Fall 2009

Snowing in June

Every year, around this time, we get our "June Snow" as the kids like to call it. And it really does look like snow... whirling and swirling in the air, sticking to the screens and covering the plants. But here is the culprit... our giant Cottonwood Tree! It showers us with it's soft, feathery fluff, So much that I start imagining making pillows and using it for stuffing. But we are thankful for the warm winds of June that blow it around, and even more thankful that it isn't really snowing in June.

"Only You Can Prevent Forrest Fire"

This afternoon, David went for a bike ride on the trail behind our house. As he was nearing home he came upon a quickly spreading brush fire. There was a lady walking with a cell phone who called 911 and then David had her call us to come out and help.

The kids, along with our neighbors lugged buckets of all sizes filled with water and doused it onto the flames.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for the Fire Department to arrive on the scene. They were able to put it out quickly, much to our relief.

Of course, Josiah was most concerned about the animal and their damaged habitats. He let me know that he was praying for them the whole time.

Then we got to stand back and watch our tax dollars hard at work. We are just thankful it didn't hit any closer to home.

My American Girl

Last weekend, My beautiful little girl and I got to go on a very fun date!

After saving her money for months and then getting a matching grant from Grandma, she finally had enough for us to head down to the American Girl Store. A new American Girl Store recently opened at the Mall of America. All set in our Matching sweaters and jean skirts, we got there just as the mall was opening.After much consideration and deliberation, she finally settled on a "Just Like Me" doll. ... Who really does look just like her.

Then it was off to the American Girl Bistro for lunch where they actually seat and serve your doll as well. Sara named her doll "Akele" after her big sister who she loves and misses so much.
It was such a fun day with my favorite "American Girl". I love you Sara Ashley!

New Season

Well, it is that time of year... The time when good, virtuous women lead their families in the noble art of Gardening. I have never been such a woman myself but am bravely attempting to learn this new skill.I must admit to you that I am quite intimidated by the whole process. I feel more like the Village Idiot than the Proverbs 31 woman, but I will not be deterred! I am determined to give it my best. I am also hoping for lots of those afore mentioned noble women to offer advice and instruction. Having said all of that, the kids and I are excited about our new adventure. We have planted our seedlings and they now line the sunny window sills waiting for the ground to be warm and ready.

We are working on breaking up the ground, work that makes us appreciate our early American ancestors and all they endured just to put food on the table. We are also hopeful that God will grant us many lessons during this process and we might produce a harvest of righteousness.

Hosea 10:12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Not Too Bright

Today, Jake got his head stuck in a plastic animal cracker container.... And I do mean STUCK!

When I first found him, I quickly realized that he had no air and would suffocate if I didn't act fast. I made holes so that he could breath and that took care of the first problem. The next was to figure out how to get it off!

He was quite scared and stressed, especially when I came at him with the garden trimmers, but after an hour and half, I finally got him free. Let's hope he learned his lesson, but as this is not the first time, I won't hold my breath. He may not be the brightest dog in town, but we love him and are glad we didn't loose him to a plastic jar!

Spring Rain

With the rain of Spring upon us, the gloomy days tempt us to be gloomy ourselves. So this morning we pushed back a little with a lovely Nature Walk. The woods around our home have come alive with birds and bugs, moss and mushrooms, and the trees are starting to awaken from their slumber with tiny buds.We brought back our rugged treasures in cardboard boxes and got busy with our creative work.We each worked on our own arrangements.. a twig here, a rock there, all tucked into a bed of moss.

Each creation had it's own personality, taking on that of it's maker, but beautifully reminding us of the Creator of all.

We were actually quite proud of the finished product, and even took one to a friend as a gift.

I will send you rain in it's season, and the ground will yield it's crops and the trees of the field, their fruit. Lev.26:4

Snow

Winter does not go down without a fight here in Minnesota...

So As I struggled this morning, feeling discouraged with another cold day, I went looking for encouragement in the words of the Bible. Here is what I found.... Job 37:6
For he saith to the snow, Be thou [on] the earth;

likewise to the small rain,

and to the great rain of his strength.

Job 38:22
Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?
or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

Psa 51:7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Isa 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Pro 31:21
She is not afraid of the snow for her household:

for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.

Isa 55:10
For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.

Birthday Girl!

This morning we woke up ready to celebrate the birth of our big girl. She is 9 Years old today.... (half way to 18... YIKES!)

So we started the morning with Grandpa's homemade pancake recipe. YUM!

Then it was off to Chuck E. Cheese for a fun family outing. We got tokens and the kids all played.

Ok, well, the parents had fun too!

Once we got hungry, it was off to our favorite restaurant, Cottage Grill, where there was lunch and some yummy chocolate cake with our name on it.

We are so thankful that God has blessed us with this amazing little girl. It is so fun watching her grow... WE LOVE YOU SARA!!!

The View from my Window

Sitting inside my warm toasty houseAs Husband clears half a foot of snow from our long driveway..He then inspects his work and kicks aside a few clumps of snow that survived the noisy assault of the blower.Meanwhile... daughter finds playmates in cold and they unite their winter joy for hours of fun!Hiding, pretending... barking like lost puppies in the snow... until The Sun sets, painting the sky as he goes.

What a beautiful view I have from my window!