Adventures in Dissection

April 3rd, 2010 by mariahbuck

Brandon had his first dissection in Biology several weeks ago.  (it took me a while to post about it) It is so funny to think back at his past feelings about dissections vs his feelings now.  If you asked him last year, or even at the beginning of this year how he felt about the fact he would be doing it, he would have told you that it was gross and that he didn’t want to do it. But the weeks leading up to his first dissection, he was counting down the days!

D-day finally arrived (dissection day.) I can just see Brandon shaking his head at this corny joke. haha. Sorry Brandon. Anyway, I was able to snap some pictures. He was a little embarrassed that I came into his class to take pics, but I told him he didn’t have a choice. I tried to snap a few shots and leave, as not to embarrass him too bad. Later that day, after the dissection was over he asked my why I didn’t stay and take pics of the whole thing. I guess I missed “the best part.” Can’t win

After the dissection was over a couple of kids got to make a clay model of what they learned. Here is Brandon and Artie’s model.  As a side note - Brandon is doing so, so good in biology! He is the youngest in his class and it is a class geared at 9th grade and above. He really seems to like it, especially now that they have started to do the dissections. In class they often have verbal quizzes and review tests. Brandon has been nicknamed “textbook” because he seems to always know the answer.A nickname that he is proud to have.

After dissections, Brandon called me over to snap a couple of pictures of his clay model. After taking the picture, he accidentally knocked my camera out of my hands and it broke! Yes - it broke! Sigh. Luckily I was able to get it repaired and now I will be able to take many more embarrassing pictures of Brandon in class. Life is good!

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Yay! Photo additions!

January 2nd, 2010 by mariahbuck

We have finally figured out the program to add pics back to the blog. Here are a bunch to catch things up..

Brandon and Tyler: July - December

Jeremiah: July - December

July (still bruised and blue from birth) 

August

September

October

November

December

Posted in Brandon, Growing up, Jeremiah, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler, homeschool || 1 Comment

Sunny Day

April 5th, 2009 by Mariah

Well, it snowed yesterday… Yah, I know. It’s April. But we live in Idaho. Apparently the state of Idaho doesn’t understand that it SHOULD be warming up by now!! That’s ok. Today was a warm 62 degrees and sunny. It really didn’t feel all that bad. I guess maybe we are getting used to the cold? Who knows, but it sure was nice for the boys to be able to go outside to play without freezing!

Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler || No Comments

When Dogs Attack!!

April 4th, 2009 by Mariah

It looks like Tiger is attacking Brandon in these pictures. I thought that was so funny since Brandon really was the one chasing after him and playing with him. Anyway, our Tiger is getting old and can’t play as much as he used to; but here is Brandon attempting to squeeze a bit of playtime out with him. Our poor old man/dog.

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Winter Retreat

January 20th, 2009 by Mariah

I just got back from my youth group winter retreat in Cascade Idaho. It was so much fun that I wish it lasted longer. On the way there we had a freeze off, which is basically where we rolled down all the windows in the car (at 9 degrease Fahrenheit) for like two minutes. Once we got to the cabin, the snow was so deep it was up to your knees!

Inside the cabin there was a siting room and to your left a dinning room and a kitchen to your right. There was also another room to your right which was where the boys slept. They said we were like sardines. Our sleeping bags were going from wall to wall and there were ten boys sleeping in that room(but me and another kid where on different couches) And by the sitting area there were stairs. Up the stairs was where the girls slept. It was a lot of fun. We stayed up until one thirty and got up at like seven something.

That night we had an introduction to the study we were going to do. It was about faith and how faith affects you.The gospel means good news so the bible is Gods good news. Faith affects our actions after receiving the good news. Now that is only the short version of the long story but that study really spoke to me. It is one of my favorite parts about the trip.

The next day we woke up and wanted to get out and go play in the snow. Finally we were able to, and all of us went to this sledding mountain. It was the biggest sledding mountain I had ever seen! It was so much fun. By the second time going up it you were worn out it, was that big! We were there for about 4 hours then after, we ate (which was at like two) some of us went back to the cabin (I was among those who went back.)

Afterward we all hung out and played in the snow again much later (after the rest of the group had time to warm up again) and then came inside and had dinner and played card and board games. Later, at midnight, it was lights out and the next morning we woke up, packed, had breakfast and cleaned the cabin. Then we hit the road!

We got back at about three thirty and I was pooped! But I had so much fun! I think that the entire youth group grew closer. I had so much fun i can’t wait till we do it again!

Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, Thought by Brandon || 2 Comments

Catching Up

January 3rd, 2009 by Mariah

Well, I haven’t been all that great on updating what is going on with us. Things have been so hectic around here. But hectic in a good way!! Where do I start??

We found out in late October that we are expecing a baby!  Yah Who! This news was not a surprise, as having babies has pretty much been all that I can think of since loosing Riley. I have had many moments of sadness thinking of the pregnancy milestones that I will be missing and have missed with Riley. But God is so good. He has blessed us with another baby and the joy that He has brought to us with this news, helps to make the sad times more few and far between. I have been reluctant to post about this pregnancy because of loosing Riley. Not that we didn’t call and tell the world - but I didn’t want to endure blog posts like last time. So we have waited, and waited. It seems like forever. But now here I go.. Commiting it to black and white. YES we are having a baby. We are due July 23, 2009

Here in Idaho we have been getting a TON of snow. I have no idea how many inches, but It was a lot! The boys loved every second of it. They had snowball fights with Daddy and took turns on the sled. I can not say that I am a fan of the cold here in Idaho.. And I am not sure I ever will be (Hey, I’m a California girl!) But my kids sure do have some great times out in that snow. I like to look at it, but not so much be out in it.

This year, I had the privilege of making Christmas sugar cookies with the boys. I fondly remember making them with my grandma when I was little; but I have always been too intimidated to do them on my own with my kids. This year I got brave. It was so much fun!  I made the cookies and the frosting from scratch. Brandon helped me to cut out the shapes and bake the cookies, and both he and Tyler happily helped decorate the cookies. It was a lot of fun. But cleaning up sprinkles for 5 days afterward wasn’t all that fun. Funny, I don’t remember that from when I was a kid!

Christmas came so quickly this year! We all got an amazing gift this year. Mom/Nana came to Idaho PERMANENTLY to live. We have so enjoyed having her here. I am not sure who is more excited - the grown ups or the kids. There is one thing that is for sure.. She is loved! Her “little green house” (as she likes to call it) is really nice!  She made all the choices for flooring, cabinets, carpet and tile. And the place looks amazing!  It’s warm too

Then there was Christmas. This year Shaun and I made a commitment to scale it down when it came to presents, for each other and for the boys. Funny thing - we didn’t miss the way we have done it in the past. None of us could think of a single thing we wanted and wished we got. Our morning was low key, and we were able to focus on the real reason for Christmas. The celebration of our Savior’s birth. We had the Hussey family and Mom over for a big turkey dinner. It was a great day!  I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Well, for now you are caught up.. We are still here and I will try to be better about posting what’s up with the Bucks.. Peace out!

Posted in Brandon, Christmas, Life in Idaho, Mom, Pregnancy, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler, baking, snow || 2 Comments

Giving Thanks

November 28th, 2008 by Mariah

As I sit here this Thanksgiving morning, I am humbled at all I have to be thankful for. It has really been a tough year. But through God’s grace and mercy I believe that each member of our family has grown in our faith and that we have grown closer as a family.

As I look back to January’s posts on this blog. We were overjoyed to know that we were expecting a baby. I was consumed with all the details. Should I give birth in a hospital or birth center? How will Tyler do with another sibling? Brandon? What will my baby look like? I imagined everyday what it would be like to hold my baby, snuggle him or her.. And we had Tyler’s birthday. My “baby” turned two. He was just starting to talk to the point you could understand. I was loving being a mom. Brandon and Tyler were getting along well. Shaun and I were happy. All the world was right.

As if it couldn’t get any better, in February, the Hussey family moved to Idaho. I don’t know who was more excited, the kids or the adults. The Husseys were at our house or we were at their house at least once a week. Most of the time, it was 2 or 3 times per week. The cousins were together, and the “Bucksseys” were born.

Then in March we lost baby Riley. God chose to take our baby to be with Him. What devastation! I could never have imagined a hurt like that!  But, in hindsight, I could have never imagined the grace that would be so evident. The Hussey’s had been here for 1 month. Before that, we had no one. No family. Nothing. We had a friend or two, but when a tragedy happens to you, you want your family. God supplied family for us just when we would need it the most!  There was also grace knowing our Lord and Savior through all of this. I don’t know how anyone could survive something like this without Christ. While it still hurts, I am so thankful that our baby’s days were clearly “written in His book.” God, in his sovereignty, had a plan for our precious baby. His plan was for our baby to be conceived and for me to have the pleasure of carrying him or her for only a short time. God’s plan had always been for Riley to go from my womb straight to Heaven. Never having to endure the trials, pain and hardships of this world. I am thankful for that.

