It's time for what some would call a vacation!

[Justme]

NEWSFLASH!! They had to remind each other to drink water while on their hike! :o

[WonderingInWA]

NEWSFLASH!! They had to remind each other to drink water while on their hike! :o

But only in the passive voice: "Occasionally a reminder is passed along to drink water." Sigh.

[WonderingInWA]

"I like your mountain skirt" has GOT to become one of our new avatar titles. LOLOLOL.

[twin2]

"I like your mountain skirt" has GOT to become one of our new avatar titles. LOLOLOL.

Were the Maxwell ladies getting hit on there??

I'm sure Daddy will be having a long talk with all three of them tonight.

[johnhugh]

OMG! A sighting has just been stumbled upon of which I dare not share without a spoiler.

The DEVIL has touched hearts on this vacation...

I cannot be forced to part with my source of which I have spent much no time corroborating that it is genuine.

Excellent picture! :cracking-up: :cracking-up: I hope Stevie gets to sneak a quick peak :lol:

RE the latest post. Why the hell did they get up at 03:45, they had finished taking the mountain by mid afternoon :roll:

They are crazy climbing over those 'boulders' in those long skirts, the skirt could easily get caught resulting in one of the girls going to live with Jesus.

So with all this water drinking, what happens when it is laid onto one of their hearts that they need to piss? What's the Maxwell protocol when taking a 14er but you need the toilet? :?

[ILoveJellybeans]

So with all this water drinking, what happens when it is laid onto one of their hearts that they need to piss? What's the Maxwell protocol when taking a 14er but you need the toilet? :?

Im sure the Maxwell family are that weird that Steve schedules their toilet breaks and they have to ask him before going.

Edit: The family dont ask Steve anything. If you need to pee, you just have to pray that Steve notices and lets you go before you pee yourself.

[sparkles]

RE the latest post. Why the hell did they get up at 03:45, they had finished taking the mountain by mid afternoon :roll:

They are crazy climbing over those 'boulders' in those long skirts, the skirt could easily get caught resulting in one of the girls going to live with Jesus.

So with all this water drinking, what happens when it is laid onto one of their hearts that they need to piss? What's the Maxwell protocol when taking a 14er but you need the toilet? :?

They did explain the early start. It's weather related, the threat of afternoon thunderstorms. Way back when in my climbing and hiking day (the Stone Age, I think) we always got a very early start for that reason. We still got caught in bad weather a few times and it ain't fun, even if you're prepared.

I also remember not having to pee very much, even though we kept very hydrated. I think you pretty much sweat it out. Even now, when I'm gardening in the hot sun,I can drink gallons and never have to pee because I sweat so much.

I do give them a lot credit for being fit. they do set a pretty good example in that regard, although they typically take it to Maxwellian extremes.

I love how they talk about chatting up other hikers. I wonder how long it takes for them to bring up Jesus. And death.

[WonderingInWA]

Excellent picture! :cracking-up: :cracking-up: I hope Stevie gets to sneak a quick peak :lol:

RE the latest post. Why the hell did they get up at 03:45, they had finished taking the mountain by mid afternoon :roll:

They are crazy climbing over those 'boulders' in those long skirts, the skirt could easily get caught resulting in one of the girls going to live with Jesus.

So with all this water drinking, what happens when it is laid onto one of their hearts that they need to piss? What's the Maxwell protocol when taking a 14er but you need the toilet? :?

Duh, johnhugh -- peeing is scheduled. And if they have an emergency, they've got the skirt drapes for privacy.

And yes, those photos of the skirts with the boulders and no helmets or other safety equipment. Oy. They are certainly over-confident in their abilities.

[OkToBeTakei]

They did explain the early start. It's weather related, the threat of afternoon thunderstorms. Way back when in my climbing and hiking day (the Stone Age, I think) we always got a very early start for that reason. We still got caught in bad weather a few times and it ain't fun, even if you're prepared.

