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Visit to Aunt Deb’s
Monday, August 16th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
We left Ashland early on a Friday morning anticipating a pleasant visit with Dana’s sister, Deb and her husband, Tom. On our way we picked up Uncle Dan in Akron and traveled through the mountains of Pennsylvania in our 15 passenger van. Uncle Dan did very well with 5 children in the van under the age of 14! (Of course, he was riding shotgun!) Not long after we arrived, Uncle Tom was demonstrating how to shoot arrows with several bows. He even had a lion target in his back yard! Tom set up a fun dormitory for the kids and the next morning the three older children enjoyed some fishing with Tim and Tom, while Dan, Deb and Dana took the younger two children to a fun playground. Much food was enjoyed and Ben has new love for “his beer” (rootbeer)! Sunday we spent at the Philadelphia Zoo feeling like VIP’s as Tom toured us around various exhibits. We called it “Uncle Tom’s Wilderness Weekend”! Michaela and Dan had some serious Jenga games and the pinball machine never got a break! Monday morning came too soon, and it was time to head home to our other children. It was great to get away, spend some special time with family, and we especially appreciated the kind hospitality Deb and Tom showed us.
Summer Snapshots
Monday, August 16th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
A Visit from the Radfords, Liz and cousin Rebecca, The Dykes Celebrate
This summer brought many pleasant visits with friends and family. We enjoyed a visit from our “old friends”, Bill and Tracy Radford. It was a great time of encouragement in the Lord as we shared our joys and struggles in issues of parenting and life. We joined family for a graduation open house for our niece, Rebecca. Some other “old friends” celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a picnic. What a great time to reflect on the faithfulness of the Lord to us, and our children! Several of the children and I were blessed to spend a restful day with the Maggelet’s at Port Clinton. Caleb celebrated his 12th birthday with some buddies and an eclair cake. Michaela, too, celebrated her 14th birthday with a trip to the mall with big sister, Beth. Beth took her shopping, and to get her ears double pierced; what fun! Of course, summer wouldn’t be summer without swimming, concerts at the park and fireworks on the 4th! As I reflect on these events, I agree with Solomon when he wrote: Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. ( Ecc 5:13). Also, I thank men like our son, Andrew, who serve to protect our country and the abundant blessings the Lords has given this land.
A Concert at the Park, with the Maggelets at Lake Erie, Michaela and Caleb Celebrate Birthdays, Underwater Fun at the “Trubers” pool, Lydia on the 4th, Cool Couple on a Date
Busy Spring
Friday, May 7th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Friends, fun and learning at COI
A busy Spring has brought some great opportunities for our family. Our home-school co-op took a trip to COSI (Center of Science and Industry) where the children enjoyed interacting with various exhibits. The highlight, of course, was riding the unicycle on a cable, high above the lobby!
Easter with Ben, Lydia and Aaron. ––– Yujinn and Taka.
We enjoyed a time of celebration of our Savior’s resurrection at Easter with a traditional Easter egg hunt. We co-hosted two Japanese college students on weekends. Taka and Yujinn are studying English at Ashland University. The children have learned how to count in Japanese and make origami cranes. The students have learned how to play Bingo, Bocci Ball, Spoons and have enjoyed jumping on our trampoline.
Andrew Deploys to Afghanistan
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Packed into a high school gym, 3000 folks came to applaud and send off a detachment of 300 airmen to serve our country in Afghanistan. Hoots, whistles and tears greeted these soldiers as they filed into the gym. Our Andrew was among that group and there were about 30 of us (family and friends) present to encourage and support him. We hosted a small reception at our home afterwards and as Andrew headed to bed that night he told me, “I feel very blessed.” And, indeed, he is! His duties in Afghanistan are in a support role in helping build bases. He spent a month at Ft. Bliss in Texas receiving training and will soon be serving on foreign soil. We are thankful that we still live in a land of freedom and safety, and are thankful for men who are willing to serve and protect these great freedoms.
