We’re done with our school work for today and it’s lovely outside!

Catch of the Day:

They also have a snake, a big water bug of some sort, tadpoles, and other frogs.

These are the days to remember, have fun, smile, explore. . . .

One of their thoughtful spots.

Here I am, holding hands with my son and absorbing the loving expression on his face that I see so often.  He’s saying “I love you Mom” with his eyes.

I’ve been busy in my garden. . . .but God’s garden is where I find the most pleasure.

Like when I see the Violets

I can’t stand it I just can’t stand it. . . .they’re getting so big!!!!!!!!!

My Aunt Mary inspired me to put pansies by my side door.

I found this in my mailbox today:

Only a heart full of love would make a person fill a card with encouragement for a little boy (and his family), to console him after his dog died.  Thanks, onehappymomma,  You made tears come to my eyes today with your thoughtfulness.

Have a Happy Day!

First of all, thanks to each of you for your kind comments about the loss of our poor dog.  I cried when I wrote the story and cried harder when I read all your responses to it.  What kind hearts you have!  The children have been reading each comment and I plan on printing them so they can save them.  Thank you over and over! 

This afternoon I took my son with me for a little walk.  It’s been raining for a few days and he was soaked (and whining) by the time we got home.  Here are some pictures that I took as we were out enjoying God’s beautiful creation:

1.  I love the colors of this wild rose bush.  The dusky purple and greens inspire me.

2.   in the field near our house (state land). 

3.  adjusting his shoe?  I think this photo is so sweet.

4.  This grass was so thick and healthy that it loudly rasped against my boots as I waded through it.

5.  A soaking wet dandelion head looks so exotic!  It’s a beautiful new way to see a common plant.

6.  It was fun to find a natural trail of water running into the woods, which led us under an apple tree.  You may wonder if it’s a stream– it isn’t normally, there just has been extra water lately from the rain.  Son is amazed that Mommy is leading him through such a muddy wet pathway.

7.  We discovered a small field of tall tall grasses in the edge of the woods. 

8.  I got really wet trying to get a clear picture of this Jack-in-the-Pulpit. 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures from our walk.  Whenever I spend time outside I feel refreshed and happy in the Lord.  His creation is so beautiful.  I see something exciting every day here at our country home.  Yesterday we had a crane land near the pond and I also saw a sweet pair of warblers in the bushes.  I need to start writing everything down in a journal!  I can understand why some people carry journals around with them wherever they go.

And now, here are the words to a favorite hymn with words that are meaningful and unifying.  This hymn came to mind as I read the comforting words in yesterday’s comments.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

We we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

John Fawcett

Have a wonderful evening!

So, what do we do when hubby has to work late?  Go to sister’s house to pass the time away! 

 admired the babies. . . . .

ran a big bath for the girls to giggle and play in. . . . . . .

posed for pictures

enjoyed the outdoors. . . . .

and did our best to ignore the toads!

By the way, the toads are almost gone.  They used our pond to “do what they had to do” and then hopped away.  I have never seen anything like it.  Husband said that the family who used to live here told him that it would happen.  I know it seems like nothing, but it was honestly quite disturbing to see so many.  I felt kind of sick by the end of the day, after an entire day of seeing them and almost stepping on them.  One toad is kind of cute, but hundreds are NOT.  The plague in Egypt really came alive for me! 

Despite the toads, yesterday was a lot of fun.  It was so nice to spend the day with my sister and her girls.

Y

There are no flowers grown in the vale
Kiss’d by the dew, woo’d by the gale,
None by the dew of twilight wet,
So sweet as the deep-blue violet 

(They are toads)

Warning! This is disturbing!

Mind you, this JUST HAPPENED.  The children forced me to go outside to see this!

You will probably scream!

More information:  The kids caught all these today, the pond is overrun with them. . .apparently it’s a good day to be a toad.    They are all over the place. . . . . .and we haven’t seen any until today!  I’m sure they’ll be gone in a few days.  They better be!

Isn’t he amazing? 

Have a wonderful day everyone!  It’s going to be beautiful here–sunny and warm–after school is over we are spending the rest of the day outside!  Do something fun and silly today and don’t forget to take a picture!  

**********************************************

“We cannot stop the years from rolling on, nor can we keep back the gray hairs and the wrinkles and the lines of weariness.  These bodies will grow old in spite of us.  But there is no reason why our spirits should not be always young.  We ought to keep a child’s heart beating in our breast until God calls us up higher.  We ought to grow always toward youth.” -J.R. Miller (again!)  

When I was a mom of just two boys, I read an article in the Reader’s Digest titled, “Surrounded by Brothers”.  It touched me deeply, so much so that I tore it out and pasted it in my journal.  Little did I know that God would give us 2 more little boys!  Here are a few quotes from that article, which was written by James Schembari:

“They go to bed, one in the top bunk, and
the other in the bottom.  By morning they
are in one bed, curled up together
like puppies in a box.”

“I don’t know what kind of relationship they will
have when they grow up.  I want them to always
have each other.  So I imagine them going to the
same college, marrying sisters and living on the
same block.” 

“I sometimes things that the greatest thing I have ever done
is to help create these brothers.” 

“I am surrounded by brothers.  It is better
than I ever imagined.”

~

Earlier today, I gave the boys each a “teddy bear” buzz cut. 
I usually do it myself but last time they needed cuts I took them
to a hair place in the mall.  It cost 50 dollars
for 3 little boy buzz cuts!  (I won’t be doing that
again any time soon!)  Today I got out the clippers and went outside
to clean, oil, and adjust them (the clippers are what frustrated me last time.)  Then I gave each of the boys
their hair cut – right out on the yard in the sun.  I
don’t have any hair to sweep up afterword – I left it
all in the grass!  I had fun but I can’t say that the
boys enjoyed it much. 

I think I earned myself a good 50 dollars, don’t you?