Where to Begin?

I've been reminded that I've neglected the blog for far too long...  Our computer is giving us fits but I'll go ahead and do an update without pictures.

We've survived the birthday season!  Matthew celebrated his 25th and Katelyn her 13th birthday on June 25th.  Nathanial celebrated his 22nd birthday on July 26th.  And Rachael finished out the season with her 17th on July 27th.

Matthew wasn't supposed to start at his new job until July 2nd, but was called out to Bath early for some training and then started 'officially' at the radio station the last week of June.  He still is without a car so there have been a couple of trips out to Bath and back to bring him home for a couple of weekends.  He has found a car, but is saving up for the down payment...hopefully, he'll have that done by the end of this month.

Matthew loves his job at the Family Life Network.  He has been given an additional duty of writing and producing the "Kid's Korner" segment which airs on Saturday mornings.  They are still in the production phase of his scripts, but they will be aired starting in September.  He's also been working on promotional spots which air throughout the day on the regular radio broadcasts.  It's really neat to be at work listening to the radio and hearing our son's work (and sometimes voice) come over the airwaves.

Nathanial and I made a trip to Lanham, MD to visit the school where he plans on getting his master's degree.  After talking with school representatives and viewing the campus once again, Nathanial is certain that this is the school he wants to attend.  Due to financing he's decided to do one class via the internet and another via module (40 hour intensive course done in one week on campus) course for the fall semester.  He'll be living here at home during this semester and hopes to be able to attend on campus classes starting in January.  He's looking for a part-time job closer to home (than Binghamton, which is a 45 minute commute) to help pay for his schooling so he doesn't have to take out loans.  We're in the process of making a quiet, study room in the attic for him to do his coursework, which will someday become either Wayne or my work studio.

Wayne continues to deal with new and puzzling medical symptoms.  He underwent a CT scan of the brain this week and we should be getting the results within the next few days.  His oncologist/hematologist says that his blood work doesn't reveal any issues that would explain his symptoms, but he is concerned and wants the neurologist to examine Wayne asap.  That appointment is scheduled for Monday.

We've both been busy trying to make items for the Unadilla Artisan Guild.  Wayne has done several glass pieces, a couple of hooked rug projects, and he's written and submitted an article for a rug-hooking magazine.  I've also finished 3 quilts--one of them a special commissioned piece which was a memory quilt made out of t-shirts of a lady's deceased husband.  I've been spinning yarn when not quilting, but there is never enough time to tackle all that I have on my 'to do' list.

Last week Marc and Rachael went on a week long bike trip with a local Youth For Christ group.  They biked from Oneonta, New York to Lake Ontario.   Thankfully, the heat wave decreased somewhat for the week and they had good cycling weather for the most part.

As a special trip for Katelyn (during the week without her big sister) we went to Niagara Falls.  The last time she had been there was when she was 3 years old.  We had a great day of 'hanging out together' and toured a bit of the neighboring towns.  Lewiston, NY is a pretty little village right on the Niagara River and has quite a history.  (When I get our computer to cooperate, I'll download the pictures to the story)

Jonathan found a butterfly egg on a dill plant several weeks ago.  He determined to hatch the egg and raise the caterpillar to become a butterfly.  Last weekend "Louie Bob" went from the caterpillar stage into the pupa stage.  Our butterfly farmer excitedly examines the jar every day for any changes and is sure to inform the rest of the household if there is ANYthing to report.

The garden is producing well.  We've put up all the corn, the beans are just beginning to produce, and the broccoli, carrots, cukes, peppers, and zucchini have kept us well fed.  The tomatoes are loaded, but have yet to ripen.  We've also robbed a potato plant for some new potatoes.  It's wonderful eating fresh veggies again!

For the past 4 years I have tried to grow luffa gourds.  This is the 1st year that I've been successful.  I have a wonderful trellis full of developing luffa.  Once mature, the inner part of the gourd is dried and cured and can be used as a sponge.  I plan to pour some of our goat milk soap into the sponges so we'll have a new item to sell at the shop--pre-soaped luffa sponges.  (Pictures to come!)

Thanks for your patience with my negligent blog updates.  Pray that our computer starts mending its ways!

