Finally!!!!!
A current picture! 2008 has almost ended and I am nowhere near as faithful to this "blogging" thing as I thought I would be. Maybe next year :) (starting in the back...(left to right)...Caleb age 9, Emily age 10 1/2, Lydia age 3, Hannah age 7, Nathan age 4 and Aaron age 2!
Thank you God for these precious gifts!
...About Michael
God has an amazing sense of humor! Who'd have thought that a guy raised an only child (quiet household) would end up as a dad of six! (not-so-quiet household)
I grew up in Harpursville, New York, graduating high school in 1987. I attended Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania, and graduated with a B.S. in Youth Ministry in 1991. I worked on staff at the college for several years after graduating, which afforded me the opportunity to meet and marry Melissa in 1994. We moved 5 times in our first 6 years of marriage, but, thankfully, life has settled significantly since then. We've been in the same church for 1o years, the same house for 9 years and with the same employer for 8 years. I work at Arrowhead Parable Christian Store in Johnson City, New York as manager for our Music, Apparel & Family Entertainment departments. I also work part-time at our church, Park Ave Baptist in Binghamton, working in education and youth ministries.
What Michael enjoys doing in his spare time:
- 10) eating
- 9) swimming
- 8) organizing (certainly an uphill battle)
- 7) family time
- 6) writing letters and essays
- 5) playing games
- 4) listening to music
- 3) reading
- 2) sleeping
- 1) breathing
Things Michael needs to get better at:
- 10) make more memories, fewer lists
- 9) determining to become more others-focused
- 8) reading for enrichment as well as enjoyment
- 7) approaching each day with a dash more carpe diem
- 6) remembering how old and supposedly mature I am
- 5) maintaining essential organization
- 4) keeping in touch with old friends
- 3) being more patient with my wife and kids
- 2) exercising more
- 1) not eating as much
Music is my other passion...
I'm one of those strange but not uncommon individuals who is not musically inclined, but is powerfully affected by music as a listener. I heard a speaker whose dad had advised him- "Figure out what it is that you love- then figure out a way to get paid to do it." I count myself blessed that it's my job to listen to and learn about music, and to help customers find music they connect with. 99% of what I personally listen to and enjoy is CCM- contemporary Christian music. There's just so much that I enjoy that I've never explored much in the mainstream arena, although I tend to gravitate toward smooth jazz/crooner-type stuff when I do. Within Christian music, I gravitate strongly toward the thoughtful, yet not overwhelmingly artsy, acoustic singer/songwriter ranks.
Musical Artists Michael Especially Enjoys:
- Andrew Peterson
- Ayiesha Woods
- Bebo Norman
- Bethany Dillon
- Brandon Heath
- Dave Barnes
- Ginny Owens
- Indelible Grace
- Jill Phillips
- JJ Heller
- John Waller
- Jon Abel
- Mandisa
- Matt Wertz
- Nicole Nordeman
- Red Mountain Church
- Robbie Seay
- Todd Agnew
- Warren Barfield
- Watermark (Nathan & Christy Nockels)
About Me
I am 3 years old. (mama says to add that I am 3 going on 20, whatever that means). My birthday is July 1. My favorite people in the whole world are my cousins Jessie and Hayley, my brother Nathan, and my dad. I love to go to Sunday School and Cubbies. I love Miss. Kim, my teacher for both of those times. I also love our homeschool co-op. There is only one other girl in my class, but that's OK, "cause I am used to being surrounded by boys. I love to play with Polly's and Barbie's and all things girly. I also love to color. I love to choose just the right colors and stay in the lines. I also enjoy organizing shoes, and with 8 people living in my house I certainly get a lot of practice. I still love to talk and sing. I think I get that from mama. Everyone says that I am a bit dramatic. I don't know if I see it, but if they are right I probably get that from Dad and Hannah. Mama says I have to tell you a story that demonstrates my strong will. Mama rewards us with a wooden spoon swat when we are disobedient or disrespectful. I told her that I like it when she spanks me. Even though it hurt a lot and I was crying I still stuck to my decree that "I like it when mama spanks me". Mama also says that I need to say that after I did the same thing to dad, and he rewarded me...I have never said it again.
About Emily
I am the first born. I am 10 years old. Being the oldest of 6 has some added responsibilities as well as some blessings. For example, I have to help hold or keep busy one of the "babies" when Mom is busy, because after all she is not an octopus mommy. But it also means that I get to spend more time with friends and get to go on more outings, so I guess it all balances out in the end.
I am as much like Mom as Caleb is like Dad. That can also be a blessing and a curse. I love to read, especially historical fiction. I wish I lived in the early years of the United States. Everything seemed so exciting then.
I am a bit bossy, as well as very tenderhearted. I always have to have the last word. I also work hard, and mom says I have a good head on my shoulders.
I love Abby, Christiana, and my cousin Cheyenne. I love to do hand crafts and play with my brothers and sisters. I love to listen to music, but I don't really like to sing. I am learning to play piano. I am hoping to learn to play the drums someday soon.
