A Visit to Rabbit Hill

Well, we couldn't wait any longer. Hannah decided that she was ready for a new bunny, and this time around, Ryan was getting one too!! (We are still trying to convince Jacob to get one, but he says he wants a snake!! Trust me, there is no trips to "snake hill" in our future!!)

The first day we got the bunny home - Ryan snuggled him for quite some time waiting for Dad to get home and see the new member of our family. He got a male bunny and named him Caramel. He is a very sweet bunny, and Ryan has been excited about his first pet.

Hannah chose a new bunny and would have room in her heart for any bunny in the world. She may, however, take this bunny back and wait for a holland lop. Marshmallow (her previous bunny) was a lop, and Hannah is realizing that her heart is set on another one. The litter unfortunately won't be ready until Easter. So we may get a visit from the "easter bunny" after all!

This is Ella! (possibly our temporary visitor)

Caramel snuggling up on Ryan's blanket

Missing My Matt

I am missing Matt in more ways than one - he is "missing" from this blog, and I also miss his presence in our home every day! Even though he is living at home while attending college, we rarely see him... He has a busy life with full time classes at Montgomery College plus he is working at Starbucks, not to mention he has a full social calendar and is in a band! He pops in and out for quick hellos and good-byes - but I am very thankful that he is at home. I know the day will come when he will leave for good, but I fear my heart will NEVER be ready for that. Meanwhile, I am grateful for each and every moment I get to chat with him, and for each and every hug and kiss I get to give him, for each and every detail of his life that he shares with me. My little boy has grown up...
This is the band that Matt is currently playing in. They have performed at some local coffee houses and recorded some songs in a studio. (Matt plays the electric guitar) Music is a major part of his life - he has considered making a career out of it somehow, maybe majoring in music production at the University of Maryland.

Matt has grown up to be a wonderful young man - and I will always enjoy his friendship and his companionship. I love to chat with him in the late night hours, I love to hear about what is going on with his life, I love to hear all the stories he brings home from Starbucks (the coffee he brings home is pretty great too!) and I particularly love the way he makes me laugh!! I will never stop being "mom" and wanting to nurture and fuss over him - I am thankful for the privilige to do that until the day that God blesses him with a wife...

Though we miss him, and our "family times" with all of us become few and far between, we try to adjust our schedules to maximize our time with him. Each and every moment we have with those we love is a gift from God to be treasured, and never taken for granted. We all ought to live with the mindset that this could be the last day we have - what a difference that would make in how we prioritize our lives and appreciate and love one another.

Remembering "Marshy"

Well, the Dustin family is recovering from quite a week. We had to bury a beloved pet, try to get through Valentines Day, and deal with a stomach virus, all the while a fence company was outside putting up a new fence. Tomorrow we are supposed to go to a Maryland game! (Only some of us will probably make it...) But through it all, God has been so good to us. Hannah received many tokens of love and support, including notes, prayers and phone calls from friends and family. She definitely felt the love and comfort of the Lord through the actions of others. Her brothers treated her so tenderly and with much love. Ryan gave her flowers, Matt gave her a journal to write her thoughts, and Jacob made this video for Hannah to remember her sweet Marshy. He gave it to her on Valentines Day - two days after Marshy died. Jacob can "whip out" a movie in no time at all! I told Danny the other day that we are going to have a well documented family with the beautiful videos that Jacob makes!! Again, an evidence of God's wonderful grace to us...

A post from Hannah - Farewell Marshmellow

Me holding Marshy.

Me and Ryan loving Marshy.

Marshy looking at me.

The day I got Marshy.

