The Shepherds' Journey

We just learned this morning that we have lost our little baby. Please pray for our family during this very hard time as our hearts are breaking.

Labels: Family

Each year that passes I realize the incredible blessing and responsibility of Fatherhood on a new level.

As this Father's Day draws to a close, I am grateful and pleased to announce the Lord's blessing us with another child. We learned of the good news about a week ago, and are humbled by this special gift.

May His hand be upon this little one as He knits him (or her!) together in the womb. May He grant Ruthanne a smooth, safe pregnancy, labor and delivery and may our family be blessed through this new life.

Psalm 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Labels: Family

On our way out of town on Monday, Kelley Rose and I visited another old friend--my childhood home.

Growing up, we moved around quite a bit but eventually my parents bought a house and we settled in. I turned nine that year and remember lots of good times like playing in the creek in the rain, building our porch, cutting and splitting trees when we put in a pool, pets like Herbie, Blackie, Red, Polo and Chaps, the 1984 Honda Accord, and who can forget the awesome day we all spent sledding in the snow over and over and over again (?).

There are many fond memories in this place.

The streets seem smaller
Houses... different colors
The cars and people are strange and newer

Laughter and tears are long gone
Our friends have all scattered
The memories are strong and fewer.

(P.S. I'm a poet and didn't know it.)

Labels: Family

A few days ago, our former pastor and friend, Dan Dates, passed away from a long battle with cancer.

Kelley Rose and I drove to Georgia today to attend the celebratory funeral service. We enjoyed seeing how he touched many lives just the same as ours.

The year 2000 was a year that marked reformation for our family. The Lord worked on our hearts in many ways leading up to that time, and now we were beginning to make some adjustments in our lives to take the next steps in our journey as a family.

Part of that transition was the beginning of our attendance at a very small church Dan was leading. When I think of a true biblical Shepherd, I always think of Dan. He had such a compassionate, serving heart. He was a faithful expositor of the Word, able counselor who was not afraid to hold fast to biblical truths and stood for righteousness.

Dan Dates was a quiet man, but his testimony was deafening.

We will miss you, Dan, but if only for a while. May we reunite someday in His Glory.

Labels: Church, Family

Our girls like to have tea parties.

But since the boys don't do frilly, flowery or dainty, they have an annual "Pooh Bear Party". (They're usually fairly spontaneous events.)

Today, it's specifically Eeyore's birthday.


Presents for their donkey friend.



Kelley Rose painted a portrait of the honored guest, along with several tails, and the boys had a fun game of Pin the Tail on the Eeyore.



A game involving many flying and flinging Poohs.



Party favors of sticks of gum, served with a bit of patriotism.



A birthday greeting for the humble pal.



Eeyore and friends awaiting the lighting of the candle on his cookie.


Hmmm. So why all the Pooh Bears, you ask?

Well, a few years back, Jay-El -- whose favorite buddy as a little guy was his Pooh Bear given to him by Kyle -- decided to collect more of the same kind of Pooh Bears so he could give them to his own small children one day.

Every time we go to the thrift store we check the shelves for more of these kind of Pooh Bears (the long ones with the name on the t-shirt). We send them through the washer and dryer, then add them to the collection.

That's why all the Pooh Bears.

: )

After the party all the Poohs went back into their storage box in the basement.



Julian, looking glum in honor of Eeyore. (Eeyore is Julian's old favorite.)



A Candle for Eeyore



The party ends with a video activity -- "A Day for Eeyore", of course.

Next time they'll have to figure out a creative way to play Poohsticks.

: )

Labels: Family

We celebrated Joshua's Birthday this evening with much out-of-this-world fanfare.


Kelley Rose made several single layer cakes to represent the Earth, Mars, Sun, and Moon.


Here is a shiny, spacey, foil streamer-curtain that was fun to walk through.


Perfect gum for the occasion


Close-up of the Moon cake


Candy bars from the cosmos


We used a black table cloth with Star confetti for a space scape.


Joshua likes working outside and "getting all sweaty". Here are some new tools for him to help me. (A toy chainsaw -- something he'd wished for but didn't know actually existed! He was tickled to receive it.)


To top it off, he can now enjoy playing with his rockets and space stuff.


Ruthanne and Kit


Everyone having some cake -- "I'll take some Mars and Earth!"

Labels: Birthday, Family, Joshua

I took several of the boys to the hardware store to pick up parts for a project we're working on. They love going with me and seeing all the neat, manly tools.


