Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Kids Cook

Mary Elisabeth made her second batch of bread today. She was more confident than last time and the loaves turned out excellent. I think two more whacks at it and she will be totally on her own! Cob plans to make Corn Chowder for supper. Here is the recipe he chose.

CORN CHOWDER

4 tablespoons of butter
2 large onion, chopped
2 red or green bell pepper,chopped
1 cup thinly sliced celery
8 cups fresh or frozen corn
2 cups vegetable stock
2 cup milk or soy milk
1 teaspoon each: basil, rosemary, salt
pepper to taste

WHAT TO DO:
1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, peppers, and celery. Cook stirring often, until softened (five minutes).
2. Add corn and seasonings, and cook another five minutes, stirring often.
3. Add stock and cook 10 more minutes.
4. Scoop out about half of the vegetables and a cup or so of the liquid and put in a blender. Blend until smooth.
5. Return pureed mix to the saucepan and ad milk. Heat through and serve. Yummy! Yummy!
Big Backyard Magazine November 2007 issue p. 30

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

A Crushing Blow

We received a crushing blow yesterday at the twins 16 week check up. An ultrasound showed one of the twins baby B died about a week and a half ago. I was thankful Drew and the kids had decided to come along for the appointment and I didn't have to face the news alone. I am also thankful the living twin baby A is healthy and active. We are all very sad. Please pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery for baby A. This will involve baby B reabsorbing into my body as baby A grows. The danger is that baby B would miscarry and cause pre-term labor.

When I was tucking the girls in last night Mary Elisabeth said, "When I saw the baby on the screen and heard them say there was no heart beat I kept thinking it's gonna beat come on it has to beat." That sums up how we all felt. Baruch quite a bit later said "We still have two babies, Abram is still a baby and there is one inside Mama." This morning when we were reading the Bible and praying Abigail gave thanks that we used to be going to have twins because we will still have one baby to hold.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Jacob's unedited paragraph on the Feudal System


thought you all might get a kick out of Jacob's shameless self promotion

The Fudel sistem is a line of royalty.
If a wicked nobel was over you, you would live in poverty. If a kind nobel was over you, you would live better.

www.jacobpress.com
great paarigrafs for your kids
home & school
jacob press www. jacob press. com

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Mary and Jaocb


Fwd: A hike with Dad on Sat. Nov. 10
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Hiking with Drew on Sat.

More of the Fruits


Fwd: Friday Nov. 9
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

The Fruits


Fwd: The Fruits
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

We enjoyed a visit with Cameron, Ruthi and boys Friday night. What an encouraging time in the Lord. The family serves the Lord in Sipan and is in the States for a short furlough.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Twins First Ultrasound

Take note of the line down the middle. Drew and I could clearly see a heart beating on each side of the line! Both babies measured 12 weeks. We are still stunned around here. We are praising the Lord for this double blessing!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Our Big News Just Got BIGGER

Well. . . I had my 12 week check today and Drew met me at the office. What a surprise we had waiting for us! The midwife checked me all out and we listened and heard a heartbeat. The midwife said they do a routine ultrasound to confirm due dates. She scanned over my belly and soon found a baby. Then she pointed out a line down the middle of the picture. She showed us a baby on each side of the line! Yes twins! At that point Drew asked if there was oxygen available BUT he had predicted twins all along. He kept saying I was so sick we would have twins for sure. Three days ago he even said I will be glad when Monday is done so I know whether I need to keep an eye out for a full size van or not. Looks like we will be on the look out for that full size van! Now how did he get to be so smart?

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Back in Computer Land with BIG NEWS


WOW! It has been a long time since this machine has been functioning. I have missed communicating with friends and family but have been so busy otherwise hardly even noticed it was on the brink. A lot has gone on around here in the past month and a half. Drew completely finished painting the house! It looks awesome. He also painted the upstairs porch floor. Abi turned 6! Mary turned 10! We started up school again. The older three started piano lessons again. I am so thankful their teacher comes here every Thursday and they all really seem to be enjoying the lessons. We have spent a number of Sundays helping Drew's folks clean out their Guttenberg house and enjoyed visiting Drew's Grandma on those days. Otherwise the "a lot" of goings on around here is due to the fact that there are a lot of us :-). Which brings me to our BIGGEST NEWS. Lord willing around June 1st we will be increasing the tribe by one. It is funny about 5 weeks ago we were in Guttenberg and I was telling Drew's cousins wife I thought my quiver was full as I am maxed out with the 5 wonderful children we have. Even as I said that I thought Beth be careful you are probably expecting another. I am thankful the Lord knows what I can handle. He wants me to rely completely on him for each life in this house. I once heard a preacher say two things last for eternity, the souls of men and the word of God. He encouraged us listeners to invest our time in these two things. I am so thankful for the opportunity to invest in each of the children the Lord has blessed us with. Please REJOICE and PRAY with us as we thank God for this new life.

