Fort Update

Some time ago I posted about how much the kids enjoy building forts outside in our woods (here and here).  They go in spurts, but over the last month or so since we've had some great spring weather, they've been diligently building, remodeling, and constructing again. 

If you remember Wolfe Lodge, then you'll notice a definite improvement with many updates.

 The front:

Now with a swing-up door:

The back, with a turf roof:

I haven't heard a name for this fort yet.  Actually it's more of a neighborhood of forts:

I love watching the kids learning teamwork, using their imaginations, and just having care-free fun.  It reminds me so much of my childhood days building forts in the woods at Tahoe, making cabins from old railroad ties in Illinois, and playing with the neighborhood kids.  That's what I remember, not so much the organized sports, or scheduled events, just the "regular" fun and play.

A Day in the Life.....

I've got a few random shots that I wanted to post, so here are some usual and not so usual happenings around Wolfe's Home.

My littlest helper picking up Grandpa and Grandma's mission mail at the post office:

Yes, these are bald eagles at the top of our driveway!  We live not far from the river and mama and papa eagle were following their eaglet as she took off for flying lessons.  They circled around and landed and took off several times from our neighbor's tree.  Very exciting!

Chris and I were out late last Friday and came home to this note from Benjamin.  It was so kind of him to leave arrows pointing to the pen.  Ha!  That boy loves his Saturday morning cartoons.  :)

A favorite hobby of the boys is taking apart old computers, printers, machines, appliances, or whatever they can get their hands on.  They've learned quite a bit from it and have even repaired many things for us.  The latest dismantling of our old printer didn't go so well though.....let's just say that ink doesn't come off skin with just one washing.

Ami is so proud of fixing her hair in the mornings.  Today she sported a braid on one side, a small pony tail on the other, and free flowing hair in the back.  :)

We're still enjoying our wild dogwood trees in the back woods.  The blossoms have lasted quite a while this year.  Beautiful!

He is Alive!

This has been an Easter week to remember.  As mentioned before, in our schooling this year we are studying the early history period from the time of creation to the time of the Greeks.  We have been learning more about the Biblical feasts that the Jews participated in, and of course the Passover is one of those major feasts. 

Last Sunday our church had a Passover feast together and everyone was involved.  We each had a script to follow and partook as the Jews did, but also inserted along the script were explanations of the deeper meaning that the Passover feast has for us as believers in Jesus as Messiah.  The significance of each emblem and custom is incredible in light of Jesus' life.  No human could have crafted such an intricate and beautiful story. 

The unleavened bread, the salt water, the hard-boiled egg, the lamb shank bone, the parsley, bitter herbs, the charoseth and the grape juice....all with such meaning.

On Thursday we attended a Passover play.  It was very moving to watch, especially as Jesus left the upper room with his disciples, knowing what was about to happen to Christ in the hours to follow.

Last night Chris and I invited Michaela to watch the Passion of the Christ with us, her first time to see the movie.  It is not an easy film to watch at all, the impact is great. 

So, in our own way, this has been a somewhat solemn week.  I kept wanting to get to Sunday, and it was great to celebrate with our church family this morning.  We pray that as our children grow and mature, the importance of Passover week will grow along with them.  Jesus Christ, God in human form, suffered so much for us, and left an empty grave.  He has risen!  Our Savior is alive!  He is the Way, the Truth, the Life.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

From our family to yours, Happy Easter!

Beautiful Green

No, I'm not talking about the greening of spring, I'm talking about Johanna's beautiful eyes!  She is now sporting contacts and I love being able to see her bright eyes  all the more clearly. 

Johanna's eyes truly are the window to her soul.  Her zest for life comes out quite clearly as a sparkle that makes me smile.  Shine on, Silly!

Japan

It seems that the news from Japan has all but dried up here in the U.S. media.  Out of sight makes it easily out of mind, but the great devastation in Japan is far from over.  My family in Japan is still very heavily involved in the relief efforts.  They are still reaching people that have received very little to no help in over a month since the earthquake and tsunami.  It is heartbreaking to hear their stories, but heartwarming to know that they are making a real difference, not only physically but spiritually as well.

My sister continues to send out daily updates on the work they are involved with.  If you have any interest in being on their email list, just let me know.  You can also visit their website:  http://www.onfirejapan.com/tohoku/en/.  Under "Jennifer" are her daily updates.  If you click on "photos", prepare to be deeply touched.

(This little grandma was so thankful for the warm clothes and fresh vegetables, she started to cry as she received them!)