I also remember not having to pee very much, even though we kept very hydrated. I think you pretty much sweat it out. Even now, when I'm gardening in the hot sun,I can drink gallons and never have to pee because I sweat so much.

I do give them a lot credit for being fit. they do set a pretty good example in that regard, although they typically take it to Maxwellian extremes.

I love how they talk about chatting up other hikers. I wonder how long it takes for them to bring up Jesus. And death.

50% of their lives is quite admirable. I could say that about myself. It's just that the other 50% that I consider bad in my own life is by my own reckoning. I would like to be fitter, spend more time doing good stuff etc. etc. I don't though inflict that on anybody else. I am accountable for myself and I MOST certainly do not inflict my life at 44 on my child. Steve and Teri decided to change their lives and then inflicted that on their kids.

Imposing your will on another is the worst thing you can do in my view. Doing it because you as an adult want a particular life and deny your children the right to make that decision is horrifying. I honestly never can snark on the Maxwell kids in a bad way as they genuinely know no different. Sad.

[sparkles]

I sort of agree with you on the 50%, OK. But then I think about it further and even that becomes suspect. They don't want to keep fit because it's good for you, gives you strength and stamina and so forth. No, they need to stay fit because Jesus. And death. They keep a clean house because Jesus. And death. They encourage good relationships with siblings because that Jesus and death thing again. They even built a house together because Jesus. Their primary reason, IIRC, is because they were running out of storage space for their ministry. And true to form, it seems like personal needs and desires weren't even considered. Hence, how all of the kids are crammed into two rooms. Because that's how they want it! Riiight. Jesus! Death!

So on the face of it, much of what they do is admirable. But once you scratch the surface, not so much. All of these admirable qualities really WOULD be admirable if I thought for one second they had a chance at rebellion but chose the path they did because they felt it was the right thing to do. And as much as I wish I had it in me to emulate some of their good qualities, if I had to chose between that and my curiosity, thirst for knowledge, ability to think and act for myself and not fear every single thing outside of experience and understanding, I know which way I'd go.

Like you, though, I really can't snark on the kids either. They were broken long ago.

[Mary C Doates]

So, even though Terri has a bad back, she goes on a 10 hour hike up a mountain. Is she totally masochistic, or is Steve afraid she'd make a break for it if he let her stay behind?

[OkToBeTakei]

I sort of agree with you on the 50%, OK. But then I think about it further and even that becomes suspect. They don't want to keep fit because it's good for you, gives you strength and stamina and so forth. No, they need to stay fit because Jesus. And death. They keep a clean house because Jesus. And death. They encourage good relationships with siblings because that Jesus and death thing again. They even built a house together because Jesus. Their primary reason, IIRC, is because they were running out of storage space for their ministry. And true to form, it seems like personal needs and desires weren't even considered. Hence, how all of the kids are crammed into two rooms. Because that's how they want it! Riiight. Jesus! Death!

So on the face of it, much of what they do is admirable. But once you scratch the surface, not so much. All of these admirable qualities really WOULD be admirable if I thought for one second they had a chance at rebellion but chose the path they did because they felt it was the right thing to do. And as much as I wish I had it in me to emulate some of their good qualities, if I had to chose between that and my curiosity, thirst for knowledge, ability to think and act for myself and not fear every single thing outside of experience and understanding, I know which way I'd go.

Like you, though, I really can't snark on the kids either. They were broken long ago.

When you put it like that, it sounds awful and now I am happy my house is not always spotless or that I jump out of bed not full of life (when a lie in would be great) or that I love and admire my older sister but we disagree quite often. You are right. Scratch the surface, it's not REAL. The kitchen cleaning just makes me jealous Sparkles . I just want a nothing to do with Jesus clean kitchen. :lol:

[walnut]

Does Steve-o also schedule their cycles? Or *chart* them?

