II Corinthians 9:6-8

 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:  for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"
I look at the beauty of the sky at sunset and I am overwhelmed by what God does for me each and every day.  He gives beyond what I need.  He never holds back...and what He does is filled with grace and beauty!  That is my desire...to demonstrate that kind of giving...that is beautiful and refreshing to others...no hidden agenda, no tally lists, no pay-backs, no grudges.

Blessings of Wednesday

 I sat and listened to the student body practice for the city's Founders' Day which is on Sunday afternoon.  They are singing a variety of patriotic songs and gave me chills!  I get to sing "This Is A Great Country" with them.  I hope most of these kiddos show up Sunday afternoon because they could blow people away if they have a mind to!  Listening to them sing "God Bless The USA" with Mr. Jeremy makes me want to shout.

I got to eat a white chocolate raspberry scone and coffee with friends.  I enjoyed the conversation and company!  I loved the open heart that shared, "Here's a prayer request..." in the middle of our visiting.  A sweet time with other mothers/wives/sisters/friends/daughters...all different and unique but with the same struggles and events in life.  And the scones...MMMM!  I'm hunting for a recipe for these!  The last time I had one...was right before we moved...my friend, Patty, brought them.  I forgot how yummy they were and that I wanted to make them then too.  I sure have had sweet friends over the years...and God brings them to mind in sweet ways!  I am feeling bad about not being able to keep up with old friends, as I think I should be able...so if you stop by this blog...know that you are remembered...even on the days I don't have time or take time to post.  It is a good thing to take time to make new friends...a lesson that all of us are learning each and every day!

We went from freezing temps to summer temps in a couple days again!  Today, the heating and cooling man came to fix the central air unit.  I am so thankful that he was able to take care of this for us!  Our home is comfortable and cozy...but turns into an absolute oven when the sun shines all day.  It will be comfortable for all my loves when they come home later today.
I just needed to take the time today to audibly voice these small blessings.  After feeling yucky the last few days, I needed to focus on the wonderful things that God does for me each and every day...even when my nose is raw and my head is plugged...and I didn't get to sleep off all the Nyquil from last night.  I am also thankful that I don't suffer from allergies like many do.  This feeling is not pleasant!

What are you doing for Mother's Day?

 We are going to be at home!  Ted and the kiddos made dinner and I sat in the chair...not feeling well.

"Let's take another picture.  That's better, you don't look so bad...you know, you don't look sick in this one."  Thank you, dear Alisa!  Not making dinner, cleaning up, and sitting in this chair all day...made me feel a little better.  At least I could still taste the yummy grilled burger...thank you, dear family, for taking care of me!

My Lovely Mother

I got all teary-eyed when this picture came through on my phone yesterday afternoon.  I get a little more emotional on Mother's Day plus I was not feeling good and my eyes were already watery.  I counted back...seven weeks since open heart surgery...!?  What a wonderful blessing to see God's care for my dear Mother!  And, of course, Dad's care and company has been the finest in the land!  So many thoughts, prayers, and blessings are pictured here...and I just had to share it!  
 I love you, Mother dear! 

Just so thankful for our mothers...

As I was reading this morning, I read these words, "Every Godly parent is worthy of honor by their children-- every day, not just once a year--and especially those Godly mothers who taught us the ways of God.  Such mothers will indeed have occasion to "rejoice in time to come" as "her children arise up, and call her blessed" Proverbs 31:25, 28." H. M. Morris IV
I have been thinking these exact thoughts all week, and this man expressed it in words so well...and since I read the words, I had to give him credit.  God has blessed us with such a wonderful family heritage...that continues to this day.  My heart is full of thankfulness!  Happy Mother's Day to our dear mothers!  We love you!

Friday night floor hockey

 After school we had guests hang out with us till the kiddos TT activity tonight.  I found some new dips to try via pinterest again.  With 6 pre-teens...I needed something good and filling!  They gave these "thumbs up way high in the sky!"  Snickers Dip with pretzels or graham crackers and Mississippi Dip (normally baked in a loaf of bread) with chips or pretzels (I left out the green onions, but I believe they would make it even better!).

 God sent cooler temps just in time!  All week...we have come home to a balmy 78-83 degrees inside our home.  By the time school was out, the temps were dropping and the clouds had moved in...making the cool breezes blow in the windows.  I found it very funny that these guys cashed out in the chairs for awhile...dip coma or after-school crash coma or saving their energy for floor hockey.  They soon re-energized and headed outside to run the hill.

