Day 4: Hawaii-Shopping & Golf

Today was the second & last day of the mens' sessions. Us older ones joined in for one of their sessions--absolutely inspirational!!! (Thus an inspirational speaker). ;D The speaker was Simon Sinek, author of 'Start with Why'.
Basically, he spoke about why leaders should start with why, instead of how or what, for their businesses, when they give speeches, etc. Did you know that the 'why' part of our brains (the innermost part) isn't the part with language (the how & what do have it), therefore, that is why when you ask someone 'why questions' (ie. Why do you love your wife/husband? Why do you do what you do? etc.) they won't be able to give you some specific answer instantly.

Take our first example "Why do you love your wife/husband?", they'll probably say something like: "Because they are smart, pretty, kind, loving, I need them, they complete me, etc." Isn't that interesting?

I'm not sure what his religious views are, & so (as with everything), please take his books with a grain of salt, & the Bible.

Papa & Daniel on the Golf Course

The older men went golfing (Uncle Ron, Nichol, Papa, & Daniel) with LPL, while all the rest of us went into Kona & had fun shopping at the outdoor mall. If any of you ever come to Kona, you NEED to shop there!!!! The prices are good, the shopping is fantastic, & well, you just have to go!!! LOL

This concludes Day 4.

Day 3: Hawaii-Relaxation & Excitement

Today was the beginning of the Financial Sessions, so our men were absent for part of the day. Us ladies pretty much hung out, & relaxed for most of the day. I blogged, caught up on some ranch stuff, & did cross stitch.

Big news for today.....KayCee had her cria around 6pm tonight!!!! We sold her 2 weeks ago, so they aren't actually ours, but who cares!!!! LOL

Grampaw & Oma (Papa's parents)

My Oma is my hero.....all day she kept going up to the barn, & checking on the expecting moms. She thought KayCee was acting kinda weird, & sure enough, after their dinner, they found an adorable, little fawn baby boy!!! Even Grampaw pitched in to help take care of him (I'm SO proud of him!)--getting dry, putting on his coat, weighing him, etc.

Tonight, we went to the 'Meeting of the Chiefs' Luau...basically a historical play-up on the known history of  Polynesia: Samoa, Hawaii, Tahiti, & New Zealand. We had a blast, & had pictures taken as well....didn't they turn out splendid????

Back Row: Luke (17), Daniel (20), Benjamin (20), Papa, U. Ron, Nichol (23), David (14)
Middle Row: Samuel (13), Sarah (17), Rachel (16), Mama, A. Trish,
Lindsey (17-Luke's twin), Britney (23-married to Nichol), Esther (10), Rebekah (11)
Front Row: Josiah (8), James (6)

Back Row: Daniel, Papa, David, Samuel
Front Row: Josiah, Rebekah, Rachel, Mama, James, Sarah & Esther

Mama & Papa

Day 2: Hawaii-Just Relaxing

Rachel woke up around 4 (7am PST), & got ready for the day... Overall, we had a wonderful & blissful night's sleep; getting up around 6am.

Photographing something interesting...
Samuel, David, Rachel, Esther, Rebekah, & Josiah

After Family Worship & Breakfast, we walked farther along the beach than we did yesterday, off the Hotel's property. We stayed out in the sun until past 12pm: some of the kids snorkeling, other playing in the ocean, pool, hot pool, etc.

Aren't they adorable??? (James' pose was an instant put-on, so cute!)

By 12pm, most of us were red...others (like me & Rebekah) were burnt to a crisp, & still others (like Josiah & Mama) had hardly been touched because of their marvelous tanning skin.... If I haven't told you this before, I tell you now: Aloe Vera Gel is one of my best friends...it turns red into brown, just like that!!!

Papa's Buddy

Rebekah (age 11)

Our natural photographer-David (14)

Pointing out Maui (a dark outline on the Horizon)

After relaxing in the room for a while, we went back out, & checked out the tennis courts. They're well-maintained, & we can't wait to try them out.

