Just wondering...

Should Nathan keep the beard or go back to the goatee?
	Keep the Beard
	Go back to the Goatee
	Grow a Hitler mustache
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Thanks for the vote Maggie!

These Are the Moments

Nathan: Venti mocha with peppermint (a winter treat).
Lydia: Grande white chocolate mocha half-caff with reduced fat milk.
Anna: New Horizons' organic chocolate milk
Owen: Sips from each.

We enjoy coffee time as a family. Going out for a cup is at least a bi-weekly event. Many great thoughts have been probed over a fresh cup of coffee.

Owen's Hair

By popular demand I would like to show Owen's beard-trimmer haircut. It turned out better than I thought. It just took some touch-up around the ears and some Paul Mitchell Sculpting Glue.

Not a bad haircut for a fat theology student, huh?

Note to Self

For future reference, do not use a beard trimmer to cut Owen's hair.

Life On Union Avenue is Proud to Announce...

Paige and Bill are getting married! They are tentatively planning for mid-June of 2007, mark your calendar!

Psalm 128

Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

Officially in New Blogger. What does Beta is dead mean? Any tips on how to work this new thing?

Fake Smiles are Better Than Real Frowns

I do not believe the title of the post, but it is cute nonetheless.

Lego Man in a Post-Lapsarian Age

Anna has had a great day of artistic expression. She painted me five beautiful watercolors that put most modern and post-modern art to shame. Her use of color and stroke was genius! She also decided to begin sculpting. Her first creation was unveiled today as she exclaimed to Lydia, "Look mom, I made a man!" Not bad for a three year-old. I am actually very hopeful for my children's artistic development.
Owen was less than interested. He fell asleep during the exhibit (more punch and cookies for me!). He missed out on one of life's greatest artistic lessons tonight: the true use of art.
Ah, Lego Man- how you encapture the struggles of personhood. The stiffness and the inability to move, even with will-power, wonderfully reflects man's inability for God glorifying in the post-lapsarian age. If only our Arminian and semi-Palagian friends could gaze upon Lego Man in the light of holy Scripture! Thank you, Anna for your anthropological insight.

Pregnancy Talk and Stuff

Now that we have announced the future Eshelchild is on the way many pregnancy-delivery issues arise as discussion in our home. Lydia wants to be open-minded about delivery because she thinks that if you come in with your list of natural things that are required you are destined for a C-section. I want a home-birth, but she is not too excited about it.

One thing that Lydia and I do agree on concerns the manchild. If we have another boy we will not participate in the cultural norm called circumcision. We know that we cannot lord over people's consciences concerning these things, but I have much difficulty with this practice in our culture.

If you can stomach to watch it, this video shows a routine circumcision. It is 5 minutes long, but I do not think that most people could watch more than 2 minutes of it. One thing that would make this practice more stomachable is giving the infant some numbing drug so that he could not feel the pain. Hospitals do not give meds unless the parents ask for them. I need an Ativan just from watching!

Wow!

It will be a HOT summer!

Thought I would give further information on the news that Anna has shared. We notified family, but otherwise our dear blog readers are the only to know (and the 3 friends that knew already).

The EDD is August 24, 2007 (I estimated August 22, but I will stick with the later date). Meaning that I am considered 5 weeks (LMP) and 3 weeks gestation.

We have only known for about a week. We decided to share early and ask for much prayer during this fragile development time. There is comfort in knowing that God opens and closes the womb, and I pray for strength and pure reliance on Him.

So far I have not been sick, which is rather unusual for me, since the last 2 pregnancies have be quite different. I think I will actually "feel" better if I start getting some symptoms. Weird, I know. But, either way, this is a blessing and we rejoice! I guess my love for chocolate is gone. That is my favorite pregnancy symptom! Truly a blessing to not crave chocolate! Still deciding if I should use my previous Ob/Gyn or search out a midwife. (I like my Ob/Gyn but not so much her group.) Any recommendations on a good midwife? Nathan would like a home birth. Not going to happen. Sorry, Nathan.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6,7

What Did She Say?

