Oh Boy!

Birthday Parties are fun and these boys are sure of it.  I'm don't know how this works, but the boys sure did enjoy piling up like this...and it makes a marvelous picture.

Wish I were closer to my kids...all of them, but doesn't look like that will ever happen. Thank God for Blogs, Facebook, FaceTime and iCloud. Because of technology, I can see my family whenever I have a few minutes.

Of course there is more than  just technology, there are  book publishers that make it possible for one to make his or her own books.  Because of MyPublisher.com, I will be seeing this picture many, many times.

Dinner and a Movie

Our life group has grown close. We like to be together and we have been known to go to dinner and a movie. This was the first time we did that. We ate at one of my favorite places, El Fogon, then crossed the street to see God is Not Dead. It was a very special dnight and we enjoyed it thoroughly.  The movie will be one of my all time favorites.

There were no movies during Bible times.

And this from an email I got today:

God has no iPhone but he's my favorite contact.

He is not on FACEBOOK but he is my best friend.

He is not on TWITTER but I still follow Him, and even without the INTERNET I am always connected to him.

He is not on Gmail but he's always online.

God has been very good to me, better than I deserve.

I hope you realize how good he's been to you.

If not, talk to him about it. He wants to hear from you.

Recipe For Trouble

I think this is a cute title for this picture, but Oliver is no trouble. He just looks cute sitting there in the dish washer.

While looking at this picture I began to think of the song, Jesus Loves the Little Children, all the children of the world..  But then I thought, who wouldn't. It would take a really mean person to not like these innocent little ones.

May God bless my grand children and watch after them day and night.

Born To Be Wild

Surprise, Gail.  You have been one of my biggest supporters here at the blog. You have even pointed out errors that I would have expected my family members to find.

This is the only picture I have of you that was taken in recent years.  It certainly lends itself to the kind of page I wanted to have of you. Hope you enjoy it.

I remember when we first met, how many years ago? We have a mutual friend and her husband drove all of us to Lancaster, PA to the Sight and Sound Theater. I can't remember which play we saw, but I do remember us cutting up and having a lot of fun on the trip.

We were both Red Hatters, but you took it much more seriously than I, probably because you headed up a fantastic group. I would have liked to be one of your Red Hatters. You dressed to the hilt and did so many really fun things.

Like many of my other friends, you are now in the south, of course you will be back...and we do most of our visiting via the internet anyway.

Hope you are enjoying the sun, while I shovel snow. I shoveled a very heavy snow from the courtyard today.  Don't know how many more times I'll be able to do that. But I will try to keep OH in order until you can get home to help.

Time 4 Snow

There are 24 hours in a day, surely we can spend a couple  in the snow. And that is what they did last week in Colorado.  It was a fun filled big snow.  As far as I know, it was the first time Oliver had gone sledding. Looks like he did just great.

Recently when I've been out in the snow, I've been very anxious to get back indoors. Why is that when the last couple of years I really wanted to build a snowman?  Could it be because this year I feel   10 years older than I did last year?  Why is that? Why does that happen? This is the second time it has happened to me...the year I turned 60 and again this year.  Its not just the way I feel, but the way I look as well. I'm not sure if one might be the cause and the other. the affect. Anyway, I doubt that I'll build a snowman this year...but then winter has just started in Ohio and we have months to go. Who knows?

I have been thinking about my impatience. (Sometimes snowy roads can cause that.) I know that as Christians, we are to love. I also know that the Bible tells us in I Corinthians 13:4 that Love is patient.

What am I being when I am impatient? Selfish with time.  As Max Lucado wrote recently, "We don't like to waste time. People get in our way and slow things down, so we burn them with impatience!"

This week I will try to be more patient and realize that time does not belong only to me, but to others as well. I am asking the Holy Spirit to help me with this change in my life.  I will no longer take pride in being organized, and using time wisely, because that good thing has become a downfall for me. It has made me impatient with others. I must remember to love others and consider their circumstances and problems.

I'm hoping that I can reap all the fruits of the spirit told us in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness self control..."

Perspective

There are many ways to party and I like this simple one. The kids get together and enjoy each others company and get some exercise. Looks like the good old days to me, before computers, iPhones, etc.

I suppose as usual it is just a matter of perspective. Some might prefer spending lots of money and taking their friends to Hawaii, but then we are not all the president's kids.

I received a very  good email yesterday concerning perspective. I'm going to repeat it here, for it has a good lesson for us all.

Perspective

A famous writer was in his study room. He picked up his pen and started writing: Last year, I had surgery and my gall bladder was removed. I had to stay in bed for a long time, due to the surgery.  The same year I reached the age of 60 and had to give up my favorite job. I had spent 30 years of my life in this publishing company.  The same year I experienced the sorrow of my father's death.  And in the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in bed at the hospital for several days with a cast on. The destruction of the car was another loss.  At the end he wrote: Alas! It was such bad year!

 

When the writer's wife entered the room, she found her husband looking sad and lost in his thoughts. From behind his back she read what was written on the paper. She left the room silently and came back with another paper and placed it on the table beside  her husband's writing.

 

When the writer saw this paper, he found this written on it:  Last year I finally got rid of my gall bladder, of which I had spent many years in pain.  I turned 60 with sound health and retired from my job. Now I can utilize my time to write something better with more focus and peace.  The same year my father, at the age of 95, without depending on anyone or without any critical condition met his Creator.  The same year, God blessed our son with a new life. My car was destroyed but my son remained alive without any disability.

At the end she wrote:  This year was an immense blessing from God, and it passed well.

 

See...The same incidents but different viewpoints. If we ponder this viewpoint, we would truly become thankful to the Almighty.

 

Moral: In daily lives we must see that it's not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness that makes us happy.

 

There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.
Stay Blessed.

