Five Posts In One....

An Auto Accident:

First off, we had a little bit of excitement with the van, about two months ago. It was still dark on Saturday morning, as Mama drove to drop Ryan off at the men's breakfast, at church. Suddenly out of the darkness, an axle and wheel rolled in front of the van. It hit the center of the bumper just missing the censor that deployed the airbags (Thank the Lord!). The axle lodged itself face up somewhere near the oil pan, with the tire down, acting as a huge brake pad. At first we thought it was a hit-and-run but a few minutes later a very apologetic gentleman stepped out of the darkness explaining how his classic car had lost its rear wheel on the way to a car show.

A few hours later, the van was towed to our mechanic, and we were all safely home. By Tuesday, we had a rental van which we used for about a month till our van was all repaired. The total damage was about $4300.00. We thank the Lord for our very diligent mechanic who made sure that all the necessary parts were replaced. In fact, before the accident, our van made a strange sound (which really bothered Mama) that after the repairs were done, was gone!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Mama's Birthday:

We celebrated Mama's 38th birthday with some friends of ours, the Stevens Family, at Mexi Casa. We recommend the "Nachitos.":) It was a special night!

We girls, had fun matching.:)
Dad entertaining the boys.....

The guys table

Almost Alaska Beach Party:

Like I mentioned before, I almost went to Alaska for eleven months. This being the case, our family threw a beach party before I left. It was alot of fun! With walks down the beach, volleyball, Frisbee, hot dogs and marshmallows, and to top it all off, a fireside sing!!:)

walking down the beach
volleyball

a group shot:)
hot dogs, (polish sausage, actually:)

Dinner
Timmy watching the ships pass by
roasting heavy polish sausages on metal hangers:)

trying to read with limited flashlights

We don't know this song.....

the Pau Family

.....many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who hold my hand.

As Pastor Steve says, "Sometimes, all the doors are open except for one, so the door is still closed" and that, "Delays are not denials." The Lord always works things out at the right time, as in the case with Sarah and Abraham, who waited several years for the fulfillment of their promised son.

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:25-26

Army Men:

Besides the fact that the boys were happy to keep me home a little longer:), as an added bonus they were able to use the store credit from Doughboys, where I had purchased my winter coat, to buy army suits which they had wanted for awhile. Timmy and Isaiah(Joshy and Natey got outfits as well but, I still have not gotten any pictures of them.:)
Cute foot:)

"Cover me!"

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:3-4

Hallelujah Night Sing:

This last Sunday night, our church had a Singspiration for "All Saints Day." The McIntire family played for us once again and it was a neat time of rejoicing in the Lord and remembering the story of Martin Luther's nailing the 95 Theses on the Catholic Church. Afterwards, we had pizza, talked about the upcoming election, had a volleyball marathon:), and visited with friends! It was alot of fun and quite a late night.:)

This game was actually played before the sing, in the afternoon.

getting the ball off the roof
the bluegrass group, the McIntires!:) Thank you, McIntires!
Enjoying the songs...

Enjoying the food

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:24-26

Four For the Orthodontist

Ryan, Daniel, Caytlin and I have all recently entered into the wonderful world of orthodontics.:)

This morning was the monthly visit to the orthodontist.

It all started when my Mama took me to the Dentist for a "consultation" for braces for my bottom teeth. I left the dentist that day, with my wisdom teeth extracted.:) (And yes, I also was told that braces would be beneficial for not only my bottom teeth but my top, as well.) So I was scheduled to be fitted for the latest technology in braces, Invisalign.

After getting all six impressions done, I waited to hear what the computer and dental expert's diagnosis would be. During that time, I almost went to Alaska for about a year and we decided to get Ryan braces instead. (We checked first to see if the switch would still be possible despite the fact that my braces had already been ordered.) The orthodontist assured Daddy that "it was no problem." So we went with braces for Ryan instead.

"Since we were doing Ryan, we might as well do Daniel, who needed braces as well." So that was two for the orthodontist.

Now Caytlin's teeth are straight, all except for one, that her retainers,(which she needs adjusted monthly) will correct as well as, keeping her already straight teeth straight. That's three for the orthodontist.