Grinches and Scrooges

For those of us that are grinches and scrooges, nothing is more pleasing than seeing Santa get hit in the face with a snowball. Okay, okay, I know that Christian charity should keep me from saying such dastardly things- but I could have said ice-ball!

Here is a little snowball fight game that is quite fun. Waste 10 minutes on me!

Snowball Fight

Buddies

Lots of little boys like to have ponies or horses to ride. Owen has never asked for such a beast. He has a very ride-able beast in his buddy Samson. We all know that Samson is not the smartest of animals due to his mother's living situation before she was a Christian. (Yep, Sam's a burn-out!) Sam is nevertheless a very nice dog to Owen.
Owen is quite mischievous and finds that riding Sam is a lot of fun. He also thinks that investigating Sam's teeth, gums, and throat is a worthy cause. Occasionally he will pick up Sam's front paws and desire a dance. Sam does not dance.
We do not allow these behaviors to continue of course, since we are most compassionate towards our little burn-out. If anyone thinks that the humane society or PETA needs to be contacted, it is just not the case.
We love Samson as well as Owen. They are good boys and both receive a lot of love and affection.

Please?

Maggie will you come and take pictures of Anna and Owen? They really want you to!

Stories Anyone?

I am finishing up the semester and do not have a lot of time to devote to blogging. I would like to give you this picture of Shawn Anderson and me at Camp Concordia, which is about an hour north-east of Grand Rapids. We knocked the canoe over and took about an hour or so to make it back to shore. Good times.

Any other Camp Concordia stories to share?

Any Takers?

I have always hated the trip from Michigan back to the glorious state of Pennsylvania. The problem is that annoyance that lay in-between called the State of Ohio. I am proposing an idea:

Let's Try Again!

Creepy Artsy People

I see a lot of creepy art at work. I am not obliged to discuss it due to laws of confidentiality- but you could use your little imaginations.

The creepy artwork that I would like to share is that of my 3 year-old daughter. I suspect that we have an artist in the making. As one with latent tendencies, I see reason to fear.

The piece below is called mad mom. Clearly that is a rip off from our last trip to Meijer Gardens. That is the name of their newest piece. Notice the tongue hanging out!
This one is a foot and a penguin. The foot has 6 toes- clearly a relative from my dad's side of the family. The penguin started as a hand- but it is better as a penguin.
This one is a lady with big lips. I think that it is supposed to be her aunt Shannon personally. Notice that she has bangs and long hair.

It Is Back

That pesky buisness that we call winter has pushed its whitening head back into our lives. On Wednesday it was 63 degrees here in Grand Rapids, and today we are covered in ice and snow up to 12 inches in some places. Here on Union Avenue we have 2-3 inches.



Welcome back winter, please do not make yourself at home...and you can show yourself out as soon as you are finished.

Now there's a good time!

I had a root canal today. Now there's an interesting procedure.

You go in to the dentist with mild tooth pain and you leave feeling like he did a spin-kick to your face twenty-five times.

Wow! Thanks, doc! I feel much better!

A Birthday Song for Papa

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY!!

PSALM 29

Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,
Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire.


The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"


The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the Lord sits as King forever.
The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Celebration!

Anna Grace is now 3 years old! We all had a splendid time celebrating with her. We asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and we attempted to accommodate within reason.

She wanted a pink cake- so Lydia made her a yummy pink cake.
She wanted new boots and a pink coat for her birthday- no problem!
She wanted soup to eat- we went to Panera Bread (cheap date!).
She wanted to see Happy Feet- so we saw it in the IMax....worst movie I have seen in a long time. The anti-Christian message is outrageous. The premise is that religion is a farce that is trying to cover up the true meaning of existence- which happens to be rebellion and partying with penguins with Mexican accents. I could talk for hours about how much I hated that movie, but this post is about how Anna's birthday was ruined by a ridiculous movie... I mean this post is about the great time we had celebrating Anna's birthday.

