Happy Leap Day!

I just had to take the opportunity
to post something on leap day
(since the opportunity only arises
every four years) ;o)


Just thought I'd share
a few links that I came across...


Learn about Leap Year

Frog Maze

Happy Leap Year Color Page


Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday's Things...

Our day started off a little slow moving,
which is a good thing sometimes. ;o)
While I worked on today's earlier post,
the children were busy about...



Will and Carolynne enjoyed playing the piano
and singing hymns together.
It was a joyful noise... but music to my ears!



Beth was more interested in doing 'school work'.
She has been a very eager learner this year.



Ally worked on pre-calculus.
The smile is a product of the shortcuts
that she has been learning in the last chapters
(and because she's almost finished with it!).
She, also, had a chemistry experiment,
which always makes me just a tad nervous
(something about playing with dangerous chemicals).


This afternoon, we met with Daddy
to renew our DOD (base) stickers
and military ID cards.
The wait wasn't too bad and we were thankful.
This was the last time we'll have to renew
before retirement! (Boy, that sounds weird!)

This evening, Ally made lasagna for supper
and Daddy invited a friend over
since his wife is away visiting family
(miss you, Lisa!).
It is such a blessing that Ally enjoys
being in the kitchen!
And the meal was delicious!

Before I go, I wanted to share
a photo from this morning...
It's no secret that Will is surrounded by girls.
And, though, at times he may wonder
what it would be like to have a brother around,
he knows that his sisters
are a special treasure and blessing...


That's the look of a well-loved brother! ;o)


"And the Lord make you
to increase and abound in love
one toward another, and toward all men,
even as we do toward you:"
~ 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Wednesday's Ways...

Today we're busy with learning at home...


Coloring Carolynne... multi-colored marbles



Busy Beth... picture study and narrations



Writing Will... a self-motivated cursive learner ;o)



Arithmetic Ally... working away at pre-calculus

Mommy continues to chisel away at Mount Washmore,
which is a wonderful opportunity for prayer
(praying for the one you are folding for).
I am, also, working on a few hand written letters.
For a brief time this afternoon,
we were blessed by Daddy's presence for lunch,
which is a wonderful and welcomed "interuption". ;o)

We are looking forward to being in the Lord's house
and fellowshipping with God's people this evening.

I hope y'all are enjoying your day!


"...I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly."
~ John 10:10b

We Have That Hope...

Almost 10 years ago, my daddy wedded his wife.
Very early this morning, she passed away
after a very long battle with lung cancer.
She professed to be saved
and we are thankful for
the blessed hope and assurance
that we will see her in Heaven.


"But I would not have you
to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep,
that ye sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so them also which sleep in Jesus
will God bring with him."
~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Weekend's Ways...

I hope y'all enjoyed your weekend.
Saturday, my beloved desired to tackle the garage.
There were boxes stuffed in corners
and stacked against the walls
that we haven't even looked at or touched
since we moved here!
But we enjoyed working together. ;o)
The children, too, enjoyed working with us
and playing in the driveway...


Will and Beth assessing the situation with Daddy



Ally enjoying her old pogo stick. lol



Beth trying it, too (with Daddy's help) ;o)



Beth and Carolynne enjoying all of the boxes



Will, willing to take the girls for a ride



Carolynne... curbside pondering

We were glad to get much accomplished,
though not completely finished. ;o)

Sunday, we enjoyed being in the Lord's house.
We look forward to every time the doors are opened.
Fellowshipping with God's people
is such a special blessing!
During the morning service,
the children recited a Scripture and sang
"Jesus Loves Me/O How I Love Jesus"


It's always such a blessing to hear them sing.

In the evening service, Ally played offeratory
and Pastor preached his Candy Bar Sermon. The whole church went home with candy bars. ;o)Today I am tackling Mount Washmore,catching up on dishes,and helping a friend with her new blog(she wrote a great post today, too)while the children have been helping,doing a little schoolwork, and playing.Now it's time to do a little more laundryand prepare for Daddy coming home from work. ;o)The children are tidying upand I'm off to begin supper.Hope y'all have enjoyed your day!

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."~ Psalm 145:3

El Shaddai Offeratory...

Sunday evening, Ally played an offeratory.
She chose the song "El Shaddai",
using her own rendition of it
that she composed Sunday afternoon.
Here's the video...



You can stop the background music on my blog
in the left sidebar.

Hope y'all had a blessed Lord's Day!

The Candy Bar Sermon...

Our pastor has a sermon
that he shares once a year.
He, mainly, gears it towards the children
but knows that the adults glean from it as well.
I just thought I'd share my outline (notes)
(emphasis in Scripture added by me)...


