there and back again

the van hunt

2009-11-08T16:17:00.002-05:00

Daniel has looked at 8 vans this week, and I think we've found our van, pending the mechanic's check. So we should be rolling out of here sometime tomorrow and heading up to OH to return the rental car and to pick up all the stuff we left at the church in OH because it wouldn't fit in the rental. We got some walkie talkies since we'll be split between the rental car and the new van from Alabama to Ohio. And so the journey continues... Three more weeks until home sweet home!

And a few pictures of my children for you today.

Caleb looks a lot like Daniel as a child in this picture. It's the cheeks I think. :o)

And then there is Lucy Mae, with her own little look.

portraits

2009-11-06T16:15:00.005-05:00

I finally got Lucy's one yr old pics taken. I know, she's 17 months, but that's still one isn't it? I was really happy with how well they turned out. You can view them here. The ones I chose are the first three listed.

You need to copy and paste access code: LTPP0363103142JCP

and name: jennifer arnold

"accident"

2009-11-05T07:21:00.005-05:00

In God's providence we were in a car accident last Wednesday in OH. It's hard to believe it's been a week already. The great thing is that everyone is ok. Those words are easy to say, and so easy to take for granted. Not a scratch. Even our necks feel basically fine. A Hummer ran a red light and broadsided us on Lucy's side. I think everyone says after any car accident, "It could have been so much worse if..." and we really felt that way. Your mind replays the entire scene over and over even when you try not to think about it any more, but in that we just praise and thank God for colliding the vehicles at His exact predetermined placement and speed.

Our van is totalled, so we are van shopping in Alabama! We've looked at two non-possibilites, and Daniel is driving out to Birmingham (90 mins away or so) to look at some more today. In the mean time we're in a 2010 brand spankin' new Ford Edge rental.

Here is something to pray about. The Hummer driver is now saying that she had a green light, which is causing a big hang up with the insurance companies. They are waiting on the police report, which takes weeks to come through for some reason. Praise God that we did have clear witness on our side! Without that we wouldn't have had a leg to stand on. (If you ever see an accident happen, call in and be a witness. Someone somewhere will thank you.) So please pray that God would be praised in the way we deal with the aftermath. Please do pray for Daniel this week as he looks for a new van.

Other than all that, we are doing well. We were in Ringgold, Louisiana the early part of this week and stayed at Southland Christian Camp. I think that may have been the most rural place we've been at in the US ... well, close. The kids loved the campground, and we loved being out in the country. It was perfect timing between two busier conferences. We made new friends and renewed old acquaintances with the Saxton family and Dave and Joy Keck and baby Preston. Now we are in a conference in Huntsville, AL. We are staying in a beautifully furnished apartment in the church. And it's not creepy at all! :o)

my little space cadets

2009-11-05T07:17:00.000-05:00

We toured the National Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH.

plans

2009-10-24T21:50:00.004-04:00

while I was tucking Caleb in bed tonight...

"When I get big I'm going to marry you. You are going to wear a big white dress, and I am going to set up a platform, and you are going to stand on it. Then I am going to go to Walmart all by myself and buy you flowers that still have the paper on. After I buy the flowers I am going come to the wedding and cut off the paper and give them to you to hold."

(Mama)But I already married Papa, and I can only get married once. Now I'm going out to talk to Papa, because he is my husband.

"Mama! You are going to have two husbands after I marry you!"

What should I tell him? Any suggestions???

Let's eat!

2009-10-17T21:38:00.003-04:00

Presentation is everything!

Lucy wasn't so sure at first. One minute it was a little pet crawling on the kitchen floor playing with her, the next minute it's on her dinner plate.
Caleb loved his lobster. He kept telling us that you don't eat the bones, only the meat.

the preparation

2009-10-17T21:31:00.002-04:00

pretty funny looking little creatures, but they sure taste good!

Lucy thought they were fun to play with.
Karlene puts them in a huge pot of shallow boiling water, covers and steams them.

15 minutes later, they are very dead and very red.

Lawbstuh!

2009-10-17T21:18:00.002-04:00

We spent the night with Daniel's Aunt Karlene and Uncle David in Kittery, ME. They treated us to their traditional Maine lobster dinner. First we drove down to the dock where the lobsters were in cages under water. David and Karlene's friend had just trapped them that day.

