A Picture

is worth

A thousand words

“He who has put all things in their places
has put me in this place,
and here will I glorify Him.”
(I Cor. 12:20)
Thomas Manton, 1620-1677

Grace Lillian

 I haven’t put very many pictures of her on my blog lately.  Grace is my only girl, a wonderful part of our family that is mostly BOYS.  She’s got her Daddy wrapped around her little finger . . .I can’t imagine what my world be like without Grace’s hair to fix, her emotions to deal with, her smiles and giggles to enjoy or her dolls to play with!  She adds so much to my life and I am so thankful for her, my daughter.

Her favorite color is Purple

She loves to hug

Grandma and Grandpa call her “Sweetie”

Grace loves to play with her Bitty Baby, her American girl doll “Samantha”, and her cat, Angie.

Grace’s favorite book is The Pilgrim’s Progress.

She loves horses now, too.

She’s the only one in our family who has brown eyes.  I love them.

Pretty Girl

Trip Back
Home
Continued

On a gorgeous day, Melissa and I met Mom at Ross Park Zoo for a picnic lunch, many many rides on the Merry- Go- Round and a walk through the zoo. . . . . . .

Caleb was so happy to ride the Merry-go-Round. . . . .what a smile!

Dad gave David his first tractor ride:

Here are some family pictures:

“My Brothers 
and my sons”         

Jacob, David, Nathan, Caleb, Isaac, David, and Ethan
I was thrilled to get a picture that was frame-worthy~

*Me and my Dad:

*Nathan and Melissa ~ They are expecting
their first baby in a few months:

*My little brother isn’t so little
anymore!  Isaac and his girlfriend, Brittany:

“Trip Back Home”

I took so many pictures that I decided to spend a few days posting them,
a few at a time,
for my friends and family to see.
Enjoy! 

Country Girl. . . . . .

Jacob took this picture of me hanging clothes out on the line at my parent’s house.  I am wearing an apron that an 80 year old woman made.  I bought it from her at our local arts and crafts festival.  I went to the festival one morning after dropping the 4 older children off at VBS, and I had a wonderful time walking around, seeing people that I’ve known for years, stopping to TALK or to LOOK at things.

Time for Sunflowers!  
a sign of the season~

A beautiful, charming, and happy sunflower face from My Mother’s Garden.
For the gardeners among us:  order bulbs for fall planting:  http://michiganbulb.com/

Simple Pleasure. . . . . . .

A walk on a country road. . . .the same road that I walked as a young girl.

Are we Friends?

This is my favorite.  Caleb formed quite an attachment to the family dog, Brutus.  Here he is taking a short rest on his new friend.
 ~Safety, warmth, trust, comfort~  These are words to describe only the best of friends.

Caleb waiting for breakfast this morning. . . . .

Rich and I giving our birthday boy a big smooch.

At our house, at the first birthday, the child gets to play with their cake.

Caleb was furious to have his cake taken from him.  Then, Daddy butchered it!

Would you like a piece of cake?  It’s sitting pretty in a “peacock” fiesta dessert bowl.

With just a little help, Caleb opened his gift.  Then, we all had fun watching it spin!

We have this moment
to hold in our hands
and to touch
as it slips through our fingers like sand.
Yesterday’s gone
and tomorrow may never come
but we have this moment
today.

My Dad

 —————————————————————

Goon, Dad, & Panda

Love     Forever    Kisses    Smiles

Happy Father’s Day!

     Daddy’s little Girl             Care Concern                                              Sons and Daughters                Safety
Hugs             Example                                            Giver

Advice                      Sacrifice             Protection            Spiritual Leader

“After you guys left I went jogging and started to cry.  I saw the tractor tire marks and remembered how just a few minutes ago J+E were on my lap laughing at my silly creature sayings-‘Three Eared Monkey Bird’-how when I started to turn around they said ‘No Grandpa, No!!’  So I made a 360 turn intead of 180 and we traveled on.  How I love my J+E+G!! 
Now I am praying that God will give you a safe trip home.  The house is now quiet and clean but I’d rather have it filled with my loved ones and dirty!!  Time goes by so fast Shan.  I know it is hard with 3 little ones but try to cherish the time!!”  
~from a note that my Dad wrote me after we went away from a visit to their house in October, 2000.

Thanks For Everything. . . . . . .

Let me just begin by saying that I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked.  I missed a lot of photo opportunities because the purpose of my visit was to be there for my grieving family; my mom and her sisters and the rest of the family, after the death of my Uncle Chris.  There are pictures in my mind, however, and moments not soon to be forgotten.  Thank you for all your prayers and well-wishes on our behalf.  It was a bittersweet time~  bitter because of loss, sweet because of family, friends and the love that we share.
And now, the pictures I did take.  Enjoy!

The picture above is of my 5 children, my Aunt Colleen’s 4 daughters, and my sisters 2 daughters.  And so it goes.  Life continuing on.

This picture is special.. My mother and me with my son.  It was taken on Mother’s Day.

My Parent’s house.  This is where I lived from age 10 years on until I left home to get married.  The only place on earth where I can feel relaxed and comfortable.

What’s a family visit without food?  Besides my mom’s homecooked lunch, we also enjoyed cousin Erika’s homemade baked goods.  The brownies were sublime.

Aunt Mary

Here are some of us girls going through some pictures of Uncle Chris.  “Time it was and what a time it was. . . .a time of innocence. . .a time of confidences. . . long ago it must be . . I have a photograph. . . .preserve your memories . . . . . .”

My Grandpa Gohl

My “sweet as sugar” sister, Melissa

One of the most important people in my life, my brother David.  He has the most gorgeous blue eyes.

The happiest newlyweds ever!  My brother Nathan (another very important person in my life) is thrilled with his new wife and now that they have a baby on the way, life just can’t get any better!  I’m so happy for them.

What’s a trip back home without a picture of my dear Dad?  Unfortunately that perfect picture never happened.  We tried.  Oh well, I hope that on our trip to Fort Ticonderoga in 2 weeks I’ll have an opportunity for a Dad Pic.

Love to you all. . . . .

Line from the song that was sung at the funeral:  “God knows your heart when people just see you crying”

sunshine in my hair grass beneath my feet