Project 365 – Day Four (Thurs-DW)

Today is David’s Special Day! After school we met Tim at the Y for swim lessons and some family wallyball. David is improving by leaps and bounds in his serving. I will try to bring my camera with me next week to see if I can capture his athletic prowess on film.

David is a whimsical, funny, incredibly grateful five year old (six in February, gasp!) boy. He will thank you over and over (and over and over) for a special gift.

David smiles

For Christmas he received a blue sweatshirt and walkie talkie watch. These two items have become some of his most favorite gifts. I think he has worn both of them every day this week. Joshua said David saw his green watch on the shelf (that hasn’t worked for years) and told Joshua, “Oh, I’ve always wanted a watch!” That same day we opened a few more presents, one of which happened to be a pair of walkie talkie watches for David and Daniel. David was absolutely thrilled. Isn’t it precious when you get to see a (sometimes secret) delight of your child’s heart met.

David's watch

In Matthew Jesus said, Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

David’s cheerful, grateful spirit often brings tears to my eyes and convicts me of my own attitude toward the Lord and all the good things He gives me. At one point David told me that he had gotten everything he “absolutely, totally” wanted for Christmas. What an amazing outlook. I know that he is young and much of his manner comes from his youthful innocence but my prayer for David is that he would continue to grow in the grace that God has bestowed upon him and remain an appreciative, thankful, enthusiastic individual.

David games

David loves to play games. For his Special Day he chose The Legend of Landlock. This is another one of our new games from Christmas. Joshua advised as David and Tim played and helped lead David to a rousing victory. Ha!

David computer

Whether it be computer games, board games, scooter or bike rides, David is NOT one to be left behind. He does his very best to keep up with the big kids. Sometimes he gets frustrated but he most often picks himself back up and starts off again. He is a light and joy in our family.

Kathy

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tn_Kathandboys

Sisters

I came from a wonderful family, full of kids. I was not, however, blessed with any sisters. I remember blowing out the candles on my birthday cake and wishing for either a sister or a kitten. I wasn’t particular–either one would have sufficed. Sadly, I didn’t receive either.

I do, thankfully, have three fantastic brothers.

Kathy and the boys
William and Mary graduate and her handsome brothers.

And with brothers, often comes sisters (in law). I have one beautiful sister in law (who is truly an amazing aunt to my children) and with my baby brother’s upcoming wedding, another, soon to be, sister. I also have two sisters in law on Tim’s side. Neither of them have sisters so we stick together when possible. God is good and He gives us treasures in unexpected places.

Jenn and Kathy

family
The Edgren Girls at the Duckabush.

It’s a particular joy to me, to watch Sarah and Rachel enjoy each other. They are separated by 7 years but have two brothers in between them which seems to fill up the space. They share a room and, by extension, toys and books and what not. Rachel handles the sharing with much grace and long suffering. We joke that anything Rachel values will sure to be treasured by Sarah as well.

RJ and Ssistersmore sisterskissy pooh

I am thankful for my daughters who daily bring me joy, for my mother who taught me how to love unconditionally, for my mother in law who raised an amazing son and welcomed me completely into the family, for my aunts who love and accept me like their own daughter, for my sisters in law who teach me how to be a sister, and for all the precious Christian sisters God has brought into my life over the years.

I am truly blessed.

Kathy

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Project 365 – Day Three (Wed-DJ)

Another day, another picture, another child. And so it goes. Do I sound weary? Lol. I’m thoroughly enjoying this blogging – nice to have a renewed purpose in my writing.

Not content with just one photography lesson, I decided to see if there were any library books that deal more specifically with digital camera photography. Ta da! There were at least 90 titles in the library catalog. Hooray! There was nothing to do but reserve as many as looked interesting.

The kids will tell you (with deep groans) that this is a very typical pattern for me. We hit an intriguing topic in school and I will stop everything to spend hours on the computer tracking down and reserving every possible title. I LOVE the library online system. It’s like shopping without the cost!!! That is until you lose books or forget due dates and end up with fines. Sigh. That’s the only drawback about using the library as a primary source of reference material. Thankfully the fines are going to a good cause (at least that’s what I tell myself–and my dear dh).

On to the subject at hand–Daniel!

Daniel in sepia

Daniel, age 9, is a (young) man of action. He loves to wrestle, ride bikes, run, rollerblade, anything that involves movement. His motto seems to be, Why walk when you can run and get there (and back) faster? This book, however, has totally and completely captivated him.

Nathan T. Riggins

I bought this series,
by Stephen Bly,
for Joshua years ago. Rachel read them and thoroughly enjoyed them as well. Daniel is growing in his reading ability and interest so Joshua is working to supply him with books. Daniel recently finished Castle in the Attic and its sequel, Battle for the Castle. Joshua is planning to start him on the Indian in the Cupboard series next (isn’t it nice to have an older brother to ‘help’ you along).

Daniel reading

Daniel spent a good bit of time on the stairs reading his book after lunch. I’m not sure that I would choose that spot as a comfy reading nook but he did look cozy and I got several nice pictures of him.

More reading
Tim and I come from a long line of avid readers so it warms our heart to see our children develop a love of reading.

Kathy

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Project 365 – Day Two (Tues-R)

Reading Rach

It’s Tuesday and therefore Rachel’s day. Tim decided to also make it her Special Day. He has decided to change Special Days a little bit and center them around the home. Of course, winter in Washington is a good time to make such an adjustment. Ha! Not the best season to be visiting nearby parks or going out exploring. The new plan is that, on their Special Day with Dad, each child gets to pick the game and book of their choice. Any extra kiddos who want to play or listen can join in.

Rachel chose to play Sleeping Queens (one of her favorites from the Christmas game collection) and requested the Voyage of the Dawn Treader as her read aloud.

Queen of Queens

These are my cards

I read a wonderful book on photography this afternoon. We are easing back into school this week and one of the day’s events included a trip to the library. I had several items on hold for me, one of which was a book recommended by a SHS friend (homeschooling e-mail loop).

book


How to Photograph Your Family by Nick Kelsh
You can read reviews on the book on Amazon (click on title link). As I think about taking a picture every day for a year I find myself wanting to improve my photography skills. Kelsh’s book was very interesting. His recipe for improving the average amateur photographer’s pictures is: Get closer. Shoot more film. Turn off your flash.

I took all sorts of pictures of Rachel, age 11, trying to capture something sweet, special or unique about her.
No more pictures

She rapidly grew tired of the exercise and was ready to sit down and do some reading. She had to clean the kitchen first as she has dinner dishes duty this week. Tim especially liked this one (below) because of the little twist in her lips–reveals her wry sense of humor.

Rachel cleans

What a blessing to have a daughter! I am so thankful God placed her in our family.

Kathy

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Project 365 – Day One (Mon-J)

This is the beginning of my Project 365 Adventure. We’ll see where it takes us. I’ve decided to assign each family member a day and proceed through the week that way. The kids thought it was a fun idea and were pleased to hear they would each get their own special day.

Joshua and Playmobil

Since today is Monday, Joshua will start off this Photo Journey. These two photos very much capture Joshua (13 this year!). He loves to build and create. Whenever one of the other children receives a toy that requires assembly, they immediately hand it over to Joshua. Because he is so helpful in this way, Joshua is my resource for toy organization projects. He can remember almost any toy part that has come through our home. I only have to hold up the odd shaped piece and Joshua will tell me whose it is, where it came from, what toy it belongs to and whether we still have the additional parts. It’s an invaluable gift in a big family with lots of toys of all shapes and sizes. Here he is putting together Rachel’s new Playmobil farm.

Joshua building

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