In front of all the nuts and bolts



Handling a very large wrench!

Labels: Family, Joshua, Julian, Kaleb

We were invited to the Grand Opening of the J & J Coin Dealer owned and operated by our very own Jay-El and Julian.



Welcome!


Jay-El hands out tickets for the drawing


Showing us the collections


Looking up some answers from the gathered crowd


Exhibiting State Quarters


Displaying special coins


1 + 1 = 2! Here we have 2 sequential dollar bills along with a $2 bill.


Enjoying some post event snacks provided by Kelley Rose

We all had a great time!

Labels: Coins, Family, Jay-El, Julian

After watching yet another episode of "Roy Rogers", the children make a horse and cart for fun.


How did Julian end up being the rider?

Labels: Family

One of the crafts that were made for me last week when I returned home, was a Piñata that Julian made. The only problem was that he needed some candy to put inside. Kyle and I picked some up while we were at the store last night, so now we were ready to try it out.

This wasn't the "beat-with-a-stick" piñata, but one that has a trap door. So, I pulled the string, the door opened, but nothing came out! So I had to help it a little, and candy and confetti came raining down on the living room floor. What fun!


Julian and his Piñata


Shaking the contents onto the floor


Everyone scrambled to fill their bags

P.S. For some reason, I always hear Hank Hill pronounce "Pin-yAH-tah" when I see the word.

Labels: Family, Julian

I took a business trip down to Florida and decided to run down to the West Palm Beach area to visit my grandfather, Shep and his wife.

When I got in town I rushed to the local CVS to get some special pictures printed of each of the family members with their names on the pictures. I thought this would be a great way for them to view some pictures of us without having to remember all the names.

Once I had the mini-photo album ready, I headed down to West Palm Beach. After driving through some heavy rain and traffic, I found their place and was able to have a nice dinner with them.

Hopefully, I will be able to do this again if/when I go back to Florida.


Helen and Shep

Labels: Family, Helen, Shep

We had a special time at my parents this weekend. We were able to make the trip and get together with all the brothers and my Dad's father, "Shep". The whole family really looked forward to the trip and had a great time once we were there. We haven't seen many family members in a long time, and it was good to get together and feast and get some good pictures.


Mom always has the home decorated. It's very warm and inviting.


The dessert table is always a hit


Lined up for dinner


Children listening to Uncle Ren's jokes


Mom and Dad with all the Shepherd Boys
Dad, Stan, Shep, Mom, Me, Ren, Scott


Mom and Dad with (almost) all of the Grandchildren


4 Generations of Shepherds


Uncle Ren with all the nieces and nephews


Scott got a Wii on eBay. Here is his Wii picture. How close is that?!


Ren and Julian love to tell jokes.


We really enjoyed getting to spend some time with Shep and Helen. We don't get to do that very often.

Labels: Family

This year we took our time and enjoyed our quiet day together as a family.


All the children ready for Christmas 2007


Time for the stockings


Everyone spread out opening their stockings


We allowed Windy to come inside for a brief moment. She gave me a new Alabama hat (Roll Tide!) She is always (well, mostly) good to her Master.


Watching Jalena open a gift


Joshua and some new boots!


Jay-El receives a football. He's enjoyed learning a lot about the game of football this season. Too bad he likes Auburn.

Labels: Christmas, Family

We went and drove around our little country "neighborhood" delivering some gifts and meeting many of our neighbors for the first time. Everyone enjoyed taking turns with Ruthanne to go deliver the goodies and meet people.


Here are the little gift bags


And also some mugs

Labels: Family

A tradition that Ruthanne created several years ago is called, "The Mommy Store". This is where the younger children can earn "Mommy Dollars" for helping around house. They then can spend these dollars at the Mommy Store for gifts for their siblings. It's always a lot of fun for them and they really get into it. This year, Kelley Rose "graduated" from the store and became the first official Helper.


Welcome to the Mommy Store


The shelves are stocked and ready for the customers


Our hosts has prepared a nice snack for the guests


Kaleb is ready with his Mommy Dollars


Joshua knows the perfect gift


Julian ponders the selection


Katie muches on some snacks


Jay-El counts the cost

This years store was a big success! Next year, Jay-El will graduate and become the next helper.

Labels: Family, Mommy Store

Usually once during the Christmas season, we head up to the mall, brave the traffic and walk around checking out the lights and sounds. This year we headed there to get some special ornaments engraved, do a little shopping, and ride the Merry-Go-Round.


