The Little Guys...

Thankful for the joy these two little guys bring to our family. :o)

It's Our Anniversary!

Twenty-three years ago today I said, "I do" to a wonderful man.  We were pretty young and didn't have a clue what we were getting ourselves into! :o)  I am amazed at the love and mercy of the Lord that we are where we are today!  I am very thankful that Marc is so passionate for the ways of the Lord and doesn't mind going against the flow.  He stands for truth even when it is unpopular to do so.  He is the most devoted husband and father I have ever seen!  He is a good man!

 

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart..." Luke 6:45

Boys....

Busy little boys..... summer time..... outside play.....

                                              He has an idea...

                                                    Having a great time.....

                                       Looks up and sees mommy (with the camera...)

                                    Trying to figure out if he is in trouble or not......

                                         Working his "innocent look". :o)

                                   Little boys are SO much fun!

No more braces for Matthew!

We had two in braces for a short time. :o)

Matthew got his off today!  He is so happy, and I think his smile looks great!

Do The Next Thing

I was talking to a sweet friend on the phone yesterday.  This friend is one that has an amazing servant spirit. She could relate to some of the challenges I am facing right now with raising children while caring for an elderly parent.  She told me about the following poem that Elisabeth Elliot often quotes.  Life is full of challenges and uncertainties.  Sometimes it is the uncertainty that is more overwhelming than just surviving each day.  This was a good reminder that I have no control over the future, but I CAN do what the Lord has given me to do today.  I thought it might be an encouragement to someone else like it was for me.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A poem quoted by Elisabeth Elliot

Do The Next Thing

"At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
there came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
like a low inspiration, 'Do the next thing.'
Many a questioning, many a fear,
many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,
trust that with Jesus, do the next thing.
Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
leave all resultings, do the next thing.
Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
working or suffering be thy demeanor,
in His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
the light of His countenance, be thy psalm.
Do the next thing."

Father's Day 2013

It was a beautiful day.  We went to church and then came home for a relaxing family day.  I fixed lunch and tried to do things like my mom would have done for my dad.  One thing my dad has always loved is homemade ice cream.  We got his old ice cream freezer out and filled it with my mom's vanilla ice cream recipe.  I plugged it in and..........nothing!  The motor hummed but wouldn't turn.  I was so frustrated!  Because we always had homemade ice cream at my mom's house I never owned a big churn.  We have a tiny one that we used when our family was small. :o)  I thought I would just make it several times until everyone had some.  I got it ready and plugged it in and .........nothing!  I looked at McKenzie and said,  "Let's go to Wal-Mart"!  We live out in the country and our closest town is pretty small.  We walked all over Wal-Mart only to find out that they were sold out! Our last hope was Ace Hardware (if it was even open)!  It was and they did have a freezer.  I didn't even care what it cost!   An hour later we were back at the house finally ready to make the ice cream.  We pulled into the driveway and Matthew proudly announced that they had fixed BOTH motors!  Grrrrr.... We made the ice cream in the new freezer and it turned out great and everyone was happy! :o)

                                                       Mr."Fix-it"

                                               Sweet little Macheus with daddy.

                              Marc with his whole gang before church.

                                      Then with "Pa"..

                   Me and my sweet dad. Every special day is hard for him now.

                                          "Pa" with the boys.

                                     "Monkey Matt"

                                    McKenzie and Madeline

Celebrating McKenzie's 20th

 This is the best lemon pound cake recipe!  McKenzie always requests it or Oreo cheesecake. :o)

 Malachi hanging out with Pa.

 A birthday sign made by her sisters that Myles decided to "help" with.

                                                        The whole gang.

                         (I love Malachi's expression above.  He thinks Matthew is great!)

                          Myles always helps blow the candles out.

                                            Flowers from her dad.

                                                      McKenzie and her grandpa.

Randomness....

It has been a long, hard day.  I have a hard time unwinding after days like this.  Most of the household is fast asleep and I am sitting in front of the computer wasting time.  I had to drive out of town today to pick up a co-op order.  It was in the same town that my parents used to live and that is where their house is still for sale.  My family was going in every direction today with a million things to do.  While I was in town I went by their house to check on things and do some cleaning.  When I got there a realtor was showing it.  I am praying it sells soon.  It will be one less thing for us to have to fool with.  My dad worries about everything, and he is convinced someone has taken some of his stuff from his house. I got a few of the things he was asking about.  Trying to convince him that everything is secure doesn't always work.  Left there and had to drive in the pouring down rain home.  On the way home, I went to  my midwife's office for some blood work.  When I got closer to home I stopped by the grocery store.  For whatever reason, (He was exhausted too.)  Myles was an absolute angel in the grocery store.  He walked right beside me the entire time and literally didn't utter a peep.  I'll take it! :o)  I was glad when I finally made it home this evening.  Our church has VBS this week, and the oldest two girls are working at it.  Matthew had to work today......... It has been a busy day!

 I sure do love this little guy........

 and this big guy. :o)

And........ this very silly guy.

Goodnight!

Rainy Sunday Afternoon....

We have had a lot of rain this spring.  It has made everything green and the garden is growing!

 

"He provides rain for the earth;
he sends water on the countryside." Job 5:10

Introducing....

our tax refund. :o)

Our third set of braces.  Matthew is finishing up and Madeline is just getting started.