She now claims that she is a big girl which means that she has a lot of new things that she has to do and things that she will no longer do- such as wear diapers to nap (that is scary).

Lydia is the one that made the day so great for her though- she even decorated the house while Anna was asleep so that when she woke up she would be surprised. It was fun.
(Click on the image to see a larger collage).

Happy Thanksgiving From Union Avenue!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Eshelmans of Union Avenue. We hope that you had a great day giving thanks to our covenant keeping God. He truly preserves his people from generation to generation.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful

unto him,

and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all

generations.

Three?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA GRACE!

Psalm 3:3

But thou, O LORD,

art a shield for me;

my glory,

and the lifter up of mine head.

A Good Reason For A Pretzel "Cigar"

There are many reasons in life to enjoy a fine Utz' Pretzel "Cigar" with those that you love. This week it is the near completion of the Wendler Avenue Apartment One redo. We have actually had a lot of fun this month amidst the busy schedule of work, school, family, church, remodel.
When I lived at Wendler we called this room the study. Our children refer to it as Brian's room. It is hard for them to understand why Brian does not live there anymore and why they have to keep going there despite the fact that he is not there any longer. We just smile.

We tore out the old carpet and painted it with a nice fresh color. We redid the floor as well as hung blinds and curtains. I said to Miss Moes that this would make a perfect nursery/reading room for the next tenants.

Here is the breakfast nook. This room was white (but I do not think that we painted it when I bought the house in 1998...so we can just say that it was time for a fresh coat of paint).
We like the color a lot. It looks more minty in the picture, but it is actually a Fire-King Green. Nothing says 1930 like Fire-King Green. We also hung new curtains and blinds in this room.
Here is the kitchen. We did the lower areas in the green that Ray Lanning will covet and we did the top in a fresh white. I am pleased with how well it goes in the kitchen.

Here is the new floor that I have been working on. It is in the hallway as well as in the bathroom. I cut my finger while laying it and Anna obsessed over that for awhile.
Here is what I call Brian's room.

It is the infamous room that burned out in 2001, leaving us as sojourners in Grand Rapids. (I am sure that everyone has a story to go with that experience... like the maid walking into Shawn and my room at the Residence Inn and we not knowing Spanish could not explain ourselves!)

We also did cadmeon leather walls in this room to help maintain flow. We added new curtains and blinds in here as well.

We will show more as we finish. We have about 20% still to finish. We we very glad to have all of the help from Miss Moes as well as Mrs. Lanning coming and kidknapping our children today so that we could paint. (And yes, they came back in fine shape.)

Upples and Ben Oh Nos

Anna and Owen have such a great time dancing. I think that they want to dance almost every day. We tell them that it is not Presbyterian to dance- but they do it anyways!

The fact is that when a home is filled with music and dancing- it is filled with joy. We take joy in the fact that our home is a great place to cut a rug!

Anna's New Joy

Anna has found cookie making to be a great joy. She has made two batches of cookies this week and they were a yummy treat. The first time she had enough Hershey Kisses for the cookies. Today she seemed to unwrap two too many. My thought is that she wanted to eat the extras before we saw her.

We caught her though!

Another political post. Sorry.

Stop racism in the state of Michigan.

Make sure to vote YES on proposal 2!

What is Proposal 2?

Proposal 2 is also known as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI), and will be on the Michigan ballot on November 7, 2006. Proposal 2 would amend the state constitution to “prohibit state and local government from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the areas of public employment, public contracting and public education.”

More information here.

Autumn Time Goodness

I was just hoping that a friend of mine had made an apple crisp. Yummy warm apple crisp with vanilla ice-cream and drizzly caramel. Any suggestions?

Scary thoughts from John Kerry

As most of you know, I am one who will call a political duck a duck. I am a conservative- yet I have no problems pointing out the flaws of the Rebublican party. I also have no troubles pointing out what I find to be problematic in the Democratic party.