The CandyBar Sermon


1. PayDay


Our "payday" is coming

"For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord."
~ Romans 6:23

"For all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God." ~ Romans 3:23



2. Mr. Goodbar


Our only good is through Jesus Christ

"And be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith"
~ Philippians 3:9



3. Goo Goo Bar


Be in His Word

"As newborn babes,
desire the sincere milk of the word,
that ye may grow thereby".
~ 1 Peter 2:2



4. Snickers


Many 'snicker' at the cross

"For the preaching of the cross
is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved
it is the power of God."
~ 1 Corinthians 1:18



5. Crunch


Satan seeks to "crunch" you

"Be sober, be vigilant;
because your advesary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour."
~ 1 Peter 5:8



6. Almond Joy


Be joyful in all things

"Rejoice in the Lord alway:
and again I say rejoice."
~ Philippians 4:4

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith." ~ Galatians 5:22



7. Symphony


He is our Conductor, orchestrating His good

"And we know that all things
work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called
according to his purpose."
~ Romans 8:28



8. Milky Way


Past the 'Milky Way' is Heaven

"Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy
hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead."
~ 1 Peter 1:3

"To an inheritance incorruptible,
and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you."
~ 1 Peter 1:4



9. Butterfinger


When we 'slip' up and sin, He forgives

"If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
~ 1 John 1:9



10. Twix

We have a choice between two...
serve God or not

"And if it seem evil unto you
to serve the LORD,
choose you this day whom ye will serve;
whether the gods which your fathers served
that were on the other side of the flood,
or the gods of the Amorites,
in whose land ye dwell:
but as for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD."
~ Joshua 24:15

Sharing the Celebration...

Since we celebrated
Ally's 15th birthday this week,
I wanted to share a couple of photos...

Tuesday evening, Daddy decided
to make supper and spend the evening
with the younger ones
and sent Ally and Mommy out
for Ally's birthday supper.
Ally chose her favorite place to eat...


We had a precious mother/daughter/friend time.
And she even took her bib home for a keepsake. lol

Wednesday we spent much of the day
cooking for our pastor's family
(to be a blessing as they deal with their recent loss)
and Ally, also, worked on her birthday cake
(which she enjoys making).
She made a Double-Layered Mocha Cheesecake.
We celebrated, after church,
with the cheesecake and rainbow sherbert...



Then she enjoyed playing piano with her new book...

And, of course, we enjoyed hearing her play. ;o)

I do hope y'all have enjoyed your week.
We are still settling in, unpacking things from our trip,
doing laundry, getting the house put back together, etc...
and we hope to soon return
to some resemblance of normalcy.
I have heartfelt intentions of responding to
the many comments and emails I've received
but know that it may take some time. ;o)

I hope y'all enjoy your weekend
and have a blessed Lord's Day!


"My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth
for the courts of the LORD:
my heart and my flesh crieth out
for the living God."
~ Psalm 84:2

A Special Thank You...

As I was catching up at Bloglines,
I came across this post from Melody.
Her words were a blessing to me
and I just wanted to say, "Thank you". ;o)


"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
~ Proverbs 16:24

A Day of Celebration!

"This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it."
~ Psalm 118:24


15 years ago today,
the Lord blessed us
with our first precious child...


(age 2)

She has been such a joy
and every birthday is bittersweet,
though we delight in seeing
the young woman she is becoming...

(age 15)

Happy 15th Birthday, Ally!
You thrill our hearts!
We love you more than we can express!


"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;
so are children of the youth."
~ Psalm 127:3-4


Below is something I wrote two years ago
but it, certainly, applies still
and I wanted to share...


Sigh.....
Well, it's almost here. Our oldest's 13th birthday.
Tomorrow is the day...
She is excited to be turning 13 finally...

Finally... finally... finally! finally? finally???
Has it been 13 years already???
It doesn't seem that long ago
that I carried her in my womb,
feeling her move and poke and hiccup.
It doesn't seem 13 years that
we drove through a snow storm
to birth our precious first born daughter and child.
The Lord, in His great wisdom, gave her to me...
knowing that He would use her
to forever change my life.

Has it really been that long since she first told me
she didn't want to wear diapers anymore
and then refused to wear them?
Has it been that long since
she would sit in my lap and help me read to her
so she could learn to read as well?
Has it been that long since she said,
after 1 day of having her first bike,
that she wanted us to take off her training wheels
and took it upon herself to do it
since we thought she should wait?
Boy, she showed us... she didn't fall... not even once.
Has it been that long since
she was a little girl that mommy could dress
in frilly, dainty clothes?
Now she is making her own
mature, responsible decisions in modest clothing...
Has it really been that long
since I've been 'Mommy' instead of 'Mom'?

Praise God for our precious memories
that will always be dear to our hearts!

