A Post from Danny:

Labor Day was quite different for the Dustin Family this year... For the first time in my marriage, I spent more than an overnight away from Liz and my kids - in this case it was a trip to Boston with my dad, my brothers Steve & Scott, brother-in-law Todd & nephew Tyler. My brother Donnie, who lives in Colorado was unable to join us - we really missed you Donnie - you missed a great time! Dad found a 4 day tour to Boston to see the Orioles play the Red Sox for a 3 game series. Those of you who know me probably realize that I'm not the biggest sports fan, but I certainly wasn't going to turn down some male bonding - especially the opportunity to spend some time away with my dad.

The trip was quite an adventure - literally... I got up at 3:15am Labor Day morning to be at the bus (yep, I said bus), which left Hagerstown at 5:00am sharp. It was a sold out tour, so every seat was full. I was fortunate to get to sit with my dad the whole 11 hours there - I must admit that after that long trip, it was a bit challenging to go to the game & sit again... We arrived in Boston just after 4:00 & had time to get settled in our room before the game that evening. Our hotel was absolutely wonderful - the Sheraton at the Prudential Tower in Copley Square. It was in a great location, within walking distance from Fenway Park, gardens, many colleges, restaurants, etc. - pretty much anything we needed was nearby. It was great that Dad blessed us all by giving us this "all expenses paid" trip. However, I'm not sure any of us realized the cost it would have on our families - 5 wives were left behind to fend for themselves. I left knowing I would miss the kid's first day of school & our traditions that went along with it - but to my surprise I came back home to find that the teacher had decided to delay the start until the following week! What a great teacher! (one of the joys of homeschooling...) Seriously though - it was hard for me to leave Liz - in our entire marriage I have never left her alone other than to be with the boys or an overnight Men's retreat. I am living proof that the old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is true! I missed my darling dearly, and though I had a wonderful time with my dad & brothers, I was very happy to be back home with her!

Here's Dad at our 3rd game (the "Green Monster" behind him). We had seats in different locations for each game - it really gave us a better flavor of the park. At 71, dad was just as energetic as anyone else - in fact, probably more! In fact, he put me to shame when I came out of the bathroom the first morning to see him doing calasthenics - part of his normal daily routine... no wonder he gets around so well.

Tyler, myself, Dad, Steve & Scott outside the hotel, just before heading over to Fenway Park, which was about a 15 minute walk.

On Tuesday, dad rented a van & we headed up to Haverhill, MA to see the Hannah Duston monuments. A brief bit of history: Hannah Duston (over the years, the family name has 'evolved' to Dustin - both are still used) was the first female in the US to have a statue erected in her honor - it's a bit controversial since she was honored for killing and scalping several Abekni Indians after being captured in 1697 - feel free to search the web - a good overview is at http://kingsley.locke.net/gen/dustin/hannah.htm

Here's our gang in front of the Duston-Garrison House, the home Thomas & Hannah Duston were building when the Indian raid started. It is normally only open on weekends, but a distant relative with "connections" opened it for us - I was surprised to see all the artifacts - of course I also enjoyed the design & construction of the all brick home.

Well, I really enjoyed the trip. While I certainly missed my family back here in Maryland, I had a wonderful time with my dad & brothers. I got to know them all a bit better - something I wish could have happened sooner. We had perfect weather - every day was in the 70's - sunny & beautiful. Thanks Dad for a great time - I love you! Danny.

Happy 13th Jacob!!!

I cannot believe how time has flown, and the baby that was born to Danny and I so long ago is now a teenager! Jacob has been unique and special from the start - he was born with the sack of water around him still intact - the doctors had to cut it from around him after he was born! They say this is very rare, and is a sign of genius!! I know, it's an old wives tale, but pretty neat nonetheless.

Jacob has grown to be a very sensitive, caring, kind and generous young man. He is respectful to his parents, and is very patient in dealing with the extreme attatchment of his younger brother. Jacob and his friends try to patiently include Ryan in what they are doing, and I am so grateful for the kind of older brother he is to Ryan.

At this point in life, Jacob's interests are making movies (far beyond my technical realm of knowledge), reading, building robots and legos, shooting airsoft guns, bow and arrow, riding his scooter, rollercoasters (the fast, scary ones) and he enjoys sci-fi movies with his Dad. It is a joy to watch his relationship with his Dad growing - I pray that they will always be close.
This is our cutie pie on his first birthday!! "Look at those EYES!!" is the phrase that Jacob has heard his entire life!!!

