Monday, August 30, 2021

Happy Monday!

 Joy

State or condition

Constant

Internal

Comes from God


Happiness

Emotion

Temporary

External

Comes from Environment






Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; up will fill me with joy in your presence, with external pleasures at your right hand. 


Sunday, August 29, 2021

Sunday!

 

The kids are heading out to tube the creek! Oh I love this! Truly taking advantage of those last summer days. They make many efforts to make memories together. 

I have found it very important to remember the difference between JOY and happiness. No one can take away my joy, 

I also have to remember that when I am beaten down, I can still build someone else up. God ALWAYS gives us the ability to do that. 

I keep going back to Job 11:18 this week...

You will be secure, because there is hope...










I feel so thankful for these kids! 
For their JOY! 


Friday, August 27, 2021

Yay! It's Friday!

 Oh wow I love this weather. The cooler the temps, the breeze... so nice

We are a bit confused about some upcoming things for Merit and I, of course, am wondering will his text books be $150 or $700!

It brings back memories of me starting at Whatcom Community College and nearly fainting over the price of books!! It was something one needed to save for and budget for.

Willem is in football and the fundraiser almost warranted a therapy session.

 - -

But there is FUN too

I hope to go on a bike ride today! 

Farmer's Market is tomorrow - a highlight!

I want to take my camera out on a creek walk today! I have not had time to take pictures like I like to. 

I had a great phone catch up with my sister Lesha today! 

Hazel and Oren are back and forth, back and forth from the house to the shop on the golf cart. Hazel had set up a beaded jewelry shop and Oren a rock store. Their play and imagination, a gift. 

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Tuesday!

 Job 11:18

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. 



Five thanksgivings on a Tuesday -


Cool, gorgeous August days

Good reads

HOPE

I can finally get rid of sentimental school papers and art from 15, 10, 5 years ago - trying to only save what is really special

Forgiveness







Monday, August 23, 2021

My brain on a Monday morning!

 My brain on a Monday morning


Willem needs to get to HS registration 

I need to schedule Willem's final for drivers ed

Willem needs to schedule his last drive

Merit has his sports physical today

We need to get Merit  a desk and a mattress

It's garbage day, what junk can I add to the dumpster?

Willem has 30 gold cards to sell, what neighborhoods can he hit today...

I need to pick up Hazel's friend Jenny for a playdate

I need to go grocery shopping

When should we buy school supplies?

I wonder if our sinks are in at Lowes?

I wonder how Natasha is feeling today?


Those ten days before school starts...

Where all I want to do is bike ride with these kids, go to the water park or lake, or pick raspberries

All you moms of school kids get this! 

If I can fit in a thirty min bike ride and two cups of coffee - I got this! Praying my way through


Wishing you so many blessings on this Monday! 

5 Thanksgivings

Merit will be just over two hours away for college (not sure I could take any further)

Cooler temps are awesome

Tasha's hen - the one we adopted- is happy here

Hazel is excited for middle school!

Oren is at such a fun age!!

Sunday, August 22, 2021

On the Canadian Border



Where I grew up...
Sharing it with awesome nieces and nephews, along with my kids. 
And enjoying a band! 







thankful


 

Saturday, August 21, 2021

The Days of Our Lives

 The kids were SO excited about a sectional (sofa) for our new shop. There is an apartment upstairs. The first movie on a little list of movies to watch is My Girl. We have to watch some of these movies as a family before Merit heads out Sept 5th

Well, we knew not to choose a large sectional. The carpeted space within our plank flooring is not huge. We measured and purchased. The furniture guys yesterday pushed, shoved, maneuvered. The result, large scrapes and a hole in the ceiling. Our couch did not fit! It is back at the furniture store. 


Today Vance had some former co-workers over to the new shop. They were greeted with a leaky dishwasher! That had partially flooded the kitchen! 


This space is a fun space. But we have had  headaches. 

If you are a married couple who has built a house, you should get extra pins on your cap. 😆


New topic: 

I cannot believe how 

soothing

therapeutic

fun

The time in Lynden was

The weather, the trees, and the blackberries were so great at my dad's. A hundred August memories came flooding back. 












Things have gotten heavy and foggy at our house. A window into just more lightheartedness taught me - or maybe just reminded me - to keep seeking that joy in the journey. 


Natasha has a beautiful garden! There are several hand painted rocks in her garden. This one, one of my favorites. 

Tasha's journey calls for total TRUST in HIM. 

She has been listed for a heart! The panel approved her case. Timeline unknown. 

There is just so much. Watching her on this journey is so much. There is concern, there is so much ahead,  there is hope. 

I am so thankful for praying friends. 


Sunrise Grocery!

Penny candies! 

This store has so many memories for me! Lesha too! I visited it last trip. Shared a small bit of my history with this kind worker. Willem came in, camera in hand! 

It was special.



Thursday, August 19, 2021

Lynden




Time in Lynden! The Fair and more...


Ingrid, Estelle, Hazel, and Brielle
The Fair! SO fun! The kids LOVE it!!
Cousin fun, "shopping", rides, the dog show! 




Thanks for praying for Tash!

Her doc presents her health to a panel today. They decided what her wait should look like for a heart. So, the hope is she is listed for a new heart, without too long of a wait. 

Trusting God's timing. 

There are days of being overwhelmed and days of being hopeful. 






 


Friday, August 13, 2021

HOPE

Little head tilt with a sweet greeting! I think these ducks are loving life!!



 When we can't see a way

We must choose to BELIEVE God will make a WAY
or despair will rob us of our HOPE. 
Hebrews 6:19


We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 



Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Tuesday, August 10th

 






Look at these cuties! 

Their good moods, silliness, and laughter are contagious!!

Our ducks are loving life! They eat the trout food along with the trout! 








God is love. 

1 John 4:8


My soul shall be joyful in my God...

Isaiah 61:10

Monday, August 9, 2021

Desert Beauty







You'll here me singing about desert beauty when it is 85 degrees as opposed to 110!
You'll hear me singing about dessert beauty after a 2 hour Sunday rain. 




 God gives us beauty in the rainforest, in the desert, in the mountains and on the flat ground...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OPJ!!!

THIS KID IS THE BEST!!! PRAYIING BLESSINGS OVER YOU OREN! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!