 

 

1/2 Way Through The Birthday Season

Today Marc turns 19.  He has come so-o-o far from the little boy who stopped talking at 18 months and had to learn all over again how to communicate and deal with sensory issues.  He's a wonderful young man and it's exciting to see how God is using him.

Tonight he is celebrating his birthday by attending the Drive-In movies with Matthew, Rachael, and Katelyn.  (Nathanial had to work).  Happy, happy birthday, Marc!

Graduation(s) Celebration

June 16th we held an open house for a combined graduation party for all 3 of the eldest.  Marc received his high school diploma from Dad...







Pastor Dave Steensma gave a few words of congratulations and encouragement.

The boys surprised me with a dozen roses.  They then presented Wayne and I with wall plaques thanking us for being their Dad & Mom and for home schooling them over the years.













Then it was time to enjoy friends, food, and beautiful weather...

Friends came from near and far...(John is our neighbor & Rich traveled from Connecticut to attend the festivities)

 It's amazing to see these two young men all grown up.  They've been friends for at least 12 years.  Jacob will graduate next spring.

Horsin' Around

The two girls have been helping clean out stalls and caring for the horses at a local stable.  They love being around the horses and having the extra blessing of riding occasionally.  We like the fact that they can get their 'horse fix' without having one on the farm!

Rachael and Katelyn keep us updated on the comings and goings of the horses by taking pictures and putting faces with the names  as they tell of each horse's antics.

 

Jumping into June...

 June starts out with our wedding anniversary on the 1st.  The girls surprised us with a delicious chocolate bundt cake to celebrate our 27th year.

The 2 youngest are doing their impressions of business men...

 A gentleman from our church owns this little firetruck and takes it around to various shows and parades.  Marc tagged along with him to a tractor show.  On Flag Day the 2 youngest rode on the 'little firetruck' at the Annual Unadilla Flag Day Parade.

 Dad took Jonathan to his last swimming lesson of the session and got some pictures of our little fish.  One of his favorite things to do in the pool is diving to touch bottom of the deep end (11 feet).  He's been successful several times.

 Ian turned 7 on the 6th.  Here he's walking around with his birthday money tucked in his hat as he tries to decide how to spend his 'millions'.








Katelyn had her last concert of the spring season with the Little Delaware Youth Ensemble.  She's looking forward to the fall season and returning to the stage with her friends.

The Merry Month of May...

 May is one of my favorite times of year.  Flowers are blooming everywhere and everything seems so green after the starkness of winter.  Here are a few of the blossoms from around the farm...

May is also the beginning of the Jackson family "birthday season".  Wayne starts us off and then we quickly go through all the gang with the grand finale at the end of July.  Here is Jonathan on his 9th birthday with Ian and their designer birthday hats...








One of Jonathan's favorite activities is climbing trees.  This little oak was just a twig when we first moved here.

 Memorial Weekend was extra special with a visit from our dear friends Phil & Nancy Perry from Maine.  Nancy and I have been friends since we met out freshman year of college (can it really be 30+ years!?!).  The weekend flew by and we hope they'll be able to come again soon.

How Time Flies!  I can't believe it's been March since I last added a post.

I also can't believe that this past weekend Nathanial graduated with his bachelors degree in religious education with a concentration in Hebrew from Davis College.  Those four years certainly flew by!  We are so proud of how hard he's worked to earn his degree.  He plans to go on to seminary in the Washington D.C. area in the fall.  We're enjoying having him home for a bit without having homework.

 Matthew will be graduating this coming Saturday from New York State College in Oneonta with a bachelors degree in Mass Communication.  He's not planning to attend the ceremony, but that doesn't change the fact that we are very proud of him for all he's done over the years.  Matthew is hoping to work at Family Life Ministries in Bath, New York, but will be working locally until he finds a permanent position in his major.

Marc will also be graduating from Riverside Home School this year.  He wants to continue with his farming and is currently taking classes with a professional blacksmith.  Marc hopes to learn the art of blacksmithing and creating useful items to sell

Jonathan had to try on big brother's 'weird hat' and remind us that the time will fly and he'll be graduating, too!