The Freemans

Peter's Haircut

2007-07-26T16:06:00.000-05:00

Peter had his first haircut last week. All of those long brown curls are gone! (Well they are in his scrapbook, which I think is really kinda gross) His hair is so light. It even looks blonde from a distance!

daddy & me!

2007-07-24T20:40:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since we last posted, so (thanks to reminders from my mom), here are some new pictures! Peter is a busy little guy these days. I am convinced that he will not crawl in the traditional way. He has this fast army-belly crawl thing down & is able to get where ever he wants (and where we don't want him to be) with it. He is pulling up, sitting up on his own and getting in to everything! He really wishes he could walk. I think he will skip walking and go straight to running though! When we help him walk his little feet move so fast!

Luke is busy with camp right now. Every other week he leads a 3 day backpacking trip for some of the leadership training kids (poor guy, gets paid to go backpacking!). He really enjoys working with these kids. Summer has gone by so fast. Only a week & a half left! We are looking forward to our first family vacation this August. We have always spent vacation time coming back home. We are going to Twin Lakes, CO where we have rented a house with some friends. I have to admit I am a little anxious about the drive though. 12 hours in the car with 3 kids under the age of 2 shoud be interesting.

We have really enjoyed this summer. It has been much more laid back than past summers. I have been working a few days a week for some friends of ours who own a photography studio. (You should check out their website www.picturemestudio.net They have taken some great pictures of Peter. To look at the proofs use the password freeman) Luke's mom, who is a teacher has been keeping Peter while I have been working. He loves all of the love & attention he get from his family.

6 months later

2007-06-09T22:34:00.000-05:00

We can't believe how much Peter has changed in the last 6 months! The first picture is him @ 3 days old & the next is @6 months!

Uncle Eric's Graduation

2007-05-24T20:16:00.000-05:00

Uncle Eric graduated from college and we celebrated by eating dinner at the Olive Garden! Peter got to meet my cousin Charlie & see his great-grandma again.

Peter's Baby Dedication

2007-05-24T19:59:00.000-05:00

These are outside our church after the baby dedication on Mother's Day. Our desire for Peter is that he would be a man rooted in God's love & grace- that he would really grasp God's love & grace & be able to share those with others.

Ephesians 3:16-19
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Finally an Update! (and an internet connection that works)

2007-05-06T10:54:00.000-05:00

Peter is such a happy baby- a true joy to everyone he meets. He loves being outside, watching his dogs and big kids, & being tickled! It is so hard to believe that at the end of the month he will be 6 months old! Half a year! He is starting to sit up on his own & is trying very hard to get into crawling position. For now he scoots pretty well in an army crawl. Now that our internet is working we hope to put pictures up more often!

Peter's first Easter egg hunt! He had a little help from Dad!

Peter has started eating real food! rice cereal, bananas, sweet potatoes, squash, and applesauce! Bananas are his favorite- he gets upset when they are all gone. At Peter's 4 month visit he was 25 1/2 inches long & weighted 15 pounds!

2007-02-28T12:03:00.000-05:00

Due to popular demand here are more pictures of the cutest little guy ever! He really is a very happy boy!

Ice Storm Survivors!

2007-01-17T19:28:00.000-05:00

We made it through the ice storm. After a couple days of keeping the wood burning stove stoked we now have electricity. Things are getting back to normal around here, and New Life Ranch is on track to have thing cleaned up pretty quickly. Check out our NLR missionary support page (www.freemansupportinfo.blogspot.com) for more ministry news and ice pictures.

More Info - New Site

2007-01-12T10:44:00.000-05:00

One stretching part of making this move to New Life Ranch is that we will be developing a team to support us with prayer and finances. This is new to us, and is both exciting and a little scary. We are excited to build a prayer team that will remember to regularly lift us up and ask for God's protection and blessing, and excited to see how God will provide for us on this journey. God has blessed us in the past with jobs that have met and exceeded our financial needs, but we really felt the call to take this step of faith and come to a place where we raise part of our salary.

If you are interested in learning more about joining our prayer or financial support team, or just want to know what is going on in the missionary area of our lives, you can check out a new site we've created to keep our support teams updated. There's a link to the site on this page, or you can go to www.freemansupportinfo.blogspot.com to get the scoop. This site will regularly be updated with information about the ministries of New Life Ranch, especially the work that I am doing with Outdoor Ministries.

We're Here!!!

