March 24

How did we get from Feb. 20th to March 24th so quickly?!!?

What a beautiful day yesterday. 60+ degrees and sunshine. Tuesday is our co-op day, so we did a bit of work at home in the morning and then left for co-op. I always have to have copies made for the K-2 science class I teach..that was our first stop. After picking up some supplies at the dollar store for the "experiments" we enjoyed lunch at Panera. The kids were excited to see "Pastor Bill", our worship pastor, who came in as we were leaving.

Co-op was great. After teaching my little friends, I had 1 1/2 hours to catch up on my time in the Word. Not that you can really catch up, but at least my devotional is up to date. I'm in First John now. Every day I add to the list of what 1 John says is characteristic of the believer and what is characteristic of the unbeliever. Then I have to answer the question....Based on that, where do you stand? Wow. I know I am saved, but that sanctification process...it's about choices. And some moments/days I just don't choose to move toward sanctification as I should. I am SO thankful for 1 Jn 1:7-9 and a forgiving God.

We no more than pulled in the driveway at home that afternoon and the kids jumped out of the Jeep and were gone! They returned in a few minutes and had the plan for the rest of the daylight hours! The plan....go to the woods, hike to the creek and find whatever adventure awaited them. I love it that the kids can go off together, without Mom or Dad, and explore. Oh the fun they had! You can see some pics here. Michael thought it was very cool that they did this "with no adults!"

Catchin' Up

It's been awhile....

Here's a recap in pictures from the past few months. More to follow...I need to stop now, Sarah is taking me on in a game of Stratego.

Jim joined us for a "bird show" on his lunch hour.

Playing Catch Phrase on Christmas Day

Christmas Dinner with the Baughman Family...they were so sweet to invite us to share a delicious meal and some fun times with them on Christmas Day.

Visit from the Mitchells!

Matt and Michelle Mitchell, along with Molly, Mary Katherine and Maria made the long drive to Olathe for their Fall Break. We had a great time with them! The pics won't be in order, because I can't figure out how to move them around...so enjoy them as they are...a bit mixed up!

After church we stopped at the waterfall for a photo op.


Pheasant & Wild Rice Soup.....thanks to the guys for providing the pheasant!
The Mitchells

Continuing the theme of shooting things, at Cabela's.

What a great crew!

Soon to be.....dinner!

Those of you who know the Mitchells will probably see this photo around Christmas Time.

What a day.

In the field....that dog makes us all miss Hunter.

In the field.

Sam did pretty well. His vest is full!

The Great Pumpkin Slaughter of '09!

October 15

Ruby & Isabel Fruth

Our first time to hold the sweet girls.

Ruby likes Sam

I think Michael thinks these babies are pretty neat.

Ruby is hidden away in Jim's jacket. It was COLD that day.

Kansas City Airshow.....Grandpa Fruth's type of airplane is in the background.

Grandpa & Grandma McKirgan came for Sam & Sarah's baptism in August.

At Kill Creek Park, before the baptism.

Brad & Laura and Ruby & Isabel

With Uncle Mike @ Purdue's Homecoming

We had a visit from Max & Nola Tucker.

Went for a ride in the Jeep with the Magambos one late summer night and ended up at PF Changs on the Plaza.

Catching Up---Where did the summer go?

Jim just reminded me that it's been over a month since we've had any updates on the blog. Oops. There's not a good excuse/reason why....another example of how time flies in the blink of an eye the older I become!

We just wrapped up our second week of the new school year. Our three are now students at Lawrence (KS) Virtual School . How does that change our routines? Not much at all. We are still homeschooling and using the same curriculum (K12). However, now we don't have to PAY for that curriculum and we have some fantastic perks/ benefits from partnering with this virtual public school. The kids now take Spanish and actually have a virtual "class" once a week. They do their Spanish lessons every day and then meet with students (from all over the state of Kansas) once a week in an Elluminate session. The teacher asks them questions directly and they speak into their mic to respond. Very cool. Last week, Sam was in class with kids from Wichita, Dodge City, Lenexa, Leavenworth and Overland Park.

August 16th was a pretty neat day for the Fruths. Sam & Sarah were baptized in the lake at Kill Creek Park. Each of them had accepted Christ as their Savior at around the age of 5 or 6 but we didn't push them to be baptized. Instead we wanted them to have an understanding of what baptism was....an outward sign of an inward change. They both decided that the time was now and when our church met for a picnic and baptisms at Kill Creek Park, they were baptized! Grandpa & Grandma McKirgan were there.

Sarah is going to have her first experience with a swim club. The health club we go to is starting a junior swim club and Sarah is eager (and a little nervous) to try this sport.

Sam and Mike are not in any sports currently. They each enjoyed a good baseball season and basketball season will start up some time in November/December.

I'll stop there for now. Will post some pics soon. Gotta get breakfast ready for the crew and then run Sam up to the church. Our church is starting a fine arts academy of sorts and today is the initial meeting. After that, we're going to pick him up and head to a lake in Lawrence for some time on the water with friends from church.

Misc. Fun with friends & family

All Jim's siblings & Mom Fruth

(Standing: Janet, Jo, Judy, Jean, Jerri, Mike, Jim

Kneeling: DeeDee, Juliet, Mom, John & Jennifer)

Cousin David, Sam & Mike
Sam setting up the net.

Adrien, Jennifer,Tyler, Jim, Ronna & John

David, Sam, Mike, Sarah & Abby

The big canoe trip down the Eel River

Swimmin' in the muddy river.

John, Ronna & Abby

Sam, David & Mike

Mike with the essential equipment.

Yep, we got a ride to the put in spot in the back of Cliff's pick 'em up truck.

At the Miami County, IN fair. That's Cousin Tyler's light oak cabinet. Some of Grandpa Fruth lives on in that young man!

Playing with a snapper (who was also a pretty good jumper!) That's our friend Josh.

Nope, not ours. While waiting for Jim to wrap up his day at a branch in St Louis, we visited a pet store and me this little sweetie pie.

Trouble with a capital "T"!

Josh Parker, Mike, Will Schultze, Sam & Jim.

Spent a day at Great Wolf Lodge with some friends from church.

Thanks for the FUN time Maggie!