Joshua on the Merry-Go-Round


Kaleb on his first trip on the Merry-Go-Round


Having a snack at the Food Court

Labels: Family

Ruthanne's brother and his wife send us Figi's cheese and meats just about every year at this time. We all love it and usually dig right in!


(Don't mind the big knife there, I'm sure I moved it!)

Labels: Family

The cousins arrived this evening and it's always a fun reunion for the children.



Everyone watching a World War II DVD waiting for them to arrive (We talked about December 7, 1941 at the dinner table)


Kit getting a last minute haircut


They're here!

Labels: Family, Kit, Mercier

The day after Thanksgiving is always a big Shepherd family day tradition. This is the day that we go out and find ourselves a family Christmas Tree and spend the day together.


During the holidays, we enjoy the Shepherd Famous Chees and Crackers with Summer Sausage, Red Pepper Jelly, Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, and Ritz Crackers.



Picking out our tree. We intended to go to a tree farm and cut our own, but time was short and we headed into suburbia instead. Next year we need to just go to a farm and cut one down.

Labels: Family

One of the reasons we have been behind on our posts the last few weeks is because of the miscarriage of our little baby that we have come to love in the short time God has given to us. I have back-dated the post, as with the others, for historical context.

This is a letter I sent out just after we learned the news. In the weeks since, we have come to know the Lord's faithfulness and comfort first hand.

Dear Friends and Family,

Many of you have known and rejoiced with us in the blessing of a new little one for our family. It is always sobering, yet joyous, to learn that Almighty God has chosen to charge Ruthanne and I with the tremendous responsibility to raise, mentor, cherish, and unconditionally love a new child.

In Exodus 2 we learn about the incredible act of Moses' mother who committed her child to the care and sovereignty of God. This past week we have learned that God, for his purposes, and for our good, has chosen to call our little one into eternity. We have had to commit our little one to the care and sovereignty of the Lord.

We are not alone in our grief, but have a new understanding of what many of you have experienced and what perhaps some of you may be required to endure in the future.

This past Sunday (10/21) we had the privilege to bring Praise and Worship to the Lord as a family with our Church family. Here are a few scripture passages I would like to share from that time:

Praise the Lord
Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Our Redeemer
Psalm 130
But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

Our lives are about sacrifice
Romans 12:1-2
Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God...

The Lord is our Guardian
Psalm 121
The Lord is your Keeper.

He is our Comforter
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort...

Job 1:21
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Jesus is our Hope
John 8:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

His mercy endures!
Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD!
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

Thank you all for the care you have shown our family over the years and especially during this time. God is truly faithful and "He is good".

One last verse that was an encouragement to me from a friend is John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Jay, Ruthanne and family

Labels: Family

On of the Shepherd Favorite breakfasts is Fried Eggs, Bacon and Toast. Today I'm taking Joshua for an ear checkup and so I arose and fixed a family favorite.


Homemade Toasted Bread, Farm Fresh Fried Eggs, Not so homemade or farm fresh bacon


There are lots of different ways to eat it.

Labels: Family, Joshua

We caught some of the children working on a few different crafts today.


Julian and Joshua learnign and creating Hieroglyphic messages


Kelley Rose and Katie creating personalized T-Shirts

Labels: Family, Homeschooling, Joshua, Julian, Katie, Kelley Rose

Today we received our prize for one of the phases of the Jamestown 400 Treasure Hunt that we participated in earlier this year.


Here is the nice coin that we received. Wait! What is that enscribed on the coin? Is it a code?


Wait! I thought we were through with all of this!


Why are we going back to our big hint books??


More internet research


Kyle and Jay-El back on the hunt

I'm not sure I can do this again!

Labels: Family

After a night of camping outside, we attended the local annual Fire Prevention Parade.


The sun is out and we are ready for the action












Kaleb sits in the rescue helicopter

Labels: Family

Hop aboard the Kyle Train!


The young children love to play with Kyle and he is usually agreeable to give them a good time.

Labels: Family

The Merciers (aka "Cousins") came for a visit this weekend to get together before school starts and celebrate Josiah's Birthday.


Jay-El and Josiah playing a game at the kitchen table


Hannah reads to Kaleb and Joshua


Celebrating Josiah's party, Ruth Ann delivers the Dirt Cake


Happy Birthday, Josiah!

Labels: Family, Hannah, Josiah, Mercier, Ruth Ann

Joshua and Julian helped me make more granola tonight.

Labels: Family

On our way to Virginia, Kyle and I stopped off at my parents and spent the night.