These are sweet memories of Marshy. I will always remember Marshy whenever I look at a cute, white, sweet and good bunnie. Marshy was everything to me. Whenever I was angry, or upset, I went to go see her. And she comforted me. I love Marshy, and I always will. Then yesterday, I go out there and see her lying on her side, not moving. At first I thought she was sleeping. But then I felt her, she wasn't moving.Then I came running in shouting,"mom! I think Marshy's dead!!" everyone came running out. Yup. She was dead:( It was the worst thing. Then, being so godly, mom started praying for me right away. Of course I broke out into tears immediately.It still hasn't hit me yet that she's gone. My first, and most loved pet. But I might get a new bunnie. mom says I shoudn't worry about Marshy, 'cause she believes she's in heaven with Jesus, waiting for me. I just can't help crying over her every once and a while. I will always love you Marshmellow Dustin.

This is kind of embarassing for me. But hey, I was younger!! Sorry it's sooooo short, enjoy!!

Sweetheart Banquet 2008

Over the weekend Danny and I had the PRIVILEGE of serving again this year at the Pastor's College annual Sweetheart Banquet - it is always so much fun to be part of blessing the students with a night of romance! I had never served in the kitchen before - what a blast!! We were there for hours on Saturday doing prep work and then on Sunday from two until around ten. It is one of the highlights of the year for the students and their wives. Selfishly, part of the reason I love to do this event is because I learn so much about cooking and hospitality from the team that is there helping! (I actually learned how to make Mango Salsa and Quiche Lorraine, after messing up the first batch and using only one egg instead of nine!!)

This is a busy busy kitchen - but luckily big enough to contain all the activity going on!

In between courses we got to sample the leftover "italian soda" that was being served... what we were really hoping for was leftover crab cakes... no such luck...

The food that was planned was absolutely the fanciest, gourmet meal you could imagine!

Danny and the man next to him (in the picture below) were in charge of running the kitchen and making sure all went smoothly - they both did an awesome job!! Danny is such a humble, gentle and gracious leader, I love working with him in the kitchen. (and anywhere else dear!!)

Hannah and Ryan were there most of the weekend with us - they played in the gym and brought cards to play with, but by Sunday evening, Hannah was looking really tired... but what a trooper she was! The kids helped however they could, hauling things in and out of the kitchen, washing asparagus, snipping flowers and spices, they really were a huge help. Now that the kids are older it is so great to be able to bring them along to these events.

Can't wait 'til next year!!!

Best Buddies Forever

Ryan and Jacob, walking a path at Mt. Vernon together

Jacob and Ryan have been best friends ever since Ryan could walk and follow Jacob around. Ryan adores Jacob, and Jacob is a wonderful big brother. Every night, Ryan "needs" Jacob to lay down with him, snuggle, and lay there until he falls asleep. Jacob FAITHFULLY does this every night, and then slips out of the room to do his Bible reading, or he brings a flashlight into his bed and reads after Ryan is asleep.

He watches over Ryan, helps him, teaches him things, and puts up with a lot at times! Jacob is rewarded for this by being the recipient of Ryan's love and affection (sometimes expressed via wrestling and punching!!) Ryan makes us all laugh hysterically every single day, and we cannot imagine life without his joyful, happy, humorous presence in our family!

An example from yesterday - Jacob went out to the garage to take out the trash. Ryan came along behind him and locked him out - then when Jacob started pounding on the door to get in, Ryan just said "I have no idea who did this, but I better run!" and then giggled all the way up the stairs! Jacob comes roaring after him like an "angry bear" and chases him around the house, acting like he is mad, but when he finally catches him, he just tackles him and gives him tickle torture. All I know is that school was supposed to be taking place at the island, and I was fighting a losing battle.

A Devoted Dad and His Princess

Last week Danny took Hannah out for a very special "date" - they both got all dressed up and went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Hannah and I spent a lot of time curling her hair, and picking out just the right jewelry to wear for the special evening. Danny presented her with a single, pink rose on their way there, and at dinner he gave her a special card with a handwritten note of encouragement. What an amazing husband I have!! He so loves his daughter and strives to encourage her feminity by treating her in a unique and special way that is very different from the boys. (By the way, Hannah and I are never allowed to open our own door if the boys are around!) I am so grateful for the way Danny serves the women in his life!!