Tuesday, April 17, 2012

So Thankful....

In the past few days, God has truly shown me that I am blessed much more than I deserve.  Opinions, given to me freely in the past has been to the contrary.  People seem to think that I deserve to have God's blessings...me, a sinner.  I disagree.

My husband, who is the hardest working man I have ever met in my life, is a truly blessing from God, as well as an answer to my prayers.  I could not hand pick a better father for my children. God did that for me!

And the children that He has blessed our marriage with, He did that for us.

Last week, my iPhone died. No explanation. It just died. After getting it sent off, a new one came in and needed to be picked up.  So, Tim and Laura headed off to Best Buy.  On their way home, the right rear sway arm on the '93 decided to break.  Laura was driving, and told Dad that he could finish the drive the rest of the way home.  They "babied" the car home, never getting above 20, to keep the car from bouncing.

 
The 'normal' 30 minute drive took them over an hour. They arrived home safely, thanks be to God! What amazes me, too...is that when you look at the picture you wonder how long this sway arm has been hanging on by a thread! I thank God that Tim was with Laura in the car, and that she was not driving on the interstate. The possibilities of what could have happened are replaced with the joy that no one was hurt when this happened!
A few hours later, I'm making my Mom's potato salad for Tim to take to work today.  Matthew thoroughly entertained Laura and me with the Lady of Fatima statue from the All Saint's Altar. Between the smelling of the cooked potatoes I was peeling, to the "Mmmmmm!", to his hugging or kissing the statue....each moment was truly precious!


Thank you Lord, for your many blessings. In closing, I would like to share something I feel that is so important as St. Stephen Harding shows by his example:

We might not think about it much, but it's important to spend some quiet time each day listening to God who speaks in our hearts.  St. Stephen knew that this is why some silence in our lives is important. We can ask him to remind us to sometimes turn off our TV's, CD players, and computers to spend time listening to and talking to God!

This is something that I certainly need to work on! May God bless you and yours abundantly.


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Beautiful Saturday.....


We were truly blessed today with beautiful weather! The temperatures easily hit 70 today, and at last glance the temperature is about 66. My iPhone died earlier this week, so I borrowed Tim's phone to take pictures of the children playing in the garden.....

Watching the chickens in their yard pecking the ground, or dust bathing.....



Trying to re-attach the garden gate door....all by himself.....
Seeing the beginnings of the rhubarb.....
Or attempting to play ball with the Kipper.....
Some of our potatoes (Yukon Gold's) are planted in the garden, along with some carrots, and onions.  Please, Lord, bless our crops abundantly!

As I was going through the photos on Tim's phone, I came across several that are just a few of my favorites. These pictures remind me of how quickly each child changes, and to cherish every moment with them, for they will be grown and on their own before we know it.  Here are several of my favorites....I hope you don't mind my stroll down memory lane.............

Matthew enjoying the paddle from the mixer



(top/bottom, left to right)
David, Michael, Donald, John Paul



Beth



Matthew & Michael zonked out in the car


Sniff, sniff, sniff....MMMMM!

Matthew really likes flowers!


Laura & Matthew


Mom & Laura


(from left to right, clockwise)
John Paul, Mom, Laura, Michael, Matthew


(from top-clockwise)
David, John Paul, Matthew, Michael


Matthew & Michael


Here's some for you, Mom!

Mom & Matthew


Matthew Gerard...one day old



Matthew & Laura

Laura & Michael

Matthew up close and personal with the tree we're taking home



Mr. Fix-it!

David & Matthew

Matthew checking out an English saddle at the barn

Mr. Cutie!

Irwin 101...be the first child to ask Mom for the
paddle when you hear the mixer going
  
Play peek-a-boo with a curtain


Matthew & Laura


Grandma & Matthew


Laura & Molly





Beth & me with her Jake during a private guided turkey hunt

Picking out the Christmas Tree, December 2011
Beautiful Beth

Homeschoolers Checker Board
(Math graph paper, pencil, and Cheerios)
Your move, David!

Are you sure you want to make that move, John Paul?











May God bless you and yours abundantly!