If you ever get the chance...

If you ever get the chance to be at home with your kids...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to eat cookie dough with your kids...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to snuggle up with a good book...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to teach you child to read, write, and count...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to pray with your husband...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to pray with your kids...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to tell your kids about Jesus...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to hug a friend...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to read your Bible...you are blessed!
If you ever get the chance to say I love you...you are blessed!

I feel so blessed today!

A little behind...

I am going to play catch-up here...our last few weeks in a nutshell!


A trip to the zoo with friends! Brenden loved the monkeys!


Swimming lessons! Katelyn did a fabulous job in the water...very brave! Brenden and I did the parent/tot class...very fun! Makenna enjoyed sitting with Kym on the sidelines! This picture was taken on the last day when it was free day. Josh came and so we took both little ones in the water. Since I was doing the lessons with Brenden, I was not able to get other pictures.

Our first day of school!


Konos! Our model of an ear...use your imagination...ear canal, ear drum, hammer, anvil, stir-up, cochlea, and auditory nerve! The girls loved it!


Mom, is it really necessary for Katelyn to help feed me!

Thanks for the bed, Hank!

Settling...or not?

I often wonder what God has instore for my life. Will we live in Idaho for the rest of our lives? Will we travel to Africa or South America and live as missionaries? Will we move all over the US doing ministry in various churches? The questions remain unanswered. But, I am okay with that. It makes life an adventure! I was reading in Numbers this morning (not the most exciting book, but I have gleaned some things from it!) about the Israelites. After the tabernacle was set up, God put a cloud over the tabernacle. As long as the cloud was over the tabernacle, the people were to stay encamped. When the cloud moved, God commanded the people to move with it. Sometimes they stayed in one place for years, and other times it was only for a day, week, or month. I wonder how the Israelites felt about this...did they ever feel settled? Of course, they hoped to reach their final destination...the Promised Land. Many times I find myself looking for that Promised Land, and I forget to enjoy the journey. I have realized that Eternity with Christ is the real final destination and that life is the journey. I plan to enjoy that journey, wherever and whenever God takes me, even if it means that I never "feel" settled.

More vacation fun...

Fun at Riverfront Park...

Is it possible that one of my children might be a risk-taker?

Katelyn preferred the bench with me on the carousel.

Brenden rode the Tiger and the horses!

Yes, they went about 10 feet into the air!

My family...

I had a wonderful time visiting with my Grandparents! Thanks for the Texas brownies, crossword puzzles, relaxing on the patio, and many chats!

Walks and talks

I love getting together with family! This trip has been an especially blessed one because my absolute favorite people are here...my grandparents! I adore them! My time with them has always been very precious. This week I have been soaking up all their stories...from questions that I have asked. You see, my Grandad was a pastor and he decided to go to school to earn his degree after my uncle, their third child, was born. My grandad went to school, worked full time, and helped at the local college church, while my grandma was at home with 3 young children...sound familiar? It helped me to realize that I need to be patient and know that God has a wonderful plan for us. Sometimes I feel like we are progressing at a snail's pace, but then I am reminded that we are where God want us...in His love and presense!

I also had the simple pleasure of taking a walk with just my 2 year old. What a joy that 10 minutes was with him. We walked, chatted, looked at rocks and bugs, skipped like horses (neighing and all), held hands, ran, and ended with a shoulder ride! It was great to see life from a 2 year old's perspective.

Relaxing at the cabin

Relaxing at my in-laws' house...cabin!


The girls picking peas in the garden!


Playing in the sandbox!


Riding in the tractor with Grandpa!


Brenden's first fishing trip...and he caught his first fish! But, the camera was left in the car and the fish was too small to keep.