Sewing Day

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None of them actually play the guitar... they were just goofing off for the camera (using the absent brothers' guitars).

Happy 13th Birthday, Eli!

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This guy is now an official teenager... WoW! Eli is a hard worker, possesses a lot of determination and has a smile that can absolutely light up a room. Praying the Lord will bless him in the year to come.

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We love you, buddy!

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Here are a few pictures from Tuesday evening...

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A "smile" from Connor...

This is what the child did today, when I said, "Smile, Con!" Doesn't exactly qualify as genuine, huh?

Good times
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Earlier this week, Mother, Lizzie and I had lunch with some of the Briddick girls... we ended up talking for a few hours. We thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship! -
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Lizzie and Clara
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Mother and Mrs. Briddick

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The beautiful babysitter, with Mindy and Connor.

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Jack, making gingerbread with the children. :-)
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Some of their creations.
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Anna, busy on her "gingerbread lady".
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Nathan is just beginning to pull himself up on things.
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Connor's favorite entertainment... books!

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<> Cowgirl <>

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Mindy and Nate

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She was feeding Nathan his bottle, yesterday, and it looked so sweet. I had to snap a picture.

Gone to college... again

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Rick is heading back to PCC, this morning. We enjoyed his visit home, as always! And, as always, the 5 weeks simply flew by. We're so thankful that this guy is part of our family. Love you, Rick!

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EXAMPLE

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How important is it to be a good example? Well, think of how many people we influence, many of us in the realm of our younger siblings alone. What kind of an example are we setting? I like the words in this song, by Joe Zichterman:

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"Be An Example"

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1st verse:
Many now are watching the footsteps that we take
Many soon will follow in the choices that we make.
So let us then be faithful to be what we should be,
And leave a good example that they can clearly see.

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2nd verse:
Let us then be watching the weary, day by day,
Looking to encourage and to lead them in the way;
To run the race with patience, on Jesus fix their eyes,
And challenge them with excellence, that they might win the prize.

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Chorus:
Be an example of the believers in word and in conduct;
Be steadfast in love, in faith, in purity of life.
For those behind us, let us stand within the gap and make a difference in their lives;
Be an example to follow Christ.

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Pictures that never made it to the blog...

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Do you know how many dozens and dozens of pictures are taken, that are never posted??? There are reasons for this, of course. At any given moment, one may don an interesting expression, right before the photo is snapped. Sometimes another person will get in the way of the camera (accidentally or purposely). And sometimes, for no reason at all, we just get a little wacky.

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At any rate, here are a few photos that never quite made it to the blog.

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This was during Connor's "Fall photo" shoot, last year.
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David Chin, who visited us Dec. 2006. We had way too much fun, snapping pictures in front of a museum.
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Another "fall picture"

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Yes, you're right... yet another fall photo. Perhaps we had been taking pictures for a little too long, that day??

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Funny Little Bro!

Nate is such a joy to our family and recently, he learned how to laugh!

When he is in a silly mood he is so much fun to play with!

Here are a few video clips from a couple nights ago when I started messing around with him. :o)

Flooding!

Our usually tranquil little creek became a raging cauldron of water, mud and debris as the water levels swelled to record highs today.

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Many roads were closed because of water running over them, which made it difficult to get to piano lessons, but we finally made it!

This creek is usually about ten FEET lower than in this picture! And the usual width is only about 3-4 feet!

A video shot of the creek.

In the nursery, at church...

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I love watching the reaction of children, when they know they are being photographed. Michael was quite uninterested, while Samantha is (apparently) quite familiar with the electronic device that we call, "camera". So cute!

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As Unto You

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"Inasmuch as ye have done it,"

Jesus speaks so earnestly,

"To the least of these my brethren,

Ye have done it unto ME."

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Mama's hands are always busy

And her schedule nearly frays,

If she smiles and kindly listens,

"Twas for me," the Savior says.

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I was sad, in need of comfort

And you gently placed a hand

On my weary-laden shoulder

For you kindly understand.

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I was hungry and you brought me

Food and drink, how kind of thee!

Let us think of Jesus saying,

"Ye have done it unto ME."

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We, of course, can not, by merits

Enter Heaven's portals, free

But if in our hearts He's living,

Deeds of love come naturally.

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Let us, then, not cease to ponder

On His words, "As unto ME,"

Let's be kind, always remember

What He did on Calvary!

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Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

A smile confuses an approaching frown.

-author unknown

Guy's night out!

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Last night, Rick and I had the privilege of getting together for some pizza, fun and fellowship with a few very good friends of ours.

We greatly enjoyed our time together with Brian and Drew! You can see some more pics of the evening on the Sikmas website.

After stopping at Pizza hut for supper, we went to a local bowling lane to see what we could do.

The switching of shoes into the standard "wacky" bowling shoes :o)

Rick was the only one of us that really knew what he was doing on the lanes, so he gave us others some good tips to work on.

Now I know this is a random pic, but when Drew and I took a walk over to the St. Joseph college campus, we couldn't help snapping some pics of this "freezing" fountain.

Back to the blogging world...

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Hi folks! Kaity writing in, posting some random pictures that have been taken over the last several weeks. I haven't been posting much lately, but we are all doing well. We had a full round of the flu, even sharing it with Brent, during his visit here. Ugh! We are thankful that it swept through quickly and everyone is healthy again.

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We praise the Lord for a brand new year and the ability to serve Him in it!

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God is so GOOD.

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Psalm 100:5

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.