I was able to go to my parent’s house from Thursday until Sunday afternoon.  On Friday I had a much needed visit with my aunt Colleen.  We went out for lunch (I took the above picture outside the cafe we ate in – where the view is gorgeous and truly “country”) and to an antique shop.

“No, you can’t come with us,” Colleen told her daughters, “this is mommy-time!”

The regular fast pace of my life with five small children slowed way down and I even had time to read in bed:

“Just as soon as I knew you were coming, I started cleaning!”- Mom

On Saturday Dad, Mom, and I went shopping.  We ate lunch at my favorite pizza place of all time:

Spending time down memory lane:

“Your Dad has always been so handsome to me” -Mom

On Sunday we had a family dinner after church.  It was fun to be around my brothers.  

The old familiar sight of Mom working in the kitchen and Dad by her side.

“I hope we can die together in our sleep, so we never have to be apart” -Dad

 I love you. . . .

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.  ~Anthony Brandt

The kids and I went for a walk yesterday.

Did you spot the boys in the first picture? 

Whenever I get out in the woods I don’t want to leave. 

We heard an owl.  I wanted to go try to find it but a 19 month old really slows me down.  (not that I mind, he was so so so so so so so CUTE)

I noticed this tree. . . . .and it’s rings.  This picture makes me think about God and eternity. . . because of the circles. . .because He took the time to create trees with rings in them.  No man would have thought of the extra details and it certainly didn’t “just happen”.

Decomposing wood. . . .it has a wonderful outdoorsy smell.  The bark is soft and the tree inside is now a rich and dark brown earth.  I love the color.

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I’m leaving tomorrow morning to go to my parent’s house all by myself for 4 days!  I am busy today doing laundry (it never ends!)  I also took the kids to the library, went to the grocery store, and I am making a pile of things to take with me.  I’ve also been printing some pictures. 

There is still lots to do, including the rest of the school day!

The weather is mild and warm.

The children are all resting now so I’m going to go have some tea.

Tea anyone?

Weak grace may do for God, but it must be strong grace that will die for God.  William Secker

The right manner of growth is to grow less in one’s own eyes.  Thomas Watson

 All grace grows as Love to the Word of God grows.  Phillip Henry

Grace is the freeness of Love.  Thomas Goodwin

For what is grace but the beams of Christ, the Sun of Righteousness.  Richard Sibbes

“Do this and live!: the Law demands,
But gives me neither feet nor hands.
A better word God’s grace does bring,
It bids me fly and gives me wings.  Kenneth Wuest

“And grace will lead me safely home”  -from the hymn “Amazing Grace”

How can it be?  How can it be?
Was ever grace so full and free!
From heights of bliss to depths of woe
In loving kindness Thou didst go,
From sin and shame to rescue me-
O Love Divine, How can it be?

How can it be?  How can it be?
That God should love a soul like me,
Oh how can it be?  ~Avis Christiansen

Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.  Romans 5:20

To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.  Ephesians 1:6

We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.  Acts 15:11

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9

*sigh*  I feel better now.  Nothing like a good dose of God’s grace to change a case of the “grumps” to inner calmness. 

Watching a movie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I have noticed three signs of spring here in New England:

The birds are singing differently

The days are getting longer

There is a feeling within me that is looking and longing for spring

I’m so thankful for the seasons!

The day arrives when you see a teeny tiny hole (usually in a screen) and you think, “Oh well, he won’t notice THAT.”  You hope it won’t get noticed because we all know what happens to teeny tiny holes that get noticed.  They grow.  Oftentimes~ mysteriously.  You never actually SEE it happen.

Recently, at our house, a hole got noticed.  And it got too big.  WAAAAY too big.

My purpose has been defeated

So now I want to know something.  Should I:

1.  Rediscover my creative side and sew an artsy patch?  

or,

2.  Buy a new playpen. 

or, 

3.   Graduate the little guy from the playpen and give him complete freedom.

I need a playpen!

The day arrives when you see a teeny tiny hole (usually in a screen) and you think, “Oh well, he won’t notice THAT.”  You hope it won’t get noticed because we all know what happens to teeny tiny holes that get noticed.  They grow.  Oftentimes~ mysteriously.  You never actually SEE it happen.

Recently, at our house, a hole got noticed.  And it got too big.  WAAAAY too big.

My purpose has been defeated

So now I want to know something.  Should I:

1.  Rediscover my creative side and sew an artsy patch?  

or,

2.  Buy a new playpen. 

or, 

3.   Graduate the little guy from the playpen and give him complete freedom.

I need a playpen!

I’m sure you all have memories of a special birthday, a birthday that will never be forgotten.  Everything was perfect and you were so so happy.

That’s the way I want my son’s birthday to be today.  Perfect and memorable.  It is his 9th birthday and I’m trying to do everything I can to make it a special day.

We got him with silly string as soon as he came downstairs for breakfast.  (the kids have never seen it before so it was very funny)

We aren’t having school.

We went on a trip to the grocery store this morning where we filled the cart with chips, dip, fruit snacks, fruit punch, a balloon, the fixings for ice cream sundaes. . . .all foods that I would normally flat out refuse to buy!  I even let him get his own bottle of Mountain Dew!

My Friend K called this morning, wondering if she could drop by with a gift.  Her children are the same age as mine so we had a party!  We ate lunch, made ice cream sundaes, and then we took this picture:

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Our guests have gone home now.  Later on when Daddy gets home we will have a special dinner (chicken and mashed potatoes) and birthday cake. 

Happy Birthday!

(EDIT, hours have passed) *More pictures:

I love Caleb’s laughing face in that one L

My sister w/her baby and Me with my baby

We have had a busy day and now I am very tired.  Good night!