My Wife

Amanda likes to be organized.  We are transitioning Nathan over to some food.  In preparation, she got online and ordered all the food and a three tiered organizer for the pantry. All this an she never had  to leave the house.  We love the internet sometimes.

Just like her mom

The question I get whenever we have a new baby is, "Who do you think he/she looks like?"  I don't really like this question.  I always feel like the answer is, "He looks like himself."  Then once in a while we'll come across a picture of Amanda or me or Tricia or Joe or Gregg and say, "That's just what Ben/Caleb/Nathan look like."

Last night we found this picture.

Look like anyone else you know?

I told Lucy this morning that I thought she looked like her mommy.  I told her that someday she'll grow up to be just as pretty as her mommy is.

First Day of School 2012

When mom is also teacher, it complicates things sometimes, especially when mom is recovering from a cesarean section.  It also simplifies certain things as well.  Getting all of the kids ready to start at the neighborhood school I think would have been pretty difficult over the last few weeks.  Today was the first day of school for us though.  Amanda started off slowly with just jumping into math today.  I will begin history on Thursday.  We'll see how things go.  

This year we added Molly, our fourth pupil to the Gammons home school.  She is very excited.  I asked her at lunch how it went and if she like it.  She said she loved it.  She said she has her own math book.

We look forward to another grace-filled year of educating our kids at home.  Amanda is amazing in her patience, strength and skill.  The class is full of great students.  You can see the class roster below.

Ben, almost 10-years-old, grade 5

Caleb, 8-years-old, grade 3

Matthew, almost 7-years-old, grade 1

Molly, 5-years-old, kindergarten

Lucy, 2-years-old

Nathan John, 3-weeks-old, diaper school

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ESV)

The Birth of Nathan John

I'm able to blog from my iPad now so, you should be seeing some more posts coming this week. Here are the stats on our little guy.

Nathan John was born at 9:31AM. He was 8lbs 12 oz and 21 inches long. Amanda was super happy because they allowed him to be with her the whole time during the surgery. When he came out they did the quick eye goop and the vitamin k shot and then he was back at Amanda's head. Usually they have taken the kids to the nursery to do all of this.

Things went pretty well in the hospital. Amanda had some major bleeding immediately after we go into our room, but they were able to get that under control with some medicine. It was a little scary, but we are thankful everyone is all right.

We're home now and glad to be. I'll write more soon about the other kids and their reactions to their new brother. Thanks for all of you that prayed for us in the last few days.

Posted with Blogsy

Amanda

Amanda at age 21 (the picture on my desk since then)

I met Amanda at Taylor more than 15 years ago.  We became friends my senior year.  As I watched her and got to know her more, I knew that she was the type of woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.  I was attracted to her desire to be more like Christ, her mind, her soft strength, and her beauty.  I figured, what have I got to lose.  She'll probably say no, but why not.  At the Grist Mill in Marion, Indiana (now burned down), I asked her if she would date me in order to find out if we might be able to be married.  I can still remember the smell of urine in the bathroom as I prayed for God to stop me if I wasn't supposed to go through with it.

I asked her to marry me six months later on the rocks of Mackinac Island.  She knew I was going to.  She could see the ring box in my pocket.  We were married in my mom's backyard overlooking Lake Huron.

We have walked for almost twelve years together as husband and wife.  Amanda is my best friend and has become such a partner to me that I can truly understand why God said to Adam, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”(Genesis 2:18 ESV)  As we have added children, I have seen in Amanda God's equipping grace and have come to admire her, trust her and depend on her more and more.  As she draws closer to God, God uses her to push me closer to him.  I have never been a part of something that is more sanctifying than my relationship to her.

Today is her birthday.  On the 24th we will celebrate our 12th anniversary.  I praise God for my wife.  I praise God for how he has give me just exactly what he knew I needed in her.  I look forward to as many days, months and years that God wills for us to be together.  I love you, Amanda.  Happy Birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda may not like this.  Some of you know how she is averse to having all the attention on her.  In writing this and going through these photos, I am reminded again who you are and why I love you so much.  Take a deep breath.  "Didn't we have the fun?!"  Can't wait to see what God has for us next.

It's a boy

We went for Amanda's twenty week ultrasound this morning and found out that our little one is a boy.  We are very excited.  Both Amanda and I were a little shocked as we were both expecting a girl.  Our boys are really jazzed and Molly cried.  She really wanted another sister.  That only lasted for a few minutes though. 

We are all so thankful to God for his mercy to us in giving us what appears to be another healthy child. 

This is gonna be scary!

Sometimes Amanda sends me snap shots from moments throughout her days.  I got these today from their adventures in the car wash. 

Lucy wasn't real excited.

When I was home for lunch, Lucy said to me.  "Car got bath . . . SCAWEY!"

A new year

There have been many changes for us in this new year. One of those is that Shirley is all moved in next door. The picture above is proof. One of the benefits of having her close is her ability to help Amanda in the kitchen. Tonight they made America's Test Kitchen's chicken and dumplings. It was delicious. We're looking forward to what the coming year will bring to Providence Farm.

The Waning of Summer

It seems as if summer is begin to give up the ghost.  Amanda has been daily trying to take advantage of the limited amount of free days with the kids.  Sooner than later they will begin school and their days will be packed with math, reading, history and handwriting.  We are still looking forward to the state fair which will officially end our summer.

Today Amanda took the kids up to one of the local state parks to climb the bluffs along the St. Croix River.  It's a great place and the kids love it.  I wish I could have been there.  Amanda sends me photos like this throughout the day to keep me involved.  Happy end of summer everyone.

4 years of Molly Pearl

Yesterday we celebrated Molly's fourth birthday.  It consisted of fun things like our normal breakfast with dad, lunch with cousins at McDonald's, and ended with a slumber party where Amanda joined Molly in her bed.  The last part was by special request.  She loves her mommy.  At about 9:00, I came in and Molly was "braiding" Amanda's hair.  We have treasured every moment of the last four years with Molly.  She is a precious addition to our family.  My prayer for her is that God continues to shape her into the girl and woman he wants her to be and that he draws her to himself and gives her the gift of salvation.  Happy Birthday, Moll Doll.

11 years . . . and counting

One of the things that Amanda and I have done a lot of in the past few months is work along side each other.  You learn a lot about a person when you work shoulder to shoulder.  There is no one else in the world that I would rather have at my right hand.  In her, God has truly given me a fitting help mate.  I am thankful, so very thankful, for the 11 years of marriage that we've shared together.  I'm looking forward to the next 11, Lord willing.  Happy Anniversary, Amanda.

Nagel Generations

Amanda's grandparents joined us for lunch today.  We don't get to see them very often, but it's always great when we do.

Go Gophers!

For Christmas, my mom got the boys and me tickets to the Vikings.  Unfortunately, the Metrodome collapsed and they moved the game to Detroit.  With the refunded money my mom got us tickets to a University of Minnesota men's basketball game versus the University of Michigan.  The game is going on right now.  I'm home with my ankle.  Amanda took the boys and as you can see from the picture below, it looks like they're having a GREAT time.