I am also thankful for healing. This year I had a D&C, I broke my foot and I broke my thumb. I am thankful that God designed our bodies the way that He did. I am so thankful for healing!

I am also thankful for the right to home school Brandon here in Idaho. Brandon has been a blessing this past year. (he is every year, but especially this past year!) I am sad that we didn’t get to talk to him today. We called but couldn’t reach him. :(  I hope that he knows how much he is loved. We miss him and can’t wait for him to come home! I am thankful that Brandon knows the Lord and that he was baptized last month. I am thankful that he loves his dad and that they have a great relationship. I am thankful that he got to spend Thanksgiving with his mom, brothers and step dad. I pray a fun and great time for memories!

I am thankful for my relationship with my husband. He and I have always been close, but I believe that through the trials this year; we have become even closer. He is my best friend in the whole world. There is not another whom I love more. I am thankful for how hard he works for our family. I am thankful for the fun we have together. I am thankful that we are content to watch tv together at home or to go to the movies.. Whatever. We just have fun. I am thankful for the man that God is creating in my husband. And I am thankful for his sillieness. he makes me smile and I love that.

I am thankful for Tyler. He is a wild and crazy boy who challenges my patience every day, but makes me laugh and smile 2x more. Tyler is all grown up - if you ask him. He can go potty by himself (for the most part) and I am thankful for that!  He loves his mommy, daddy and big brother so much. I am thankful that we have started preschool and Tyler loves it.  He is a smart boy who craves knowledge. I pray that that never ends. I pray that my boy grows to know our Savior. I am thankful for our family.

I am also thankful for our newest baby. I am due somewhere around July 19th. I am loving carrying this baby. Although I can not really feel any of the positive aspects of pregnancy yet, I am simply thankful for the privledg to be expecting another gift from God. I love this baby so much. I can not wait to meet him or her. I pray that God’s plan includes us meeting our baby and that he or she will grow up to know Him.

I am so thankful this year. I am thankful for my God. Without Him, there would be nothing for which to give thanks. I feel so blessed. My prayer is that my family and I remember all the blessings that God gives us each day. That we are thankful and we do not take them for granted.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, My Hubby, Pregnancy, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler, cousins, homeschool || No Comments

Jesus Said…

November 11th, 2008 by Mariah

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

This weekend was one I will not soon forget! Brandon Shaun Buck made a public profession of his faith by being baptized at All Saints PCA in Boise Idaho. Carol, Brandon’s grandma, flew from California to share in this special time. There were so many people there to love and support Brandon in this important time. We had a celebration lunch for him after church and there were 25 people who came to rejoice with us. Shaun and I could not be more proud! Brandon is such a sweet and tenderhearted young man. He has known the Lord from a very young age. God, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrated the enrollment of Brandon at a Christian school despite the fact we were not Christians. You see, Shaun and I justified it by saying, “well, it is the best school around.” What God had is store for Brandon was not mere academics, but a saving faith in Him. Praise God for that!

Brandon has struggled with shyness his whole life. Although it is far better than it used to be, it is still a bit of a struggle for him. But this weekend was not about Brandon’s comfort, it was about pleasing the Lord. And I believe that Brandon did that! Brandon mentioned that he was nervous about going before the congregation, but he never once, wavered in his decision. You see, Brandon’s desire was to serve and to publicly declare his love and admiration to God. I am proud of the sacrifice Brandon made of his temporary comfort in light of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us.

What is baptism and what does it mean? Well, the act of being baptized is the outward expression of the decision to follow Jesus Christ. It is the first step of obedience in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Baptism is the time that a person uses to publicly identify himself with Jesus Christ. Baptism alone, does not save you and it does NOT complete your salvation. But, it is symbolic of the forgiveness and cleansing that Christ provided for you in His death and resurrection. Therefore baptism follows one’s profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

If baptism can’t save you, then what can? One word – the gospel. What’s the gospel? I’ll put it in a sentence.

The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy.

That’s the gospel.

You Can’t Outgrow the Gospel

You never, never, never outgrow your need for it. Don’t ever think of the gospel as, “That’s the way you get saved, and then you get strong by leaving it and doing something else.”

No! We are strengthened by God through the gospel every day, till the day we drop.

You never outgrow the need to preach to yourself the gospel.

How the Gospel Strengthens

Here’s an illustration, and I use it not because it’s any big deal to speak from my life, but because it’s what I walked through and where I most pointedly in the last year experienced the power of the gospel to make me strong. (Many of you are walking through things much heavier than prostate cancer—much heavier.)

