Chris got to go HOME to Michigan!

Chris got to spend time with most of his family!!!

His parents, Beth and Fred are both enjoying our niece drawing pictures.

Jen was very happy to see her dad, sister, and grandma and grandpa!

The girls, Bekah and Jen cooking for Chris and his parents the night he arrived!

The whole reason for Chris' trip:

Our oldest graduated from Midland High School :)

We could not be more proud of Rebekah!

She has put in so much hard work and grown up so much!
Rebekah we know that you are going to make an excellent chef!

We love you, Bekah!!

Dad, Mom, Mia, Josiah and Baby

God Always has a Purpose

We just don't always see it right away. We began our day at 0400 thinking that we were placing Chris on a plane to Michigan. After a curve ball or two and several changes in course we have arrived at a place of peace. I believe we have both grown today. Thank you Lord! You, Lord, have guided us and directed us and kept us on course. You have taught us to go with our gut- not because it knows all but because it heard You and understood your course. Thank you, Lord.

Your son is driving home to Michigan. We both know that this is your plan. We are not second guessing ourselves we are moving forward in faith.

We still don't see your purpose in today's events. But we do see the light for the step we are on. Please bless my sweet husband and our girls and his family this weekend. Have thine own way.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

Everything but the kitchen sink...

goes into an evening that happens once every year or two. This particular evening came almost exactly 18 months after the last one of this kind. So we did everything from eat dinner together, to celebrating birthdays to swimming.

My Mom and Dad - have been married 37 years!

The original 4!

"Papa" and Josiah

Josiah, "Nana", Mia and Me

Mia and Grandpa

For not intending to get wet-I was soaked~!

We had a blast!

Mia showing off for Grandma.

Both of the kids got comfortable enough to put their faces underwater!

Josiah is our fish but this was huge progress for Mia.

Rob's day was made when he got to play with his nephew.

Josiah is pretty happy about it too.

All in all we had a beautiful evening! Short and sweet!

Have a beautiful rest of your vacation- Mom, Dad and Rob!

We love you!

"Mom, when will you teach me to mow?"

"When you are dressed appropriately and we are mowing."

So as you can see the very next time Daddy mowed she was dressed appropriately. And so was Daddy~!~! In our house "dressed appropriately" means wearing long pants (preferrably jeans) and tennis shoes and socks or in Daddy's case work boots.

Of course the lesson included the basics: when the mower is running you only touch the handle!!!

She did great!

Tot School

I think it is safe to say Josiah absolutely loves Tot School! ~not to mention having his picture taken! He wants me to read "cocoon" all the time and he loves to follow along with the book's predicatable pattern, counting what the caterpillar eats and of course the cocoon and butterfly parts! Our friend gave us a life cycle set for the caterpillar and that just makes him love the whole thing even more!

I am sorry I waited so long to start doing things like this with the kids! But you know what ...

that just means that the possibilities with the new baby are absolutely endless~!~~!

God is so good!

I am amazed at how pieces begin to come together when you are not even trying! Once you start doing this kind of thing you find materials all over the house. He loves to have me write "Aubrey" on anything and everything. He loves using magnets on cookie sheets. He wasn't too sure about the spagetti noodles in the parmesan (sp) cheese dispenser (an empty plastic seasoning container of any size with holes 1/8 of an inch wide or bigger may even work better).

The best parts of the whole process are his enthusiasm and Mia's joy at being able to teach him all kinds of new things.

Isn't God Great?!?!

I got up with my Honey this morning. A rare event in itself these days. When I walked him to the door I noticed our neighbor across the street. Bless her heart she is a single mom of a teenager who has just inherited custody of her two young niece and nephew. They were headed to the car in a hurry as "Aunty" has to be at work. "Aunty" says, "Don't run!" The two year old little boy stops running and stands in the sidewalk. The four year old sister who is watching "Aunty" turns forward just in time to knock over little brother. "Aunty" says, "See I told you not to run." Lord, I pray deep breaths and a patient peaceful heart for my wonderful neighbor as she begins motherhood all over again.

I know we all have hurry moments. But I am so blessed that I don't have to get my children up at the crack of dawn every morning and rush them out the door to spend the day with someone else. My heart broke and overflowed all at the same time this morning.

Thank you Jesus for all of your many blessings. Children are a blessing from the Lord, now if in my hurried state I could just find the address for this scripture. Psalm 127:3 "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him."

Catch up...

Many days I think what can I post on my blog and draw a blank. Other times I know there is an event I want to post and don't get it posted right away. Today is no exception. I have wanted to post about the last horse show (last Sat.) and now that I download pics to the computer I have 10 things that should have already been blogged on. So here goes...

Josiah took 3rd in the 8 and under Assisted Barrels! He had a blast! He doesn't care which horse he is riding but today it was Patches!

We thank the Lord for protecting the 3 year old little girl who had just fallen off her pony minutes before he rode.

Josiah had fun all afternoon!



Mia is having fun riding in the cake walk or warm up time. (above and below)


Mia took 2nd place in the 8 and under Unassisted Barrels! She loves riding Popeye.


Mia (Popeye) and Chris (Blondy) are enjoying riding together!

Just because I love him and he looks so handsome in this pic!

Mom you have asked for pics to show you how tall the kids are. I took them probably six weeks ago and forgot to put them up for you.

A few weeks ago we had several days of severe thunder storms and as a result had a mighty rushing river through our backyard. When I looked to see just how mighty and rushing it was God had a surprise for me.

This beautiful crane (I think) was sitting at the edge of our property next to the lake. He just sat there for several hours. How beautiful God's creatures are.

Oh, and in case anyone doesn't know I figure that at almost 18 weeks its high time to say...

we're expecting!!!