happy birthday papa

We just got back from Num Num and Papa's place. 

Had a wonderful afternoon celebrating Papa's birthday! 

How I love visiting the country in the spring. 

We were here just two weeks ago, and I am amazed

at how quickly the spring blossoms come and go. 

These so-called canadian "magnolias" were just budding last visit ...

now look at them! 

 The kids enjoyed running around the big yard 

..... shooting bb guns,

blowing bubbles, writing with chalk on the patio,

while the adults chatted. 

 :: crab-apple blossoms ::

aren't they BEAUTIFUL!!

Of course Num Num loves every chance she can get with her grands....

(Isn't her apron adorable??) 

She made us a yummy mexican spread for dinner,

complete with a Dairy Queen cake for Papa! 

 

:: bleeding hearts ::

some of my favorite. 

 The month of April has simply flown by. 

It has been SO busy for the pastor with meetings,

presbytery, and a wedding on top of his regular duties. 

The Lord has been growing our little church body

and we have been so encouraged. 

Two new families were received into membership today ....

and 5 of our covenant kids were baptized! 

(not to mention one last week)

I was lovin' all of their unique names ..... and listening to the verses

the pastor chose for each one. I think I cried the whole time!!

 Beauty is everywhere you look .... isn't it? 

Inside the church and out. 

:: From the rainbow of spring flowers ::

~ displaying signs of the Creator's handiwork ~ to

 :: THE sign of the Covenant ::

~ displaying the Creator's love and desire 

for relationship with His children ~

How very blessed we are! 

We love being close to the pastor's family,

celebrating birthdays and holidays that, for so many years,

we were unable to ..... sweet, sweet times.

How I miss my family though!
My folks have been in San Diego visiting baby Beck the past two weeks.
Unfortunately, we will miss seeing them ..... BUT

we are thrilled to be able to go and reconnect with my brother and his family,

have the cousins meet each other for the first time,

and visit with our former church body! A much needed vacation and
some good old R and R :)

Good times ahead ..... if this 5-pack mama can 

actually get her act together and GET PACKED!! 

Happy Birthday Papa!
How we LOVE celebrating with you.
Many blessings to you in the next year.
You are loved and appreciated SO MUCH!! 

{this moment}

:: child of the covenant ::

life & {gratitude list #818 - #851}

So, yesterday found sweet Abby Jane in the doctor's office,
getting her second broken bone casted ..... and one week before our big
vacation to San Diego. She was so sad.

She fell really hard off a bike Friday night. 

We were hopeful that it had just been a sprain, and waited out the weekend. 

Ironically, just this time about a year ago, she fell and fractured 

a bone in her left wrist. I felt the same in the Dr.'s office as I did last year.....

like we were crazy people for bringing her in. (NO swelling. NO bruising. And

more than half the time, Abby was moving it like NOTHING was wrong.)

And once again, I was completely shocked when the Doctor came in

and told us it was broken. 

This time, it was a bone in her RIGHT wrist. 

Not so sure how we'll be getting school work done as 

she writes with that hand.... and eats with that hand.... and does

about everything else with that hand. 

The Lord knows though. 

And I truly think Abby was comforted by that. 

I'm so proud of her spirit .... I just pray she will not 

move on to breaking other bones in the years to come!

Her track record is not so good. 

The doctor said she could continue dancing..... just no swimming. 

SUCH a bummer for her as that is what she was so excited about

being able to do on vacation. 

I reminded her that she was just going to have

lots and lots of time to help her Aunt with her new baby cousin!!

Would you pray for my sweet girl? 

.... that the Lord would use this trial in her life to grow her,

to make her more compassionate toward others in their pain,

to slow her down and enjoy just "being" and not "doing",

to TRUST in God's sovereign, GOOD plan for her life. 

So hard for a very active nine year old.

Despite the pain and disappointment, our list of thanks goes on:

doctors trained to treat broken bones
that the break was small

a sunny walk to remember God's promises
His mercies, new every morning

a coffee date with #4 and #5

#5's desire to include her brother on HER date

a CLEAN and trimmed puppy

the joy she brings our family

walks with the family

soaking up the glorious sun

all those dandelions! 

healthy bodies

the Northwest daffodil and tulip season 
God's creativity! 

sibling companionship

the sun .... and the rain ..... and the fog .... and the mist

refreshing time in the country

BEAUTIFUL snow-peaked mountains

watching my kids grow into young men and women

witnessing a covenant baptism

new friends in our home

planning for next year

my sweet, sweet man and

his unconditional love for me!!

snuggles in the morning

witnessing a marriage

listening to #4 read better and better

reading to the crew

web chatting with cousins

anticipating seeing their adorable faces again!

joy in the morning

prayer

our memory work:

"Who is wise and understanding among you? 
By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, 
but is earthly, unspiritual, dominic. 
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason,
full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace
by those who make peace."

James 3:13-18

{this moment}

:: lots of Num Num love ::

dandelion love

It all started with a field of dandelions. 

To many, they are considered weeds and a nuisance. 

To five kids, they inspire....

"Let's turn this field of weeds into a gallery of love," she thought. 

And so began the "dandelion love".....

 All were called to help. 

 Even the tough boys ..... (in fact, I think they enjoyed the love :)

Of course, the sweet girls basked in the yellow goodness. 

And mom looked for the beauty through her lens....

The picking, well ......

it went on, 

and on,

and on, 

and on. 

 Hmmmm..... this gallery of love is going to take a LOT more love to finish. 

Reinforcements were called in. 

A ladder was found. 

 And the 5-pack found their places. 

 "Might as well close our eyes while you figure out how to get the shot."

 The ladder didn't cut it. That dandelion love was way too great. 

 Aaaaahhh, that's better:

The roof has the PERFECT view for all that love....

for YOU Num Num and Papa! 

You can count on our love any time you need it.....

ESPECIALLY during "dandelion season."