“We speak much of the duty of making others happy. No day should pass, we say, on which we do not put a little cheer into some discouraged heart, make the path a little smoother for someone’s tired feet, or help some fainting robin unto its nest again. This is right. We cannot put too great emphasis upon the duty of giving happiness and cheer to others. But it is no less a duty that we should be happy and cheerful ourselves.”  J.R. Miller

I am a nature-girl.  I adore being outside, I admire sticks, leaves, the smell of dirt.  I love fresh air and seeing my children outside in it, with their cheeks turning healthy pink from good exercise.  So when I read in my book about making nests in the woods to use as “Easter baskets”, I instantly knew we would do it. 

(We don’t normally do Easter baskets at all, so this was an amazing treat for the children!)

I gave the children instructions and made a nest each for Seth and Sarah, in order to demonstrate what they should look like.  Jacob, Ethan, Grace, Caleb, and David got right to work and were almost as talented as real birds.  Ethan gave me a serious hard time about it, but the desire for candy won him over and of course he ended up being the most creative.  He even went so far as to gather feathers from the floor of the chicken coop.

This one was Sarah’s.  I used twigs for the bottom and added leaves and dry pine needles around the top.

Grace lined her nest with moss and ferns.

Jacob’s was neat and tidy, using sticks that he snapped into the proper lengths, and pine needles to line the bottom.

While we made the nests, Sarah hurt her hand.  I thought it was heart-warmingly precious when my 7 year old took care of her.  Love.

We made the nests on Friday and the children had a difficult time waiting until Sunday.  When the day arrived, and we got home from church, I quickly changed my clothes and ran down to fill each of their nests.  I told Rich to bring them down in about 10 or 15 minutes.

I think I was just as excited as they were. 

I almost jumped up and down as I watched them walk to me.

Caleb and Sarah sprinted to their nests.

Seth found a rabbit in his.  When you press the rabbit’s paw he sings “Jesus Loves Me”.  The look on Seth’s face was priceless.

Jacob cracked open one of the Easter eggs in his nest.  It was filled with jellybeans.

Caleb made his nest-creation on a big rock….he was thrilled to find lots of candy.  Since early spring is gray and colorless, I added artificial flowers to each nest. 

Little Sarah carefully bent down to gaze at the wonderful treats left for her.

She also had a singing bunny. 

Ethan found Peeps, chocolate eggs, and jelly beans.  Candy always makes him smile.

Grace’s nest was the hardest to get to.  She was hidden away under a bush, so sweetly, like a little gray rabbit.

This is my very favorite picture of the afternoon.  Davy, with his jacket, bare feet, and blissful *eyes-closed* expression as he enjoys a piece of chocolate.

You can almost hear him saying “mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm”.

Grace and David were neighbors.

Back in the house, the children got right to work eating up their candy.  Ethan was sick by the end of the day.  None of them have any self control. 

Crazy teenagers!  How I love them.  (proud mama)

Even the dog got an egg.  (a hard boiled one).

On Monday morning, my Mom called me just to chat.  She was on vacation with my Dad in Georgia.  My husband Rich was home with me for the week and had already offered to send me away someplace if I so desired.  (For every busy mom needs a getaway now and then.) I hadn’t given it much serious thought until Mom said, “You should come down here with us!”  We both laughed about it, but after I hung up the phone, I still didn’t give it much thought.  That is, until my Dad called me right back to also give some encouragement to join them on Jekyll Island.  It made me so happy to know they wanted me to go.  I found my husband drinking his coffee outside by the pond, we talked it over, and he made the travel arrangements for me.  I was on the plane that afternoon at 3:30, arriving at Mom and Dad’s hotel at about 9:30, pinching myself every now and then, wondering if it was all a dream.

There were two main joys of this trip.  The first being the island itself.  Jekyll was quiet, and with little commercialism there was no choice but to slow down and enjoy the simple attractions that the island offers.  There was a historical aspect and stunning nature to explore.  (Perfect for my personality)  The ocean was waving, the bike trails were long and plenteous, the quaint shops so full of unique treasures, and the only “chain” restaurant was a Dairy Queen, which we visited each and every day.

The second, and most important joy, was the chance to spend quality time with my parents.  I naturally felt (as aways) comfortable, young, and safe with them.  We made a perfect “parents and grown daughter” combination, made strong because of our thirty seven year bond of friendship/family love.  I found myself imagining Rich and I taking similar trips in the future, with a cherished grown up child or two able to travel with us.  My parents raised a family of five children, and I think there must be a beauty in having grown children, as it enables the parents to rest in knowing the very busy parenting years are over, and yet still nurture family bonds, only this time with adults, and with the absence of the other siblings (something very rare in the growing up years).  My parents love to spend quality time with each grown child and their families, and they have very special relationships with all of us.

So yes, it was especially dear to have a turn with Mom and Dad. 

Mom and Dad have been to Jekyll Island many times and I have never been at all, so they had the joy of showing me their favorite spots, and I had the joy of seeing so many new and exciting sights.  We were together all the time.