We picked our lobsters and threw them in the cooler.
and lowered the cage back into the water.

penobscot narrows

2009-10-17T21:01:00.002-04:00

We visited a supporting church in Corinth, ME, and on the way back we stopped and toured the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, the site of the second largest US naval defeat, second only to Pearl Harbor. The more recent bridge has an observatory, the tallest of its kind in the US. The view out of the observation deck was really breathtaking. It was cute to see the kids oh and ah over the fall colors and the tiny car and buildings below.

looking out

2009-10-17T20:50:00.004-04:00

each other

2009-10-04T22:40:00.003-04:00

This was taken late one night after a missions conference in NC. Caleb and Lucy have been great little travelers, and they have been dealing remarkably well with all the late nights. Although life is always changing for them, one thing that is always constant is each other. I've noticed them becoming closer lately. Not that they never fight and scream, but there are more tender moments now.

We are in NH now, just few hundred feet from the Maine border. We traveled the first 800 miles of the trip up on Friday, almost to the CT border. The kids were so good, so we just kept driving until we were too tired. For once, they outdid us. We will be in NH, then Mass, then OH, LA, AL, IL, and finish up the trip in WI for Thanksgiving. This will be a two-month trip, Lord willing. Our longest yet, so please pray for us not to get too homesick! It was weird to leave home still in the warm weather, knowing that it would be time to decorate for Christmas when we get home again. The fall colors up here are beautiful, and we enjoyed spending time with Daniel's Aunt Karlene and Uncle David in Kittery on Saturday. Looking forward to a busy week helping with various ministries in the church. I'll try to post more often than I have been lately :-)

wildlife

2009-09-19T14:23:00.002-04:00

We saw so many elk, mostly cows. This was the only bull we saw.

This was funny. The buffalo just lolligagged right down the road, stopping all the traffic. He walked so close to our van we could have pet him.
We were content not to see any real bears.

camping trip out west

2009-09-19T14:12:00.002-04:00

One of the highlights of our family times was camping two nights in Yellowstone.The park is amazing. There is so much to see, we hardly scratched the surface of all the natural wonders.

Caleb got his first taste of roasted marshmallows, and he's hooked.
Lucy didn't mind crawling around in the dirt, once Mommy got used to the idea.
Caleb was a big helper.

family portrait

2009-09-14T21:05:00.002-04:00

This was taken at the children's museum in Lincoln, NE. It's a wall of pins that move out when you press them from behind. For once Caleb is the only one smiling. Why can't he smile this nicely for normal pictures?

baby steps

2009-09-14T20:54:00.002-04:00

Lucy took her first little steps today. And the special part is that my sister was "there" over the computer. While we were video conferencing today, I put the webcam on Lucy to show Sarah how Lucy walks around on her knees, and she up and walked over to me! Just this morning I was starting to wonder if my 15 month old was so content with the knee-walking that she wouldn't walk on her feet till she was two, and by the end of the day she was taking little steps all over the house.

Potato Head family

2009-09-14T20:52:00.001-04:00

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head
Lucy Potato Head
Caleb Potato Head

2009-09-11T12:40:00.001-04:00

thank you, Curious George!

2009-09-11T12:13:00.002-04:00

This all started with a Curious George book that belonged to Trey Pabody in Sedro Woolley, WA. The man with the yellow hat takes George to the fire station to look around. So that's how I got the idea. I called the local fire dept and asked if I could bring in my son to see the trucks. The fire chief called back and set up an appt. for the next morning and we had a one on one tour. Caleb still tells people about it a month later.

from the van window

2009-09-11T12:09:00.003-04:00

The West was absolutely beautiful. We miss the mountains already.

peace and quiet

2009-09-11T12:06:00.000-04:00

traveling days

2009-09-11T12:02:00.004-04:00

The only time they are allowed to jump on a bed is at hotels. We all get in on the fun.

Queen Lucy

details

2009-09-11T11:52:00.002-04:00

a little more on the hunting trip... They were bow hunting for elk in Idaho. The pastor, a deacon, and Daniel. They left Sunday afternoon and came home Tuesday afternoon just in time to scrub (most of) the camo make up off for the Tues midweek prayer meeting. The kids and I really missed Daniel, but he was so excited about being asked to go. How could I say no? Nora, the pastor's wife, and their 6 kids and us went thrift shopping and swimming in their back yard. And the guys? They didn't see a whole lot of elk, but loved running around blowing elk calls while they sweated in camo gear and stunk like elk something or other they spray all over themselves. I guess it's a guy thing. Daniel didn't actually get to shoot since he didn't have a bow or a license, so he was the photographer and pack horse.

a hunting trip with Pastor Estes

2009-09-10T18:30:00.000-04:00

two different date nights!!! Horray for babysitters!

2009-09-10T18:26:00.001-04:00

stayed in lots of fun homes

2009-09-10T18:13:00.003-04:00