Jacob and Danny - again, look at those eyes!!

Jacob fell asleep waiting at the airport...

Jacob lounging in the chair

And I had to FIGHT for permission to post this one - Jacob has a very nice Link hat (a character from a video game) that he occasionally wears around - here he is helping Ryan make cotton candy in his machine. Jacob, you are just too cute!! (sorry, I know you probably hate that word now that you are a TEENAGER!!!)

Yep, Jacob can be very serious...

And he can be very funny and humorous - he cracks me up every single day!!

AND, he can be downright silly!!! You must watch this video to see the side of Jacob reserved for special occasions...

Jacob, you have been a wonderful son to me for 13 years. I have so enjoyed any time that we get to be together, whether out shopping, doing something special, or just cuddling. I know you don't prefer all my physical affection, but thank you for letting me express my love to you - you are so cute and irresistable - I just love to kiss and hug you all the time!! (as you know) I promise to try to control my impulses to squeeze and love you when we are around others... remember, I said I would try... haha Seriously, though, Jacob, thank you for being so responsive to me and Dad, for sharing your life with us, for opening up to us, for being a good example to your siblings, for serving us, and for your thoughtfulness. May God bless this next year with much grace, wisdom, health, fun, and a powerful sense and awareness of His amazing love for you!! We love you so very much and are so fiercely proud of you. Happy Birthday Jacob!!

Minnesota Vacation

Our trip was a few weeks ago now - I couldn't post anything as we had problems with the camera software. Danny finally had a moment to fix it for us yesterday so we are back on track again but have some catching up to do.

Minnesota was fun - it started out with a very early flight from Baltimore. This is a shot of everyone at the airport pulling their own luggage, including a suitcase full of books to give my sister. While there, we went to the Mall of America and took the younger two boys to a place where you build your own remote control car - it reminded us of Build-a-Bear, but with cars. It was one of the coolest places we have ever seen!!

One night the "guys" went out to see Dark Knight - the batman movie. Left to right is Uncle Ed, Matt, Danny, and Uncle Chris. It was really neat to see Matt going out with his Dad and two uncles...

One day we rented a pontoon boat and cruised up and down the St. Croix river (a three hour cruise I think) with Danny as our captain. We saw a ton of wildlife! And it was a beautiful day as well.

Here is our faithful Captain Danny - who was getting phone calls from work while we were out in the middle of the river!!

My beautiful neice Rebecca, who, incidentally, looks a lot like Drew Barrymore!! haha

Okay, I had to post this one - my sister Cathy went up to the front of the boat with some of the kids, and Danny couldn't resist trying to knock her off the boat by jerking the steering wheel - now THAT was a sight to see!!

We went to the Minnesota Museum of Science where there was a Star Wars Exhibit. That was pretty neat, but it didn't have everything the boys were hoping to see... but still fun.

Luke Skywalkers landspeeder

This is a view of Stillwater, MN, from the rooftop of, believe it or not, the town's beautiful public library! I told my Dad that I would give my right arm to have that library in my town - it had fireplaces everywhere with leather chairs for reading, curved bookshelves, stain glass windows, three stories of books, private study rooms that you can spread out and close the door (perfect for homeschool planning) and a rooftop terrace where you can eat your lunch as you view the St. Croix River!!! I think I would LIVE in that library if I lived there!!

This is a view of the indoor amusement park at Mall of America - very fun!

Hannah got to go horse-back riding one day, which included getting to take off the saddle, rub down the horse, brush it and feed it some treats. It was absolutely the highlight of her trip...

We ladies (me, Hannah, my mom and sister Cathy) went to a tea room in historic Stillwater. They have hats for you to put on and bottomless pots of tea - it too was a highlight for us. This is Cathy "putting on the airs" of an english tea-drinking lady!!

A great shot of Cathy, Hannah and Mom (Mom looks like she belongs in the Red Hat Society!!)

And lastly, Hannah posing in one of the many hats she wore that day. (She is practicing up for motherhood!!!)