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Giant Tortaise


Giant Tortaise
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Ahhhhh! Drew just got done taking us through Phil 1:12-14 as is his Sunday family custom. We review the sermon we heard in the morning. Very encouraging! He has been talking about dying with Christ this past week based on John 12:20 and following. It is still coming together in my mind. I have been challenged to view my walk with the Lord through this. We had a lovely day at the Zoo between church and family! We had a "picnic" lunch on the way there. The zoo wasn't overly crowded. The animals were mostly active, except the bears which were baking in the sun. Three of the four types didn't even come out of their dens. Now I have tons of items to put away as I emptied the van when we got home. Hope you enjoy the following pictures of our trip to the zoo!

Drew


Drew
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Little Ione


Little Ione
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Baruch looking at the Capybara (not pictured here)


Baruch looking at the Capybara (not pictured here)
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Giraffes


Giraffes
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Buffalo


Buffalo
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Lion


Lion
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Majestic animals!

Abigail the Zoo keeper


Abigail the Zoo keeper
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Abram the Zoo keeper


Abram the Zoo keeper
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Abram getting ready for the zoo


Abram getting ready for the zoo
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Mary and Cob at the Zoo


Mary and Cob at the Zoo
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Drew painting


Drew painting
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

If I had to describe Drew using only one word it would be faithful. He is so faithful in all areas. I sure praise God for him! Drew has been faithfully painting our houses exterior this summer. When he hasn't been wrestling with Jacob, playing catch with Jacob, reading to Abigail and Baruch, Listening to Mary Elisabeth, building gates for me, taking all of us camping. . . he has been PAINTING.

Drew listening to John Piper while painting


Drew listening to John Piper while painting
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Painting is bearable while being encouraged in the Lord thanks to John Piper's free downloads!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Scott and Debbie


Scott and Debbie
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Here are a few pictures from Scott and Debbie's wedding on July 21st.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Cutting the Cake


Cutting the Cake
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Hailey and Baruch


Hailey and Baruch
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Great Grandma and Jacob


Great Grandma and Jacob
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Here is the new carpet in the office.


Here is the new carpet in the office.
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

New Carpet, old paint, new organization.

Living Room Area Rug


Living Room Area Rug
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Per Mom's request here is a picture of the new carpet and paint job.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The Tribe


The Tribe
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Drew's Mom came for her birthday at the beginning of the month. She and I took off for a day of window shopping in Galena IL. Drew, Pa and the kids went fishing, to some friends house, and to Dairy Queen where the kids cashed in their free blizzard coupons. They got the coupons from the library reading club for reading 15 minutes for 15 days. Piece of cake for these book lovers. The little ones could be read to so the four older ones each had a free blizzard!

On another note. School planning is coming along. I am really seeing areas of character flaws that need work on this year. I am praying for more consistency on my part, for wisdom and patience as I train up each one. Academically my planning has a ways to go but is coming along nicely. I hope to start Sept. 4th!

Up with the Old Carpet


Up with the Old Carpet
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

We now have a huge area rug in the living room. It matches the carpet in the office, halls and on the stairs. All of the kids really pitched in to help get the floor decent looking. The old carpet had been down c. 20 years. The padding was stuck to the wood floor in places. There is termite damage in one area (there were termites 2 owners ago thankfully we didn't have to deal with them). The area rug covers a lot of the damage but we will eventually have to replace several boards. Right now Drew is too busy with outdoor projects. The house painting is coming slow but sure. He really wants to get the trim painted as well as finish the house before the snow flies.



Mary pulls out staples too!
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Backbone trail


Backbone trail
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Abigail, Mary and Cob (me in the background)

Mom and Baruch


Mom and Baruch
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Baruch on the Backbone trail


Baruch on the Backbone trail
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Cob


Cob
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Cob is Jacob's nick name. A Cob is a male swan. We much prefer it over Jake (a male turkey) although our Cob is a big time turkey !!

Mary on the Backbone Trail


Mary on the Backbone Trail
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

We went camping Thursday night and Friday night. We took off Thursday right after the new carpet was laid in the office, halls and on the stairs! I wasn't aware of the rule of thumb for carpet. . . it looks a shade lighter once its laid. Oh man does it look light. A bit pristine for "The Tribe" but very nice and clean! I really do love it and am so thankful to have the old gone. The weather was perfect Friday and we did plenty of hiking. We also took many opportunities to have a fire and of course you can't have a fire without roasting a marshmallow. You can't roast a marshmellow without having a graham cracker and what is a marshmellow and graham cracker without a chunk of CHOCOLATE! S'mores were enjoyed by all (except Abram who was content with the graham crackers). In the middle of the night or early Sat. AM it began to rain so poor Drew packed everything in the rain while I tried to keep the kids dry :-). The camper is still out back drying because the rain hasn't let up since!

Monday, August 20, 2007

Drew camping


Drew camping
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Friday night Drew STARTED to tell a scary story which ended up being a bit too scary. He ended it a bit short. . . to be continued. Everyone was really tired and fell asleep quickly.

Promised Pictures

After trying to upload and waiting 2 1/2 hours I am giving up and will have to go the flickr route. I will let you know when I have some pictures.

