Solid Rock Ranch Updates: 8/3/08

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Dinner for 2

"So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself."

Ephesians 5:28

Since yesterday was mamma and daddy's anniversary, mommy planned a "Dinner for 2." The "2" being herself and daddy. Their children were the servers. Daddy got mommy a new Bible for their anniversary since hers was falling apart, so she wanted to do something for daddy.

The oldest 5 Wass Children set everything up. (See pictures below) I finally convinced mommy to wear her wedding dress - which we had in their closet. Sadly, none of us but daddy know how to cook steak so daddy had to cook part of his own special meal! Anyways, I don't think daddy knew a single thing about what was happening so all was a surprise to him. We laid out his suit for him to wear after his shower - not his wedding suit but a normal suit. When we opened the door for him to enter the sight that met his eyes was his wife, in her wedding dress, looking as beautiful as ever! And yes, mommy still fit in her wedding dress - even after 8 children (and maybe more!)! Then everybody went downstairs for dinner and left mommy and daddy to themselves for dinner and the rest of the night. With occasional interruptions to refill their drink or provide some article of food. I think they enjoyed the time alone! Here are the pictures:

Mommy has a BEAUTIFUL dress but it was a little cumbersome as she tried to get around. She knew daddy liked her in her wedding dress so she finally gave in to putting it on - after a little urging.

Eating. The menu was: Steak, Baked Potatoes, Salad, Green Beans and Buttermilk Rolls.

Reading off the dinner menu.

Sorry about the light. It was about 8:00 when they started their dinner so the light wasn't very good. Just click the picture and it'll conform to its actual size (by pixels) and you'll be able to see it much better.

Drinking sparkling raspberry seltzer (Ingredients: raspberry seltzer and some white grape juice!).

The table before dinner.

Some of the waiters dressed up for the special occasion. We did this "Dinner for 2" in our room - that being the "girls" room.

Eden and Josiah at Mommy's feet!

Little butler 'Siah. If you can't tell the pants are too short and the coat too big but we had a wonderful time!

I took lots more pictures of mommy but they wouldn't let me post them - so those'll have to wait!

After our dinner, Eden and Josiah watched a Veggie Tales and then I tucked them in. Hannah whipped up some peach sorbet and then the rest of the family (including mom and dad) watched the Olympics until 10:30.

This morning we (Alexis and I) shucked corn from the front garden for 1 1/2 - 2 hours and then this afternoon we cleaned them, cut the corn off the cob and put them in bags, then the freezer, for meals the rest of this year. Caleb and Seth went to work with daddy and Hannah, Eden and Josiah did assorted things. Mommy just went wherever the garden needed her - everywhere.

Tonight we're having leftovers and then are going to watch a movie while eating icecream or pop-corn (hand-popped!). Tomorrow we're going to our grandparents house to celebrate 8 birthdays/anniversary's from August and September.

Willingly HIS,

Kimber

Friday, August 8, 2008

Destination: Arlington National Cemetery

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

John 15:13

Tuesday morning we left for Washington D.C. with everyone except daddy who went to work. We got on the Metro (posting later about our trip on the Metro) and went up to Arlington National Cemetery.

Here are a few pictures below of the tombstones.

This isn't a tombstone obviously. The stone structure I think is what they drive through when they're burying people, which they do all day (see bottom). Up on the hill is Robert E. Lee's house.

While we were walking on the above sidewalk grandpa spotted a guy our age or above. Now if you don't know my grandpa, he's very funny. Well, he's been talking about how he's gonna' come to our house and be on patrol now since we're getting older. On patrol for guys that is. (Grandpa won't be able to do anything to prevent me from marrying the man Jesus has for me though :)!) So, all during that day he was giving us warning if there was a guy ahead. Back to the story: as we were walking there was "someone" on the sidewalk. He goes "watch out," as we pass the "someone", as quietly as he can. Then he turns and looks at the guy and goes "Arr, arr" with a face like a bulldog, it was really funny! :) I think the guy was a little frightened! :)

Another time he goes "Green shirt ahead, 100 yards, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP," as if he was an alarm. The "Green shirt" was another guy. (There were lots more stories like that...)

I'll tell you now that we aren't interested in any of them - only the one Jesus wants us to have. We're too young anyways! :)

Reading a plaque honoring some corps, serviceman or something.

The eternal flame on John F. Kennedy's grave site. (see below website)

Tombstones, how thought-provoking. Those men died for us - for me! Some in the past...some just yesterday.

These were some quotes from John F. Kennedy engraved in stone that circled the back of Kennedy's grave.

John F. Kennedy's brother's grave - if I remember correctly.

A Reiter gravestone. Reiter is my grandma's maiden name.

Anderson tombstone. Anderson is my Na-naw's maiden name.

View from the top of a hill. We probably walked at least close to 2 miles that day - uphill and then down. Hard trek nonetheless.