Do you remember the verses that I shared with you back in February that were almighty for me? It was that moment right after the doctor says, “I think we need to do a biopsy,” when this stab of fear comes. It didn’t last long, mercifully.

And then came—what? 1Thessalonians 5:9-10. It’s just as pure gospel as you can get.

God has not destined you for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,who died for you so that whether you wake or sleep you will live with him.

Settled. Peace like a river.

The Gospel Is Perfect for Your Needs

That’s just gospel—perfectly timed, perfectly applied, perfectly suited to my need. That’s why the Bible is so thick—because there are so many different needs that you have. And there are suitable places where the gospel is unfolded for you, so that if you immerse yourself in the whole book, always with an eye for what Christ has wrought for you and purchased for you in this thick, glorious history of God’s interaction with people, he will give you what you need.

Therefore, everything in me says, and I hope to say until the day I die, “Now, to him who is able to strengthen me, according to Paul’s gospel, to him—to that God—be glory forever and ever.”

God came into history in Jesus Christ; he died in order to destroy the power of hell and death and Satan and sin; and he did it through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Plea to Believe

I know that there are people reading this who are not trusting Jesus Christ, and therefore can only expect condemnation. So I’m just going to plead with you here at the end, lay down that rebellion. Lay it down. And simply embrace the gospel that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Righteous One, died for your sins. He was raised on the third day, triumphant over all his enemies. He reigns until he puts all of his enemies under his feet. Forgiveness of sins and a right standing with God comes freely through him alone, by faith alone.

I plead with you, don’t try to be strong in your own strength; it will not be there when you need it. Only one strength will be there—the strength that God gives according to the gospel.

Don’t put it off.

[This text is an edited transcript of the audio. It is excerpted from the sermon, “God Strengthens Us by the Gospel.”] By John Piper www.desiringgod.org

The reason for the long quote and the detailed description of the gospel is that I know there are some reading this now, who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Know this.. We (the Buck family) love you. We beg you, don’t put it off!

Brandon’s decision to be baptized was his decision. Not one that we made for him. He was nervous. He understands what it means and he understands his call.. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is our prayer for Brandon as he continues his walk with the Lord. Congrats Brandon, we love you and we are proud of you. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this very special time with you!

Father God, We praise you Lord for your faithfulness. Thank you for choosing our precious boy as your son. We pray that he continues to be strengthened in his faith and walks with you his whole life. Please give him the wisdom to turn to you in times of trouble, in times of peace and all the time. Please give us the wisdom as his parents, to instruct him in your ways. Above all else, we thank you for your son’s sacrifice that we can be with you one day in heaven. Thank you Lord for my family. Thank you for Brandon.

Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, Thoughts by Mariah || No Comments

Halloween

November 1st, 2008 by Mariah

I can’t believe that Halloween has already come and gone.  This year is flying by!!  We had a very nice Halloween.  Brandon decided to opt out of trick or treating this year.  He celebrated Reformation Day with is cousins.  He can not say enough about the fun he had!!

Shaun and I took Tyler trick or treating.  Tyler was a very cute “puppy Ty.” The first door that we knocked on was having a kids Halloween party.  Tyler saw children inside and invited himself in. From that house on, Tyler thought that he was supposed to go INTO each house. The other cute and funny thing was that each time he got candy, he would run up to me, bend down and look into his bucket and say “YES, it works!” How excited he was.  All you have to do is say trick or treat and you get candy.

However, there was the occasional door that took to long to be answered.  If you took more than 3 or 4 seconds to come to the door, Tyler was ringing the doorbell again! And again! One of the doors took about 30 seconds to be answered, so Tyler decided to try and open the door himself and go in after them.  He was a lot of fun!

All in all, he did well.  He got some candy and had a great time.  We caught up with our neighbors out trick or treating with their TRIPLET 3 year olds and another neighbor with their 2 kids.  Tyler really loved having all the kids around that were his size.  When we came home and dumped his candy onto the floor for examination, he let out a squeal of joy.  Oh how fun it is to be the mom of a 2 year old!

Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler || 1 Comment

Africa Exhibit at the Zoo

October 26th, 2008 by Mariah

The new africa Exhibit has FINALLY opened at our zoo.  We have been waiting anxiously to see the giraffe.  Up until now, our zoo has not had a giraffe. They have been building a whole exhibit around his arrival.  So, on opening day, the boys and I headed out to the zoo. It was a great day.  The zoo was not very crowded. The trees had begun to change to the Autumn colors.  It was great! Check out the “photo album” of the blog for all the pics.

Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler, homeschool, zoo || No Comments