Sunday, July 17, 2011

Z-man competed in his first official 5K race yesterday.

He was very excited to do this and was happy with how he ran.

The rain held off as well as this extreme heat wave we are now experiencing.

Next year I would like to participate in the race. . .except I’ll be walking, not running.

 

 

Last Tuesday I had a fun afternoon of taking pictures with my friend, Kathy.

This is my favorite. . .

The catch lights in her eyes are just what I am looking for.  The sun was shining toward her but she was shaded enough to not be squinting or have shadows on her face.

 

Mr. A lost his second tooth last week. . .and swallowed it!

 

One afternoon I noticed that I’d been running around with only one earing.  Did the other one fall off I wondered?  I sure hoped not. . .it was a nice pair which Mr. E. bought after I had my ears pierced at age 40.  I was relieved to see the other earing was sitting on my bathroom counter.  I evidently was racing around in the morning, got distracted and never put the other one on!

I only have three kids home this week. 

So I hope to make it a productive one around here.

Sunday Blessings,

cousins

I took many family reunion photos over the past holiday weekend.

Mr. E was my right hand man for each of these shoots and I could not have done it without him OR Papa and Oma who watched the chickens while we slipped away.

 

Cousins are different beautiful flowers in the same garden

– Author Unknown.

 

Today we said good-bye to H-man who headed out of town on an adventure with

Papa and Oma.

They will pick up cousin Rachael on Saturday and head to Pennsylvania for an intergenerational Road Scholar trip.  This will be the third journey Oma and Papa have taken with the grandchildren.

No doubt, many memories will be created and we will enjoy their stories of remembering upon their return. 

Lovin’ these beautiful summer days!

Happy Thursday!

workshop, wildflowers & worry

 

Last weekend I attended a Donna Boucher photography workshop.

It was a wonderful adventure for me .

I was happy to have a few of my lingering photography questions answered.

Lighting is always key.

And when the lighting is just right your subject “pops”. . .

Donna has a fun personality and planned a full day of learning for all six of us.

 

 

Yesterday Mr. E. picked wildflowers for me from the side of the road.

Aren’t they purty?

I always wondered if it was legal to pick wildflowers off the roadside.

So I Googled it. 

I Google everything.

Here’s what I found. . .

Wildflower picking or plucking in illegal in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin is one of the few states that has a wildflower protection law. It was passed in 1923. People then were concerned that indiscriminate wildflower picking and grazing were causing the decline of these attractive plants.

So shhhh don’t tell. 

I’m going to continue enjoying my flowers.

The message at church today was based on Proverbs 3:5-6.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

This is a verse to ward off the worries life throws my way.

Simply trust.

Don’t lean.

Walk in His path.

Sunday Blessings,

the American dollhouse

Recently cousin Sara turned seven years old.

She and Oma planned a special trip to the American Girl Place

downtown Chicago and invited Little A and I to go along!

Little A was excitedly looking forward to our trip and frequently

asked, “When are we going to the American dollhouse?”

This was our first time to the Disneyworld of Dolls!

It was quite something to see the enormity of a store

selling not only dolls but girl and doll matching clothes,

doll hair salon, doll hospital, a café with special seats

for the dolls, and every doll accessory imaginable. 

Quite a concept which has caught the eye of most every girl in America.

We had a great time.

Little A was “all eyes” from the moment we entered the store.

I loved staying downtown Chicago.

I lived downtown during a semester in college.

I loved it then too.

What a different lifestyle it would be to raise a family

in a city such as Chicago vs. the rural woods of Wisconsin.

I think I could enjoy the Chicago city living. . . but Mr. E would have

none of that and I wouldn’t change him for the world.

The rainy, windy, cold, cloudy weekend didn’t damper our

spirits.  The birthday girl received a rain-check on the carriage ride

with Oma since it was even too nasty outside for the horses. 

Thanks for including us in your special weekend, Sara.

We made fun girl-time memories!

Happy Tuesday,

summertime Sunday

Today was a spectacular summertime Sunday.

72 degrees

low humidity

sunshine

slight breeze

no mosquitoes

family time at the park

kids splashing in the water

swinging on swings

listening to the crack of the baseball bat

picnic sandwiches

simply. ideal.

We had it comin’  after a very long winter in these up north places.

Yep, we’re doing a little happy jig singin’, Yippee, summertime’s here!

 

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Psalm 74:17 (NIV): It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

Summertime blessings,

The truth is. . .

It’s Tuesday night and the truth around here is. . .

• I just cleaned the griddle we used for pancakes. . . last Saturday morning!

• “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

(This has been ringing in my ears since I read it two weeks ago.  It’s just so true.)