2007-01-12T10:19:00.000-05:00

Well, its been a little over a month without a post, and I think we've got a few decent excuses. Making the move to New Life Ranch has been great, but with a new baby it has been quite the adventure. We're hoping to get back in the groove of continuing updates on Peter's first year and our new home. Here are some highlights from the past month in picture:

1. Peter Spent A LOT of time in his car seat. About 800 miles.

2. Peter met grandparents and great-grandparents for the first time.

3. We got to catch up with a lot of good friends. And we got to eat at our favorite place (La Huerta).

4. The "Bad Holiday Sweater" party was great. Peter even got a vote for worst sweater.

I also want to take some space to thank those of you who have been praying for us as we have transitioned so much in the past month and a half. Since the end of November we have welcomed Peter into our lives, moved 800 miles, and I have started a new position at New Life Ranch. All the changes and random schedules have been tiring, but we are finally getting into the groove here at The Ranch and know that your prayers have made a difference during this exciting time. We want to be sure to send a special thanks to Marla's dad and brother (Bob and Eric) and also to Ben and Beth West, all of who helped us with the big move from Ohio to Oklahoma. You all were such amazing helpers, and we don't think we could have done it without you.

Growing Strong

2006-12-10T22:21:00.000-05:00

Peter is busy growing and discovering his new world. Things are going well as we're settling down into a routine and getting to know our little guy. Thanks to all who have sent notes, gifts, and made comments about how cute he is (but can you really help it?). We are excited that he is here, and looking forward to getting through our move coming up in a couple weeks. A big thanks to the Smiths and Taylors for coming up to Ohio and helping us out during these last few weeks. We really appreciate your help, and are glad you got to spend time with Peter!

Laundry

2006-12-04T20:46:00.000-05:00

This one was too good to keep to ourselves.

More Pictures

2006-12-03T17:39:00.000-05:00

Day 4: Home and Healthy

2006-12-03T17:20:00.000-05:00

If you've been checking this site for news about Peter's arrival you know the basics and have seen some great pictures. Today, though, since we're home, and things are slowing down I thought I'd spend some time to let everyone know Peter is home and healthy. We're getting in a routine, and are mostly just overwhelmed by this new blessing in our lives. Peter is perfect, and we are so thankful for him and his safe arrival. We've been enjoying seeing him grow, enjoying his peaceful personality, and sharing him with all the visitors he's had. If you are in the area you are welcome to give us a call and stop by and see him yourself. The pictures are so cute, but he is even more amazing in person! Thanks to all of you who have supported us with your calls, cards, and prayers during this pregnancy. We will continue to update you with news and, most importantly, pictures.

He's Changing so Fast

2006-12-02T18:48:00.000-05:00

Peter with Grandma and Grandpa on his first day home.

One day old and already changing so much!

Peter is here!

2006-11-30T10:37:00.000-05:00

Peter Luke Freeman was born on Thursday, November 30th at 3:57am. He was 7lbs 11.5oz and 21" long. Peter rocks our socks off! Check out the pictures and check back for updates.

Marla & Peter on "the Due Date"

2006-11-28T21:01:00.000-05:00

Well, we all know that the due date didn't happen! The doctor scheduled an induction for Thursday (Nov. 30) morning @ 8, if he doesn't come by then! We will have pictures of the little guy soon! We can't wait to meet him!

2 weeks out - finally a middle name

2006-11-11T18:34:00.000-05:00

Ok, so we had it narrowed down to "Peter Bo-Casey Freeman" or "Peter Luke Freeman" and finally decided this morning to go with the latter. Gentlemen, you may start your monogramming.

Also, Ben and Beth are going to fly up the week before we move to help us. Thanks guys, you rock.

A Big Move

2006-10-19T09:08:00.000-05:00

Some of you know that I have been talking to New Life Ranch, a camp and retreat center in Oklahoma about a position they have open. Last Wednesday I officially accepted an offer to take a missionary employment position there as the Outdoor Ministries Assistant. Marla and I are excited about this opportunity, but also sad as we spend our last days here at Camp Wesley. I have resigned as Director here at Camp Wesley effective at the end of the year, and will start at New Life Ranch in January. My responsibilities will include managing the ropes course and challenge activities, and assisting with outdoor education groups, as well as helping with many other camp programs. We ask that you would keep us in your prayers during this time of transition, and as we wrap up our ministry here in Ohio, and prepare for new ministry in Oklahoma.

2006-10-07T09:48:00.000-05:00

Can you guess which day Peter will be born? Keep in mind the due date is Nov. 24th, the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday)!

Marla's prediction- Nov. 18th
Luke- Nov. 28th
Grandma Debbie(Marla's mom)- Nov. 19th
GiGi (Great Granny)- Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23

Peter at 18 weeks!

2006-09-25T20:20:00.000-05:00

First Post - Peter is on the way

2006-09-25T20:12:00.000-05:00

Peter is on the way, and we've started this site to keep everyone up to date on all the news with the fam. We'll try to update regularly so keep checking back.