Back in the Blogging mode

Well it has been quite some time since I have posted anything. Not only have we been very busy BUT so busy I got all my e-mail accounts mixed up in my head and couldn't figure out how to log in to post! Now you are thinking why didn't she write this info down somewhere. I actually did write down A LOT of information unfortunantly none of it was correct! Anyway I hope to be posting again soon now that I am all straightened out. In the meantime here are some pictures to tide you over. ~Beth

Friday, June 08, 2007

Smokey the Chicken


Yesterday while having a reading lesson with Abi, Mary and Jacob were working on their english, the baby was napping and Baruch was playing outside. . . the quiet outside made me wonder just what Baruch was busy doing. A check revealed him in the garage which smelled terribly of gas fumes. There was a pile of chicken feed on the floor which he had poured gasoline on and two chickens were eating as well as one chicken looking sickly in a corner. Further investigation found this chicken doused with gasoline! After stripping Baruch of his gas laden clothes and calling Drew to find out what should be done with the suffering bird I shoed all the chickens out of the garage. Then gave the worst one a drink of fresh water. By then Drew called back saying his mom thought scrubbing her down with dish soap and rinsing her with the hose was the best we could do. Long story longer the kids took turns blow drying her as it was a chilly day and I feared she would catch pneumonia. She is prancing around today but I wonder when we will get another egg out of the poor hen!

Mary's comment "If the garage would have burned down Smokey would have lived up to his name."

Monday, June 04, 2007

CHEA

The CHEA conference was very good. The kids really enjoyed Buddy Davis. I found a few things at the used book sale. One English book that I was thrilled with. Otherwise a few beginning readers and fiction books for the kids. I thought they were priced a little high. I am just spoiled by garage sales. The two speakers I heard were very encouraging. One was a practicle, teaching in the kitchen session. One was lessons from the life of Ezekiel, very spiritually encouraging. Swimming in the hotel pool was of coarse a huge treat. All in all a very profitable time. The following seven pictures are a little photo journal of June 1st and 2nd, our time at the conference.

Baruch


Baruch at the CHEA conference
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Here is Baruch outside the conference center. (the date on our camera is wrong)

The Kids Favorite Two



Swimming at CHEA
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Here the kids are with Buddy Davis. He and the swimming pool were their conference favorites. While I attended the used book sale with Abram in the back pack (no strollers aloud) Drew took the rest of the gang for a swim.

Mary, Jacob and Abigail


Mary, Jacob and Abigail
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

After eating packed lunch in the parking lot we were all ready for
something hot. So here we are at Quiznoz enjoying a toasted sub for
supper.

Abigail, Jacob, Mary and Baruch


Abigail, Jacob, Mary and Baruch
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Then it was back to the hotel for a swim.

Jacob, Mary, Abigail


Jacob, Mary, Abigail
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

The hotel served a continental breakfast from 5AM to 9AM and we had
various family present for almost the entire time. Drew headed down
with Abram when he woke up at 6:00. Then as the others woke up they
would join him, until Baruch was the only one sleeping. By then Drew
had his fill of breakfast and I headed down. At 8:10 Baruch was
still sleeping so I took these three to the pool for a swim. When
Baruch woke up at 8:30 Drew took him down for his eats.

Mary, Adrianna, Eliora, Keziah


Mary, Adrianna, Eliora, Keziah
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Mary got to see some old friends at the graduation party.

Lydia and Vanessa


Lydia and Vanessa
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Lydia and Vanessa were at the party too!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Abram's First Birthday


Abram's First Birthday
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Abram's woke up and nursed. Then Mary carried him lovingly downstairs. He was met at the foot of the stairs by Abigail singing "Happy Birthday to You"! She was SO excited for it to be Abram's FIRST Birthday. I promised the kids a trip to the park for lunch so I got a lot of mileage in the morning as we geared up for that and Grandma and Pa's visit. Chores were done, extra chores completed, then the fabric came out and we all started making bean bags. Abram loves to carry things around and I had gotten him a $.25 little cooler/bag at a garage sale. The plan was to fill it with bean bags as a birthday gift. I did the cutting, Mary did the first round of sewing the squares together. Then she and I turned them inside right and were joined by Cob and Gail for the filling. Next Cob and Mary sewed the bags shut! We enjoyed the park until I remembered that the timer on the oven read 04 when we left and we had been gone 45 minutes which meant Abram's cake was REALLY well done. We hussled home and I retrieved the crisp spice cake from the torture chamber. Grandma and Pa arrived and the fun really began. Drew got off work early and we all enjoyed cake around 2:00. Then Abram opened all the sweet things the kids had wrapped up for him. Lastly the bean bags which we all enjoyed. I think Pa and Cob enjoyed them the most though. They were playing all sorts of varieties of catch. Naps were next, followed by supper. Then Drew really encouraged us all with a recap of Gary's Sunday Sermon.

Bean Bag Filling


Abram's First Birthday
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

More Filling


Abram's First Birthday
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Sewing them Shut


Abram's First Birthday
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Abram at the Park


Abram's First Birthday
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Baruch at the Park


Abram's First Birthday
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

Abram at the Park 2


Abram's First Birthday
Originally uploaded by thetribetalk.

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