I would love to work in an orphanage someday. I love kids. Mom saw something in the paper about kids my age volunteering at our local children's museum for a few hours a day in the summer. I would like to try that. Mom says we have to wait and see what God has planned.
I have told my friends about Jesus and am trying to live "different" in front of them, but it is hard for me. Sometimes I think everyone forgets how hard it is to be a kid.
About Hannah
I am 7 years old. I don't really act like it though. All of my favorite people to hang out with are older than me, so I tend not to act my age. I am in 3rd grade. It is alot of work, not really hard...just more work than I am used to. I love all things pink, purple, or princess. Don't let that previous fact mislead you, I am also very tough. I can take on any boy. I love wrestlingwith my cousins and brothers. I am one of the fastest runners in my AWANA club, even though I am the youngest. I love to swim and roller skate, even though I broke my arm while roller skating this past fall. I love to read. I still love Junie B Jones best, but I also enjoy the Meghan Rose series. I love to tell my friends about Jesus. Mom says I need to live what I believe as well as talk about it. I am not shy about asking anyone if they know Jesus as their Savior. I love to play with my cousin Chance, and my friend Brittany. I also love to play with my brothers and sisters. I finished my first Truth and Training book in a little over 3 months. I also love to sing! All the time. Mam is always telling me to be quiet. I make up my own tunes, my own words, and sing all versions of well known songs. Mom and Dad got me a microphone that plugs into an MP3 player and can mute the singers voices. I love it. I got to sing in a real choir this year. I loved it and can't wait to sing some more after the holidays.
About Caleb
I am 9years old and mom says that I am just like my father. She means that in every good sense. I tend to be more emotional than physical. I care about people. I love music and drama. I also enjoy watching television and reading. I love to sing and am told that I have a nice voice. I am a good memorizer and have memorized the most verses in AWANA for the last 3 years. I enjoy swimming and playing soccer. I also love comic books, my favorite heroes are Spider Man, Teen Titans, and Justice League. I try my best to be a great helper to mom at home. I love my baby brother Aaron and enjoy taking care of him. My favorite buddies are my cousins Chris and Howie, and my friend Chris. I also love to play video games when Mom lets me. I love to read (comic books), but mom makes me read real books also. I also enjoy writing to various music artists and friends. My friend Chris and I have been creating a magazine for the past year. I love to do the artwork for it. I also have my dad's sense of "punny" humor. For example after hearing that our local elementary school was going to have a girl principal the next year I commented that she would actually be a "princess"ipal. In my free time I enjoy organizing and spending time with dad. I want to share my top 10 music artists with you. 1. PURE nrg 2. Rebecca St. James 3. Chris Tomlin 4. Bethany Dillan 5. Rachael Lampa 6. Jeremy Camp 7. Francessca Battestilli 8. Natalie Grant 9. Casting Crowns and 10. Adie Camp
My top 3 favorite songs to listen to are: 1. Redeemer by Nicole C Mullen 2. Here We Go Again by PURE nrg
3. Song of Love by Rebecca St. James
My favorite book to read right now is The Dopple Ganger Chronicles: The First Escape.
About Nathan
I am Nathan Benjamin Brink. I am 4 years old, born March 3rd. Mama says that I am different, unique, my own person. I think she says that because I have chosen to walk and talk on my own time schedule. It doesn't really bother me if Lydia is reading before me, I'll get to it when I am ready. For now I am content to be everybody's buddy. I especially enjoy making friends with the teen and college guys at our church. I also love to visit with Pastor becasue he gives me chocolate. I think that they may let me greet at church next week. I love to shake hands and say "Hi!". I think the other reason that mom says that I am different is because I have blond hair. In my house everybody has red hair...except me...and dad (actually he's bald). I also love cars, and building things. Bob The Builder is my hero. I love trains and CARS! I love to be on the go, and all things that make that happen. I think I can quote all the lines from CARS and I am currently collecting the CARS vehicles. I have 10 so far. My favorites are McQueen and Mater. I still am struggling to speak clearly, but mama says each day I am improving. I love to come and snuggle mam and dad in the middle of the night. I also love my brothers. I love to wrestle and to be a helper to dad. I love to go to the grocery store with dad, because that means I get to buy mama flowers. That seems to make her very happy.
About Aaron Jacob Brink
I am 2 years old, and am known as Mr. Personality. I love people and all aspects of life. I have unlimited energy, and am always singing. I don't have many words yet, but I can "sing" about 20 recognizable songs. I love my microphone. I also love books and my siblings. I also love to play "wild" with Nathan and to be cuddled with by the girls. I don't like to be alone, especially at night. Mama has started to have the "big" kids take turns sleeping with me, so that she can get a good night's sleep and not be so grumpy.
4 comments:
I think my comment was erased....Glad to hear from you all and catch up (in a sense) We think of you all OFTEN! Christiana has asked been asking frequently to have Emily over but I've not been up to having people in--am decompressing I think. SOON we'll have them get together.
love, sherrie & the rest of the gang
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