So Stinkin' Excited

Many of you know that Caleb has wanted to be a voice actor for quite some time.  Last summer he attended The Guild.  Mark Hamby of Lamplighter Publishing has an incredible vision to bring together students and master teachers in a setting that is inspiring  {spiritually and artistically} and intensive. 

Five days, from early morning until late at night, students are under the tutelage of masters  of audio and visual arts, with an emphasis on theater, sound design, and voice acting.  The master teachers' passion for their craft and for the Lord permeates everything they say and do and this is translated to the students!  It was certainly a life-changing event for Caleb... and it continues to be.

A couple of weeks ago, Caleb received a phone call and was asked if he would like to be a part of a collaborative effort to put together a dramatized audio book.  This end product would serve as a thank you to those who contribute financially to Lamplighter Theatre. 

Caleb auditioned and was chosen to voice the main character and the credits as well.

Go here

Just think...you can say, "I knew Caleb when he was just starting out in his career." 
He may be the next Rod Serling or Nolan North! 

I am so stinkin' excited at the way the Lord continues to confirm this career choice for Caleb.

19

19 - the last of the teen years.

I remember when he was a wee babe and wondering what would he be when he grew up~  by that I mean, not just his profession, but his character.  What kind of man would he be?

I can honestly say that I am privileged to know him, and not just because I'm his mom. 

He's Charismatic
He's Artistic
He's Lovable
He's Expressive
He's Bold and brave

He loves the Lord and desires to bring glory to Him. 
Currently he is working hard to balance all things - college studies, work, writing club, church activities, friends, home responsibilities, and....his dream career of being a voice actor.  {His Scottish accent is by far his best....no, really!}
There is some very VERY exciting news, but you'll have to see the next post to find out.

Since he had to work today, on his birthday, birthday plans are low key - family dinner, {he requested fish and chips...a British sort of thing...and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream.} gifts, and laughter.

Happy Birthday, Caleb.  We love you!

Surprises

Sickness surprises... 
Kids get sick, moms don't.  {Ahem.}  This time, this one did.  Even though I went down for the count, we still tried to make the birthdays special.

Birthday surprises...
Abbie woke up on her birthday to a smidge of snow on the ground.

First thing she saw when she walked into the kitchen was her birthday chair and presents waiting for her at her place at the table.

A super cute plush horse she named Millie.

 

A Playmobile horse and foal set.

a birthday dress made by Hannah.

a silly, new book

 

fun coloring and stickers

 

 

Chocolate cake with pink frosting and M&M's in the shape of an "A"

 

Since I was still getting over being terribly sick, we didn't plan an outing, but I think Abbie was quite happy to just be home and play with her new toys.

 

Eric's birthday comes between Dan's and Abbie's, but again, it was the whole sick thing so the surprise party that I'd been scheming had to be postponed.  Do you know how hard it is to plan a surprise party?   Originally, it was planned for his actual birthday, he probably would have suspected something, but since it was a week later....he was surprised!

 

SURPRISE!!

 

 

 Most of our friends attend the same church we do.  About a dozen or so families came to celebrate.  Simple fare - just coffee and cake, but still lots of fun.

~ Eric's jubilee year ~

 

 

Some perspective on the size of the balloons.  Ellie and Abbie are inside the zero.

 

 

A very special day

Today is special!

 

 

not because of this...{well, my husband IS wonderful, sigh!}

 

Y Y Y

But, because of this...

at 4:59 in the morning, Daniel John arrived.  Our own little Valentine from God. 

{February 14, 2003}

 

 Y

 

 Valentine's Day is a fun day....

 pink hearts and I Love You notes,

 

 

 

Y

a surprise package in the mail from a super special friend

{How cute is that....giant M&M cookies in CD envelopes tied with ribbon and

girl and boy Tootsie pops.} 

 

Y

I usually have a little special Valentine at the breakfast table for everyone,

but the rest of the day, we celebrate Dan.  

 

 

I got this far, but then all but one of the children got sick, then I got sick, so I never did finish anything related to Valentine's Day; somehow, I don't think the children will mind.

 

YYY

 

Birthday traditions in our home:

 

Tradition #1

A birthday chair awaiting them first thing in the morning.

 Tradition #2

Opening presents in the morning, so they have the whole day to enjoy them. 

{I never schedule school on birthdays ~ a definite perk of homeschooling!}

2-14-13 {10}

 

Lego...his fave

 

 

the politically incorrect child....caps for his cap pistol

 

 

Tradition #3

On the 10th birthday...their first pocket knife. 

 

Tradition #4

Their choice for birthday dinner and the kind of dessert. 

This year Dan chose corn dogs for dinner and cheesecake for dessert.

 

 Dan, we pray God will continue to grow you into a Godly man, directing your paths, showing you the truth from His Word, thereby making you strong.

Chocolate Bliss

 

A French Press

 

 

+

 

Roasted cacao beans

 

 

My friend in California, who is way into healthy stuff, gave us a bag of Crio Bru roasted cocoa beans for Christmas.  We had never tried them before, but being dark chocolate lovers we were excited to give it a try.  

Oh my.  It's amazing.  It's like hot chocolate for grown ups.   All you do is add 2 Tbsp. of the ground cocoa beans to 6 ozs. of boiling water, stir, and steep for 8-12 minutes.  Then press.

If you don't have a French press, you can also brew them in your coffee pot, but only the kind with the gold filter, and only on a slow or 1-4 cup setting.  {Just remember - 2 Tbsp. per 6 oz. of water.}

 

Eric really enjoys it straight up.  Served that way it tastes a lot like unsweetened chocolate.  I prefer mine a little more mellow, so I add about a teaspoon of raw honey and a smidge of half and half {our goats are not in milk right now, I know it well be amazing with our raw milk.}  Hannah loves it with a bit of sugar.  ;-)   It smells so good and tastes even better!!  We have been enjoying it together in the evenings as we sit at our little bistro set we have in the living room.  It's like sitting at a little French café - uber romantic!

 

Here are some of the great things about them.   They are considered a superfood because...

• Cocoa beans are loaded with antioxidants which boost your immune system.
• Cocoa beans have a natural stimulant {theobromine, not caffeine} which boosts your energy.
• Cocoa beans are an appetite suppressant.
• Cocoa beans are loaded with magnesium, a mineral needed for healthy hearts, brains and bones.
• Cocoa beans are loaded with chromium and zinc which help to maintain healthy blood sugar.
• A 6 oz. cup has only 10 calories {unless, of course, you add honey and half n half ;-)  }
• Cocoa beans are cholesterol free, sugar free, and sodium free.

You can find them at Whole Foods, Amazon, and Azure Standard (which is where I bought them.)

 

If you like dark chocolate, you really must try Crio Bru.



 



Happy February

The first sign that spring is around the corner...primroses at the store.   No matter that the calendar and the weather man say it's still winter.  It's a new month full of special days for our family.  February always zooms by because of that.

My challenge - enjoy each day as it comes.  Be present each moment

 {wherever you are, be all there}

and yet,....be organized and prepared - which takes planning and thinking about what is coming up.   Perhaps that is every mother's challenge.

I just finished reading The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord both by Corrie ten Boom.  I am currently reading True Stories of Survival.  It is a compilation of the their books telling of their times as prisoners by Corrie ten Boom {Prison Letters}, Howard Rutledge {In the Presence of Mine Enemies} and Stephen R. Harris {My Anchor Held}.  I can't begin to tell you how inspiring, challenging, yet at the same time encouraging they have been to my soul.

If you are looking for a good read, I suggest one of these.

Perspective is a wonderful thing.