These our some pictures of our kids along with the Hayes' kids helping Mark with our wood pile. These were taken in November. He is not afraid to put kids to work even ones that don't belong to us. They are cheap labor and he can scare and impress them with his ax handling abilities. In his opinion, all children by the age of 6 should have some education on ax handling, especially boys. So with one eye closed I watch as the kids each have a go at hitting a log with an ax to make some kindling. (For all you who are concerned it is supervised closely by Mark.)
Jonah is running out of steam here.
Hard work builds character and respect and they will thank us one day!
This is the pile of wood they moved! The kids taking pride in a job well done.
This is what the kids do in there free time. They collect junk,oh... I mean treasures, from piles of rubbish and take it to the 'white house' . Cady and Haillie are having some 'dinner' on their makeshift table. I am always amazed by the imagination that flows from kids. I think MKs are even more imaginative then other kids only because of the necessity of having to create their own entertainment versus having it fully available at all times.
The White House in all its grandeur.
The kids found this TV that doesn't have its insides, but who needs it when your just pretending.
The beauty of living in this country is the ironic freedom from certain legalities.
MKs have such a different childhood that it is no wonder that they feel kinship towards other MKs with the same experiences of this nomadic life of pursuing the lost to the ends of the earth!
I know that they have had and will have more, times of mourning and of wanting a 'normal' life, but in the end I hope and pray that they will embrace the life God has given them and appreciate the amazing experiences they have had as MKs.
Nothing like a old(new) construction to play in.
ReplyDeletethat post reminded me of my childhood. we heated our house with a wood burning furnace and every saturday we had to get up early and drive out to my grandpa's land and chop and load wood into the back of dad's truck. usually we had to do 2 or 3 loads before we were allowed to do anything else. i remember days when i hated it and thought i was being unduly persecuted but i also remember times when i thought it was the coolest thing ever to be able to hang out with my dad and have his attention (and he always had a special snack-usually candy bars-that we got to have during our break). you're right jen-it does instill a sense of respect and good work ethic. your kids WILL thank you some day. love and miss you and your family...thanks for all the great pics!
ReplyDeleteI loved the pics too, Jen! I would have loved my own "White House" when I was a kid!
ReplyDeleteI think I am more concernered with what is called, "Supervision of Mark". What does that entail, exactly? :)
ReplyDeleteVicki, what a great comment. Only someone who is related to Mark or has been in his youth group would understand the imminent danger associated with being near Mark.
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