I honestly say, I find nothing admirable about them. If you need a Jesus or any deity to justify the cleanliness in your house, the fitness of your body, the unity in your family, the compassion that you only extend to that who are under the same indoctrination as you, you are lost. What, without religion they'd live in a pig's sty and never exercise? Perhaps have a meth lab in the basement! People should know what's right or wrong without a book telling them to do so.

No matter how much money they have, how much they travel, I have my hands together in a thankful prayer I'm not one of them. I would not live that life for all the money in the world. (And, again, also the Patriarch has access to it, you have no allowance and you have to ask for money, like Sarah, who's income is under her Owner's close watch, to buy a pack of heavy flow pads for yourself.) Seriously, what kind of a life is that?

[twin2]

But only in the passive voice: "Occasionally a reminder is passed along to drink water." Sigh.

Do you think Teri is allowed to remind Steve to drink water or does she have to pray the Lord Jesus to lay it upon Steve's heart to drink some water?

[dpndetfarm]

An Apology has been sprung from my heart as this latest photo has been long in showing, but a defense is had by me in that

Nike is continuously being wrenched from my lips and the prayer closet has taken my into it's womb for many hours.

Warning. A major defrauding may be done:

An apology is also made for the damn reverse tans. Apparently the Maxwells have coverings laid upon their heads.

[theologygeek]

That is hilarious dpndetfarm!!! LOL!!!

[WonderingInWA]

Oh. My. God(dess).

Steve in the leapord print. LOLOLOL.

Off to burn my eyeballs with bleach, and then to the prayer closet. Sooooo funny!

[Mary C Doates]

An Apology has been sprung from my heart as this latest photo has been long in showing, but a defense is had by me in that

Nike is continuously being wrenched from my lips and the prayer closet has taken my into it's womb for many hours.

Warning. A major defrauding may be done:

An apology is also made for the damn reverse tans. Apparently the Maxwells have coverings laid upon their heads.

Tea has spewed from my nose, and the Heimlich was almost needed. It may be necessary to consume large quantities of alcoholic beverages to obliterate the image of a topless Steve from this writer's consciousness.

More hours, nay, weeks in the prayer closet for you!

[OkToBeTakei]

Breaking news.

Camelbak gets more mentions than JESUS :lol:

Have to say those views are stunning and I do get their wax lyrical-ness about it. Gorgeous.

[Milly-Molly-Mandy]

An Apology has been sprung from my heart as this latest photo has been long in showing, but a defense is had by me in that

Nike is continuously being wrenched from my lips and the prayer closet has taken my into it's womb for many hours.

Warning. A major defrauding may be done:

An apology is also made for the damn reverse tans. Apparently the Maxwells have coverings laid upon their heads.

LMAO! How do you do this?! Love it!

[mystikchick17]

In addition to contrasting buttons with pockets over the breast being worn, glimpses of ankles were also seen from under the hiking skirts that were worn. The potential for much defrauding to have happened was high.

Strangely, a smile which appeared to be genuine was also seen lighting up Sarah's face.

(It's been a long time since she's really, truly smiled in a picture. Makes me hope not all hope is lost for her).

[dpndetfarm]

In addition to contrasting buttons with pockets over the breast being worn, glimpses of ankles were also seen from under the hiking skirts that were worn. The potential for much defrauding to have happened was high.

Strangely, a smile which appeared to be genuine was also seen lighting up Sarah's face.

(It's been a long time since she's really, truly smiled in a picture. Makes me hope not all hope is lost for her).

I bet she is the one who caused a passing of the photos to me.

[YPestis]

*Sigh*. The Maxwells lead such abysmal lives that just reading about it makes me want to shoot myself. Every year, it's the same vacation, the same birthday celebrations, the same conference activities. No matter how bad of a day I have, it's probably worse being a Maxwell. Any day.

Can anyone's lives be that isolating? I wonder how much of what we see is due to their control freak nature. Maybe unusual happenings do occur but they want to present a fascade of sameness, because the Maxwells prize blandness.

