Our Little Model

If this looks like a model, it is because he is. At least, he models for us all the time. He tries so hard that sometimes his smile looks a little fake. But not here. This is our grandson and he can model for us any time he wants. These pictures were taken at Hale Farm and Village in July.

Strawberry Patch

These pictures were taken yesterday as the boys, Caleb and Oliver, picked strawberries. Knowing their mother, I'm sure they will be very happy to eat all the wonderful things she makes with those juicy berries.

By the way, I failed to say that yesterday was Ron's and my anniversary. We've been married 48 years and we are so glad when we think of all our children and grandchildren. What blessings they are to us.

It was also National Dog Day. We didn't know it at the time, but we gave our Maggie a bath, not a way she would have chosen to celebrate the big day.

I hope all of you are paying close attention to the election preparations for the big change in 2016. If we don't get out the vote of all the people who have just given up because they can't see any difference in the parties, we will cease to be a free nation. We have some wonderful candidates who have the knowledge and skill to make the changes necessary to get this nation back on the right road and a great nation once again.

Competition

Aussie has been practicing his Rubik's Cubes and more for quite some time now. He competed in two or three competitions this summer. Here he is in Atlanta. He came home with two wins...a first place in the 6x6x6 sf 3rd place in the 7x7x7. We are very proud of his accomplishment.

First Day of Kindergarten

This layout doesn't do these pictures justice, but I'm tired but still wanted to get something posted tonight about Caleb's first day of kindergarten.  It was a full day and he did well.

Love you, Caleb.

Family Values

Mommy, Daddy, Caleb and Oliver visited the Denver Zoo in April...Boy the time has gone fast. Here it is near the end of August. School classes are starting across the country. Caleb starts school for the first time tomorrow. I'm anxious for him to meet new friends. I am praying he will make good choices. I am praying his teacher is not only a believer, but active in her Christian faith. I am praying that their good family values will be upheld in the classroom.

At the Neighborhood Beach

Well school has started in Tennessee and the triplets are back to classes. Algebra challenges and there isn't as much free time. But summer was great and the kids made  good use of the beach near-by.

Here they are with a couple of friends in July.

Commitment

First, I am posting this picture of our youngest grandson who visited here in July with his family. It was hard to choose a layout, since I have not been posting  to this blog for a long time. I'm hoping to get back to a regular routine. I would like to make a commitment, but am a little afraid to do so just yet.  I have lots and lots of layouts to share. I am happy that I just happened to think of the song, I Want to Make the World Turn Around  by Steve Miller. It is a wonderful song and goes well with these pictures of Oliver and our globe.

The word commitment can be used in more than one way. To tell the truth, I don't want to be committed...to a mental hospital. ;) The word commitment is generally one that lacks meaning to many people in today's world. It is one that we need to step back and  study  more deeply.

I received this newsletter several days ago from Rick Warren. I kept it because I wanted to know what it said., but I didn't have the time to commit to it that day. I just now read it and it is very meaningful to me. Ron and I may be celebrating our 48th anniversary this next week and I can relate. It has not always been perfect, but we have been committed. all along. Thank God.

I am copying  the whole letter here. Hopefully it will mean a lot to you and you will be able to relate in some way.

To Make a Connection, make a Commitment

By Rick Warren — Aug 18, 2015

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 ESV) Good relationships don’t happen by accident. They take cultivation, work, and a lot of time. That requires commitment! I cannot count the number of times that my wife Kay and I have felt like walking out of our marriage, particularly in the early years. There were so many times we thought, “This is not worth it. We’re so different. This marriage could never work.”  But we didn’t walk out. Why? Because we’d made a commitment. We took a vow — “Till death do us part” — not just to each other but also to God. So we said, “We’re going to keep this commitment even if it kills us.” And it nearly did! There have been times in our marriage that the only thing that kept us together was that commitment — not love or interest but simply the commitment we made to God. I am so glad that we did not give up. Today, my wife is my best friend, and I cannot imagine my life without her.  The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (ESV). Did you know that your socializing can keep you from having deep relationships? You can be so busy networking, contacting, socializing, and making acquaintances that you never give the time and energy and effort it takes to cultivate the deep, satisfying intimacy of a good friend or a good wife or a good husband.  It’s not wrong to have a lot of acquaintances, but they can keep you so busy that you don’t develop any vital, close relationships. You don’t need a lot of friends to make it in this world, but you do need a few good ones. You need to focus on quality, not quantity. Your acquaintances — your hundreds of Facebook “friends” and Instagram followers — aren’t necessarily going to be there when you need them. But the friends you are truly connected and committed to will. Every important, close connection begins with a commitment. If you want to get beyond shallow, superficial relationships, you’ve got to be willing to stick with it.