 Pretty intense games of floor hockey...using a tennis ball.

 Uncle Pastor and other leaders seemed to have just as much, if not more fun, than the kiddos.  I'm pretty sure one group will feel it more than the other group!!!

War whooping, hollering, laughing, whacking, running, and sweating...they had fun!

We could not have had a better day!

 The 5th and 6th graders took a trip to Greenfield Village on Wednesday.  It was a beautiful day!!!

 I was the leader of the 6th grade girls....the Neon Hippos.  Oh, girls, we must talk!  Their teacher put together a scavenger hunt to encourage the class to visit several different places and ask questions of the villagers.

Off everyone went!  There were prizes involved!

First thing to check off...group picture...

Feeding the fish...which all the girls were squealing about how nasty they were...as only girls can do!

The roundhouse questions...

I enjoyed seeing this place in full for the first time!  It is so neat and well worth the time to visit.  Mr. Ford...he did a first class job here.

The milliner's shop...

There are actors in the shops and homes to tell about the different time period and people.  The Wright Brothers were welcomed home by their sister and told of their success at Kitty Hawk.

A group picture at Thomas Edison's feet!  These girls went for all the big point questions.  They even found the courage to ask for a picture with Huck Finn.  At lunch time, the points were tallied and the 6th grade girls were 30-50 points ahead of the others.

They won a ride pass!  By default...their group leader got it too!  We rode the 100 year old carousel.

Big girls like to ride too!  We also had time to ride in a Model T and saw some more of the park that we just didn't have time to visit this time.  Thank you, Mrs. M for a fun day and a cool prize!  Thanks, girls, for being sweet!  Thank you, Lord, for a beautiful spring day!

A time for family fun

Saturday was a beautiful day for a drive to visit the Henry Ford again!

Our children have been hilarious as of late!

The displays through the decades..."Hey, these are the kind of computer games that I grew up with...they were before your Mom's time." 

Too much play...makes Dad tired!  Not many younger families were inside...

because Thomas the Engine has been in town!  Thousands of littles with their parents...funny thing...by 2pm...the park was getting really empty!  Naptime!

This sheep was snoozing as these men sheared his heavy coat off.  They told us about the lambs...so we took off walking to the farm...

and stopped at the farmhouse...then the outhouse!  Ashlynn asked what the corncobs were for...which made her Dad laugh and tell her...which made her Mom laugh at her reaction!  This city girl did not find the humor!

Awww...the bleating of the little lambs was adorable!  This little guy was jumping around chasing a little sparrow.

We stopped at the mall on the way home to grant a request of our third chair filler.  She was ready...well...till she sat in the chair and started shaking.  We had a wonderful gal!

We learned a long time ago...take Dad with you on shopping trips!  He makes magic happen!

Alisa has to wait till after her MRI on May 18th.  Then we have a date to take her.  Teddy watched and said he wasn't going to ever do it...no matter if Ashlynn said it didn't hurt.  He watched her face.

Supper in the food court!  Girls...Chinese food.  Guys...Taco Bell.  We sure enjoyed our day out...and then Dad topped it off with the DQ for dessert.  We don't do "big" very often which makes it extra-special and much appreciated by our three chair fillers...and their parents.  Time with our children is a blessing!  We have shared some very heart felt conversations lately...and we are all growing because of them!  Sitting...riding...walking...eating...always good times to talk!

You know you are off to a rough start to your day when...

the last of your half and half must have gone bad before its time!  Bleh!

Well isn't this just a kick in the head fun!

This afternoon was a lesson in not-all-Fridays-will-go-as-you-wanted-or-hoped.  Ted didn't get to leave work early, kiddos hopes were derailed, and the laundry fairy didn't show up while the rest of us were at school.  We are all thankful for a beautiful day and safety through the week!

Hey, Grampy and Grammy...we are not having too much fun in the sun! 

My half week in the Toddler room!

 Play time, snack time, potty time, outside time, reading time, play time, potty time, lunch time...

 NAP TIME!

 Yesterday morning...watching Tom and Jerry during the transition time...getting ideas for their day?!

We had just boys for the morning...and they had a blast with the blocks and trucks.  One more day for me this week...and it is a full house today!

My sissy brought me a little something to get me through the afternoon slump!  Love her!

Fun with the highschoolers

 Our cousin is doing a great job with drama!  Here...she was Alice...talking to the Cheshire Cat.

 It was fun to watch the students perform their pieces from the fine arts competition last night.  School days are in the final countdown and there is a buzz in the air!