• My bread making hobby has been fun, and tasty, and made those numbers on my scale rise!
• Z-man has allergies.  The real question is, is he allergic to our cats?
• The fourth load of laundry from today just finished drying. 
• The garden was officially planted this weekend thanks to Mr. E and Little A!
• Some kids get pretty creative during “table time” . . .

• “It shall be well”, is a truth Mr. E is known for saying.  It shall be well because God will never leave us nor forsake us.
• Two cats in the house is CRAZIER than one!
• I’m walking a bit out of my comfort zone and heading to Madison for a photography workshop in June! All. by. myself.

Happy last day in May! 

Heather

songs

The Bible talks about us worshiping our Lord in song.

The Lord will often place a worship song on my heart and the

lyrics will play over and over in my mind.

Tonight when I came across these photos from Easter,

the song Because He Lives came to my mind.

 

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither

 

 

During my “quiet time” this morning the following song was placed upon my heart. . .

On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

Chorus:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.

Chorus:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Chorus:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Chorus:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand.

The Gospel song, "On Christ, The Solid Rock I Stand" is also known as

"My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less".

This song was written by Edward Mote in 1834.

The Lord speaks to us through song.

May my ears be open to hear what He wants to tell me through song.

Thursday Blessings,

Heather

Rose

All our kittens were sold and have now gone to their respective homes.

We kept the brown rosette female.

We named her Rose.

I call her Rosie.

We wondered how Lucy and Rosie would get along.

So far, they can be seen cuddling on our bed during the day

or chasing each other around the house in the evening.

 

 

We’re training Rosie to NOT jump on the kitchen counters.

She learned that bad habit from her mother who we continue to admonish for such actions.

 

mother and daughter. . .

I will be seeing my mom and sister this weekend downtown Chicago.

As Little A says. . . We’re going on a trip to the American Dollhouse!” (The American Girl)

We hope to take a mother and daughters picture while we are together.

 

Speaking of Little A, she had a “first” experience. . .

When I woke up from an afternoon nap,  I asked Mr. C where everyone was?

Walking the streets collecting worms for fishing.

What?  Little A, too??

Since I was hearing thunder, rain was falling,  and lightning was lighting up the sky . .

I flew to the car to drive and rescue the crew.

I find them only a block away, looking at me like. . . what’s the matter, mom?

The trees are shading us from the rain.  We’re not too wet, they explain to me.

As we pull into the garage everyone starts piling out and Little A says,

“I’m soaked!”.  Yet she seems undaunted from the experience.

She never wants to be left out of the fun. . . even worm finding fun!

Happy Wednesday!

Heather

wishes

One day of no cooking is a wish come true in my book.

Today was such a day for me.

And I loved it.

It was a beautiful spring afternoon.  68 degrees and sunshine.

After having snow flurries last week, this was a welcome change for us.

My wish for a picture of the kids?

Granted.

Yet typical in nature.

Everybody look at the camera and smile. . . .

 

This picture makes me laugh.

Here are a few others from earlier in the day.

 

 

I knew I couldn’t go wrong with this one. . .

This kids took turns with the camera to capture these at my request. . .

Zach’s wish came true when he was able to drive the 4-wheeler down to the lake and

go fishing.

Yesterday was opening fishing on the lakes up here.

(Others had to walk to the lake.)

Little A’s wish came true when we finally retrieved her yellow trike out of winter storage last week.

The rest of the story. . . Amongst the smiles of the day was a trip to the urgent care (sinus infection), a cut to the foot, and one with the stomach flu this evening.  All are resting peacefully as a write.  Thank you, Lord.

Sunday Blessings,

Happy Mother’s Day!

I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights.  ~Terri Guillemets

 

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

You know you have an extra-special mom when. . .

You’re in your 40’s and you begin seeing your mom in yourself. . .  and you’re happy about it!

And I have a feeling that when I’m a Grandma (or Oma) I will see my mom in me too. . .or at least

I hope I will! 

She is a beautiful model of motherhood and omahood.

I love you, Mom!

 

And to my children, I say. . . When God blessed me with you, He made my dreams come true!

 

I love you more than words can say!

 

One of my mother’s day wishes is to capture a new picture of all of them together,

outside, smiling, and happy. . . some wishes do come true. 

We’ll see if they’ll grant me my wish tomorrow.

 

And to my mom-in-law I say . . . Thanks for being an awesome example.  I will potentially have five daughter-in-laws. 

And when I do, I will remember you, and try to love and let go all at the same time just as you have so generously done.

 

This Mother’s Day is a very special one for a very special couple who have traveled

a long and difficult road on their journey to being parents. 

My thoughts are with Bob and Beth and my heart is tickled pink with joy as

tomorrow they will meet their Mia Grace and bring her home from China.

