The First Produce of Our Garden This Year!

Chives! We chopped them up and had them in our enchiladas! They were so good!

For the Last Couple Days...

...We have had the wonderful pleasure of having Krista and Teddy Van Cleve here!

While I was diligently searching the computer for a picture for Sarah and Stephen's slide show, I heard somerather familiar voices. Krista and Teddy VC were here! I wasn't expecting to see them for a couple hours. Krista and I looked at old pictures for awhile before it was time to go the Hannah's violin recital. (We'll post about that soon!) That night, we turned the light off at ten, but didn't fall asleep for two hours. We talked for a while, then Krista read from Touch the Sky, and book in the Young Underground Series. We talked some more, and then had a pillow fight. We talked even more, before we finally decided we needn't to get to sleep. We fell asleep a couple minutes later.

The next morning, Krista and I woke up at six o'clock and worked on our story that we're writing together. After a couple hours of that, we played school. Later that day, Krista was very tired, so we went up stairs, and we talked while she laid down. (Krista and I have wanting to learn German, and since she and Teddy were going to stay with us for the week, I asked Phil if we could use his German teaching program. He found it, and we have been using it ever since. Well, kinda...=) We had Mr. Van Cleve for dinner, then we watched a Roy Rogers movie and went to bed at ten (and we fell asleep right away=)

This morning, since we were so tired, we slept in for quite awhile. (I won't tell you what time we woke up.=) When we finally did get up, we did some work on our story, then played school. Since then , we've been working on our German. (I took a bunch of movies, but they're a little embarrassing. =) I'll film one either today or tomorrow.) I hope to post again soon about our other "Van Criss" adventures, so don't go far.;-)

Happy 50th Birthday, Mrs. Clark!

Sorry, I don't have a picture, but today is the birthday of my dear piano teacher and the wonderful lady who's making all of our bridesmaid dresses for Sarah's wedding. Happy birthday, Mrs. Clark!

New Hair Cut!

I have been so bad with posting. I have had about ten posts crowd my busy head, and haven't had a chance to post any. I am determined to start afresh (do you recognize that, Krissy?=).

So, here's a post that has been waiting to be posting for about two weeks. My new hair cut! I had a before picture, but I can't find it. My hair was below my waist, though. I was getting bad headaches from the weight of my hair, and when we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house for Mother's Day, after my aunt cut Sarah's and Hannah's hair, she cut mine. (Was that a run-on sentence, Em?=)

Happy 15th Birthday, Krissy Joy!

Two crazy friends

Having fun scrap booking together.

This is a essay I wrote for English class. I wasn't allowed to use first or second person (I, you) so it sounds a little strange. But I hope you enjoy!

Two Girls Who Are More Than Slightly Crazy

by Susanna R. Criss

When truly good friends get together, an outsider might think them to be weird or even from another planet, but true kindred spirits find joy in even the littlest things. Odd bouts of the “giggle disease” are often contracted for no apparent reason. Two girls, of which this statement is very true, are Susanna Criss and Krista Van Cleve, or, as they call themselves, Susanna and Krista Van Criss. Although they may excuse their mischief with the fact that they are still young girls and are just having fun, most observers would think that they are a little crazy.

These girls found joy in making a big batch of “mud soup”, one warm afternoon. Thinking it would be a great idea to paint “war paint” on their faces, they touched up each other’s Indian paint and then they had to go the whole way. They coated their faces, hands, and arms in the black goo, not realizing that Susanna’s whole family was watching them from the window laughing. They probably came to the conclusion that Susanna and Krista were very crazy.

“Mud soup” is not the only thing those girls make together. They often have fun making treats together. One such day, Susanna was at Krista’s house making what they call “maiden cookies”. After they rolled the chocolate dough into balls, they rolled them in powdered sugar. Finaaly, the last cookies were placed in the oven, and, since nothing was left to do, one of those wild girls starting throwing handfuls of the used powdered sugar. Moments later, the two girls were covered from head to foot with powdered sugar, not to mention the counters tops, cupboards, and floor. Mrs. Van Cleve probably thought she had one fanatical daughter who had one crazy friend.

Aside from cooking mishaps, the girls enjoy watching movies together whether it’s Roy Rogers, Little House on the Prairie, or Jane Austin. Once, when Susanna was at the Van Cleves’ house, the girl decided to watch Pride and Prejudice. They started the movie rather late, and only watched about half of it. But the whole time, they were laughing their heads off, practically screaming every time a horse galloped onto the screen (both girls love horses). Krista’s older brothers must have thought their sister and friend to be very strange indeed.

From their cooking mud soup and cookies, to staying up way too late watching, Krista and Susanna are always a little more than slightly crazy. They are now looking forward to their next Van Criss adventure. So, if anyone every sees Krista and Susanna together, he had better watch out!

Tell It to Jesus

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Are you grieving over joys departed?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Chorus

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,

He is a Friend that’s well known.

You've no other such a friend or brother,

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Chorus

Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Chorus

Are you troubled at the thought of dying?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

For Christ’s coming kingdom are you sighing?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Chorus

Happy Birthday, Momma!

I know I'm late, but better late than never!

Farm and Garden Blog

Krista and I just starting a farm and garden blog called The K&S Farm and Garden Journal. Check it out! http://farmingandgardening.blogspot.com/

Corner Pillars

Daughters and pillars, how are they similar, you say?

In their purposes and functions, I’ll tell you, if I may.

They have three main functions, I wish for you to know.

And it is my prayer that in them you will grow.

The first is supporting, and this is what you are to do.

Support you parents, they’re the roof, God had given you.