Ally is growing into
such a kind and beautiful, young lady.
She is compassionate, funny, clever,
and loves to learn.
Her young heart is tender towards the Lord.
I have been blessed with seeing such maturity
in handling different situations
and able to see spiritual things.
She is quirky and smart.
She is creative and gifted in many ways.
She loves the Lord and desires to serve Him.
She is faithful in her quiet time.
She is outgoing and confident.

I'm am thrilled and excited about our relationship.
I'm honored, blessed, and eager
to take our relationship to another stage of growth.
To be able to be her friend and an influence...
an encourager and a listener...
and still her teacher, mentor,
mother, mom, and, yes,
still Mommy, too.
We still read aloud together...
though she doesn't sit in my lap still... *Ü* ....
but it does remind me of those days
and we still have a closeness that is just like
the one we had the day she was born
and I held her for the first time....
except it is deeper, full of heartfelt memories
that we will both cherish for a lifetime
and I have faith that she will pass on
wonderful memories to her children as well.

Oh, how I love her.
Oh, how I love all of the children
the Lord has entrusted me with.
Gulp... I will do what I can not to cry.
There is such a deep ache in my heart for her.
A feeling that I can't exactly express in words...
I'm sure other mommies can understand...
is my heart really my own?
I can't say that I think it is...
it belongs to my husband and my children.
They are SO precious to me.
I feel like I must have multiple hearts
beating within me...
It's hard to comprehend how just one
can hold so much love and emotion.

I think of how much I LOVE my children
and it makes me think...
the depths of my love,
the ache in my heart for them,
the over abundance of tenderhearted fondness
I have for them....
it's nothing...
not in comparison to how God feels towards them...
or for me... or for all of His children.
To think that how I feel towards my children
is only a fraction of what He feels for His children.
Isn't He Wonderful?!!

Growing up, holding on, and letting go...
it must be the most bittersweet experience in life...
but, oh, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Happy... Birthday, Ally.
I am so proud of you, honey.
I am so happy and so blessed
that the Lord entrusted you to me.
You are growing into such a compassionate and kind,
young lady that is growing in the Lord and loves Him.
I have and will cherish every moment with you.
I love you, Ally, with all of my heart.
~ Love, Mommy


"I have no greater joy
than to hear that my children walk in truth."
~ 3 John 1:4

Tidbits From Our Trip...

{{Warning: This post contains LOTS of photos!}}

Our days have been flying by
ever since Daddy came home!
Even though it was the funeral of my grandpa
that resulted in our trip,
we were thrilled to go see family!
It had been about four years
since we had been "home" for a visit.
It was a long journey
but it was a beautiful one!

The mountains were as majestic as ever...


Here are a few views of the mountains on a slideshow...

One of the favorite parts for the children
was going into the tunnels through the mountains...




I would say the most favorite part happened
as we got farther north and the children saw
the first signs of snow!

They were SO thrilled (and so was I)!
Dad was a little less thrilled
as he was the one driving in it.
The visibility was not good and the roads were slick.
We were thankful for his cautious wisdom. ;o)

Once we arrived at our destination,
we greeted Grandma and Great-Grandma!
Dad went outside to shovel snow, Ally followed.
When I checked on them
they were already enjoying the fresh snowfall
with a snowball fight...


The next morning, the younger ones were very eager
to go out and enjoy the beautiful snow...




They enjoyed the snow the entire time we were there!








Well, not all enjoyed it quite the same way. ;o) lol

Not only did we get to drive
in a snowstorm on the way up,
but we, also, drove in one as we visited a family member.
The snowfall was so beautiful...


Even one of the Great Lakes was freezing over...


And the driving conditions, again, were very poor.
The roads had yet to be plowed and salted...



Praise the Lord for His protection!

While out, we showed the children the Canadian bridge...

They were tickled to see the shores of Canada.

In addition to enjoying the weather
while we were there,
we loved the moments that
we were able to spend with family...
The children got to meet their cousins...

They enjoyed playing together...
especially games of hide-and-seek.
As they played, I was able to visit
with my brother and sister and their spouses,
which was such a delight!
(Here is a picture of Ally with my sister
and my brother in the background. LOL)



Daddy and my brother

It was a blessing, too, to visit with my daddy,
who is in poor health (and tending to his wife,
who is in her final stages of battling cancer).


Much of our time was spent
with my mom and grandma.

Mommy and I ;o)
(unfortuneately, a little blurry)


Grandma giving Ally a slice of birthday cake
(with a lollipop as a candle)
as Ally plays "Happy Birthday" on her guitar
and we all sing the words.

We enjoyed every moment of our visit!
Here were the children in Great-Grandma's room
as she sorted through some of her things
to pass on to them...