Relaxing at the Tennis Shop-watching National Geographic

At 5:15pm, we all headed down to the opening dinner/get together, in the main yard. It was low key, & the food was good: Chicken Caesar Salad, assortments of fish, veggies, & rice, & fried banana wraps/pastries for dessert. For music, they had some Hawaiian dancers--really fun...most of them were at least in their 20's, but there was this one kid (probably 14), that was doing it too....pretty cute...--& a soloist.

At 6, we changed into our tennis gear, & went down to the courts, where the guys played tennis, while us ladies sat on the sidelines & talked, & the kids played.....
Aloha!!

Day 1: Hawaii-Travel

I got 2 hours of sleep (woohoo!) last night, & then we got up at 2:30 am. That, is what I call the perfect setup. I do it every time we go to Hawaii, etc. That way, I sleep on the plane!!

Our plane left at 6:04 am. It was a mini 80 seater, that we had to load onto outside (not what I typically think of when we're flying to Seattle!!!) LOL

We then had an 1.5 hr. layover, with bagels/sandwiches serving as breakfast. After loading on the plane (a Boeing 737), they told us that there was a problem with some of the communication equipment (i.e. radios), & so there would be a delay. It turned out to be 1.5 hours. (though it seemed to whiz by), of which Daniel & I played Battleship (& I actually whipped him!!! Unheard of!!) :D

On a more personal note, thus far, my ears have been perfect. I used Affron (nasal spray) an hour before takeoff, & used some special ear seals that on a scale of 1-30 decibels, it cuts out 27 of them!! I got them specifically for swimming, but since they can be used for planes too, I thought I'd try them out!

On the flight to Seattle, I didn't feel any pressure change: none whatsoever. On the flight to Hawaii, I didn't really feel anything as well, though I did feel a difference when I thought I'd trying not having them in mid-flight. Once we landed in Kona, I had to be careful in taking them out, because they were sealed so good.

David took this video on his new hi-tech Canon Camera. It shows the last 3 minute descent into Kona: beautiful footage, & a glimpse into our flight. Unfortunately, he was situated behind the wing, so it cuts into it a little bit.

The Desert of Kona

Beautiful Shores!

Kona Out Door Airport!

Our Boeing 737 at Kona

Combined Pinkerton/Glendening Luggage (Daniel & Lindsey) 

Beautiful Japanese....um...Hawaiian Tree

Limo Ride! L-R: Luke, Rachel, Lindsey, Rebekah, Sarah, Josiah, Samuel,
Nichol, Britney, Esther, Papa, & James (the rest were shopping)

At the Fairmont Orchid Hotel
LtoR: David, Sarah, Papa, Josiah, Lindsey, Rachel,
Samuel, Rebekah, James,  Luke, Nichol,  Britney, & Esther

Looking out of the Boy's Room at the Mauna Lani North Golf Course

As you can see, Kona is desert & beauty, combined in one...

Tonight, we went onto the beach, & swam/waded in the ocean. They have a cove, that is so smooth, it feels like you're in a pool!

They also have a beautiful hot tub, made out of the rock, with a sand base in part of it, & a stone base in the rest....I totally thought of my Grampaw...he would of loved it...though it may have needed a little more heat in the evenings... :D

The wind got really bad, but it was wonderful, compared to the Idaho winds!! This wind is warm!! LOL
So far so good!! I love Hawaii!!

Off to Tahiti....I mean...Hawaii!!

Tomorrow morning, bright & early, we (our whole family of 11 PLUS my Aunt Trish's family) will be heading out of Spokane Airport for a 9 day business/pleasure trip to Kona, Hawaii!!

