Teenpact-Impact

So here's what's been happenin' to us the last week. This is just a sampling of the dozens of pictures we took. Stay tuned for more and also visit Nicole's blog to see even more exclusive pictures not shown here!

Us

Lots of laughter

Tests

The two governor candidates answering questions

The Representative candidates answering questions.

Tiff was Micheal's campaign manager... he didn't win, but for sure next year.

Some really obnoxious, loud, fun game with lots of screaming, chopping and laughing.

Speech class

It was a little hairy getting back to the camp everyday. We seemed to take a different route each time. Tiff and Micheala trying not to be side-seat-drivers. Ahem.

Me, just trying to get us back. And yes, I did everyday!

Turn here??

Here??

HERE!!

Polka-dot-day

Lunch!!

We met this adorable girl the first day of TeenPact and found out that she already knew us!! She reads our blog, which she found through our friends. Shabana was really fun to be with and we just had to let you all meet her!Hi, dear! Thanks for the fun!

The staff guys

Walking to the Capitol

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Disclaimer: We apolgize for any photos that lack picture quality. The camera has been having issues lately. Sorry.

Happy Easter!

Well, happy easter to you and all your family! I have been thinking a lot the last two days about what it really means that we have been redeemed by God Himself! I guess I was really inspired to appreciate this even more after we watched the movie "The Sin-Eater". I would really really recommend this to all of you older readers. Viewer discretion should really be considered for younger kids because of scenes of peril and violience. I won't tell the story so it's not spoiled for you, but I will just say it is a moving story of how one cove in the hills discovers that Jesus Christ is our only Sin-Eater. It is one of the best movies I have watched in a really long time.
We are off to spend the day with our friends the Blairs... should be a real blast. Click here to see our last holiday together!
Also just wanted to quick let you know that we will be absent from the wonderful blogging world for this next week. Us four older kids are going to something called TeenPact in Des Moines. It's a class to teach kids a Christian worldview in government. I can't go as a student cuz, well, I guess you could say that I'm a little too, well, um. Ok, I'm too old. That's alright though. I've not had to do all the homework that comes along with the prep stuff. So, yay for being old!!!
Hopefully we'll come around with pictures soon!
Have a great week!

A Tribute to Precious Memories

Brandt... there are just no other words.

SCHOOL!!

The famous Thursday tea parties

The hyper laundry girls

Tiff-n-Matt

The Traditional 'Laundry Dance'

Brock's famous pumpkin pie

Bubbly-Bubba

Needed!!!

As many of you know, I was in China last summer spending time with orphans in Beijing.   I am so excited that God has opened doors for me to return this summer!  I am asking for your help though.  As you can imagine, the kids can't get to the week long summer camps unless there are funds to support them being there.  It costs $250 per kid for one week.

Last year, my friends at Bring Me Hope - the organization I went with - had this really cool fundraiser to send the kids to camp.  They had the first ever Night Walk... where Americans - and even a group of Australians - walked for one hour, with a big group of orphans in China walking at the same time.  What was so cool was that before we started the big walk, all the walkers got onto a live conference call and got to hear each of the kids in China say in English "Hi! My name is _____.  Thank  you for walking with me!"  It was so precious!  

Sooooo, where you all come in.  I am helping my friends from Bring Me Hope, David and Kristen, with planning this year's Night Walk.  All over the US and even in Australia, there will be people all walking at the same time, according to their time zone!  I am asking you if any of you would be willing to walk with your friends and family in you area, to raise money for the kids to go to summer camp.  I would really appreciate the support and I know if the kids could say so, the would be grateful.  For a lot of these kids, camp may be the only place they can go and be shown and told that they really matter!

And as you think of  possibly being involved, don't think that you have to do anything really big.  I mean, last year I just did it with some of my siblings and a friend who was staying at our house.  Every small part helps!

If you would like more info, you can email me at misschmelar@iowatelecom.net

Thanks again!

Our Day Trip

We saw the brand new movie "Horton Hears A Who" based on the Dr. Suess book by the same title.

The entire day-trip clan, minus the camera girl - yours truly.

Sometimes all that shopping and walking makes a person a little loopy! 

Resting on the world's comfiest lounge chairs ever in Scheels!!!

The Guns...