One Year, One Month

Oliver is 1 year and 1 month old today. 

Last month on his first birthday, after eating birthday 'cake', his family celebrated on the playground. It was a beautiful day for December. 

Since then, they have had a lot of snow and some frigid temperatures. But yesterday I got pictures of them in that beautiful Colorado sunshine breaking up ice on the deck. Oliver had bare feet. Oh how that CO sun warms so wonderfully. It is very difficult for me to understand how the thermometer can say 50 and it feel 70. I just don't get it. I understand how ours can say 50 and feel like 30. I  get wind chill, and dampness... but I certainly don't understand the opposite affect. But if I lived there, I wouldn't worry about understanding it, I'd just spend my time appreciating that sun.

Keeping things positive is important. In Philippians 4:8 , the Bible encourages positive thinking.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  

Negative thinking does not bring positive results.

Comfort of Home

When one spends most of his or her time at home, it is wonderful  if that place can be comfortable.

Use and wear can do a number on furniture and the sofa, which not too long ago occupied this space, was a good example of one that had had more than it's share of wear. Just imagine home schooled triplets and the amount of use a sofa could get over a few years.  

Just recently, our daughter and her husband decided it was time to replace the old, worn couch with a new sofa. Ashley sure makes it look inviting. I love those large fluffy pillows and practical color.  Of course her blanket adds to the excitement with its soft snuggly appeal, making everyday something special.

Sometimes, it is the smallest details that we remember most about home.

Try to make your home comfortable in a good way. It doesn't have to be expensive. Sometimes all it takes is a warm welcoming smile that one remembers the most.  

May the God of creation keep you in his arms and comfort you.

Look Up To Big Brother

Oliver certainly looks up to his big brother. Hopefully Caleb will watch what he does, knowing he is a role model for his little brother.

Did you ever see this much affection in the eyes of a little brother? It certainly must be rare. It warms my heart every time I see his love demonstrated. And of course, big brother loves his little buddy as well...Not sure how long this will last, but hopefully forever.


Love is a beautiful thing. In Luke chapter 10 of the Bible, we learn about the importance of love..

Luke 10:25-27

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

The question was asked, "Who is my brother?" If you would like to know the answer, read Luke 10:25- 37.   If you do not  have a Bible handy, you can go to Biblegateway.com and read it there.

Theater Bug Cast

Theater Bug puts on play after play, all good for these kids who enjoy theater. This is a great cast picture of those in a production this last month of December.  

The show was written with an historical feel, so their costumes were to reflect that time in the past.  Ashley's mother put together the outfit for her first tap dance, to fit the time frame.  She looked really cute, as did all the others.

I'm not really crazy about those adults in show business these days. It is a very hard business in which to hold on to morals. However, it is good to keep children busy with good activities where the parents are involved. 

Ashley and her brothers have been in many plays over the years. They enjoy it and have made some good friends. 

Living so far away, we have only seen a couple of their productions...but were happy to have that opportunity.

I am praying that all of this generation is allowed the freedom to worship that was given to all through our Constitution. May that freedom never cease.

This is What Old and Happy Looks Like

Do I really like that chair?  No, but I do really like that man...and I do like this gliding foot stool.

I'm really trying to get caught up...fat chance. Oh, and have an unusually busy day tomorrow...and it starts early.

I am asking God to be my guide this year.  I know he sent his son to show us the way. He's also given Christians an indwelling Holy Spirit. But, sometimes I need help keeping tuned into His  guidance.

I hope that each one of us will draw near to our Lord, so that He will guide our nation out of this mess.

Cyber Monday

I never got into the frenzied shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Oh there were years that I'd get up fairly early and drive over to the Hallmark store the day AFTER  Christmas to get the dated ornaments at 1/2 price. But that didn't involve any fighting at the doors or camping out all night.

But, when I found out about Cyber Monday this year, I was IN. After all, I didn't even have to get dressed! What a dream. If only I had had all the money to buy all those things that popped up on my screen.  mmmm

I have tried to tell myself for years that it is not about the gifts we give, so much as the gift God gave us...his son Jesus.  

No, I didn't buy much at all.  But it was fun shopping in my pjs and making this layout.

Patriotic

A pet is as patriotic as it's master. Maggie shows my patriotism on Veterans Day in November. 

One year, I celebrated Veterans Day in the hospital giving birth to our daughter, Chelle.

This year I didn't do anything quite that outstanding. I just dressed up my dog in a flag headband, which fit her body better than her head. 

What I really wanted to do then and every day is to fly a large flag from a tall flagpole in front of my house. Since I can't do that on my own, I have to be satisfied to stare at one that neighbors erected on their lakefront...it is in a perfect place for me to see as I work around the house, inside and out. I am thankful for that flag and for all those over the years who have made it possible, and especially for those who must still fight to keep that flag flying.  I pray for those who must fight local authorities for that right that was given us many years ago.

I hope to make this a patriotic year at our house.

It's Brand New Year

This is a new year, but I'm still doing an old thing, in more ways than one. I'm still sitting at this desk, making layouts. And the subject matter is from last year. Caleb and Oliver explore the pumpkin farm.

I had planned to start out the year with a cool layout of our evening, but I am slipping and forgot to get a picture.  We met Phyllis and Ron at our favorite Thai restaurant and then drove south to Regal Interstate Theater to see Unbroken, a true story that was very difficult to watch because of all that Louis Zamperini had to endure. But it has a good ending. I was glad to have learned about him and am happy to know that since then he had turned his life over to the Lord before dying  in 2014.

We had planned to return to our house for pie afterwards; but it was pretty long and Ron G. has to work tomorrow. So now, I have an extra desert in the house...just what we don't need to start the year.
But then I shouldn't complain. It is better to have pie than to never have had pic at all.