New Kids on the Block...

 

Well, as the title suggests, our kids are the newsest ones to be here and explore the lay of the land.  We are now in the full swing of things, and wanted to share with you a little of what life looks like for our kids. There are about 100 acres here, and it is a child's dreamland! From canoeing and fishing, to playing in gravel pits, there is not a lot of down-time for the kids, which they, AND WE, love! There is plenty to keep them busy, including homework:)

 





 

 Bronia is still homeschooled, but she is most certainly not lonely. She has a Home Ec. class twice a week, where they've already done card-making, and are now learning cake-decorating. Some other skills coming up are home decorating, Thai and Mexican cooking, crocheting, knitting, sewing, candy-making... You get the idea:) She also participates in sports twice a week, and just took and passed a babysitting course, including infant CPR. There is a great group of girls her age, for which we are so thankful for.

 

Bronia with an icing rose...

 

...and making cards.

 

 Simon too is busy. There is a good group of about 6 guys in school, and he is enjoying making friends. He not only participates in school sports, but also in the adult soccer games three times a week here on campus. He even had the opportunity to play some soccer in a men's league here in Durham a couple of weeks ago. He is finding that he really enjoys sports. He also says he is enjoying this colder weather:)

 

Simon in the middle of a soccer game.

 

Liam turned 13 last month, and was able to have a little pizza party with his classmates and family. He got a slingshot for his birthday, and is enjoying shooting at targets. His goal is to kill a squirrel. As for school, he likes World History.

 

Liam and his friends enjoying his birthday pizza dinner...

 

...and trying out his birthday gift of a slingshot.

 

Eli thinks we live in a dream land. He too enjoys the sports, but he REALLY loves being outside and doing all the boy stuff. From running around in the gravel pits, to canoeing and fishing, to just hanging out with friends, Eli is having a good time. Simon caught a garter snake the other day, and didn't have time to skin it, so Eli did it, and had a blast doing it. He also gutted it so we could cook it up later and eat it. Needless to say, there is not much meat on a garter snake:)

 

Eli with his skinned and gutted snake...

 

...and getting ready to go for a canoe ride with Ethan.

 

 

As for Ethan, he is enjoying his classes. His teacher reads The Chronicles of Narnia every morning, and last Friday, they went to her house for snacks and to watch the movie. He loves running around catching grasshoppers, shooting a longbow that he made, and exploring. He wishes he could share these experiences with his Flordian friends though, and misses them.

 

Ethan practicing with his homemade longbow...

 

...and playing ping pong.  (with himself:)

 

We want to thank you for your continued prayers for our family. We feel like we are all adjusting well, and know that in part, it is due to many of you praying.   Monday, the 8th, was Canadian Thanksgiving. We realize we have so much to be thankful for, and at the top of that list is you, loved ones who pray for and support us. We could not be here without you. God is continuing to provide for us, and we really have ABSOLUTELY nothing to complain about. HE is a great God, and completely trustworthy.