"So much, so much, so much..."

"...so much
... so much to be thankful for."
The words of this chorus and its catchy melody are still playing in my head since learning it at Caledonia Church on Sunday. We do, indeed, have so much to be thankful for and it was a fun way to be reminded of that fact by learning this little tune. It was good to be with God's people and to worship in His house. It was good to be ministered to through song and the preaching of the Word. It was good to see the love of God radiate in the kind eyes and smiling faces of ordinary people. It was good.

As easy as 1-2-3-4-5-6-7......

First you don't look at the directions...















Then you count all the pieces....















Then you wonder why they designed it that way...
... you look for your tools, but can't find them...
...you end up using Mom's kitchen tools....
...you peek at the directions eventually...
... and you only break one piece in the process...
















(Like Father, like Daughter!)















... and VOILA! Owen love his new play area!
(Thanks to Karen and Karina!)

Happy Birthday, Karen...

May fond memories come to mind
as you celebrate your day.
May sweet cards from loved ones
have kind things to say.
You have been blessed so far
to keep the years at bay.
Keep living, loving, laughing
and showing us the way.

With all my love to my little sister.
Happy Birthday
(Hope you have a finger-licking good time!)

It's a girl...

Julie and Todd have welcomed Sadie to their little farm.
A sweet little thoroughbred filly, she is certainly going to keep Julie busy with all the training and teaching it takes to break in a yearling. So happy for you, Jewels, to have a "pony of your own" again! She reminds me of Nick...

Dear Rachel...

Dear Rachel,
You are our little lamb and you have always been our friend, too. Even as the youngest, you have brought great joy to your family. Your life has been an example. You have been my hero and my inspiration. (Look where you have encouraged me to go!) You have shared your Daddy's great faith, and you have put it to work in your life. You are such a gifted teacher and, now, the best Mother a little boy could want! We love you and continue to pray for all the best in your life.
Here you are! Keep smiling. Keep teaching. Keep "looking unto Jesus"....