I just can't resist sharing the picture
of Carolynne and her Great-Grandma Carolyn
(whom she is named after)...


Here was Ally playing her guitar and singing
as Great-Grandma was resting...

It was a precious time and it was a blessing
to minister to her heart through song,
especially during this time.

They, also, enjoyed being with Daddy (of course!)... ;o)


A little fun at the hotel...


Did I mention enjoying the weather and the snow?


Also, while we were there,
I was able to meet a few fellow bloggers
(ladies I, also, know from a message board),
Amy from Life's Small Treasures,
Kristy Jo from Extravagent Housewife,
and Kristen from Proudmomto2.
It was such a joy to meet them, to visit their church,
and spend much time in fellowship (with food, of course)!
Here is a photo of Kristy Jo, me, and Amy...

It was so delightful to fellowship with them.

Even the men folk loved their time of fellowship!


As did the children...



What a precious blessing it is
to share sweet fellowship with God's people!

Eventually, our trip had to come to an end,
we packed up the van and headed home.
On our way, we were able to stop in Ohio
(where we lived years ago) and visit
with my friend, Sharon, and her family.
We enjoyed our afternoon (and supper) with them.

Then we were back on the road...


We arrived home Saturday evening
and were thrilled to be
at our home church Sunday morning.
We had a men's quartet visiting
and a wonderful sermon
(in the morning and evening).
It is good to be home,
though we loved our visit!

Thank you all for your prayers.
I hope to catch up with comments and emails soon. ;o)
Enjoy your week!

We're Back...

We have arrived safely home
from our unexpected trip.
A special thank you to those
that were praying for us.

My beloved is still off work for now
but I do hope to post, again, soon. ;o)
It will be another busy week for us.
We received news this morning that
our pastor's father
(beloved "grandpa" of our church
and wonderful soul winner)
has come to the end of his battle with cancer
and has gone on to be with the Lord.
Though grieving, we rejoice in his homegoing
and look forward to seeing him, again, in Heaven.


I hope that y'all are enjoying your week.
I look forward to "catching up"
and visiting with y'all soon.
And look forward to sharing lots of photos of our trip!

"A LOVEly Marriage" Giveaway Winner Is ...

...

flossie!
Congratulations!
Thank you all for participating!

Thank you, also, to those
that have left encouraging words
and have been praying for us
as we are away.
They have been a blessing!

"A Lovely Marriage" Giveaway...

**Sticky Post**

Please scroll down for recent posts

Going along with this month's theme,
I thought it would be fun to host
"A LOVEly Marriage" giveaway. ;o)


Included in the giveaway will be:

• "How a Wife Can Use Reverence
  to Build or Save Her Marriage" sermon cd
  by Pastor S.M. Davis


• "How to Change Into the Ideal Wife"
  and "How to Rear Children"
  memory verse packs by Evangelist Ron Hood


• a small tin pill box


• 3 note cards


• packaged in a Hallmark Card Keepsake box

To participate:

1. Leave a comment on THIS post.

2. If you have a blog,
make a post about this giveaway,
linking back to this post.

Entries will be accepted until
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at midnight.
Winner will be announced Monday, the 11th.

Enjoy your week! ;o)

"And the Lord make you to increase
and abound in love one toward another..."
~ 1 Thessalonians 3:12

An Unexpected Bloggie Break...

Due to the recent passing of my grandfather,
we will be traveling over the next week or so
and I will be taking a break from blogging.
The giveaway, however, will continue.

Though in this time of sorrow,
we are not without hope
and we are rejoicing that we know
we will see this loved one in Heaven one day.


"But I would not have you
to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep {deceased},
that ye sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so them also which sleep in Jesus
will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you
by the word of the Lord,
that we which are alive and remain
unto the coming of the Lord
shall not prevent them which are asleep.
{prevent: or, come before, or, anticipate, or, precede}
For the Lord himself shall descend
from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Overwhelming Joy...

It happened! Praise the Lord, it happened!
After 12 months, 3 weeks,
misunderstandings, unexpected delays,
and a couple of hours in the hanger,
Daddy and family were reunited
around 4:30/5:00 am Thursday morning!


Opening the hanger doors...
Marines, arrived from Iraq, in the background
standing in formation...


Prayer was said and Marines were "let loose"
to be reunited with their families and friends.
We were overjoyed to greet our special Marine, our hero...
our daddy and beloved...








After savoring those precious moments,
we were eager to bring him home...


...picking up his bags...




heading home,
ready for breakfast, sleep,
and to begin our year right... with Daddy...







"But I will hope continually,
and will yet praise thee more and more."
~ Psalm 71:14

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
and his greatness is unsearchable."
~ Psalm 145:3

"Blessed be the name of the LORD
from this time forth and for evermore."
~ Psalm 113:2