Congratulations and a very blessed Mother’s Day to you!!

 

Happy Saturday!

Heather

welcoming spring

 

With temperatures in the 50’s today, it is beginning to feel like spring.

I even opened a few windows.

I love the fresh air smell in the house after a long winter.

The children spotted a robin in the garden yesterday.

Papa and Oma arrived home safely from Arizona.

And Grandpa and Grandma are safe and sound back at home too

after spending the winter months in Florida.

Little A now proudly sings her ABC’s.

I must get that on video.

A few of the men-folk are turkey hunting this weekend.

The others are involved in serious air-soft gun wars.

This evening brought thunder, lighting and rain.

Maybe the snow will be gone by morning.

Probably not.

But almost!

Someone reminded me today that last year we had snow fall in May!

Yikes! 

Do I dare put away all the kids’ snow gear.

I better not or we’ll surely have more snow!

Yes, we are all excited about springtime!

Happy Saturday!

(Or as Little A says. . . “See Ya!”)

P.S.  Adorable headband courtesy of talented knitter, Cathy Iverson. 

Thank you, Cathy!!

my helper

Little A is turning into quite the little helper in the kitchen.

Tonight she “helped” roll out the biscuits for dinner.

She was very proud.

She politely posed for a few pictures but then announced,

“I need to be back working!”

She reminded me that she needed her apron.

And that her stool should be closer to the counter.

I followed her directions quite well.

I love you, my little helper.

Happy last day in March!

warriors

Now that basketball season is over the boys will join Mr. C and get their exercise and “kicks” with Tae-Kwan-do. 

They received their uniforms last night.

They tried them on this morning and instantly morphed into ninja warriors ready for battle.

Little A, never one to be left out of the fun, immediately changed into her Spider Girl costume.

As I began blogging about Christians being warriors in God’s battle, Mr. H came to my side and was reading over my shoulder. 

I will quote what he had to say about this. . .

“Gear up for the battle of God’s war.  God’s war is the battle of sin to defeat Satan.”

Amen.

  “Therefore put on the armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything,  to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:13-17

Amen.

Happy Friday Night,

top ten

 

The top ten happenings and trivia from around here. . .

10.  All of Lucy’s kittens have been sold except one brown rosette female which we are keeping.  We are still deciding on a name. Ethel, Samantha, & Star are the current names in the running.

9.  The boys completed another season of basketball and LOVED every minute of it!

Mr. C and J-man played on both the homeschool sports club and the local traveling team.  That’s one sure way to stay in shape, huh?

8.  Our Sonlight science program had us read a few Facts, Figures and Records yesterday from the Usborne Complete Book of the Human Body.

Here are a few interesting ones. . .

Most children born to one woman – A Russian woman named Mrs. Vassilyev, who lived from 1707 to 1782, gave birth to the greatest number of children on record – 69 altogether.  They included 16 sets of twins and seven sets of triplets.  (Could this actually be possible??)

Did you know?

• It’s impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
• Babies don’t have fingerprints.  The ridges on your fingers first appear when you are about three months old.
• Human bone is stronger than concrete or steel.
• Your mouth releases about three cups of saliva a day.
• You shed about 40 million dead skin cells every day.  In a lifetime, you’ll shed up to 45 pounds of skin.
• The human brain can make 20 million billion calculations per second, making it faster than any computer in the world.

The oldest person – There are many claims to the longest lifespan, but the oldest person for whom tere are reliable records was Jeanne Calment from France.  She was born in 1875 and died in 1997, at the age of 122, and she was active throughout her old age.  She was still riding a bicycle at the age of 100, acted in a film at the age of 114, and released a pop record at the age of 121.

7.  Last night we received our annual March snowstorm.  The sun is now shining and the kids are having a blast playing in the new white stuff!

6.  Our children’s program at church had a Derby Race on Monday.  The kids love choosing their design and painting their car while Daddy adds weights and places the axels and wheels “just so” for them to be the speediest cars on the track!

5.  Scrabble is our current game of choice on Daddy’s Droid phone.  It can become a bit addictive!

4.  Little A is still taking swimming lessons.  Notice I did not say “enjoying” swimming lessons.

3.  I later learned that Mr. E’s comment about my new cabbage roll recipe last night . . . “Wow, I haven’t had these in years!” really meant . . .”I never did care for these and you don’t have to make them again for a few years.”

2.  My annual spring cleaning inside and outside of my car this past weekend felt so great.  Wow, it sure does get dirty over the winter months!

1.  My project this week is cleaning out the office which is why I now have a clear pathway to the computer and can do some blogging!  Yeah!!

Happy Wednesday!