500M.

He has found a new church and is really enjoying the messages and fellowship there.

School is going well:)

He has put $ down on his first apartment for this summer!

Yes, our son has decided to stay and work and train and go to classes in Pullman this summer, so he will not be coming home:(

We are hoping to go see him in Seattle on the 30th of this month. I am missing him and am really pushing for a road trip!!!

Pear Blossom--Again

This is the early morning--"awe--David, the camera already!" picture!

Darryl and Becky's much better early morning picture.

All of us taking off for the early morning 1 mile race.

David grinning like a crazy man----running!

Hannah Belle thrilled with finishing her 1 mile race without walking or crying this year!!
And yes, the ribbon is upside down, but she is proud anyways.

Pastor Dale, David and Darryl getting ready to start the 10 miler.

And they are off---yes, it is about impossible to wipe that crazy grin off his face when he is running. Crazy I know.

And don't tell me genetics has everything to do with who you are!
Look at this crazy, grinning kid, running the 2 miler after he finished the 1 mile!

Caleb read to little Katelyn for about an hour while we stood in the road watching the runners finish!

And here they come!

That is Katelyn's daddy, Nate, on the left, then David with his Dad.

They finished their 10 miles in 1 hour 25 minutes.

Then our Erinn, escorted by little Hannah.

Erinn was shooting for 2 hours in her first ever big run.
She finished in 1 hour 39 minutes!!
Hooray for Erinn.
We are proud of you determination to do this!

Caleb sporting the 'humble 40 year old king of the hill award'!
A bunch of 40 year old guys around here pass it around to the winner of their group in each race. It is getting more and more embellished as it goes around. Caleb got to hold it because Dr. Neil was wearing it warming up!! He had to get rid of it for the race. I think he was the first guy in their group in, so he got it back.

Erinn and Hannah, both happy with their day's accomplishments.

Grandma/Grandpa Time

When David and I went to the coast last weekend, the little guys spent the weekend with their Jordan Grandparents, who are on their last visit home before heading back to the Philippines where they are missionaries.

There was dancing going on.

There was a trip to the pottery store, where Caleb was extreemly detailed.

I hear Hannah has about 10 coats of paint on this vase, as she could not decide what color she wanted to use:)

This picture is cute because at the dinner table Hannah is usually almost in someones lap, and well she loves her brother:)

Guess Darryl decided he needed another coffee mug.

Can you tell what it is going to be?

There was lots of cooking going on, including these homemade pretzels.

They love sleeping together no matter how tight the quarters.

They had to make a second trip to the store to let Caleb finish.

Do you see the pirate now?

And the finished beautiful vase.

Becky and Hannah did lots of reading together. Hannah is really taking off.

And finally Caleb playing chess--LOL!

The kids had a great time, and many good memories were made.