Buried in Books

Though it may appear that the Dustin family has completely disappeared, we survived our vacation to Minnesota and are back home - buried in books! I do plan to post some pictures of our vacation (once I actually find the camera and download the pictures) but meanwhile, school starts next week and I have found myself completely immersed in planning for the year. Our family room has two long tables set up, completely covered in books, papers, pencils, colored tab dividers, sticky notes, empty folders, flash cards, rock study kits, and a frog and two worms. (To be dissected. By my kids. This year... yuck!)

Anyway, once I am all ready for school (will I ever really be ready?!?) I will return to my blog and post some highlights of our vacation and last days of summer...

Off to Minnesota

OFF WE GO!!!

We are off to Minnesota for ten days! We leave at 5 am for a 7:30 flight, and will return on the 17th - it has been a long and busy summer, and we look forward to some time away for refreshing. Will post some pictures of our trip when we get back! Wish us luck on flying!! (NOT my favorite thing to do...)

Happy Birthday Matt!

Nineteen years ago, after 16 hours of labor, Matthew Robert Dustin came into the world, and my life has never been the same. From the very first moment that I looked into his eyes, I fell in love with my "baby" and have counted every moment of his life as an incredible blessing from God above.

It overwhelms me to think that God had his life planned from the beginning of time - He knew that this boy would be my son, and though I have been a completely imperfect mother to him, God specifically chose me to be his mother.

What an amazing journey it has been - from newborn, to toddler, to child, to young man. God has had His hand on Matt's life every single moment - and will continue to lovingly draw Matt's heart to His own all the days of his life. My prayer for Matt would be that he would grow ever-increasingly sensitive to hearing God's voice, and that his passion to love and please his Saviour would grow each and every moment - and that Matt would fully know that nothing in this life or this world will satisfy him as much as the love of Jesus. It is truly all that is needed for pure and complete joy!

Matt celebrated his birthday the other night with many friends around the pool. The rest of us left, but it sure sounded like they had a wonderful time. I didn't even plan this one - I guess the days of "mommy" inviting friends over and having a party with cake and ice cream and star wars decorations are long gone!!

Matt at seven - oh how time flies...

Matt and Danny at Deep Creek Lake many years ago

Here is the little boy that I still picture in my mind on birthdays!! This is Matt and his friend Sam having one of their adventures... again, a long time ago...

This was our version of a pool party when Matt was a little boy!!

But 10 years later, THIS is what it looks like!! haha

No more party hats and blow-horns. Now we have bottled water and GIRLS!!!

Here, on the right, is the master-mind of this party! She even bought his birthday cake for him!!! (I guess my pod-racing cake would have been out of place!! haha)
Thank you, Sherry, for blessing my son!!

Date Nights with Danny

As I spent today doing my "everyday" things, I had it in the back of my mind that Danny and I were going out on our weekly date tonight. Somehow, it affects my day, just knowing. Sometimes, I feel pressured to get more done quickly, and after spending a day outside weeding, watering, watching the kids swim, or running errands in the July heat, I just don't feel fresh anymore, and I know that it will take me some time to "feel" presentable! (of course, Danny always assures me that I don't need to do all that- thank you very much dear).

Usually though, several times throughout the day, I stop and just anticipate the time I get to have with my husband, my best friend. I cannot wait for the great JOY of talking alone with him, looking at his handsome face across the dinner table as we share a glass of wine, and appreciating that we actually get to finish our sentences without interruption! I anticipate getting to walk slowly wherever we go, sometimes sipping coffee, holding his hand, and remembering again why we fell in love. These weekly dates are very bonding for our marriage, and revive and refresh our love for each other. As I said, it sometimes takes his leadership and encouragement for us to go out each week, but I am so grateful that he does. I need reminders that our marriage is the most important thing we can focus on, even above our children (though we love them dearly and could spend every waking moment focusing on them!) and also that it is GOD's plan to do so, not my husbands.

Recently, we went away overnight and this was waiting in our room on the bed as we arrived - a beautiful, single red rose.

We had been to this bed and breakfast one other time, several years ago.

Yep, this is the handsome face I was talking about, across the table...

This is the place we ate our delightful breakfast. Thank you, Danny, for all the years of dates, nights away, flowers, gifts, and all of your other romantic gestures. Thank you for pursuing me, even though we have been married so many years. Thank you for continuing to win my heart with your constant selfless, servants heart, and your ability to make me laugh!! I love you so very very much.