I loved seeing all the colorful flowers and green grass.

I loved seeing and hearing the ocean.

My beautiful mother……….

Pictures of dear Dad and Mom. . . . . . . . . .

My very favorite memory of the trip was the night “Duck Dynasty” came on over and over.  We were in our hotel, happily tired out, and I got on the bed with Mom in the middle and Dad next to her.  The three of us sat there together leaning against the pillows with our legs out on the bed, Dad watching his favorite show, and Mom and I reading.  It was all so cozy, and we talked only when we felt like it, for well over an hour.  I just loved it so much.  I kinda sorta felt three years old again. 

At the Dairy Queen, for our nightly ice cream treats.

Dad always always gets chocolate.

 P I N K N E S S

I got on a bike for the first time in probably 20 years.  We each rented one and spent a morning riding all over the place (about 13 miles total).

Dad and I at breakfast the first morning.

A view of bamboo through an old red window (in the museum), I was thinking of my 10 year old son, who is fascinated by bamboo and wants to grow some.

Yeah, I took a picture of a dead jellyfish.  Mom and I found it washed up on the shore and thought it had a beautiful design.

The peaceful sand dunes.  Turtles lay their eggs here every year.

We spend time by (and in) the heated pool at the hotel. 

I thought of Grace as I took this picture of a pink horse.  He was still pink from being colored on Easter Sunday. 

Sand dollar

“A naturalist, whose heart held a love for nature in all its varied forms.”  I loved the wording on this plaque in one of the cottage gardens.  Cecily must have been a kindred spirit.

One last picture before I had to leave on Friday morning.

Today was my first full day home.  After all that vacationing, I had no qualms about jumping right into the swing of things once again.  I ran errands with Rich, I’ve done four loads of laundry, gone grocery shopping, made a huge dinner using all new recipes from a cookbook I bought on Jekyll, completely cleaned out the fridge with Grace’s help, and most importantly, did a lot of loving on all my attention-starved children.  Rich took great care of the family while I was gone but of course I was missed a good deal because of my own very charming personality and pleasant ways.   

It is now almost 10:00pm and I suppose I will go to bed soon.  As I drift off to sleep I will think about the happy days I spent on Jekyll Island.  I will remember the precious faces of my parents and will probably even hear in my mind the sounds of the ocean, Dad’s drumming, Mom’s laughter, and the quacking of that funny duck we heard.

It was a wonderful vacation in so many ways, and for it especially I am, at this moment, thankful.

I saw the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean this morning, 7:13 am.

I took a plane ride to Georgia on Monday, unplanned and spur of the moment.  I chatted on the phone with mom that morning and was boarding a plane at 3:30.

So crazy! 

Yes, my parents are here on vacation and welcomed me with open arms.

Rich is home taking care of the children.

I’m going on a bike ride this morning with Mom and Dad.

it’s been years!

 “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.  I died, and behold I am alive forevermore……”  Revelation 1:17

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing to His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  Hebrews 13:20

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.  Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:8, 9

After a few family pictures outside, we all piled in the vehicle and when to church for the most glorious Sunday of the year. Pastor’s sermon was edifying, joyful, moving.  Jesus died on the cross and rose again and the evidence is overwhelming…..and our God-given faith works in our hearts to let us know the truth, and we are deeply thankful.

My eyes filled with tears as we rejoiced together in song, and in the good words of Scripture, that tell us what we need to know about Him.

Toward the end of the message, one of the brothers was so moved that he quietly clapped his hands as an “amen” after almost every proclamation, emotional and smiling. 

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
  Lift up your voice and  sing
Eternal hallelujahs
  To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope  of all who seek Him,
  The Help of all who find,
None other is  so loving,
  So good and kind.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with  me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You  ask me how I know He lives?
    He lives within my heart.

After church, we went to Crackerbarrel for dinner and then came home for Easter baskets in the woods. 

It was also my husband’s birthday.

highlights of the day

*Sarah in her pretty dress.

*Caleb trying so hard to play “Happy Birthday” on the piano for his Dad.

*Looking around at all the faces in church as we sang worship songs.

*The way the little ones kept feeling my new dress (it was a light, thin dress over a sleeveless shift)……all during church. 

*The boys in their matching blue shirts, the tall ones so handsome, the young ones fresh and cute.

*Grace looking like a little lady, tripping around in a pair of very low-high heels.  She said she was never wearing them again.

*Rich, all depressed over his age.

*Sarah’s joy in unwrapping a golden egg and finding chocolate.

*The church service and the preaching.

*The children’s faces and the nests in the woods.

*The dinner at Crackerbarrel.

*My heart trying so hard to let go of the non-essentials, determined to enjoy my family and make the day special for Rich. 

{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 soulemama

My French friend, Soline, had some fun putting together a box of goodies for me and my family.  I remember her asking me for my address a little while back, but was totally unprepared for such thoughtfulness.