Fresh graves. Just in the last week probably. Those men died for me....me...me..selfish, unworthy me... *tear* literally. They definitely laid down their life for mine - "No greater love..."

Going up steps that lead to the Unknown Soldier Tombstone and Guard. (see below website)

An elaborate doorway engraved with pillars. In fact pillars lined the way.

Steps. Look at the engraved stone - isn't it so pretty and detailed?

I have no idea what this is. Maybe a place where people go for the funeral services or just an auditorium.

A great chair at the front of the auditorium place. Left to right: Amanda, Hannah, Me (Kimber) and Diana.

THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER GRAVESITE AND GUARD

The guards feet.

The guard. I think that's a bayonet, if I'm not mistaken, that he's holding.

A far-off view of the memorial, guard and landscape behind the memorial.

On patrol. A wreath was laid on the stone honoring those who have died for us. How solemn everyone was as the guard walked along the mat. I hardly heard a single noise. How reverent everyone was - not like I was used to at all.

If you want to know more about Arlington National Cemetery and the Unknown Soldier Memorial/Tombstone please go to http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/. Please read all about it - it gives such wonderful information that every American should know.

My grandparents, Steve and Dorothy Wassenberg, can be buried there because Grandpa was in the Navy.

Thankful for those who gave their lives,

Kimber

Oh, one more thing I have the whole 10 minutes 40 seconds of the "Changing of the Guard" if you would like to see it. Let me know in the comments section if so. Thanks! I love watching the videos.

Destination: Grandma's House & Splash Down Waterpark

"Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed."

Ezekiel 47:5

Monday morning Hannah and I went up with daddy to grandma/grandpa's house. We had been waiting for 2-3 years to go spend a few days with them and we finally got to! After going to the Thrift Store and getting some things and going to KFC for lunch we headed over to Splash Down Waterpark with grandpa also. Our cousins, Amanda and Diana, stayed the whole 3 days too - so they came along. We had TONS of fun! My favorite slide was the big, open, blue one. The white slide made us (Diana and I - Diana's 2 months younger than me so we team up and Amanda and Hannah stay together) wait at least 30+ minutes. And it wasn't really worth it. It was interesting watching people. Some guys really needed to pull up their pants others were like "FLIP IT," every time someone went by in a tube. A little annoying to say the least but we stayed BEHIND them so that way we wouldn't have to hear "FLIP IT." We all talked about lots of stuff like politics, church, school etc. Grandma/pa let us get a snow cone, popcorn and fries. They were really good! The snow cone was a little flavorless but it was okay! I scraped my knees and so did Hannah but otherwise we can't wait to go back again. Okay, here's some pictures.

Hannah on a water slide - emerging.

Me emerging from a water slide.

The wonderful dinner grandma prepared for us once we came home from Splash Down.

Mashed Potatoes - okay, why did I take a picture of those? I was hungry and they looked good! I love mashed potatoes - especially grandma's!

Coming off another water slide. This is the one I really liked. Once I think we (All of us cousins) went on it 4-5 times in a row it was so fun!

In the lazy river - all 4 of us girls. We're a little hard to see - sorry!

Amanda and Hannah.

All 4 of us girls!

We had lots of fun and can't wait to do it again! Grandma took all of the pictures - thanks!

I'll be posting more on our stay up there soon. If it goes with our stay with them I'll say "Destination..." and you'll know that means we're still with our grandparents.

Willingly HIS,
Kimber

Morning Glory

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Psalm 19:1

This morning as we (children) were making breakfast and stuff for mommy and daddy's anniversary this was the scene that met our eyes on coming downstairs.

Isn't it just beautiful? The heavens definitely declare the glory of God and the skies the work of His hands!

Hannah took the above pictures, I took the last 2.

You could make lots of little things out of this picture. The sun could be Jesus' face with all His glory penetrating through everything, even trees. It could be heaven shining from those streets of gold. It could be anything!

Lexi basking in the rays. After I took this picture, went inside and had breakfast I was like "why didn't I go get mamma and daddy to stand in the rays, holding hands, hugging etc." Wouldn't that have made a beautiful picture - especially on their anniversary! "No use crying over spilt milk."

What a wonderful God we serve!

Kimber

Daddy - Mommy`

Daddy....Scott Michael Wassenberg

Mommy...Michelle Diane Wassenberg (maiden name: Nash)

Same "poster": Kimber

P.S - Verse on next post - I'm not playing - I"m really going to put a verse!

Pictures of Daddy and Mommy

(Verse on next post)

This is their engagement photo.

One picture of mommy in her wedding dress.

Now's the time....kiss!

Sorry about these pictures they're a little fuzzy because they were wallet size and I scanned them. I like daddy's suit - don't you? His coat tail reaches his knees - looks sorta' like a penguin - a VERY HANDSOME penguin!

Getting ready to stuff the cake in each others mouth. Actually daddy didn't stuff it in mommy's mouth - he very gently popped it in! Mommy, of course, stuffed it in his mouth as daintily as possible.