Justin turns 16!

Today our first born turns 16 years old. Justin Ryan Ryken was born June 11, 1993 in Gorgas Army Community Hospital, Panama. For many years Justin was very proud of the fact that he was Panamanian. He was equally heart broken to finally realize he was an American just with Panamanian citizenship (long story).

We are so proud of the young man that Justin has and is becoming. Even though he is still learning and growing, he has a heart for others and a deep love for Christ. He works hard and is learning patience as he teaches skills to his brothers. The love and tenderness he shows towards his sister in protecting them is very evident.

Here are some brief snapshots of Justin through the years:

6 mos old

10 months old and walking

Virginia - He worked allweek trying to remove the stick from the pile of dirt.

Virginia - not feeling well

Brookfield Zoo - playing follow the leader with Jesica

Ages 6 and 8

Hunting squirrel

Taking his brother, sister and cousin for a tractor ride at Grandpa's

Virginia Reel at Presbytery 2008

David, Jeremy, Garrison, and Justin

Justin playing with Sara

As tall as his dad at age 15.

Happy Birthday, Justin!

Children and Husbands

Recently I discovered a wonderful new blog - "At the Well - In Pursuit of Titus 2". Here is an excerpt from yesterday's post:

"Sure, out in public or via our blogs/social networks we talk all about how are babes are blessings. Uh huh. But how many of you are sincerely experiencing your children as blessings in the day to day? How often does the thought pop in your mind that your kiddos are burdens (shhh...don't tell!)? You don't want to think that way, but some days it's just so...hard to be a mommy. Don't worry, I can't read your mind, your secret is safe with God. He knows. He knows that so often we are exhausted, exasperated, and sometimes even lost when it comes to truly experiencing our children as being blessings, not just "in theory" blessings. He also knows that there is joy to be had."

To read more, click here

Today's post is just as convicting. How often do we nag our husbands and come up with excuses to justify ourselves? Here is an excerpt of today's post:

"How many times do I have to say something before that man will get up and help with the kids!?"

"Doesn't he realize how stressful my day is?!"

"How hard is it to put the towels in the hamper?"

"It would be nice if he would just do one thing without me needing to ask him...."

Have you ever said something like this to your husband?

Or maybe more likely, have you thought them?

To read more, click here

Chickens!

Yesterday we drove to Missouri to pick up some chickens. When we moved, we had planned on having chickens. It took a bit to get a coop built and get all the details taken care of, but yesterday was the big day.

Our friends, the Brabos, moved to Missouri and put us in contact with an Amish farmer who had some birds that were already laying. We decided to go this route so that we wouldn't have to raise the chicks and wait a long time before they were laying.

So now we are the proud owners of 20 Rhode Island Reds and Red sex-link hens. They seem happy this morning and some are already laying in the new home.

We transported the hens home in boxes in the back of the van.

Their new coop

Trying to check out the new surroundings through the hole in the box.

happy in their new home

"Must watch" video - Supremacy of Christ

A different way of going green....

Going Green with Everything (Except the womb)

Visit with the Rausch's, a field trip, and the park

Yesterday our family drove up to Chicagoland to visit with my sister and her children. They live in Germany, so we don't get to see them very often. It is a treat for the cousins to be able to play together. 

Patricia and Justin discussing the finer things of life

Grandpa and Josiah playing bean bags

Sara and Mathias riding in my wagon from when I was a little girl.

Mathias and Owen playing bean bags

Lorenz

Jesica and Ashly taking pictures of themselves

Love riding bikes and scooters in the church parking lot

Heads up!

Last time we saw them was when Sara was born. Since then Patricia has also had a baby, Hazel. So this was the first time we saw her. She is now 7 mos old. At first Sara was a bit hesitant around Hazel, but warmed up quickly. Hugs were in abundance!

Hazel

Sara trying to hug Hazel

Even though Mathias and Owen are only 6 months apart, Owen quickly became Josiah's shadow.  It was fun to watch all the boys interacting together in the back yard and at the park.  

10 of the 14 grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa

We also had the opportunity to go to the Firehouse. Scott, who I have known since kindergarten, happened to be on duty. After a little arm twisting, I was able to get him to give us a tour.  Patricia's boys hadn't ever seen a fire station, let alone an American one. American fire engines are larger than German ones. The younger boys really enjoyed seeing the kitchen, relaxation room, sleeping rooms, the fire pole, training room, and best of all climbing on the engine. Thanks, Scott for give us a great tour and showing the boys what the life of a fireman is like. (click picture below for photo album)

Firestation 4-23-09

By the end of the day everyone was tired! The ride home was quiet as everyone but the drivers were sleeping!

A long time in coming....

This post sure is a long time in coming. I can hardly believe that it has been almost a month since I last posted. A lot has been going on around here now that the weather is starting to be nice. 

Last week the local septic guy started digging up our yard to add another tank and lay a new septic field. The current one is designed for a 1-bedroom home, not 9 people! Our new one will be large and able to accommodate our family with no problems.

Last week Sara was also pretty sick. She had a very high fever and was very lethargic. It was so unlike her that we took her to the dr. Dr. Baer is a really nice guy. He couldn't find anything wrong that would lead her to have such a high fever, so he sent her to the local hospital to have a few tests done. All those came back good also, so we are still clueless about what caused her illness. Today we ran into the nurse that took care of her at the hospital. She still remembered Sara and was so happy to see her feeling much better.  That's one of the joys of living in the country.

Now that is warm, we are looking to get our garden planted. A while ago we started a few things in a small green house we found at our local Farm and Fleet (this is one of our favorite stores!). We still have to get the area for the garden turned over. It was hard to decide where to put it, since we are on a wooded lot.

Daniel and Justin also put up a clothesline for me. We don't have the benefit of a city gas line, but instead, a huge LP tank out back. So have a clothesline will really save on the gas usage and hopefully save us lots of money this summer.

Living on a some acreage caused us to need a riding mower. Justin has been waiting for the day to come when we would buy him one! He has been using it for mowing, hauling wood, and giving rides to his younger brother.

Daniel has been traveling a lot, but that should be slowing down in the next couple weeks. 

Our chickens will be arriving as soon as we can find the time to pick them up from Missouri. Then it will be fresh eggs and eventually a freezer full of chickens.

School is almost over until August. Everyone has worked hard this year. Next year will be interesting as I have another one starting and one who is eager to get finished!

So there is a brief recap of the things that are happening around here lately. Tomorrow we go to visit family, so more posts will be coming! Here are a few generic pictures to enjoy!

Patriot and Espresso