I bet Sarah Maxwell frets over the lack of a husband. Anna and Mary fret over becoming Sarah. Joseph is still stinging from being rejected a week before the wedding. Perhaps Nathan is stressing over paying for his wives's medical bills. Maybe Christopher is wondering why his mind is fixated on men he meets.....

My point is I bet the Maxwells have private turmoils, but refuse to share it. Some because it's intimate (understandable), others because they are selling a lifestyle and want to present their ideal of family. However, in their isolation and arrogance, they fail to realize the rest of the world finds them fake and boring. People are cynical (and realistic) enough to realize that life can't be whitewashed through 15 minute incremental scheduling. People will always stress over finances, struggle with loved ones, fret about their future. The Maxwells want the world to believe if you buy their products, those issues will go away (or get resolved). However, all they're doing is ignoring them. Sarah is still not getting married. Their sons still suffered through broken engagements. Medical problems still cropped up (and may continue to do so).

Perhaps that's why the Maxwells are so disturbing to me. They act like nothing in the world bothers them, but we know they are just as affected by life as the rest of us. The difference is we acknowledge and try to handle it. The Maxwells pretend it doesn't exist and then carry on as if their lives are so perfect. To me, that's a sign of a family who've suffered trauma. They create this fantasy world to escape into. Their blog represent that fantasy perfected. For me, all I see is a fake life created to cover up the pain of living in the real world.

[LurkerOverThePond]

Every year, it's the same vacation, the same birthday celebrations, the same conference activities.

It's almost scary how accurate our predictions of this vacation were. It's really an exact copy of last year's trip. Those photos could be from last year, and probably from every vacation since at least 1995.

There are some places I like to visit over and over again (like London and the UK in general) because I.just.love.them. But I do go to new places, too. Isn't that the definition of travelling - seeing new places and having new experiences? The Maxwells may go to some new church to hold a conference but it's still all the same everywhere: setting up, a "concert", speeches, lessons, lunch break, manning the book table, photos of babies asleep on their parents' shoulders, getting help from sweet little ones to bring the boxes and other stuff back to The Bus, the host family taking them to a local Mexican restaurant for some bean burritos, "special" family Bible time, and a night at the WalMart parking lot.

I wonder if they ever truly think "gee, maybe we could do something different this year". A trip to San Francisco might do good for those boys, and girls, too :banana-rock:

[ILoveJellybeans]

An Apology has been sprung from my heart as this latest photo has been long in showing, but a defense is had by me in that

Nike is continuously being wrenched from my lips and the prayer closet has taken my into it's womb for many hours.

Warning. A major defrauding may be done:

An apology is also made for the damn reverse tans. Apparently the Maxwells have coverings laid upon their heads.

OMG the look on Steve's face :D That just adds to the hilariousness of this picture.

They have such a miserable life, it must be so awful to be a Maxwell. The kids lives are just wasted, they didnt have a choice in this, imagine years of being a perpetual child on a boring routine. You age physically, but its like the same year on repeat over and over again. Its not like theres even any hope of getting out of there anyway, theyve been so sheltered its like being raised in a locked room your whole life. They wont escape, theyre too beaten down for that, and its scary to even imagine them being out on their own. Steve has completely ruined those "kids" lives, if he was to die tomorrow, they would have absolutely nothing. After 31 years of being like that, without Steve, what is Sarah going to do? Shes got no independance at all and would not even know how to function in the real world. Its like expecting a 12 year old to live on their own. Surely every parent wants their child to grow up to be capable of living as an adult-having a home of their own, working, looking after themselves and their future families, being able to socialise with others.... There are parents of children with special needs who are hoping that their child will be able to be an independant adult, yet Steve has screwed up his perfectly healthy kids so much that they are really going to struggle to manage with life if something happens which means he isnt going to be able to take care of them.