Recent Duncan Fun

Here is another superhero...his name is Shadow. Ben went to a carnival at church (Anna Kate was sick) and they painted his face. He requested it like this. He decided he was going to be Shadow from Sonic the Hedgehog games and cartoons.

Anna Kate learned a new step at ballet. Here she is practicing it. I can't believe how long her legs are getting! She just seems to keep growing and growing and growing! I'll take some ballet class pictures soon! She is as cute as ever in her pink leotard!

We had a recent visit from Patty, Jayme, Bryce and Collin from Lucasville. It was so good to sit and talk with them. Ben and Bryce loved being able to play again...I think they are the same kid in different bodies!
Here's baby Collin...isn't he a sweetie? Yes, I held him, of course! It brought back memories of holding mine...I miss it so!

I thought I would share another of Ben doing his schoolwork. Here recently it seems to be hard to get him to focus but otherwise he is doing very well! He is reading alot of books and seems to be grasping it! Today he pointed out Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, California, Tennessee and Texas on an unmarked map. I thought we would do well to get Ohio but he just kept going...I was amazed!

I just thought this one was cute. I put her hair in a ponytail for the first time. Scott wasn't sure he like it. Not because she wasn't cute, but because it made her look like a big girl. He's not into watching the kids grow up...I guess it makes his heart hurt!

Anna Kate was all ready for the first night of Cubbies. She already had her vest so I took her picture before we left. Ben will be getting his uniform here in a week or so. I'll post one of him in his Sparks vest before too long. We use their AWANA books for their Bible in the mornings. It really kills two birds with one stone!

Sigh!

Well, it is now 12:19 pm. Ben has been sitting for most of the morning fighting me about school. He is sitting and has been for the past 30 minutes eating his lunch. He won't eat his green beans, so I'm making him sit. I don't force them to eat everything but I do make them eat some veggies. They can even dip it in a sauce of their choice (I taught Colton about ketchup and green beans today! Sorry Marisa!). They just have to eat them.

Some days, I wonder, what in the world am I doing? I've lost my temper more times than I care to admit. Today, I'm in ignore mode. I don't care if it takes him until 8:00 tonight, he'll sit at the table until he gets the green beans eaten and his school work done! EVERYTHING has been a fight today...honestly, I'm tired!

The good news is, at least I'm cool!!!! Our air conditioning is fixed...so at least I can take big deep breaths in nice cool air!

Scott's Big Weekend in Pictures

There are so many pictures of the weekend, but I tried to choose the highlights. From L to R is Dr. David Warren, Scott's Grandad--Leo Skaggs, our Pastor--Larry Greene, Duane Defoe, Dr. Manfred Langer, my hubby, Scott's dad--John, my uncle--Greg Trout and Barry Smith. Scott thought long and hard about who to have on his council. All of these men have had an influence on Scott since he started in ministry and they are all from different areas of his life. Our Pastor was the moderator but Scott has grown to respect him as well and we both felt honored that he was a part of it! The only other man, not pictured, that has had much influence over Scott's life, is my dad. My dad was there though, offering moral support and, of course, taking pictures!

Now, here is Larry with his usual big smile. I think this was after it was all over. Could the smile be relief?
This is right after the questioning, while they were making the "decision". Mary was giving me the "Don't worry, he did a good job!" I was thankful she was there to offer moral support, along with my mother-in-law Sandi and my mom, dad and grandmother.

Well, since he "passed" we got to have the celebration with our church on Sunday evening. Here is Scott giving his testimony. Isn't he handsome?
Here's Larry giving him a gift from the church after the service. They gave him the Archeological Bible and a very nice set of commentaries. It was such a special night!
Here is what Ben and Anna Kate did most of the service! Thank heavens for pants! This is one reason why I have banned dresses from my closet!

What a weekend!

I couldn't wait to get pictures to post something about Scott's ordination this weekend. Saturday morning was difficult. He had around 2 1/2 to 3 hours of questioning by the men on his council but he did a great job, at least, in my opinion. I was very nervous but after it was all said and done, I was so proud of him. I don't even understand why all the nerves. Then Sunday night, wow! It was great! Larry and Mary (and all the others involved) made it such a special night for him, and me...I said in my last entry that Scott had tried to get this accomplished several times before but it never happened. God knew the right timing. All of the details of the night came together so beautifully for him. From the men that were able to be part of it to the place and also this point where Scott is in his life. It was amazing!

The highlights? When his dad was kneeling with him praying for him...what an honor for Scott. Also, the book that was given to him by his Grandad, which belonged to W.W. Skaggs (dated 1895, I think?), Scott's great great grandfather. What a heritage! Lastly, Ben falling asleep and falling off of the pew right after the choir sang! All of it was absolutely perfect!

I'll post more with pictures after my dad gets the pictures on a CD for me.

Scott

This weekend Scott is being ordained. He's been trying to do this for several years but it just never happened. Well, it's finally happening. A weekend is being carved out just for this occasion. The church is even having a special service and reception following which is nice. I asked him earlier in the week if he was nervous, because when I think about it, I get nervous. He admitted he is a little nervous. Scott normally doesn't get nervous about a whole lot of things, so it surprised me a little. Maybe it's the fact he'll be asked questions on the spot, or maybe it's the fact attention will be drawn to him, which he doesn't like much, but nonetheless, he's a little nervous. I have been praying for him all week that God will use him this weekend. I know my husband's heart and I know that is his heart's desire in all that he does. So, anyone who reads my blog, say a prayer for him this weekend. Number one, that God will be glorified in the weekend...I can't imagine Scott doing anything else with his life. Number two, that God will give him clarity of mind and calm his spirit. Number three, that our kids will sense the importance of the weekend and be absolute angels. And, lastly, number four, that God will bless Scott in ministry.

He's also getting ready to start in his last year at Tri-State. WOO HOO!!!!! I can't believe it, but in around 9 months, he will finally be graduating. We have prayed about a school for him to apply to for his masters and he will be applying next year to Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN. It is very family friendly, which was important to us. Ben and Anna Kate are at such crucial ages and Scott wants to be there for them (and I want him around too). So here we go! He has two classes this semester, so pray for him in that too. He's pretty good at balancing all of it, but he loses sleep in order to do so. Pray for energy!!!

It's been a big year...for all of us!

Our Last Name

Last night was AWANA for the first time this year. Anna Kate was a Cubbie again. I have pictures but will have to post them later. Ben was a Spark for the first time. (I remember having a roomful of around 25 Sparks!!!!) Ben met us at church because he spent the afternoon with a friend. When he got there I told him we needed to go to class and, of course, he started holding on to my leg and crying. I pulled him up to Debbie Herbert (fun lady!) and she asked him his name, just to get him to talk. He was taking big anxious breaths, but at least had stopped crying. When he told her, she asked "How do you spell that?" He said B-e-n. She asked him his last name and he said "jamin". He was sooooo nervous!!! I had to suppress laughter because that would have been the icing on cake for him. I knew he was scared but that shows me how scared he really was! So, I guess our last names have changed to Scott, Jennifer, Ben and Anna Jamin!

Oh yeah, Anna Kate has now decided she wants to be called "Anna". She doesn't like the fact she has so many letters to write for her name in school!

A Very Serious Question

Sunday was Family Worship Day at RCCC and Ben sat with me in the service after I finished in the choir. He, of course being a little bored, started sticking all of his fingers in his mouth. I whispered to him to stop and he looked at me seriously and asked "Mommy, why do you like your lips dry?"

Oh brother!!!!!