Favorite shots. . .Favorite things
The sun at your back in the coolness of a winter day;
A beautiful, red poinsettia plant;
Meeting your brand new, baby sister for the very first time;
and touching her little hand;
The taste of cold, wet snow;
A mother and her newborn child;
Laughing with your loved one;
The glow of the sunset;
And a strong shoulder to lean on.
Happy Saturday,
The boys are playin’ with Christmas lights . . .
Mom’s playin’ with her camera. . .
And Lucy the cat? She’ll soon be adding to the action around here. . .
She will give birth to kittens later this month.
Her due date? December 25th.
When we are out of town!
We are praying for Lucy.
That’s she’s late. . .or early.
I’m praying for me. Adding to the ACTION around here?
Anyone want to buy a kitten?
Mr. E., our resident Bengal lover and breeder, would love to sell you one. . .or two!
Pictures of cute little kittens coming soon!
Happy Saturday!
the hunt
the find
the treats
the reason!
through all the. . .
busyness,
gift giving,
card making,
busyness,
celebrating,
decorating,
busyness,
memory making,
baking,
and. . .
the busyness of this season,
I want to remember the REASON for it all.
The Word of God, Jesus Christ, on account of His great love
for mankind, became what we are in order to make us what
He is Himself. Bernard of Clairvaux
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, O, hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born. John S. Dwight
Happy Thursday!
Some kids have a hard time transitioning from summer to winter.
Happy Friday in winter. . . at least in the woods of Wisconsin that is.
Over the river and through the woods to the cabin today we go.
Once the family picture is taken we’re all happy to be warm inside, out of the blowing cold snow.
Aunt Julie’s all set, with her master list in hand.
While helpers file in for the kitchen fun,
each are given their own part to play. . .
and make for a fine Thanksgiving feast band.
The food cannot be finer,
to feed this sixteen crew.
All leave the table well satisfied;
And thankful for bountiful blessings too.
Onward we go as presents are awaiting,
We celebrate Christmas now too!
Draw your number from the hat,
now wait your turn. . .
Go snatch someone’s gift or open one that’s new!
Time to settle in for a movie or a game,
win or lose it’s fun just the same.
Reflecting on a Happy Thanksgiving. . .
Now may my heart and mind offer a sacrifice of praise to Him continually, no matter what challenges I face. . .
An attitude of gratitude to set my daily pace.
Happy Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving 2010!
Some of our children have recently had the opportunity to be involved with our local high school and community theatre.
The first, a musical, was The Music Man.
The talent at the high school is spectacular.
From the acting, performing, dancing, directing and singing to the production team backstage, I was most impressed.
I still find myself humming, “76 Trombones”, or “Madam Librarrrrrrian!”
Such happy songs!
Currently, practices have begun for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, at our local performing arts center.
Z-man, C-man and H-man have joined the cast.
They are excited.
Hopefully the excitement continues (for me too) as daily practices begin next week through December 19 during this busy holiday season.
I am thankful we live close to town and have friends involved who are kind enough to help shuttle the kids.
I’m thankful for these opportunities which may push their comfort zones, give them a boost of self-confidence and diminish their “screen time”.
Break a leg, boys!
Happy Monday of Thanksgiving week!
I'll always remember 13 years ago tonight. . .
Giving birth to our firstborn, a son.
Is there anything that rocks your world as much as your first child?
My mom and I laugh how she ironed, yes ironed, his newborn clothes.
We were so proud.
All the firsts are soooo huge with your firstborn, aren't they?
I can still remember. . .
our first church service with him,
our first dinner at a restaurant with him,
our first Christmas,
daddy cutting his nails for the first time, IMMEDIATELY upon our arrival home from the hospital,
our first long distance trip.
Thirteen years ago? How can that be?
I am clearly seeing the reality of what many moms who have gone before me say: "Don't blink! They'll be grown before you know it."
Z-man had a rather unforgettable 13th birthday week.
He harvested a 6 point buck with his new bow!
He skinned and quartered it and we ate the tenderloins for his birthday dinner this evening.
The birthday blast continued in true boyish fashion. . .Nerf gun wars!
I have a feeling that 10 years from now, Little A may choose a slightly different
form of entertainment for her 13th birthday celebration. You think?
Z-man, we love you more than words can say.
We are as proud today as we were 13 years ago.
You will continue to lead the pack with many firsts.
We will continue to love you, "No matter what".