My parents continue to make major shopping trips with funds received from those partnering with them.  They have taken load after load of bulk supplies to my sister's, where they are then taken up by truck or van twice a week to the Sendai area.  To read the stories of how these meager supplies are so gratefully received day after day and how the victims so graciously help load and unload the trucks is beyond words.  I just cannot imagine being in such circumstances as to have to receive basic necessities for weeks on end from complete strangers, and to do it with such poise.

(This little boy, his mom, and baby sister survived the tsunami by holding on to a tire for 14 hours, till they were rescued. It's a miracle they are here!)

Please continue to keep the people of Japan in your prayers.  Great tragedy still unfolds every day, yet with that tragedy is an open door to share the Hope, Peace, and Comfort that only He can provide.  Please pray for those on the frontlines, that He would give them the strength that they need to continue on this great mission, that He would guide their steps with wisdom, and that Christ would shine through them in a powerful way.

Recent Ami Funnies

I just have to document some things that Ami has said recently that made us laugh. 

1.  "I wonder why we put candles on birthday cakes." 

Good question, I don't know how that tradition started!

2.  "I wonder why most Chinese people have Gotcha Days."

I guess it makes sense...most Chinese people she knows do have Gotcha Days.

3.  Ami was the only one riding in the back of the van one day and it was unusually quiet.  I was driving and said, "It sure is quiet back there."  To which she responded, "That's because I don't have any questions."

Love that girl!

Two Hands Full

Our third treasure is a whole decade old today!  Johanna is two hands full, and fills our hearts as well.  I love her sweet spirit, her carefree personality, her love of all creatures, her spiritual maturity, her cuddling and nuzzling into me, her joy of life.  My, how the time has flown by.

We've had fun celebrating today.  She chose donuts for breakfast and for her birthday dinner she wanted creamed tuna on toast (I know!  Seriously?!) with fruit salad.  Her cake was angel food cake with white frosting and sprinkles.  The girl knows what she wants!

We love you, Johanna Nicole.  Happy 10th birthday!

Coloring Eggs

We were invited over this afternoon to color Easter eggs with Grandpa H and his friend.  They had quite the set up ready with all sorts of colors, sparkles, paints, and glitter to choose from.  Then to top things off there were drinks, treats, and chocolate.  We are so grateful for dear neighbors and friends that make life just a bit sweeter. 

P.S.  Ten years ago this evening we went to a circus, then we had a big meal of the best BBQ ribs and baked beans in town.   That whole evening was pretty uncomfortable for me, but the anticipation of meeting my third treasure was priceless!

Loving spring

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love having the windows opened and fresh air flowing in, I love seeing the gradual greening of the outdoors and all the flowers and blooms, and I love that it means we are closing in on the end of another year of school. 

We have spent as much time outside as we can.  Ami has been picking flowers right and left and we always have at least one vase full on the dining room table.  She loves to place them just right in her hair.

I didn't get pictures taken quickly enough of our Crabapple trees in the front.  Their blooms remind me so much of the cherry blossoms in Japan.  All that was left by this pictures was a bit in the trees and the "rain" of blossoms on the ground.

Redbuds and Dogwoods also fill our woods.  Beautiful!

Poor time of day to take pictures, but you can kind of see the pink redbuds in the picture above.

Above, the Dogwood blooms start to peek out and take over.

Family Spring Break

As mentioned before, this year for the children's birthdays we decided to give season passes to Silver Dollar City in Branson in lieu of traditional gifts.  We had planned to go over our spring break, but then my trip to Japan overshadowed things.  But, we made good and took a trip over this last weekend.

Our kids haven't had much experience with big amusement parks, so they were a bit leery the first day about going on some of the rides.  Ami was by far the bravest!  Elijah came in second place, then the rest finally followed behind.  An answer to prayer realized was that it seems Elijah has overcome his battle with motion sickness.  Believe me, we put that to the test!  He wanted to go on anything and everything and didn't have the slightest bit of queasiness.  Woo hoo!

We enjoyed plenty of shows, looking through craftsmen's shops, and the gorgeous spring weather.  We're looking forward to our next trip.

Ami and me, bottom center.

At the end of Day 1, it was actually a bit hot and we were all definitely tired.

Headed on the tram for Day 2:

Elijah and Chris headed out on Wildfire.  I think Elijah wanted to prove he was better at something than his siblings.  Way to go, Elijah!

That's Chris in the front, hanging upside down, waving his hands in the air.

Back and ready to go again!  Notice the lack of riders; it was a great day to be at the park!

A couple of hams....

And yes, Benjamin pretending to be sick, and Elijah "afraid" of the noise.

Headed out on the tram.  A great time was had by all!

Ami with her gumball gift from Elijah.  He really is one of the most thoughtful kids I know.