Snow everywhere

Yesterday it started snowing again. We received about 12 inches of snow between noon and mid-night. When Scooter got off work we decided that it would be great for sledding. We all got dressed in our snow gear and headed to the car. I was to bring the kids and sleds and meet him at the park. I was very nervous about driving on the snow. It was coming down so fast that the plows were not keeping up. Anyway, Scooter assured me that I would be fine as long as I drove slow. Well he did not mean to back out of the drive slowly. I found this out because, as I slowly backed out of our driveway I became stuck. I could not go backward, the tires were slipping and I could not go forwards. So I am stuck in the middle of our street with no way to move. Luckily we have a great downstairs neighbor. Jason came to my rescue. Jason, Trey, and I shoveled the snow out from under the car, put salt in front of the tires, then they pushed as I gunned the gas. Finally I am back in the driveway. I waited on Scooter to get home. I decided I would not drive on the snow. A few minutes later Scooter and Dan pull up. We jump in the car and away we go. When we get to the park it is obvious that we are the only people dumb enough to be out in this weather. The park is empty so of course Scooter takes advantage of the empty snow covered parking lot to show his stressed out wife that he can make the car spin round and round on the ice. What fun.
When we finally climbed out of the car and head for the hill, the snow is up to Rebekah's thighs. We have a blast sledding and snowball fighting. We stayed out in the snow for about an hour and a half. Normally it gets dark here about 5pm. However, last night there was so much white reflecting the moonlight that it looked like daylight until well after 7pm. After a while I suggested that since it was snowing so bad that we should head home. I did not want to spend the night in the park. We came home to hot chocolate and yummy hot tea (thanks McQuarys). The kids set in front of the windows most of the night watching the snow plows go up and down the street. It should snow most of the day today. However, Thursday it will start to melt but we will have more Friday and Saturday.

Reagan & Trey

Swing Dance

Tonight we went to a swing dance at our church. It was so much fun. We all learned the basic steps and a few fancy combinations. Scooter and I did well and all the kids had fun. Trey and Ethan even danced. If you have never tried swing dance I would give it a shot.

We had a great day today at the Schenectady Winter Festival. We went ice skating, snow tubing, and playing in the snow.

Boston, Massachusetts

This past week we had a great time in Boston. Scooter had Monday off for Presidents Day so we decided to take advantage of the long weekend. Sunday after church we headed for Massachusetts. We arrived in Boston around 3pm. Traffic was awful; we got stuck behind a Chinese New Year parade. The kids thought it was neat to see the dragons and people everywhere. We searched for a place to park, got lost, and saw a lot of the city. About an hour later we were parked and on our way to the markets. We met Dan, his sister, daughter, and a friend at North End Market. We spent several hours walking through Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North and South End Markets, and the Old State House (where the Boston Massacre took place). Faneuil hall is also called the “cradle of the Freedom” many important meetings were held here, including a meeting to protest the stamp act that led to angry citizens attacking the governor’s mansion. It was neat to know that you were standing in the same building in which Sam Adams fired up patriots. We also did some shopping ans enjoyed hot, fresh clam chowder in bread bowl. As the crowd thinned out the kids enjoyed playing and dancing around the empty court yard.
The next day we started out with a visit to the USS Constitution “Old Iron Side” Museum. We had a great time. We learned about the Barbary war, the War of 1812, how to fire a cannon and all about the life of a sailor on the USS Constitution. Anyone interested in learning more about the ship, check out the link I added. The museum offers a great curriculum on the USS Constitution for free. After several hours we moved on the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum. Wow, how amazing to be in the place where the first battles for our freedom was fought. We also saw Paul Reveres home, Old North Church, the King’s Chapel, the Boston Commons, the wharf and Fenway Park. After an exhausting day of walking we went to lunch at “Cheers”. The kids were unimpressed as it was before their time but Scooter and I enjoyed having a burger and cold beer at Cheers.

We had a great two day and would love to go back again.

USS Constitution "Old Iron Side"

Miss You All!

A Great Day

We spent the day with new friends, Dan and his 3 year old daughter Orianna. Dan is also in Scooter's class. They have become good friends in the past two weeks. Rebekah and Orianna became fast friends. Hopefully we can get them together often. We started the day at a winter festival in a small town a few miles away. The snow was falling in buckets but we stuck it out long enough to take a horse drawn wagon ride through an apple orchard. They had the neatest country store with all kinds of local treats. We came away with fresh local honey and wild strawberry preserves. Yummy! After face painting and hot apple cider we jumped in the car to warm up and grab lunch. We ended the day with sledding. Dan showed us a new park that has a much larger hill to sled. The kids had a blast. Sledding was so much fun and if you weren't careful climbing back up the hill you got to go down again. Abigail decided that momma made a pretty good sled! We made our first real snowmen several of them. And of course, adding another man to the equation meant that we also had snowball fights. We are expecting lots of snow this weekend and next week.

new friends

New York State Museum

This past Saturday we spent the day at the New York State Museum. It is an amazing place with two huge benefits. First it is only about 12 miles from the house and second, it is free. We will be going back soon. They have everything: art, old fire engines, fossils, complete New York history set up as life size scenes with wax figures, a subway car, and a heart-breaking 9-11 exhibit. Or favorite exhibit was the Iroquois Indian room. They had a life size scene of Indians as they worked in their garden. We were able to see a cradle board and many baskets. We were also able to go inside a replica long house. The Iroquois Indians live in family units (including grand-parent, aunts and uncles all in one bunk house like building lined with bunk beds on both sides. I love my family dearly but cannot see all of use living under one roof, basically in one room. Anyway, we had spent several weeks learning about the Iroquois last year and enjoyed seeing all these things up close and in person.