Today we look at, the great former candidate for president, John Kerry. Being a man in the Democratic party you would think that he would attempt to stand up for the little guy. You know, the blue collar guys in the factories, the minorities who are struggling along, and those with a grudge against the upper-middle-class.

I would assert that Mr. Kerry is in actuality quite the bigot. His quote today was over-the-top! He claims that if one does poorly in school that it is a sure ticket to Iraq. Wow- way to win votes Mr. Kerry! The last time I checked, our military was an all volunteer military, as well as one that had many people with advanced degrees serving in it.

I guess that Mr. Kerry thinks our military is for what society deems as retards, drop-outs, and those with learning disabilities. Hmmm... which one was he- he served in the military?

Popcorn and a Movie

Popcorn and a movie was always a staple in my home growing up. Actually when we went to my grandpa and grandma's house as a child, my siblings and I would be allowed about 4 ounces of beer with our popcorn and movie (but that is for another time).

A favorite of Anna and Owen is to have popcorn and to watch Anne of Green Gables. Any of the three in the series are a fine choice for them. Anna thinks that the third is a bit tiring and over-the-top, but it is still good.

Anna also thinks that the drama is great and that Gilbert is a swell guy.

At times Owen gets annoyed with Anne of Green Gables because of her feminism.

Feminism! Anna exclaimed to Owen- explain yourself, as her face sunk in disbelief!
I guess that Owen thinks that Anne is a little too career focused and that she should be honest with Gilbert about her feelings for him and quit trying to be the strong independent type.

Owen likes the strong women, don't get me wrong- but he would prefer a little bit of honesty- he says that integrity is far better than bravado.

Owen, you have so much to learn!

I want to be JUST LIKE you... NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

What if our (or anyone's) children grew up to be just like us? That would be horrible!

Personality- we desire so much more for our children.
As for intelligence- man! I hope that they learn something before they turn 20.
Looks- well, let's not go there.
Spiritual life- we pray that they never know a time when they did not love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Overall character- we hope that they learn from our downfalls and desire to please God in all things.

Of course, we could not be just like our parents. We know that through the fall of Adam in the Garden that we are just like him by way of sin. If we were all just like our parents though there would not be those that are redeemed by Jesus Christ. I guess that we would desire that our children would be just like God their Heavenly Father, and their Eldest brother, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

Oma, Opa, and Tante Heidi

We enjoyed a quick trip to Chicago this week. We wanted to see Oma for her birthday, plus the winter is coming which means that they will slip off to Florida and pretend that the snow does not happen. We may just show up at their Naples' door sometime this winter. Unannounced of course!

Of course, Oma spoiled the children. Owen was especially flirtatious towards her. He thought that his cuteness would outweigh the fact that he terrorized their home!

Anna and Opa had a great conversation about life and things. They seem to marvel at all of the attention that Oma and Owen require!

Here are the children outside of their home. They have a nice maple tree that we took some pictures under. Oma tried to get the kids to stay for a week or so, but we had to convince her that it was best they went home with us. (Could you imagine?)
We went out for drinks and dinner for Oma's birthday. I cannot tell you how old she is- but the year that she was born rhymes with rineteen morty.
I thought of VanTil's statement about the non-Christian's use of epistemology. He equates the unbeliever with a boy sitting on a grandfather's lap and slapping him in the face. (Both enjoying the benefits of his company as well as abusing that closeness.)

Anna quickly became a least favorite as she got frosting on Irma's new couch that she had custom made and imported from...Germany...of course!
Here is another of Anna and Larry. She thinks that he is a really neat Opa.
Tante Heidi showed up after hours of training people in the art of naturalpathy. We discussed the joys of training new hires and how it can be quite frustrating. (Not YOU though, dear Pine Rest reader, __insert__your___name___here, you caught on VERY fast!)

Anna really did not want to go home. When we got into the car and headed back to Grand Rapids, she continued to say that we were not going home and that we forgot to get Oma and Opa and Tante Heidi.