Fireproof - my critique

Excellent movie!! If you did not watch the trailer, look about two posts down and you can click on "trailer" and watch, be sure to turn my music to pause first. Anyway, I can't say enough good things about this movie. I thought it was well-written, well-acted and spoke truth. We plan on purchasing it when it comes out on DVD. I'm not sure if anyone actually reads my blogs, but, chances are that if I do have some readers there may be more than one in a marriage that they are not happy in. The greatest example in the movie that was given was grace. The husband was telling his dad all the reasons why he and his wife shouldn't be married anymore, about how different they are from one another and about how his wife pushes him away and rejects him. He wonders how he is supposed to continue to love someone that does these things to him. It just so happens that during this conversation his dad is standing underneath a cross and it just hits him that this is exactly what Christ does for him. Loves him even though he pushes Him away and rejects Him. Another great phrase that a friend told him was basically that instead of love leading your heart, you need to make love a choice and lead your heart with it. This movie was a great reminder of the fact that Marriage is a covenant meant not to be broken. And, the biggest way to keep a marriage together is with Christ's help, leading and examples. That's my two-cents worth, now, go see it and judge for yourself!!

A morning at the Apple Farm

My Aunt Ellie from California has been out for the past month to Michigan. My parents, she and her friend from her hometown have had fun exploring Michigan and Northern Indiana together. We have had the priviledge of being able to visit also with her on a few occassions and will greatly miss her when she leaves on Tuesday. Anyway, today we went to an Apple Orchard in town and also to the Fish Ladder along the river. The salmon are trying to get upstream to lay their eggs and their "jumping" up the ladder is always interesting to watch. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Field trips and Swimming

Abby had a field trip on Thursday to a Pony Farm nearby. I was able to go along. We had fun touching baby animals, feeding goats, riding a pony and going on a hayride.

Thursday afternoon Abby and I were able to go watch one of Josh's last days of swimming lessons. His school has two weeks reserved each year for 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders to have swimming lessons. It's a great program.

Fireproof

This is supposed to be a superb movie regarding marriage. I'll let you watch the trailor for yourself to see what it is about, but the producers also have put out a book titled "The Love Dare" which we will most likely be purchasing.

I first heard of this movie about 6 months ago while listening to Family Life Today. And then I saw Kirk Cameron on the "Today" show yesterday. What a great testimony! Apparently there was also some discussion on the "Family Life Today" broadcast today. Anyway, I am so geeked to go see this movie and based on the reviews highly recommend it to all. We plan on seeing it within the week with our friends the Wilmots. We have a mutual babysitter and are making an evening of it. This movie is by the same people that wrote "Facing the Giants" and I think it is important to support these Christian films.

See the trailor for yourself, I think you'll get the "Fireproof" fever as well.You will need to scroll down to the bottom of my blog and pause my music in order to not get a headache from the double noise. Also, I apologize for part of the screen being shortened. I don't know how to fix it!

Frog and Toad are Friends?

Josh, Abby and Todd have found a new pass-time. We have many toads of all varying sizes in our yard. So, they decided to create a "toad habitat" with Todd's old aquarium. They have made a lovely little dwelling for these creatures and so far I'm okay with it as they remain outdoors (although there is some talk of letting them hibernate in the aquarium in our basement over the winter...). This weekend we were at my parents and they have a small pond in their front yard where frogs like to live. So, my dad caught Josh a frog. We now have a frog habitat next door to the toad habitat. Josh has read some Frog and Toad are Friends books at school and we wondered if one of his toads might like to be a friend with the frog, but decided their environments are a bit too different for a small aquarium. The plan is to let the frog go tomorrow after Josh's friend Nick sees it. The kids have been having fun comparing the differences between toads and frogs. Maybe Todd and I could homeschool after all... (just kidding!)

60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

We just spent a wonderful weekend with Todd's side of the family. It is his folks 60th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks and they treated the family to a night at a hotel in Fort Wayne. Terri and Evan were in from Montana with their four children, so it was a great time to get together. What a blessing to have these memories. Not many people make it to 60 years of marriage, so this definately was a celebration that couldn't be missed!


Having pizza together...

Mom and Dad (or grandpa and grandma, or great-grandpa and grandma to some) with the little ones

Mom and Dad Kuiper with their kids - Todd, Karen and Von

The "Kuiper" family. Mom and Dad Kuiper are responsible for this whole bunch (and there are still 6 more that weren't able to make it!)

Another First Day

Here are some pictures from Abby's first day of preschool. She was so excited to start school and thought it was very unfair that Josh was able to go several times before she started. She has only 12 kids in her class(with a teacher, teacher's aide, and 1 parent at each class), so I am looking forward to a great year of growth!

School Days

Here we are at another school year. It's so hard to believe that Josh is in 2nd grade now! Wow! I was so ready for school to begin because the kids were just plain at eachother, but I really missed not having Josh around today! Here are a few pics of Josh waiting for the bus. Abby will be starting preschool on Monday.



I just love this picture. Even the dog is nostalgic about school starting

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great Labor Day weekend spending time with friends and family. Unfortunately we weren't able to hook up with my side of the family, but hopefully next year we'll connect and make plans sooner... Anyway, this is how our weekend went: Saturday I went to a bridal tea shower for my friend Kara from college who is getting married in November. Her sister is an event coordinator and put on a great shower! Saturday evening Todd, the kids and I biked to our friends the Wilmots who live about 3-4 miles away. When we arrived the kids played for awhile, we ate ice cream and then biked back home. Abby was able to ride in the buggy and Josh did great riding his bike. Sunday we went to the cottage in the afternoon after church and were able to see all of Todd's side of the family that live around here (Todd's folks, Mike and Karen and Grant, Von and Randy,and Todd's cousin Tim and his family). We stayed overnight and then on Monday afternoon came back to town to the Wilmots to spend time with them and with mutual friend Jeff. In the evening we went back to the cottage to have the traditional barbecue with Todd's dad's side of the family. Very busy weekend, but lots of fun.



getting ready for the ride

Needing a drink after reaching the Wilmots

having fun with our friends


Todd and Josh made a teepee next to the cottage and the kids had a great time playing house in it - although Abby told me it was quite "sweaty" inside there!