another country walk

So I have really been dragging my feet about posting, haven't I? 

I find I tend to go in and out of camera phases, picking it up consistently,

then taking a break. I think part of the problem is I 

don't feel as confident about taking inside pictures..... and as you know, it rains here quite a bit :) 

I don't care for the way my present lens 

takes indoor shots (or rather don't know how best to take indoor shots to my liking!)

I'm hoping to one day get a lens that does well in low light.

Until then, I guess you're mostly going to be getting outdoor shots! 

Last week, we got to take our friends Caleb and Elizabeth

to Ellie's horseback lesson..... and of course for another walk in the country.
It has been so fun to come back to the same place throughout the year,
and see how the scenery changes with the seasons.

The path we walked on throughout the winter by the water canal

is now completely grown over with grass that was above our heads! 

We weren't going to walk directly THROUGH the grass until

Ellie, her horse, and two others made a pathway.
Of course the boys all wanted to venture in.... I was a bit hesitant,
but Elizabeth was game, so in we went!

At one point Whit got frightened and wanted me to carry her.

The grass was probably about twice as tall as she was and

unless someone was right next to you,

you could see nothing but green blades all around you! 

Of course it turned out to be a great adventure.

We all had a fabulous time, until it was time to go,

and Drew realized he had dropped his pocket knife in the sea of green :(

We looked a good bit, but to no avail. It was literally like looking 

for a needle in a haystack! We'll look again next week.

Perhaps the grass will be mowed by then, and a miracle will happen :)

Those pretty yellow wild flowers that Whit and Abby were picking

in the last post were all gone this visit! The tractors were out, ready to go.

We actually got to watch some John Deere's begin their plowing.

Pretty cool for these boys.... not sure what to say about #4's pink crocks.

He cracks me up, and could care less about what people think of them! 

I think he likes to wear them to make me laugh.

Caleb got to come back to our house Monday and spend the night

while his mommy and daddy had some time away.

It turned out to be such a lovely time. 

Love watching Drew and Toby be "big brothers" and love on him! 

Love that we have a church family where that can happen.

Covenantal living. 

What a blessing!! 

My Father's World

We are in the homestretch to finish school. It is getting harder and harder,

and I hope I can persevere through June before calling it quits. 

I mostly want to get through the older children's Saxon math

and my history, science, and Bible read-alouds.

Only two more scheduled weeks, although I'm wondering if we shouldn't just have

a couple of very long school days and get it all done! 

We are finishing year three of a five year cycle of Marie Hazell's My Father's World

curriculum, entitled Rome to the Reformation.

I took the opportunity and ordered the My Father's World Kindergarten

to start with Whitney and Toby this summer.

So often I feel I focus on the older children, and the little ones don't get 

much attention. The K curriculum looked like so much

fun that I decided it just might be a good thing to invest in.

It even came with an ant and butterfly garden! 

I'll focus on the littles in July and August, getting a jump start with the K curriculum, 

so that in the fall when I start in on the year four cycle, 1850 to Modern Times,

with the olders, I won't be so overwhelmed with the different levels. 

(At least that's the plan.... time will only tell if it will all work!!)

As I've been studying the seven days of creation with Whit and Toby,

the curriculum has us singing and memorizing the well known hymn,

This is My Father's World.

So, at church yesterday when we sang it as our closing hymn,

the kids were so excited. Love, love love the words:

This is my Father's world,

and to my listening ears,

all nature sings and round me rings;

the music of the spheres. 

This is my Father's world;
I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,
the birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world: 

He shines in all that's fair;

In the rustling grass I hear him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world,

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:

The battle is not done;

Jesus who died shall be satisfied;

And earth and heav'n be one.

Wallis Falls

We had our first hike of the season this past week...

We drove about and hour east to our destination,

through beautiful northwest countryside! 

 The trail we took was a little over three miles,

and the scenery all along the way was breathtaking! 

 We hiked for most of the way alongside a small river

Of course we had to stop now and then, listen to its sound, and feel

how cold the mountain water was. 

 Some places were pretty high. . . making the need to hold little hands a necessity. 

You can see the river to the right of us in the picture below. 

The kids all did fabulous.

As you can see the littlest rode off and on on daddy's shoulders. 

 It was a BEAUTIFUL day, in the 70s, 

so it was quite a treat to wear summer clothes! 

 We carried up a picnic lunch, and at our turn-around

had a nice, cool break.

This was our view at the top. It was spectacular,

and actually reminded us of our trip to

Yellowstone! 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A

simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Inspired by Soule Mama

randomness

Still trying to post all these wonderful pictures of our GA trip....

this set are ones of the kids' fishing endeavors. Drew, Ellie and I were all successful! 

The pastor hopes to do some fishing with the boys this summer.

This definitely wet their appetites for it!! 

Still plugging away with my own "camera endeavors",

though at times I get quite discouraged. If I feel at all the need

to just "get the shot" I shoot in automatic. Unfortunately, confidence 

in my ability to shoot manually just isn't there! I'm now feeling the need

to read some good books about photography. Any suggestions??

(See those little circles in the picture above? I know it has something to do with lighting :)

Love them, and only wish I could figure out what exactly I did to get them there!!

On the home front, we are back in the routine of school, although I'm desperate to be done!

Mondays are the pastors day off, so yesterday we took a field trip and went hiking with the kids. 

It was glorious and only an hour away!!! (pictures to come:)

We live in SUCH a beautiful place, and I'm so excited about the summer months!

It hasn't rained, until today, for about a week. In fact this week-end was in the 70s.

Perfect weather to plant my garden.... that's what Saturday consisted of!!

"To read His message in moments, I need to read HIS passion on the page,

wear the lens of the word, to read HIS writing in the world." 

Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

This convicts me! I feel I have SO MUCH pulling at me these days that distract

me from being in God's Word. I KNOW it's the most important thing,

so why do I let the computer, the house, recreational reading, sleep, etc.

get in the way? I need to constantly remind myself that if I am going to speak

:: Grace-filled :: Gospel-centered :: words to my children and to a watching world,

then I have to be FILLED with the Word of God, looking through it's lens!!!

Thank you, dear Father, for your forgiveness! 
Thank you that your mercies are new every morning.
Thank you for your Spirit, living in me, helping me, teaching me,
correcting me, and training me in righteousness,
so that I can be FULLY equipped for every good work. 
You have given me the means. 
Help me to rely on YOU and not my own strength.
Would you give me the discipline to fill my mind with YOUR words, 
so that I may speak gracefully and gently 
about the hope of the Gospel,
 to my family and to those you bring my way! 
Amen

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A

simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Inspired by Soule Mama

Our Memorial Day

We had a very sweet time this past Sunday and Monday celebrating 

Memorial Day at Num Num and Papa's "Borderline Farm."

We headed north after church, and drove into blue skies!

We made a campfire, grilled hot dogs, ran around in the yard, roasted marshmallows,

and had a lovely, restful evening. The girls spent the night with Auntie

Tricia that night, and on Monday morning Papa made us all yummy waffles. 

After breakfast, the two pastors headed out to do "the guy thing".... skeet shooting,

while the little boys and I had a sweet Starbucks and park date in town. 

The girls all arrived around noon, in time for a WONDERFUL 

Memorial Day lunch made by Num Num.....

and of course that afternoon I got my walk in the country.

Thank you Num Num, Papa, and Auntie Tricia for the Splendid time!!