That means that we'll all either look like tomatoes or potatoes!!! Both ripe & ready to eat!! :D

Please pray for traveling mercies, & a good flight!! Also, some of us...aka Me (& Samuel) have problems with the air pressure, & could really use your prayers... I especially would really like to come out of there without having had to visit the hospital, stay in bed continuously, or with any less hearing than the already impaired one that I have!! LOL

Rebekah's Going to Nationals!!!

Yesterday, after 3 grueling hours of competition with 45 other spellers, Rebekah won the North Idaho Regional Spelling Bee, on the word 'bezoar', after spelling the word 'inselberg' correctly.

My dad wrote the following to his family:

Mom and Dad and our family spent yesterday morning at the local college for the annual state spelling bee.  Rebekah, our 11 year old 5th grader was competing against about 50 other spellers from around North Idaho, and the competition was stiff, as they set a new record in the amount of rounds they had to endure. 

Finally, in the 21st round, the final two were Rebekah and a 7th grade private school boy.   He misspelled "inselberg", and Rebekah couldn't remember if the correct spelling included "el" or "ol", so she told the Press in her interview that she prayed to God to help her, and the reporter said "then it must have worked, because you won!"  Now we have to decide who will be going back to Washington D.C. with her for the national competition at the end of May.  Rebekah probably worked harder than anyone else towards this goal, and typing 75 wpm has certainly helped her.

 Last week, the Coeur d'Alene Press interviewed both Rebekah & Esther. That article can be found here. (Esther did well for her first year out, but got out in the 4th round, on the word 'castanets'.)

This morning, the Cd'A Press came out with another article. We wish they would have included what Rebekah said about 'praying to God to help her', but they didn't...

The National Spelling Bee will be held May 29th-June 4th, in Washington DC.

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

~ Jeremiah 17:10 ~

Happy Birthday Esther!!

Today, my baby sister....the littlest girl in the Pinkerton Tribe turned 10!!! How fast they do grow!!

It seems only yesterday, that Papa & Mama got home from having an ultrasound done to see why there was so much fluid in there! Of course, it was the last trimester, & so there was no getting around seeing the gender of the baby...

As a rule, our family has chosen to keep the gender a surprise until the birth, & so the technician wasn't going to tell them which it was...BUT, she slipped & said "she...." OOPS!

Also as a rule, we call all unknown babies "he" until we know the gender, as woman came from man, etc. etc. :D Unfortunately, Mama slipped, & said "she..." too!!! Then of course, came all of us kids asking, "It's a GIRL, isn't it!?!?! We know it's a girl!! YOU said SHE!!!"

Then came the time, that Esther was born early: our first water birth!! The birth was amazing (or so Mama says :D), but she felt cheated, since there was no 'ring of fire' as there usually is. LOL

Josiah & Esther (17 months apart)

I remember this birth especially (besides that it was my 2nd birth to participate in), because Papa had us all vote on what time she would be born. I guessed 4 am, & as she was born at 3:57am, I won!

And who could forget that it took almost a WEEK to find the 'perfect name' for Esther!! (That in itself, is amazing for us Pinkertons...)



Who IS Esther? Esther Elaine Pinkerton was born March 1st, 2001 at 3:57am. Her name means:

'Bright as a Star, with a Spirit of Humility'

Esther is vivacious, bubbly, & content. She loves caring for babies & little kids, & has a knack with them. Esther enjoys life, people, & helping Mommy. She loves cooking, handwork, cleaning, baking, & washing clothes. She also enjoys taking care of her alpacas, & halter training them.

Esther & Rebekah (16 mo. apart)

"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."

~ Proverbs 20:11 ~

Welcome Our 2 Newest Additions!!

This past week, we welcomed to our ranch, 2 beautiful additions to our foundation herd:

Invierno (meaning Winter)

Sienna Chanel (Sienna means: reddish orange brown)

We look forward to Lord-willing, breeding Invierno this Spring to Viola, for what is sure to be a spectacular cria.... & isn't Chanel such a little doll??

