Before we get started on the October birthdays we want to let you know our grandson and nephew to Josh and Cate, Sweet Nolan, had his birthday. He is now 4.. We all made the big trip to New Lenox , IL to help Nolan celebrate. We love it when our family can all be together.We missed Granny Clark that day. She was unable to make the trip over. Some of these pictures are blurry because the "little's" wouldn't hold still long!
The birthday week started off with the arrival of a new puppy. Addison (Miss Addy) has joined our family. She is a 3 month old goldendoodle. Everyone is thrilled but Zoe. Zoe has been the queen for awhile so this may take some time.
Then we had the "friends" birthday party. Josh had 7 boys from Cross Country and Cate had 9 girls from Volleyball. Friday they were out of school so we all went to the movies and had pizza. It was fun to see the kids have so many friends interact with them.
On Saturday, John and Kim Porter came for a visit and that is always a treat. We spent the day at the Kuenhart Dairy before opening gifts. John and Kim are always great support for the kids as well as Jeff and I. We love these 2! Thanks John and Kim!
Sunday Grandma Carol stopped by with a surprise. She has a friend that makes "walking sticks." She had 2 walking sticks made for Josh and Cate. We are always hiking at Pokagon and the kids are always finding a good stick to hike with so now they have their very own walking stick. We have had to hide the walking sticks because our new puppy, Miss Addy, really loves sticks! Oh dear!
Next came a trip to visit Grandma Joan. Her birthday was Monday so we had to celebrate with her! We love you Grandma Joan!
Later in the week the "Walker " side met at Yen Chings' to have a nice birthday dinner! This is the family's favorite Chinese restaurant and Josh & Cate would like to eat there every night.
Nick and Autumn are the birthday buddies for Josh and Cate so they came over to celebrate. Luke and Susi were on a vacation with her family in Bonaire so they were unable to make it. We sure missed them but knew they were having a great time with the Wiese side!
Nick and Autumn arrived and the real excitement began. We love love when the older kids are home. Josh and Cate really adore their older siblings and their nephews. Nothing makes them more thrilled then to hear we are seeing Nolan, Wyatt or Konrad today! They go crazy!!
This past weekend we took Josh and Cate to apply for new passports. Their previous ones were from the Philippines and had their Filipino name on them plus they expired last June. So time for some updated passports. We grabbed the birth certificates and our ID's and headed to the Post Office. A couple of pictures and some paperwork later and we were good to go. We are anxiously awaiting their arrival in the mail.
I have to brag on Josh for a moment. This young man has run on the middle school cross country team all 3 years. He has never been the best but he has not missed any practices or meets. He goes to practice, rain or shine and does what he is supposed to do. He has never made the Varsity or Reserve team. He just goes and runs as an extra. Well on October 22 (actually Josh's birthday, how cool is that?) they had the annual CC banquet. Josh thought it was one big party for him and I think it might have been. So they give out lots of top awards and then everyone gets a participation certificate and that is all good. But then they give out what they call an "Above and Beyond" award. It goes to the 1 boy and 1 girl that go the extra step to be helpful and kind to others. Now there are 84 kids on this team so it is a big deal. Josh received this award for the boys. Wow! What a tearful moment for this mother. It is always a good feeling when your child is the fastest or the strongest but when they are recognized for being Jesus to others, now that is a cool thing. I'm pretty sure Jesus was smiling down on Josh. When the kids leave the house each morning I look at them and say "Be Jesus to somebody today!" Praise the Lord for the goodness in this boy's heart.
God is looking for those who share His heart and He'll strengthen them!
2 Chronicles 16:9
Thanks for reading the blog and praying for us.
Choosing joy,
Chris & crew
