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The Aardsma Weekly
August 17, 2008
Writer: Rachel Aardsma
My Siblings
Just for fun, I thought I'd spend this week's article filling you in on what is up lately with Matthew, Beka, Timmy, and Caleb. Although I mention them pretty much every week, there isn't room to talk about everything! We'll start at the top.
Matthew (18): Matthew always seems to be busy. Even on alleged 'days off' something always seems to be planned! With two dogs to train, a business to run, a part-time job, and college entrance essays and applications to deal with, you better believe he has a lot on his plate! He handles it well, though, and manages to find a little time to hang out at home, even if it is between ten and eleven p.m.!
His current obsession is dogs. (That shouldn't be news to any long-time readers.) Farley and Buddy actually don't spend a ton of time with their owner, but they love him to death anyhow. With a new Golden Retriever puppy, Matthew's latest joy in life is Retriever training. He's made friends with a few professional retriever trainers, and since he is already involved in a training club, he has lots of instant connections.
Matthew still plans on being a vet, and currently has to spend a lot of time on 'college stuff'. Long, late hours and a united family effort combined got his two entrance essays written last week. I believe the final draft of the second essay has yet to be completed, but it should be done any time. I had a lot of fun editing Matthew's essay. He is a very entertaining and humorous writer! His (very) unique sense of humor and (even more) unique experiences combine to form an original writing style. Maybe someday I will manage to convince him to write something for my Weekly. When he graduates next summer I will see if I can get him to write a graduation article for me. Then you can see for yourself.
Matthew being a sweet son and helping his mother do the dishes after a party. Photo by me.
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Beka (16): Beka continues to surprise and delight me every day. Even though we have been Best Best Best Friends for years, and we've lived very closely together all our lives, there is always some new aspect of her character and personality to surprise me at every turn. She is a truly dynamic person.
Although Beka claims to be 'shy and quiet', she really isn't. She has an energetic personality, and is a wonderful leader. Beka loves nature, and enjoys her half-hour jog early each morning---a time when she can quietly savor the outdoors. She loves dogs and all other animals (except cats and hyenas, I've noticed), and loves helping train Farley and Buddy. She is also resident bottle-feeder of any orphaned animals we acquire each spring, and is present each year for the birth of the lambs.
Beka continues to excel in piano, taking weekly lessons. She plans on attending Bob Jones University in South Carolina, and majoring in music. She is in her junior year this fall, and is already making plans for her college years. We all love to hear her play the piano, and I have to laugh when she complains to me that she isn't going anywhere in her music. I listen to her get better every day!
Beka's current hobbies include reading, a little writing, listening to music, playing chess against the computer, playing with our puppy, and having her hair done (by me). She also loves e-mailing and talking on the phone with her best friend. She is a very accomplished cook, and enjoys trying new dessert recipes whenever she can.
Beka hangin' out on the steps of a caboose (don't worry--it wasn't moving). Photo by me.
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Timothy (11): I really can't believe Timmy is eleven! He has been a little boy for so long I just can't grasp the fact that he is growing up. Every day he takes on a little more responsibility and a harder task. Every day he grows a little stronger and a little bigger. Every day he throws aside childish things a little more. The other day he asked me to stop calling him Timmy. "I'm Tim now, Rachel."
Timmy (excuse me--Tim) is another one full of surprises and unlimited energy. Outgoing, but sensitive, he is a unique mix of Mom and Dad. He is always ready to help others smaller or weaker than himself. Baby animals delight him. Although he claims he doesn't like newborn babies, the tenderness he exhibits towards little children in general leads me to believe that he will make a great daddy some day.
Tim likes to make things. Since he shares Beka's love of animals and the outdoors, his favorite projects are animal-oriented. He has made numerous feeders and houses for the many birds around here. We were all a little shocked when his bluebird house actually attracted a pair of beautiful bluebirds! Tim has also helped Matthew make things for Matthew's pigeons, cows, and other animals.
Tim is actively involved in our farm. He does the tilling for the garden, and also regularly harvests Swiss chard and other vegetables to feed to the animals. Morning and evening chores are his responsibility. He mows grass and chops corn stalks for the two bottomless pits in the backyard: the cows. Caleb, of course, lends a willing hand most of the time.
Tim likes to read, and also loves action-packed computer games. Although his gaming is limited, Mom always encourages him to read. I have enjoyed referring my long-standing favorites to him as he is able to read more and more difficult books. Tim especially likes books about airplanes and aviation. His long-standing dream is to be a pilot. Beka, who again shares his love of the sky, has inspired him with stories of people getting their 'wings' at fourteen, etc. Whenever we discuss going anywhere, Tim is sure to pipe up, "Just wait until I become a pilot. Then I'll fly you wherever you want to go."