One U.S. military leader wrote these words as he witnessed his soldiers in great acts of valor: Dear God, where do we get such men? What loving God has provided, that each generation, afresh, there should arise new giants in the land. Were we to go but a single generation without such men, we should surely both be damned and doomed. (From the book: On Combat)
Joys and Sorrows
Sunday, March 21st, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Family gathers at Tim’s sister’s. Michaela on stage.
The Nutcracker, Christmas visits, kids are home, much food is prepared and we’re thankful to our God who provides so abundantly. We celebrated five of the kids birthdays: Chris turned 23, Elizabeth-19, Timothy-15, Lydia-7 and Benjamin- a sweet ( but ornery ) 4.
Happy Birthday Tim, Liz, Ben, Lydia and Chris!!!!
We also remembered the life and passing of Dana’s grandmother, Polly DeAngelo, at 97 years. She was an amazing woman who made our lives rich. The death of Grandma has caused us to reflect on the blessing of family and the One who gives all good things. As Moses prayed in Psalm 90:12, may we also ask the Lord, “Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
Grandma with Lydia.
Summer’s Over & the Ashland County Fair
Monday, October 5th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Summer’s warm days have ended, but the memories of a lazy day at Jamison Creek will stay with our children for days to come. Fall brings the ever infamous Ashland County Fair. It really was enjoyable to see our littlest ones (Ben and Lydia especially) feeling the thrill of a carnival ride and eating a funnel cake. The older kids (and Cousin Danny), too, enjoyed the fries, cotton candy and the rides, of course! We treasure these precious times with our children knowing they grow up so very quickly.
The Next Chapter for Beth
Friday, October 2nd, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
In mid-August we drove to Jackson, Michigan to take Beth to New Tribes Bible Institute. She will be working on a 2-year Biblical Studies degree in preparation for possible overseas mission work. NTBI is a small school (500 students at 2 campuses) with a big vision to impact the unreached world for the cause of the gospel. Beth has thoroughly enjoyed her studies and new friendships so far. She joined intramural volleyball and ultimate frisbee teams, too! We will miss her greatly, but are thankful to the Lord for allowing her the privilege of studying His Word and we look forward to seeing the great plans He has for her. (Jeremiah 29:11)
East Harbor and Michaela turns 13!
Friday, August 7th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
We packed our cooler and headed north to visit Marblehead and East Harbor. The kids enjoyed climbing over the rocks at Marblehead. Finding a quiet picnic area, we ate our hot dogs, watermelon, brownies and played frisbee. Some of the children ventured into a very cold Lake Erie, but had fun anyway! Thankful for the “stay-cation” -an inexpensive get-away that we all enjoyed.
Another milestone with our children occurs when they turn 13. Michaela, our creative dancer, celebrated her birthday at a Chinese restaurant and then a shopping trip. What a delightful young lady she is becoming!
Fun Visit from the Aunts
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
On a pleasant Sunday afternoon, family came to visit. Diane and her husband, Guy, Debbie and Daniel joined us for hamburgers, corn-on-the- cob and home-made ice cream. The Californian Uncle Guy even learned the great game of “corn hole”, an Ashland favorite! Our visits are few, but precious!
Airman First Class Sinchok
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
It was a scorching 102 degrees, yet those airmen stood at attention under the blazing Texas sun waiting to make their pledge to serve and defend our country. Tim and I were so thankful to attend Andrew’s graduation ceremony upon his completing 8-1/2 weeks of Basic Training at the Lackland Air Force Base. We enjoyed a few days at the base visiting with Andrew. We were also able to visit San Antonio with Andrew on a town pass and walked the Riverwalk, saw the Alamo and went up in the “Tower of the Americas”. Andrew moves on to tech school at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri for several months studying Civil Engineering. We are extremely proud of what he has accomplished and are thankful that he has embraced the airman’s creed of “service before self”!