Also, we celebrated our second birthday in New York. ABIGAIL IS THREE!!! I can't believe it! It seems like only yesterday she was born. She is getting smarter and cuter every day. Her favorite thing to say now is, "I am precious and I know it!" Reagan taught her this. I guess we need to work on humility next.

 

On to another praise report, my new schedule was approved and will change Feb 10th! Now I will have more time free during the day and in the evenings. Praise God!

Unable to keep my mouth shut!

We had a great day at church today. First, I have to say that I love Our Savior Lutheran Church. It is small enough that the pastor often has conversations with the congergation from the pulpit. We were introduced to the church today during service. It has a contemerary service that was amazingly Spirit led, and the preaching was also great.

Anyway during sunday school, we have been studying the constitution and the first amendment. Many believe that the first amendment is the seperation of Church and state although those words are never used. The amendment states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

The founding fathers were opposed to government established Religion. The first four drafts actually replace the word Religon with Demonination. Our founders did not want to be told by the government that they had to be Catholic, Lutheran or any other religion for that matter. They did not intend to remove God from government. "Wallbuilders" publications has several great videos on our constituion's history and the American Founding Fathers. I have added a link to the Wall Builders website. Well, we watch the video and loved it! Then it was time for discussion. The question was how should our faith effect our politics. Those of you that know me well know that I LOVE politics! I bit my tounge. After hearing several men state that we needed to elect people that appeared to live a Godly / moral life I could be quiet no longer. I said, "I feel that this was a dangerous suggestion. In the election before us we have a canidate that is a very moral man and appears to be Godly, but yet is NOT a Christian. We can not as Christians elect men to lead our counrty that do not seek God and then expect God to bless our nation. We also have a duty to vote. We are call to be in the World but not of it! If we remove ourself from the political practice by not voting as our faith leads us we will reap the consequences. America did not get in the state of Moral decay it is in by itself. We are primarily a Christian nation. Around 80% of our citizens claim to be Christian. If we are a true democracy, and Christians voted according to their faith and Christian men and women served as elected officals the policies of our country would reflect that. After all the majority is suppose to rule. We have let oursevles down and have a long haul to regain ground but we are not going to do so if we vote for those who appear to be moral! Apperances can be decieving. We should all vote and we should do so responsibly!"

Ok, off my soap box. What a way to introduce myself. After class I had 5 women waiting for me to introduce themselves and thank me for my contributions. I know the teacher was thinking "Oh, great! How long are you here?" I also commented a few other times. I was afraid that Scooter was going to tell me to be quiet. But, Scooter just set there quietly with a grin. He said that I did good.

So, not sure I should have done that but I felt I needed to. This bible study is great. I will be getting all the info for it and hope to persuade Salem to offer it in the Fall.

Scooter and the kids went to the church's Super Bowl Party tonight and had a great time. I had to miss this one to work but hope that changes soon. The church has many activites on the calander for fellowship that we are looking forward to. Also I met another home-school mom after church today!

We miss you all!

Alpine Access

For those of that are not quite sure what it is I do, or that might have questions about my company, I am posting this link.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#22870640

My company Alpine Access was featured on NBC Nightly News. Check it out!

Prayer Request

A few days ago I asked for prayer regarding my work schedule. With the change in time zones my current schedule has me working until 11 am several days and until 11pm several nights. This interfers with both school and family time. I know that as Scooter gets further into his school he will has less time with the kids in the evenings and I was concerned with them feeling put off. Well, God is good. Wenesday night I received an e-mail from my boss. It so happens that the shift I am currently working is over staffed and Lowes has asked Alpine to staff an earlier shift. All of this on the day I ask for prayer! God is Good! Anyway I have submitied a bid for the following hours.

EST
Mon. 6-9am
Tue. 6-9am 2-5:30pm
Wed. 6-9am
Thurs. 6-9am
Fri. 6-9am 2-5:30pm
Sat. 6-9am

This would be so great. I could finnish work before the kids are ready for school and have a short shift in the afternoon two days a week. Also with the early morning on Saturday I would have my weekends back. Pray this is approved. I should know more by Monday and if approved it would go into effect Feb. 10. Just in time, that is when Scooter will be getting into new stuff at school.

I have to mention something very cute. Rebekah had a misunderstanding about Scooter's school. Wendsday afternoon when Scooter got home she was doing her normal, "How was your day honey?" She asked him so sweetly, "Were the kids good for you today, did they learn a lot?"
She thought that Scooter was going to be a teacher at a school. He explained to her that he was the one learning and having to pay attention. She giggled and thought it was very funny that her Daddy was in school again. She smiled and said "You do school like me?" We had a good laugh!