September!

I think I blinked and September flew by - whew!

It has been a fun month.  A couple weeks ago, we found out that "Noah the Musical" in Branson was having a special and tickets were $15 for adults $10 for kids. (Regular $50 each) That has been something we have wanted to take the kids to all summer, but as you can imagine with those prices and the size of our family......:D    So when we found that out (we found out on Thursday and the deal ended on Friday), we decided that we would go, so we took off the next day and drove the 4 1/2 hours down there for the show and back.

The icing on the cake was that my entire family decided last minute to all go, too.  So we had a mini family reunion!

 Leave it to Megan to turn her head!  :)

 My parents will all 14 of their grands!!  (all 8 years old and under)

And to make things even better - Keith's parents, his grandpa and his brother and family all decided to come, too!!!!

 Only 10 grands, but still the best bunch of kids anywhere! :)

 Grandpa with his great grands!

It was SO nice to be able to see everyone, even though it was a very short time.  Jeren was so cute with Isaiah. Finally, someone smaller than him to play with. :)

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This month, Megan got to be a big girl and go stay at Grandma's all by herself!  She was so proud of herself.  They went to an indian festival and got to see a "real indian".  She was proud as peaches and Owen was totally jealous.  He asked if he rode up on a horse, had a bow and arrow and if he hollered a lot. :)

A little funny from Megan:  Our kids get car sick almost every time we go on a trip.  So she is very used to hearing, or saying, "I'm car sick"   So the other day we were here at home and she wasn't feel good and told me, "I'm house sick"   Ha!!!! :D  She always makes me smile!

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This month, I officially stepped into the 30's. Yep, I turned 31!  I feel so grown up now -   NOT!!!!!  Owen took this lovely side picture of us on my birthday!

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I had another first happen this month.  I got to take senior pictures. :)  This lovely lady and I had a grand time, running around town getting pictures.  She makes it so easy!

 She is in marching band and wanted her picture on the field.  Such a cool idea!

 Proud senior!!!  Thanks, Brittany!  I enjoyed being with you! :)

That about sums up September!  Now we're charging into October full speed ahead.  The low tomorrow night is supposed to be in the 30's - eekkk!!  Fall is here, I believe!!

Thanks for stopping by to check on us!!

In the Garden....

I visited the most amazing place yesterday!

I know to most people, it won't seem like a very interesting place,
just flowers and green stuff, but to me
the garden is where God meets me.

 

 This week has been a long one.  

Sickies, short nights, long fussy days, 

drained, and completely spent.

 You really have to strain to see
past the jagged edges of nerves
to see the beauty that is right in front of you.

 

 The mind seems to play tricks on you

and focusing on any one thing seems impossible.

 Instead of being able to get something accomplished, 
the feeling of being in many different pieces
and going in all directions is most often the case.

 So yesterday, I was tired and my brain was less than crisp.  
We took a long trip (more later) and we stopped by this park
to let the kids burn some energy.  
When I saw the gardens, I asked Keith if I could go.  

He played with the kids on the playground - right beside the gardens
and I spent the next 30 min soaking HIM in.

This is what He showed me!

When I am all bent out of shape
and can't see which way is up,

 He is right there waiting
to shower me with His love and peace.

When I am feeling uncertain, 
He is there to be my rock that cannot be shaken.

 When my spirit is drained, 
He is there to refreshen.

 When I am feeling overwhelmed, 
He is there to see through the ordinary, 
down into the heart where His beauty shines.

 When I feel like  I'm standing alone,

 He is waiting to surround me with his presence.

 He is the giver of Life,

 always reaching out to me,

 to make my ordinary days brighter,

 my fuzzy brain clearer.

 

 He's there when the times are good and calm, 

 and when I want to run and hide.

 He wants to make my path straight.

 

I am unique!

 Because of HIM, there is beauty!

 I am Blessed!

 I am most CERTAINLY Blessed!!

 

And that THIS life that He gave me is a miracle!

 That is what He spoke to me in the garden!

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses.
And the melody that He gave to me
With in my heart is ringing.


And he walks with me
And he talks with me
And he tells me I am HIS own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.

~
I know I'm not usually this "transparent" on here, but I hope some of you Momma's out there can relate and find some encouragement through this. :)

Self-Control

The other day, I came in to Kristyn wailing at the top of her lungs, holding her head, tears flowing like a river.


"What happened?"

*long drawn out gasp*
"Me and Owen bumped heeaaaaaaadds."
*another river gushes out*


Owen standing calmly beside her.


"If it was so bad, why isn't Owen crying?"

*sniff*

"Um, I don't know"


Owen proudly states, 
"Probably because I have more self-control!"


Indeed!!!!

:D

Proud To Be An American

Today has been a very special day!

 We had a special service at church for all the Fire Fighters, EMT's,  Police and Sheriff Officers.

 

 Our parking lot was beautiful!!

 

 Boy Scouts carried in the flags and led the pledges.

 We had a beautiful service filled with God's spirit.

 A special prayer of blessing on the Fire Fighters

 Retired Air Force Chief Master Sargent - "Beetle"  We love this man!

 The church bell was rung ten times for the ten years.

 Folding of the flag.

 Kids ( big kids, too)  have lots of questions.

 This afternoon we went to the courthouse to participate in "Cry out America".

 So today, especially, we are feeling very blessed to be citizens of the beautiful

United States of America!!!