Well, the Lord rescheduled my trip to Alaska, till this summer( Lord willing:), the braces(which never actually got cancelled) came on, and it was four for the orthodontist.

Caytlin getting her retainers adjusted.

Ryan, Phase 1: Spacers for three months(one month left).

Phase 2: Braces

Phase 3: Retainers

Daniel got his power-chain on this morning.:)

Phase 1: Braces-1 year

Phase 2: Dental implant for missing adult tooth and a crown to go over stubborn baby tooth which refused to fall out+braces

Phase 3: Retainers

This is our orthodontist, Dr. Yapp.:) (He is Filipino.)

Ashley- Invisalign-14 months
(The trays I wear, fit over my teeth and look like a pair of clear, hollow, dentures. I get a new tray every two weeks. The first 7 months of my treatment I only have a bottom tray but, will get my top tray in May, Lord willing.)

We used to think braces were just to improve the looks of our teeth but, after learning more about them from our dentist we realize that what seems to be just a "cosmetic fix" today, will actually save us, thousands of dollars worth of dental bills, in the future. Thank you Lord for the provision of braces.:)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Life around here....

......has been very busy and very different than expected. Hopefully, I will get on to another post in the near future to fill you in on this last month. Have a great evening!:)

Visiting the Tostadas, Cowboys and Labor Day

Ok! So we have the computer back up and running.:) Now for a catch-up post, somewhat.....



A few weeks ago, Uncle Victor and Aunt Kim invited us over for dinner. We live a few blocks away so we walked. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of meatballs, rice with pineaple topping, watermelon and apple juice. It was very yummy! (Thank you Uncle Victor and Aunt Kim!)

Uncle Victor set up a few tables in their front yard so we could all sit together. :)

Uncle Victor and Emily...

Aunt Kim, Rachel and Katie
Mama and Aunt Kim
Daddy and Uncle Victor

Timmy loved playing in this car.:) He was so excited to drive it. He took one bite of his dinner and then ran off to do so! I got him back in his seat, only to have the scene repeat itself all over! This happened several times. Finally, he decided that he'd better finish his food or he wouldn't be allowed to leave his seat.:)
After dinner the kiddos headed off to play legos. Something they never seem to tire of.:)

Wally, the dog.:)

resting in the livingroom
Watching: The Secrets Of Jonathan Sperry
Mama playing with Matthew

We enjoyed visiting with Uncle Victor and his family again! (It's amazing how fast the little one's have grown!) We were thankful to be able to spend time them and had a great evening.:)

The below set of pictures are from another day and were to cute to pass up!:)

I don't think it's a secret that our boys love to dress up and pretend to be cowboys. So, as usual the younger ones catch on and copy their older brother's example. The result is below:

Timmy-cowboy in training, no pants and all;)

no violence for this cowboy.........just a ball

resting..... .....and don't forget Joshwee!

Now to jump ahead to Labor day. This year we attended our church's game and barbeque at Murdy Park, once again. Only a few of our family members played softball this year.

preparing for the game...
Picking teams

Lois, ready for the ball.

"Go, Mrs. Munteanu!"

Batters

Pastor, pitching. He get's better every year!:)
Sarah and Katie

(Besides Mrs. Munteanu and Lois, they were the only girls playing:)

Markie hits the ball

It was an adventure trying to get good shots of the batters without the fence.....

"Run, Katie!"

First base....
resting in the dug-out Yes, Natey played barefoot.:) After the game we ate lunch which was cooked by a few of the older men at our church. It was delicious!
Manning the grill

This picture was too cute to pass up!:)

We usually spend the rest of the afternoon playing different games like frisbee, volleyball and basketball or relaxing and talking. I did not get any pictures while playing frisbee but, Daddy wanted to use my camera to get a few shots of the vollyball game going on.

the game....

talking
a board game

Toward the end of the day, the Pau family hosted a get together at their house with snacks, games and cheesecake. So, we spent the rest of the evening at their home playing "Catch-Phrase" and "4 On A Couch." We had a great time and the latter game provided alot of excitment and laughs for the evening.:) Thank you to the Pau family for such a special evening!

Therefore, wether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthinas 10:31