Thursday, February 25, 2016

Where there is hope...

Gardening is a lesson in patience. Gardening provides much anticipation and hope.
Early preparation allows for lots of dreaming but also a long wait. 



Hazel, gardening in her bathing suit. 


My friend Marianne's garden

The garden at the Hovander House, Ferndale, WA

Hovander


Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance
may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come in to his garden and taste its choice fruits.
Song of Solomon 4:16

Hovander

Hazel and Estelle on the brick walk at the Hovander Garden

Psalm 147:11
the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in His unfailing love

Stan and Adie's garden

A place to dream. Dirt floors on either side of the walk have certainly interested Oren.
This, to me, is a picture of anticipation and of hope.

We went to a very tough funeral earlier this week. 
The man who died may have lost hope. Or his sadness overruled his hope? 
I think I could guess, analyze and ask questions for weeks. 
I suppose if I could take anything from his death, it would be to ENCOURAGE and invest in the living. One of my favorite ways to do this is by being a mom, a teacher and a friend.
I taught today and those kids are so hungry for affirmation, reassurance, they want to be acknowledged! I stepped into a great classroom where their teacher is doing a terrific job. And for today I had the sweet opportunity to encourage and teach.

So, I have the opportunity and hope in planting seeds whether it be in the garden or in my community. And I pray God will show me where to be and when to be there.



The man who passed away last week has three children, all teenagers, smart, talented young people. Prayers for them would be appreciated.




Monday, February 22, 2016

Spring Fever

This past weekend they ALL got along so well. 
It was very dreamy.

Little man


Every body has spring fever!



a thinker! Serious but can be so silly
expressive
growing up too fast



Look what was delivered today!!!

I may never leave this homestead.



Oren thinks it is fantastic

I am decorating for spring. It feels so good.


Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sunday


Purchased at Goodwill for $7.99 - just needed some accents and TLC

Willem chalk painted it.

It is a darling addition to Hazel's room. Especially with the bunting. 

He LOVES to swing.


Our chickens are so happy

This little puppy has been the toy of the week.

I color copy pages from old books and make cards with those beautiful, old pictures.


Saturday, February 20, 2016

DKs, thrifting, making memories

This smile. His company! Oh he keeps me entertained.

These books are little thrift store treasures. The kids and I went to Value Village in Tri Cities the other day. 
That night Hazel and I started reading the Read-Aloud Kindergarten Stories, copyright 1957. The language is wonderful! We crawl into bed and read one story each night and I feel I am going back in time.


At the Senior Center Thrift Store in Ephrata

DKs! I drool just thinking about their burgers. - I love this pic! It is cute of all of them.



Our life is a little shaken again this week. A boy we know well and love, his father died. Jackson has been part of the baseball family, a great kid! His dad, Randy Fair, died earlier in the week. Lots of junior high boys, along with many others, took this news very hard. Hurting for their friend and imagining life without their father. Walking with Merit through this is hard and messy and important.

I felt like this was a week of intense emotion. Soaking up the good, mourning with those who mourn.
Vance and I went out last night. We enjoyed a date, dinner, a benefit auction, time with good friends, dancing. I am so often reminded LIVE - because tomorrow is not promised.

I want to be a better friend, a better mom and wife, a better sister and daughter, a better everything. And I don't feel I am failing. I just have the desire to work harder and love unconditionally. This week rocked us. And as we navigate these hard things, we certainly thank God for His love - and are reminded to hold Him close --  I am also thankful for friends and family who come along side of us.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

My Three Sons




Life with these boys is fun! There are a lot of laughs! They are so good to each other 90 percent of the time! 
Never a dull moment with these guys!! 

I love their ages so much. Having a 7th grader is more fun than I could have ever imagined. 
Merit is responsible, funny and kind. 
Willem is in 4th grade. I love what he is learning. I love how he interacts with Oren. 
Oren is funny! His language is developing daily and I love hearing what he comes up with. 





I have so much time with this little guy and am soaking it up.



Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Outdoor Cafe



Yesterday, this cute, outdoor vintage cafe was open here on Coulson Lane. A darling waitress, wearing braids from the day before, was my server. The food was delicious.


This was my "to go" order!



Her puppy, Ginger, was there at work with her. We played fetch while I was waiting for my order.



The eggs at this cafe come from free range chickens.
They were so good! 




Days at home with this girl are full of imaginative play, amazing conversation and the sweetest moments I could ever imagine.

Tomorrow's post: My Three Sons

A Wednesday update

The weather today is gorgeous! I went outdoors with the second-grade class I was teaching today. We looked for a ring a student had lost (an...