Mom and Dad have been doing a lot of work on their back patio.


My brother, Scott, lives a couple of doors down, and he gave us the grand tour of his garden. (Hey my corn is bigger than his corn! Woo!!)


Another view of the garden (and short corn)

Have I mentioned that I have grown something bigger than what my brother has grown?

P.S.
To give you a little background here: Growing up, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with growing anything. Scott was born with the gift of love of horticulture, and I was adverse to anything green. Here we are 30 years later and now I'm trying to return to my agrarian roots!

Labels: Family, Gardening, Scott

Jay-El invented a holiday earlier this year and we finally got to celebrate it today! His holiday is called "Blue Moon Day", which is a special day when we get to do those types of things that we would only do "once in a blue moon". (We are using the Blue Moon definition, "a blue moon is the second of two full moons to occur in the same calendar month".)

Some of the activities included:
Ice Cream for Breakfast
Face Painting
Water Balloon Fight
Played Pac-Man and Frogger

We were supposed to eat pomegranates (Kelley Rose's favorite fruit), but couldn't find them in time.
Riding the merry-go-round at the mall was also something we aspired to do but just couldn't fit it in.

We didn't quite get to do all of the things we wanted since we were preparing for our Jamestown trip, but much fun was had. Hopefully we'll be better prepared in 2.7 years for the next Blue Moon.


One of the highlights of our day was to have ice cream for breakfast!


Here are some happy breakfast eaters, Julian, Jay-El, and Katie


Some face paints

Labels: Family

Since October, we have been participating in the Jamestown 400: Our National Treasure Hunt. It's been loads of fun and we have learned a lot along the way. Tonight is the Finale as people from all over the country will compete to be among the first 100 finished to qualify for the 3rd phase of the hunt--the search for 400 gold coins buried somewhere in Virginia.

The stakes have been raised and the clues have gotten very difficult. Even if we don't make the 100, it will be a great thing tonight if we can at least beat the deadline!

Update: They had to extend the deadline past midnight to 2am due to some technical problems. I plugged in the final answer at 1:59AM! We were so excited and way too loud for all the sleeping ones in the house. But we think we beat the deadline, and that was a huge victory. Who knows? Maybe we will be one of the first 100?

Labels: Family, Homeschooling

I decided to surprise the children after church today and we headed out to the local park. Yesterday was a hard day of working outside, and it was a nice time to rest with the family.




We decided to coax Windy into the van to go with us



On the swings


Relaxing in Right Field


Running around the baseball field


Joshua had so much fun


Jay-El really enjoyed going to the park. (Yes, we need haircuts)


Julian getting ready to throw the football

Labels: Family

Here are my sweet little girls. I sure wish they'd stop growing!

Labels: Family, Jalena, Katie, Kelley Rose

Today we celebrated my parents' 40th anniversary. We had a nice time this weekend giving various gifts and spending time with them. It was an honor to have them in our home for the momentous occasion. We have been busy all week in preparation for their visit, and all the children enjoyed our time together.


Katie made a BIG sign and put it on the window so that they could see it when they arrived.


Here is a small pillow that Kelley Rose made for them


And another one


The children performed a few handbell hymns. They really enjoy it when we do this.


They handed out special drawings and crafts made during the week.


Mom and Dad, 40 years ago


Mom and Kit


Mom and Dad with all the children. What a great legacy!

Labels: Family

Today was a beautiful day outside and so several of the children and I headed off to have a picnic lunch. Kelley Rose prepared all the food and put it in baskets. We loaded up in the "new" pickup-truck and headed off to a nice spot on the property. We spread out an old sleeping bag in the back of the truck and had our picnic.


Loaded up and ready to go


Arrived at our spot


Windy came along and enjoyed time with the family


Spreading out the food

Labels: Family

Father and Son


Leaving the hospital


Arriving home


Katie working on cutting some fabric for a "crazy quilt"


She enjoys cutting!


Julian drawing some maps


Ruthanne, Jalena, and Kit


Ok, who put the hat on the cat?


Glory checking out the new competi... er arrival

Labels: Family, Kit

I returned from my trip this evening right as severe weather was coming through the Birmingham area. The plane ride was quite rocky as we were landing. After driving through the heavy rain, it was nice to finally be back home.

Upon my arrival, I saw lots of signs and posters that the children made and attached to the outside of the house and front door.

When I got inside, there was a nice cake for me that Kelley Rose made and artwork from various children.


Super Dad Cake with a Snickers bar on it. Mmm.

Labels: Family