What fun, to receive mail all the way from beautiful FRANCE!  A place I only dream of visiting!

It was so interesting to look at all the french words.  I took French in school, and my son Jacob takes it now, and it amazes me that I actually have an internet friend who lives in France (she reads my blog).  She wrote me the sweetest letter, in English.  It was perfectly and delightfully worded.

Sarah Joy immediately claimed these little French dolls.

A children’s book; so sweet.

Candy

Perfume and little toys

Finger puppets

tea set

Animal decals; with a sticky back, I plan on mounting them in rows on pretty scrap paper, and framing, for Seth and Sarah.

I put the the tiny things she sent us in this old drawer that I have hanging on the wall.  The chickens she sent are my favorite.  There was an army man for Jacob, a car for Ethan, and a little blue satin rose.  Grace took a very small box to her room, gold, with a picture of sewing things on the lid.

Little bottles of French perfume.  I love that the green bottle is called “Nature”.

What a treat, I smiled and laughed over every little thing, like a child at Christmas.  And, I am smiling now.

Thank you, sweet sister in France!  God bless you.  You truly gave pleasure to my whole family.

“….whatever is true, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Philippians 4:8

I begin this blog entry with an updated picture of our kitchen table!!!!!!!!!  Exciting, yes?

It is exciting to me (suzy homemaker that I am) because Rich and I picked up our new chairs and bench today.  Isn’t it fine to be ADDING chairs to a table? 

We bought our set YEARS ago, when we had fewer children…and now that we have seven, we needed more chairs.

As soon as Rich carried them in, I got to work scrubbing the old stuff so it matched the new, and Seth helped me.  We also added another leaf to the table.

With seven chairs and a bench on the end that seats two, there are nine places, just right!

I promptly started another puzzle, and Jacob got out his art stuff…….enjoying the new space together.

A yummy smelling candle and the last remaining flowers from my bouquet that’s been hanging around for weeks~

Rich and Grace were standing at the end of the table talking to me as I worked on sorting the pieces to the puzzle, and I saw a photo opportunity with Father and Daughter, both wearing gray.   ((oh I love them))

It was in the thirties today with an even COLDER wind blowing but I was restless to get outside.  Grace and Caleb agreed to walk along with me.  Grace took pictures with my cell phone and I took along my big camera, of course~

A Gracie picture~ of one of their most cherished forts ever.  Doesn’t it look snug and cozy?

I love this picture she took, of me taking a picture (of her boots) she was standing on a fallen down tree.

Admiring a tree~(the same one pictured above, with the hole in it) it had a crack going all the way up it, quite mysterious and lovely.

My boots were wet and my feet got sooooo numb and cold that I had to run back to the house to put different ones on, so I got lots of good exercise.  I found G and C waiting for me on the hill. 

We walked across the stream at this place, we had to hold the railing and step carefully on the rocks.  Grace and Caleb must have done it before because they weren’t nervous like I was.

Caleb made me laugh when he got to this rock (I was right behind him)…and he said, “Oh, watch out, it’s a slimy rock.  Mom, be careful, it’s covered with allergy!”

((((he meant=algae))))  Grace, in her teacher-tone, corrected him promptly.

Oh, how I loved walking and talking with my two little friends.  Caleb is 7 and Grace is 13.  We had such fun out in the cold air.

Half a mile from the house I found one of our garbage can lids.  “WHAT is THIS doing all the way over here?”  I cried.

“Oh, David carried that as a shield when we came here during hunting season,” Caleb explained.

(He was protecting himself from getting shot.)

Caleb jumped off this fallen down tree (on the roots pulled up with the ground).

(Jenny, this is that famous place where you fell down.  )

This, I believe, is a beautiful gall, emptied and hollow.  I tried to pick the branch to bring it home but the gall flew off and we couldn’t find it.

A gull is “an abnormal growth formed in response to the presence of insect larvae, mites, or fungi on plants and trees, esp. oaks.”

When we got back home, I was so hungry that I set to work making a pasta dish (no recipe) with whole grain angel hair pasta, olive oil, garlic, broccoli, and diced tomatoes, seasoned with salt, pepper, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.  Rich and Grace ate it, too.  A delicious early dinner.

And…..I finished Jane Eyre today, what a WONDERFUL STORY, one of my most favorite books ever.  (this was my 2nd reading).  I enjoyed it so much I asked Rich (when we were out today) if I could go into the bookstore and he said “YES” (he hardly ever tells me no to anything, so kind and wonderful) and……

The bottom book is the one I finished today, and the top three are the new ones.  I started Villette today.

(Yes, I intended to read War and Peace next but I have to get the Bronte sisters out of my system first).  Such deliciousness.

Rich just left with four of the boys and I am here at home with Grace, Sarah Joy, and Caleb. I am LOVING the longer days, it’s 6:39 and still broad daylight.  I’m going to putter around the house now and do a little cleaning and preparing for Lord’s day tomorrow.

((((much love))))

{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 soulemama