The second is adorning, and it’s you home to beautify.

May you have a joyful spirit that doesn’t moan or sigh.

Memorials to the Lord, is function number three.

When others look at you, may Christ be who they see.

Oh, to be a corner pillar, for the palace of our King.

May you glorify the Lord, and His praises ever sing.

In order to be strong, stand on the Corner stone.

That Stone is Jesus Christ, trust in Him alone.

Psalms 144:12-15

That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth.

That our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style.

That our barns may full, supplying all kinds of produce.

That our sheep may bring forth thousands.

And ten thousands in our field.

That our oxen may be well laden.

That there be no breaking in or going out.

That there be no outcry in the streets.

Happy are that people who are in such a state.

Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.

Jon and Thomas in Viginia

I’m Waiting, I’m Waiting

I wrote this poem while waiting for my email the load. I was going to chat with Krista VC and Victoria Short. Enjoy!

I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
Will this page ever come?
I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
I’m going to chat with a chum.

I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
I’m very impatient, you see.
I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
I have to chat with Krissy.

I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
It’s about time to chat.
I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
And I’m going to be late at that.

I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
I really need my email.
I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
I really must not fail.

I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
Krista’s waiting on me.
I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
Yes, and so is Tory.

I’m waiting, I’m waiting.
But I really must leave.
I’m waiting, I’m waiting.

I have to work on this, you see.

Four Men Rasing the Flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima

The Young Underground Series by Robert Elmer

Several years ago, my cousin introduced these very interesting adventure books to us. My older siblings gobbled them up, but, I was a lot younger then, and when Hannah read them to me, I was rather bored. Recently, I decided to start reading with Matthew, and we read Adventures Down Under (also by Robert Elmer) and then we started reading The Young Underground series. Both Matthew and I were enthralled as we read A Way Through the Sea, Beyond the River, Into the Flames, Far From the Storm, A Light in the Castle, Follow the Star, and Touch the Sky.

The books are about twins Peter and Elise Anderson, two Danish children growing up in Occupied Denmark during World War Two. Each book is unique, exciting, and adventurous, as they unfold thrilling tales of the war, hiding a downed English pilot, working in the underground, being arrested in a Nazi prison, imprisoned on a renegade Nazi submarine, meeting the king of Denmark, and much much more!

These books are currently out of print, but they are available on Amazon and are at the Lynden library.

Also, some other great series by Robert Elmer are Adventures Down Under and Adventures in Zion.

Pictures from the Conference

Rebekah, Sarah Holsten, Isaac Plazcec, and me monitering the door.

Laura and Leanne working at the registration table. This is where Laura, Hannah, Rebekah, and I worked the whole weekend of the conference.

Garden Update

This is what our garden looked like a couple weeks ago.

Welcome to New York City! (That's what Phil calls it=)

Fishing!

We children have always had fond memories of going fishing with daddy. The night before we'd go, Momma would go through the list of clothes we had to wear, then we'd collect them all and make men on the living room floor with our coats, pants, hats, gloves, and scarves. Then we'd head of to bed while daddy worked on the fishing poles, tying on the hooks, etc. Then we'd wake up around 3:00, and, still half asleep, don our layers of clothes. Daddy would make hot chocolate, fill the thermos, grab the containers of cinnamon roll, and bananas. (we had to eat a banana before we could have a cinnamon roll. We don't observe that tradition any more.=) Then we'd pile into the car and fall asleep on the forty-five minute drive to Lake Padden.

But as we got older, the older girls didn't think that that the delight of cracking a fish's neck was worth waking up early and being frozen to death. This year, I was the first girl in our family to get a fishing license.

The last couple years, we've been breaking our traditions. In 2007, Jon was in the hospital, so we didn't go on opening day, but the day after that. Last year and this year, the Christian Heritage Home School conference has been on opening day, so we've just gone the week after that. This year, we broke the "cinnamon roll tradition". Instead of that, I made peanut butter cookies. We only had hot chocolate the first day and tea on the other days.

We first went fishing on Tuesday. Since it wasn't opening day and we didn't need to worry about not getting "our spot", we left at five forty-five, getting to the lake at six thirty. It was very windy that day, so we had to find another spot.=( That morning, I made a record of the most hooks and weights lost. (Daddy called me Tarzan because I lost all the hooks and weights in the trees.) It seemed that every time I cast, the hook got stuck higher and higher up in the tree. That morning, we also had a whole bunch of snails attach themselves to the line. I don't ever remember that happening. That day, Matthew and I caught the biggest fish that we've ever caught in that lake; they were both about sixteen inches long, and very hard to kill.=) We only got seven that day and we had to leave early because I had writing class at twelve thirty. (We got home at twelve fifteen!)

On Wednesday, we left about the same time as Tuesday, and we got to go to our old spot. We had a bigger time stretch because I had piano lessons at eleven. But this time, we caught twenty fish (our limit) before we had to go.(That was because we were at "our spot"=) I didn't try casting then.=)

Yesterday morning, (Friday) we left a little later than before, but we didn't have a time pinch. Our only obstacle was that we were low on Power Bait. One highlight: Joe caught a cray fish tangled on his line. We fished until we ran out or bait (we got twelve fish), and then we headed back home. (No, I didn't try casting again.=)

Matthew and me with our big fish. (On Tuesday, the spot where we were was very muddy, with a steep bank, and only about a foot-wide level area before in dropped three feet down into the water. We don't normally get this muddy.)

Now is the Month of May!

"I'm A-Saddlin' Up and A-Headin' for 'Ginia..."