Our weekend

Our weekend was bursting with good things.

It began with a concert by our favorite vocalist: John's sister, Jayme.  She gave an amazing performance and shared so much of herself and her story with the audience.  The hour went by much too quickly.

Saturday brought along a birthday pool party for M and C to attend.  They had a blast playing games in an indoor pool with friends. (Birthday girl's mom took this one with her cell phone.)

On Saturday night John and I had the annual Bowling and Bruno's outing with our church's worship team.  This is basically a night of bowling terribly (at least for me) followed by eating delicious pizza with a great group of people.  No pictures, though.

And Sunday night...  Daddy/Daughter date night put together for C's age group at church.  John took M to this when she was in 4th and 5th grade.  I can't believe C is already here.

While they were out M made the two of us crepes.... she's so old!  :)  And I'm so proud of both of our girls!

Psalm 144:12
 May our sons flourish in their youth
      like well-nurtured plants.
   May our daughters be like graceful pillars,
      carved to beautify a palace.

13

It's hard to believe, but it really is true -- our baby girl is 13.

We love you like crazy, girl.  You are sweeter than I can explain!  Your generous heart and your humility bless me everyday.  God uses you daily to remind me to slow down and enjoy the moments of life.  I know without a doubt that you will continue to grow in grace and beauty, because your heart truly belongs to Jesus.  His light and love shine through you and it is evident to all who are blessed to know you.

I love you, sweetheart.  Happy happy birthday!! xoxo

.........

I've done a terrible job at blogging this 13th year of her life, so I thought I'd post some of my favorite shots of M from the last 12 months.  As you'll see, it's been a transforming year.

   

I love this one.  It was a shock to all of us in mid-August when God provided a ipod touch for M. (He undeniably gave this to M!  It's a great story!)  We were so excited that we couldn't wait until her birthday.  I love the look on both their faces!

 

Glimpses of the last 2 months

September has given way to mid-October and I've finally made it back to my blog. We are as busy as ever.  The photos below capture some of the fun and beauty we've been blessed with these last weeks.

-Family Camp on Labor Day weekend is always enjoyed, but also puts somewhat of a bookend on the summer.  It's always back-to-the-books after a long and fun weekend with friends.

-We needed a family photo for our church's annual prayer card exchange, so we set up the camera on a tripod in the backyard and hoped for the best. Not bad!

-I was surprised that planting carrot seeds in a pot on my deck actually resulted in edible carrots! I planted the seeds in June and by September we had delicious carrots. Amazing!

-We continue to love our weekly Little House on the Prairie co-op. The girls made bread together and each took a small loaf home to bake.

-Family time! It's always wonderful to eat with family and gather around a bonfire to make smores.

-Last week we had the amazing opportunity to spend a day in 1875 in a one-room schoolhouse.

The schoolmaster had them stand for the roll call, sing songs, and practice their penmanship on slate boards. (and much more!) The girls had to sit on one side of the room and the boys on the other. (yes!)

They ate lunch on the steps of the schoolhouse and were able to play with jump ropes, wooden stilts, and other toys they would have had in 1875. It was a wonderful experience.

-The color of fall is all around now. We just had 2+ weeks of warm weather... and now it is cold, windy, and raining. But honestly, I look forward to being tucked into our little house together. I'm not sure it actually slows down the pace of life, but it seems like it does - at least a little.

I hope you're enjoying this season wherever it finds you... may you be able to open your eyes to see what God is doing this very day in your life and may you have the courage to say yes to whatever great thing He has for you to be a part of... His plans are always the best!

With love,

Christine

1000 Gifts : my mom-in-love

Since the first time I walked into her home, this woman has welcomed me into her heart like one of her very own. My husband's mother really did become like another mom to me. I can't imagine feeling obligated to call her mom just because she is my husband's mother. I love her and so I call her Mom... sister... and friend.

If only all the mother-in-laws in the world could be so wonderful, the world would be a more peaceful place.

We celebrated 60 grace-filled years of her life this week and so today I add to my endless gift list some special and quite extraordinary gifts... just a few of the gifts to me from my Father in a package wrapped up in my mom-in-love.

#947 - 954

my mom-in-love, always ready with a word of love or a word to provide laughter

my mom-in-love, living every moment in a posture of prayer, whether in a crowd or walking alone

my mom-in-love, caretaker of young and old, big and small, strong or weak

my mom-in-love, with hands willing to work for her God no matter the load--great or small

my mom-in-love, vessel of the Living God, full of His love and grace

my mom-in-love, beautiful in and out

my mom-in-love, who lives to know God and to make Him known

my mom-in-love, my teacher, my prayer partner, my helper, my encourager, my sister, my friend

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

pictures from our celebration at The Oaks at South Paw Farms

A joyful discovery

"Be joyful in God, all you lands; sing the glory of his name; sing the glory of his praise.
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! All the earth bows down before you, sings to you, sings out your Name."
Pslam 66:1-3

Last weekend we discovered a beautiful park just 10 minutes from home.

With John out of town, the girls and I met up with my parents and their 4 dogs at a Botanical Garden in our neighboring town.

The delights continued to mount as we walked the 1/2 mile paved path around the pond.




Near the end of our walk we looked down to discover this sight:
When we spotted the bench we knew we had permission to get a closer look.




We lingered here for nearly an hour, wading through the water and hopping from rock to rock. It was only the growling of our tummies that convinced us that it was time to go home. It was truly a slice of time I will always remember as a special treat from above.

We are anxious to find time to share it with John... he's going to love it!

"Every day will I bless you and praise your Name for ever and ever." Psalm 145:2