Like father...like son. Dad and Tim reading the same edition of a science magazine. Photo by me.
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Caleb (9): Caleb shares Mom's personality in that he is rather intense. But, he balances this out by being outgoing and fun loving. I want to know where he gets all his energy from! I never had that much when I was his age.
Although Caleb finds school an intolerable bore, he loves art and creative crafts. His most recent obsessions include model rockets and chess. With Tim's help, Caleb has just completed his very first model rocket. Blast Off is scheduled for some time in the future...don't ask me when. Last I heard Caleb was moaning about how Dad has suggested waiting until the fields around us were harvested. I guess the rocket needs lots of space.
Caleb enjoys painting, drawing, and crafting. He also picked up quickly on both knitting and crocheting, and last winter he crocheted a scarf for himself. Caleb also likes fooling around with Mom's sewing machine whenever she takes it out for a project.
He also likes music. He enjoys singing and has taken a few piano lessons from Beka. He talks of playing the drums or a trumpet, but I think he is in the dream stage still!
Caleb has recently decided he wants to be an astronaut. (I guess all that working on his rocket inspired a few things!) His last want-to-be was an electrician. Does anybody know if NASA needs an electrically experienced astronaut? Seriously though, I know that Caleb will have the ability to go far in whatever unique field he chooses. He has the ability to really focus on his projects (why can't he use this ability on his school work???), more then I ever had! He doesn't lose his enthusiasm like I do, but stays focused until the project is finished.
Caleb had more fun fishing stray balls out of the water then anything else when we played mini golf. Photo by me.
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The Weekly Bible Verse
2 Corinthians 9:7: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
A Day In My Week
Monday, August 18, 2008: Beka, Mom, and I go on our usual hour-long walk, and then I make myself some tea. I'm not feeling well, as I have a cold, so Beka lets me have a little time to rest up before we head out to weed two rows of strawberries. Thankfully, the weeding doesn't take us long, so we're soon back inside.
I fold laundry, help Mom harvest zucchini and cucumbers, make some zucchini bread, and do other odd jobs. When Mom leaves to do some errands in town I take advantage of her free computer and place an order for some video editing software. Mom returns before I am finished, and helps me out with the credit card.
Beka wants me to make up some oven-fried chicken, so I throw together flour, Parmesan cheese, and every spice in the house to make a coating for the chicken. Soon the chicken joins the zucchini bread in the oven, and I go to my room to write for a while.
After a delicious lunch and a quick clean-up of the kitchens, everybody scatters to do school. I spend my afternoon completing my heavier-than-usual assignment list, and taking frequent breaks to chat with Beka in her room, or play with Farley.
After supper Mom wants to go on another walk so Beka and I set off with her once again. We make it a shorter walk this time, and get back fairly soon. I find a 'Narnia' book, and curl up in my bed and read the whole thing in an hour! Beka and I then spend the rest of our evening playing around together, doing hair, listening to music, reading, and playing with the dogs.
Bits and Pieces
I can't believe it! We actually started school this week. Fall really is getting here...a lot faster than I thought it would.
We started school mostly because we finished digging the potatoes (a major, time-consuming job) on Saturday, which frees up a lot of time for both Beka and me. So we had time to start school. I've enjoyed it...so far, but I'm a little apprehensive, as I am doing two grades of math, plus the extra of a Spanish course. However, I can't complain, because Beka is doing everything I am, and preparing for her SAT test! So we're going to be busy this winter.
A fun sister-in-law day out with Kathryn a few weeks ago. Photo by Mom.
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Our garden continues to wind down. The corn is done for the year, and the tomatoes show signs of finishing early. We have only one or two customers per day, and, although this means that our money-making time is over for the year, it also means we have more time to do other things. Mom is already planning an all-day clothes shopping trip for my birthday. Since we aren't having too many customers she feels okay about being closed for a whole day.
Beka and I no longer have to help Dad at night (hurrah!), but Timmy and Caleb continue to help him. This is good, because Beka and I need all the time we can get to complete our schoolwork each day. We both help Mom in the house and in the garden during the morning, and spend about three to four hours doing school in the afternoon.
A Word About The Weather
We still haven't gotten a drop of rain! Dad is watering the garden pretty much day and night. The grass is all starting to brown, and flowers, etc. that don't get watered are dying. We need rain soon!
A Word Of Wisdom
"Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later." ~Mary Bly
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