Graduation Plans

Grace Bible had it's first High School Graduation Planning Meeting (boy, that was a mouthful!! LOL), this past Tuesday. There will be 6 of us graduating this year at Grace: Elizabeth Patterson, Elizabeth Rognaldson, Noah Door, Caleb Chersin, Mary Beth Peabody, & me.

We decided on the date: May 20th, 2011 at 6:30pm at Grace Bible Church.
All the families were so accommodating--to adjust the usual graduation date, earlier than usual--so that I can  participate in it as well, before I leave (5 days later) for the Philippines...

I'm pretty excited....okay, I'm ecstatic...but then, who wouldn't be??

One thing that really stuck with me from the meeting, is the first thing that Pastor  Paul wrote on the whiteboard:

Graduation

What The Teen Thinks It Is...

vs.

Commencement

What The Parent Knows It Is...

Isn't that good!?!

We have another meeting in about 2 weeks, to continue the planning process...
It's going to be a blast preparing for it...(who doesn't love a challenge?!?)... :D

Samson's New Hair Cut

 So, Samson--our great, big, furry Bouvier des Flanders--got a new haircut/hair style this past week......And ain't he cute!?! Thought you'd enjoy these pictures of him!!
Unfortunately, the pictures don't show what he really looks like...his hair was all 'blow-dried', & his head was all cropped short...He looks like a real bear now!!! So, if you see a 'bear' roaming the hills...make sure it's not our dog!!! LOL

Sweet 16=Pain, Time, & Money

Rachel at Silver Mtn.

Following in my footsteps, Rachel got her ears pierced tonight at Claire's...but unlike my getting mine done 6 weeks before my 16th birthday, she got hers done exactly 2 months before!!

She was apprehensive (as are we all! :D) about what it would 'feel' like, but afterwards said, "Wow! That was ALL?!?!"

She decided to get the 5mm CZ (not squared) studs, (which perfectly beautiful on her).

Signing the papers

Picking the Stone

..........In Process........

First expression after...

Finished up...ain't she just gorgeous! (as she was b4)

"Comforts for Mothers in Labor"...

Today, we spent quite a few hours as a family, going thru boxes of "stuff"...mostly old ACE Paces, records, & interesting old papers. Amongst the junk, Mama found a paper, titled "Comorts for Mother's in Labor":D that I wrote between Year 2000 & 2002 (age 7-9).
I have no remembrance of writing this, but then, I don't even remember telling Mom at age 7, that I felt God wanted me to be a midwife...


Also, as of a few years ago, I gained conclusive evidence, showing that I am dyslexic (explaining the many different/odd learning problems I have had, especially in my High School years)...anyway, as of late, I have wondered if any of my earlier documents showed that...well, on this writing, I did wrote the following: Joshau & Isiaah....kind of cool if you ask me... LOL 

Going back to the verses, here they are...not all of them, I'd put under the List for Comforting Laboring Moms, but... :D

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.   Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but  thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

~ Joshua 1:5-9 ~

But thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children.

~ Isaiah 49:25 ~

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

~ Psalms 23:1 ~

Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, & holiness, with self-control.

~ I Timothy 2:15 ~

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

~ II Timothy 1:7 ~

Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

~ Matthew 9:29 ~

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

~ Psalms 3:3 ~

Also, on the same but different note, we found some papers Mom wrote after she miscarried Matthew Paul on January 14th, 2004...my daddy's 39th birthday. Though not due until August, Matthew was miscarried during his second month of life. His name means "A little gift of God, dependent on the Lord".


Looking back; though his death was hard at the time, I realize now, that if Matthew had been born alive, we wouldn't have James with us now (born in November, 2004), or have his twin-Lydia Carol in heaven. Through it all though, God has been so good to us, & I wouldn't trade any of my 10 brothers & sisters (those that are in heaven...& on earth LOL), for all the gold in China!!! :D 
How anyone cannot realize the Sanctity of Life, & how special each life is---no matter where they are in the process of growth---is absolutely ludicrous & insensible. May God turn the hearts of the fathers & mothers of our Country back to their hearts & lives of their children!!!

