Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Newport Beach Trip

We went to the coast last Friday and Saturday to see the "Lady Washington" and "Hawaiian Chieftan".   They are two historical ships.  They were amazing!  Grandma Karen and Grandpa Charlie also came with us (for Grandma's birthday!). 


This was the boys waiting to get on the ships! (They are the two in the background.)  The sails were not up... probably due to the weather.

Here Zechariah is figuring out how the cannon works.

Isaac the "helmsman" and Zechariah the "lookout".

The ships are in the background.  If the sails would have been up it would have been even more spectacular!


 When we got on the ship, I couldn't believe how many ropes there were!  It was a lot of work to sail!

Isaac is so pleased he has control of the cannons. ;)

I wonder what this rope does?

Everyone was happy, except Michael...he didn't understand why we wouldn't let go of his hand the whole time.


Here are the older boys and Dad braving the wind and the drizzle on the beach.  Mom and Michael were relaxing in the warm hotel. :)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Michael Benjamin...3 years

Michael Benjamin has just turned 3!  This would mean, we officially have no more "babies" in the house...  Michael is probably the most advanced of all the boys because of all the interaction he has with his big brothers.  He is able to communicate amazingly!  Sometimes a little too well. :) His personality is still coming through, but what I can tell of him so far is exciting!  The words that come to mind are bold, fearless, and funny...

 He is very bold and fearless in taking down and attacking an enemy...or what he perceives as an enemy at the moment.  In his eyes, his brothers are no match for him, when he feels he has been wronged.  He doesn't seem to mind the fact that he is half their size... doesn't faze him.  I see this as a good quality if it can be bridled in the right way.  We need more men of courage....especially in  "David and Goliath" senarios.

He also has a funny side.  And it is funny...because it's not necessarily a "silly" kind of funny, but understanding what real humor is and doing it. Another great quality.  Although we do encourage maturity and a general seriousness about life and especially the things of the Lord, it is good to be able to laugh appropriately....what joy and pleasure God created in laughter.

We are enjoying our Michael, and look forward to see how the Lord uses him for His glory.





Bath time after "fun" in the mud.







P.S. For those that don't know how to get on the main page of our blog (to see previous posts) go to:
http://smithfamilyssweethome.blogspot.com/

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Tree Climbing...not so high.

We all enjoy the beautiful trees here.  The boys especially love the kind that "look like" something.  Here are some pics of us exploring and climbing (not too high). 

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, not stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  But his delight is in the law of the LORD,  and in His law meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yeilds its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." -Psalm 1:1-3

The "jail" tree.

The "ship" tree.

Standing tall.



Peek-a-boo.

Isaac, the little monkey.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Hard Workin' Boys

Earlier this week was the huge windstorm, that seemed to hit everyone in Oregon!  We had our power out for a few hours, but were back to normal the follwing morning.  Grant surveyed the impact of the storm on our property...not much, except for one maple tree at the top of our hill.  It had broke halfway down it's trunk...so naturally we realized we would have some firewood for next year.  What a great opportunity for some hard work!  The boys brought their wagons up the hill and filled it with the wood that Dad had cut with the chain saw.  Then, back down the hill to the wood pile.

Grant cutting down the rest of the tree.

New firewood!




Load 'em up!

Move 'em out!




"He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully."  Proverbs 10:5


Sunday, March 13, 2011

Homemade Bread

We have been enjoying homemade bread for a little over a year now and I don't think we will ever go back.  There is nothing like a "soaked" version of whole wheat bread.  It's light, soft and chewy, and extremely good for you.  The soaking process increases vitamin content and makes nutrients more available for the body to absorb.  A few of you have asked about the "soaked" whole wheat recipe I use, so I thought I would post it here for you with pictures! You will see how easy it is (especially with a breadmaker)!  Enjoy!


1 Cup of water
1 Tablespoon of plain yogurt (or some use apple cider vinegar)
3 Tablespoons of olive oil (or coconut oil, melted)
3 Tablespoons of honey
2 3/4 Cup of whole wheat flour
1/2 Cup oats
2 Tablespoons of flaxseed, coarsely ground (optional)
(Let soak overnight or 12-24 hours)
Next day...In a different dish put:
2 TB warm water
1 tsp. honey
2 teaspoons of yeast
Stir together and let the yeast bubble.  Then add to your soaked wheat flour mixture.
Add 1 tsp. salt

Here is the water, yogurt, olive oil, and honey.


Next goes in the wheat flour, oats, and flaxseed.  At this point I turn on the "cake" setting on my machine, simply to stir all the contents together.  It takes about 3-4 minutes to get everything stirred up.


It should look like this. Then turn of machine or unplug. Cover with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out too much.  Let "soak" for 12-24 hours. I usually do this at night before bed.


In the morning or after 12-24 has passed, put together warm water, yeast and honey in small dish until bubbly.

Add bubbly yeast and salt to your soaked wheat bread mixture. Turn on bread machine for "wheat setting".  Mine has a "quick" wheat setting.  This is what I set it to.  (At this point, for those that don't use a bread machine, can add their yeast and salt to mixture and stir in.  Knead dough and let rise then bake, like you would normally for making bread.)

Yummy! Enjoy!

Friday, March 11, 2011

March Fun...Frog seeking and kite flying

I looked out the window to find all three boys sitting around a small pond looking for frogs...we have lots of frogs...possibly thousands...thankfully they don't croak all night. I used to think that the sound of frogs at night was a soothing sound.  I still do, unless there is one right outside our window! ;)
We had a great breeze for kite flying...with as many trees as there are, it was a gamble, but we were successful!
Isaac trying his hand at flying.
...and Michael's turn.
Taking a break!
The next day Dad got out his kite!  He got it really high, but bringing it down was a bit of a challenge...here he is untangling.  :)
Zechariah all smiles because he's flying Dad's kite!
Michael likes the old kite...even with it's broken string.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Increasing in the Knowledge of God


The greatest desire that I have for my children is for them to know God.  Obviously, not just the generic way of knowing what the "right answers" are to Bible questions.  But truly knowing our Lord Jesus Christ with an intimate knowledge. (This can only truly come about by the Holy Spirit, but we still give them the "knowledge" they will need.)

"...So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened  with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;" Colossians 1:9b-10

This scripture tells us that we are to be "increasing in the knowledge of God". As John MacArthur puts it, "The knowledge of God revealed in His Word is crucial to spritual growth."   As I (and Grant) teach and train up our boys, we realize, before we are able to accurately teach them who God is, we must know who He is ourselves.   This is a great endeavor, but at the same time a rich endeavor.  It is bringing about my own sanctification as I realize more of who God is- and it's something that I will never tire of doing, as I grasp with how amazing He truly is!  It is a constant learning...to be "increasing in". 

A couple of books that have been wonderful in helping me understand what Scripture teaches on who God is are :  "The Knowledge of the Holy" by A.W. Tozer and "The Holiness of God" by R.C. Sproul.  I highly recommend these!

May you be encouraged to "increase in the knowledge of God" this day!