Ice Cream

After our monthly nursing home service yesterday afternoon, Dad and Mom took us to McDonalds for ice cream cones.  Well, sorta.  We really went to wash our hands and use the restrooms, but the ice cream machine was yelling at us all so loudly, we had to stop and oblige.

Alas, when we ordered our 6 cones and one chocolate shake, the machine decided to quit working... well, sorta.  Instead of perfectly shaped ice cream confections, we received ill-shaped and malformed ones.  It was quite hilarious after we got over the initial shock.  That poor worker kid had quite a time.  

Oh well, bless his heart.  Maybe he just wasn't cut out to be an ice-cream-cone-man.

*smile*

Help!!

Let's help our fellow homeschoolers in California!!  This petition the Homeschool Legal Defense Association has written, asks the California courts to 'depublish' the ban on homeschooling in the state.  Click here to sign!

I know we'd want this kind of help from friends all over if our we were facing this in our area!  So let's return the favor.

Thanks!

Not to be forgotten...

We just couldn't let you all not meet Mom and Dad Brenneman... so here they are!

Aren't they just the cutest couple?!

Our Curly Mom

About two weeks ago, Mom got her hair permed. We just had to share these fun pictures of her. One of the many things I love about my Mom is that she is so young-spirited! We have so much fun with her! She is one of my best friends and my biggest cheerleader. She always tells me I can do it. And in those times when I don't have the faith to hang on, Mom stands in the gap for me and believes for me. And yes, there are times that we butt heads, not always agreeing, but she's still my mom and I love her a lot! I am so glad God gave her to me!

Love ya, Mom! Thanks for all our good times!

~ ~ ~

PS. I thought of another random/weird thing that should have been a part of that list we did a couple days ago. When Tiff, Mom and myself are out together, people often mistake us as sisters. The best part is that once someone thought Mom was Tiffany's daughter!! BIG smile!

The Brennemans!! (My second family)

Meet the Brennemans... for the last eight months I've been a nanny for them. From day one, I've loved my job. Everyday is an adventure and with the kids-lots of kids- life is never boring. The funny things they say and do keep me rolling on the floor. I love the great talks with the older kids, which are very intense and somewhat heated at times. I've learned a lot from Mrs. Brenneman about cooking and other household stuff. All the way around, it's been a great experience.

So I thought that after eight months, it was high time you meet them!

Matthew - A little heart-robber

Brock - The walking, talking poultry encyclodpedia

Brianne - The family hugger

Bridgette - Miss Drama Queen

Brooke, Bronwyn, & Brian - The Three Musketeers

Brandt - The best driver in Iowa on snowy, wet, and muddy roads

Brielle - My buddy... sometimes

* * *

I'm sorry to report that I will be leaving them at the end of this week. But don't think our good times together are over because somehow they've managed to get in my heart.

I love you guys!!!

Two Bonuses

I just thought of two bonus facts that you really will want to know. *smile*

ONE:

All seven of us were very big babies... I was the smallest (nicole), weighing in at (9 lbs 7 oz.).  Aubrey was the biggest, entering the world at 11 lbs even.  And I might add - since we are on the subject - we were all overdue!  (Isn't our mom a hero?!)

TWO:

We have a secret life.  Well, ok, not really.  But we are historical renactors.  Every Labor Day Weekend, we dress up and work in a Post-Civil-War village.  Way fun!!

Ok, that's it.

We've Been Tagged!

A blogger friend, Tori, tagged our family to share seven facts - random and weird - about us.  We have tagged the seven people listed below, who should share seven things about themselves on their blog!  Enjoy!

- - - - - 

* Since Mom and Dad were married 22 years ago, we have moved 13 times!

* None of us kids have ever broke a bone in our body... except Timothy.  He was hit in the mouth with a fast-pitch baseball which broke the bone in the roof of his mouth.

* We dip out grilled cheese sandwiches in ketchup

* All of us, except Mom, LOVE football!  (She's learning!) *smile*

* We had a cleaning job at a local animal sales barn... three separate times.  

* We like to pour milk on our bowls of ice cream.

* We actually have another brother, Jeremiah David... he's waiting for us with Jesus!

- - - 

Now we would love to know seven random things about these friends!

Seth

Morgan

The Bontragers

Kristen

The Wissmanns

David

Christy

Caption Contest

What do you think little Matthew is thinking/saying?!