Viola is Here!!

It has been almost a month since the suspenseful last half hour of the OpenHerd auction, where we bought our newest addition to Rockford Bay Ranch: A beautiful, rose grey junior herdsire, who has Champion Genetics-Silver Spoon Viola.

Well, after waiting (for what seemed like forever), Viola arrived yesterday at our ranch, safe & sound!! (and ain't he gorgeous!!!)

Though only 17 months old, Viola is HUGE!!! We're very much looking forward to his first breedings later this year, for what should be, some large, colored (grey??) cria!!!

One more thing....about his name...isn't it cute? Yeah, I thought so too. It is pronounced: (VEE-ohl-uh). As many of you know, my Grampaw used to be a conductor/violinist/master of many (& has been teaching Rachel violin for quite a few years now, with phenomenal success, I might add).

Also, Oma (my gramma) used to play Viola as well, so it ties in both grandparents, & our family!!

Viola is such a God-send...we needed to get colors into our herd, & God provided for us!!!! Praise the Lord!!!

REMINDER: It Isn't Spring Anymore/Yet!!

Well, pride goeth before the fall, I suppose...or as it really goes in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
So, I was emailing a friend the other day (who had a bunch of snow in her mid-western State), joking/boasting about our gorgeous Spring weather here in the Northwestern State of Idaho, and (as I knew would happen) snow came last night!!!

Not that that was a bad thing, but...well, I suppose it was "bound to happen" as they say! LOL
------------------
I just have to share this praise with ya'll....yes, it does have to do with Packing...

Yesterday morning, while trying to decide what to wear to church, I thought, "I really need to find some good layering clothes, & some good woven short-sleeved shirts!!" (It was the perfect day to wear a turtle neck under a short-sleeved woven shirt). Also, for the last many months, I've been trying to find some inexpensive flannel long-sleeve shirts, but to no avail as of yet...

Well, last night, we went to the Schumann's home again, & had a wonderful time fellowshipping with some other families there. Selah just happened to have cleaned out her closet, & had around a half dozen shirts that fit me; of which (Praise the Lord), there were amongst other things, some short-sleeved woven shirts & flannel long-sleeved shirts.

I know that you probably think it's just a trivial thing; but to me, it was another big reminder of how I can trust God to supply all my needs...heretofore and in the future!! There have been some other even bigger 'miracles' (to me) that have happened in the last few weeks, that I look forward to sharing in a future post.

But my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:19 ~

It's February!

I can hardly believe it's February!! Doesn't time fly!!
Here are some interesting facts I found regarding the month of February. Enjoy!!

In addition to being the most misspelled month, February is a misfit of days from Leap Year (every 4th year) to its standard 28 days in a collection of 30. Interestingly, February had 28 days until Julius Caesar gave it 29, and 30 days every four years. According to tradition, Augustus, the Roman emperor, took one day off to add one day to August, the month named after him. We now have February with 28 days, and 29 on leap years.

February's name comes from the Latin word "februum", which translates as "purification". Given the amount of "purifying" rain that typically falls during this winter month in the Northern Hemisphere, the name seems appropriate.

Birthstone: Amethyst
The word Amethyst is believed to be derived from the Greek language meaning "a (not) and methustos (intoxicated)," therefore the stone has been embraced as a symbol for sobriety.

Flower: Primrose

Fun Facts:
- February is is Black History Month in the US & Canada, serving as a remembrance of people & events in African American history.
- February is also National Cherry & Chocolate Month (among countless others), which explains all of those Valentine's Day gifts of chocolate-covered cherries.
- February is well known for Ground Hog's Day on the 2nd, Valentine's Day on the 14th, & President's Day on the 3rd Monday.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:42

(Thanks to 'entourage' wikipedia, & 'celebrations' for the facts!)