We look forward to seeing your relationship with God continue to grow and pray you will seek Him, love Him and serve Him in your many paths which lie ahead.
Our industrious, organized, smart, focused, fun-loving 13-year old son. . .
Happy, Happy Birthday! And may God give you many, many more!
Love Always,
Dad and Mom
Happy Friday!
Since the weather forecast for tomorrow includes possible snow showers. . .
(what? snow already? yep, this will actually be our second view of the white flurries for the season!)
I was happy to meet up with Jaci this afternoon and take her requested cross-country
photos.
She's a beautiful girl, sister in Christ, friend of our family and (we cannot believe) heading to college next fall.
This season Jaci successfully ran her fastest race time of her cross-country career.
What a grand finale!
I know she'll be tackling the upcoming college forecast of changes and challenges with God's grace, wisdom and a smile on her face.
Blessings, Jaci!
Happy Wednesday!
I'm now in the older lifetime category.
Sweet treats will not be allowed for me . . .
starting tomorrow.
Look what was given to Little A after church on Sunday. . .
A pumpkin hat!
It was knitted by a very talented friend from church.
Little A knew right away it was a PUMPKIN!
After the wind storm had passed this week, I was able to take a few fun
photos.
I love the colors of fall!
At three, she didn't last long.
No more standing in one place!
This little pumpkin is off and running!
"Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a jubilant cry.
For the Lord Most High is awe-inspiring, a great King over all the earth."
Psalm 47 1-2
Meet our new house guest who is visiting for the next month:
After realizing that our Lucy was not pregnant, Mr. E. decided to bring
the male, "Chief", to our home for the month in hopes that this visit
would be more. . . productive, if you will.
So far, Miss Lucy has not been a hospitable hostess. There
has been more hissing than kissing going on.
We've been told that given time, they will become quite fond of each other.
Although, this marble Bengal's name is Chief, Little A instantly
re-named him, "Bobcat". You see, he is absolutely enormous
compared to our Lucy who is on the petite side of the scale.
He seems the size of the bobcat on our family room wall which Mr. E. trapped
several years ago, thus "Bobcat" seems most appropriate to Little A..
"Hims not little, he big!"
"Him freak me out."
(Such is the vocabulary of a three year old with 5 older siblings!)
So there you have an update from the continuing saga of Simply Grand Bengals.
Happy Friday!
Five boys.
I'm trying to train five boys to be young gentlemen.
Yes, we live in the woods but please boys. . .
Let your behavior not portray that you were perhaps
raised by a pack of wolves! (That line's for you, Jane!)
No elbows on the table; No slurping; Please get a kleenex;
That piece of meat is WAY to big for our mouth; No toilet
talk; Wash your hands; Put your glass at 12:00; Do not
lick your plate; You need to ask to be excused; Bring your
plate to the sink. . .
Now we have two boys in the house who continually use
their shirt collar in place of a napkin.
It drives. me. crazy.
I know these bad habits will dissipate as the years go by (please!)
but for now I will have to remind them, each time they're caught,
to NOT wipe their face with their shirt! PLEASE!!
Happy Wednesday!. . . Happy Training!
Last night Mr. E. was out of town.
The rest of us were at church til' 8pm and came home to a message
on the machine.
Still standing with my arms full of "stuff" I listened to Mr. E's voice. . .
I just want you to know I'm O.K.
I was in an accident. . .
My heart sank.
I was curious to know the details,
thankful that he was OK,
and anxious to talk with him.
Z-man flew to the phone before I had my hands free.
The good news was that the accident could have been worse, the
truck is still drivable, and he'll still be able to attend his meeting
at the capital tomorrow.
The bad news. . . his shoulder was injured and he's experiencing a
significant amount of pain.
Twelve hours later, we receive another call from Mr. E.:
I'm standing outside the capitol building. We've all been evacuated due
to a bomb threat!
At this point we can't help but laugh as I exclaim,
Quick, get in your truck and head home before more catastrophe follows you!!
Life.
You just never know what the day has in store.
So as the sun sets on this beautiful fall day I'll remember what HE
just wants us to know . . .
The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you, for you , oh Lord, do not
abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:9-10
This is my command; be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or
discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Our peace depends on our willingness to see everything in God,
receive all from His hand, accept with gratitude just the portion
and cup He offers. Shall I charge Him with a mistake in His
measurements or with misjudging the sphere in which I can best
learn to trust Him? Elisabeth Elliot
Happy Tuesday!
May His peace be yours today,
