Riverdogs

I wonder how long we'll get to do this? 

For a while yet, I hope.

When it is in your blood...

Let the good times roll -

 

Random goodness

 My sis Natasha is a rock star! Well, both of my sisters are! And they are overcoming pain and obstacles that I wish they did not have to face. 

Natasha is home! Recovering from her hysterectomy, she had internal bleeding prior to surgery. 

Life is so strange and so good. 

Raising an adult along with three minors feels like new territory and I wonder daily about the advice I give, along with the advice I don't give, and I laugh at things that maybe I should not laugh at and I thank God for these kids. 

I kind of started feeling sorry for myself yesterday. Pity parties are so dumb and when I have one, I wish I hadn't.

Some days I wish that several things were different. 

But many days, I know this is the reality I am called to live.

Lesha introduced us to Everything Bagel Humus this month. wow it is good and it is so good with wheat thins, bagel chips, bagels, the list goes on. 

Hazel and I both reached in the bag for the last wheat thin tonight and she said "MOM, you have it." I did the "no, no, you eat it." 

"But mom, I am saving it for you!"

The last wheat thin, it spoke volumes. 

Merit pitched today, he did great. A dad stops him and shakes his hand, complimenting him on his performance, sharing that he gets the job done - MJ style -

Moments like these. 

Willem is comic relief on a daily basis and I can't really even grasp how funny this kid is. He is LOVING life as a tan, in shape, hard working, 16 year old who SOAKS IT ALL UP. 

How are these teenagers so smart to know that time is fleeting?

And when I sort of look around wondering where my village is, I am quickly reminded, they are all around me. And I am quickly reminded that I need to speak love, encouragement, and kindness to others because I am so blessed by THEIRS.

How's that for random?

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Today I am so thankful for clarity in quiet spaces. 

I am thankful for a day at the water park with friends! 

I am so thankful for prayerful friends. 

I am grateful for blue skies and warm temps!

Tasha has received three units of blood in the last 36 hours. 

She will have a hysterectomy tomorrow. She has been so very anemic for a long time.

I love her spirit! I hope I can get there soon to weed her garden! 

I am getting out a little for "treasure hunts" - finding stuff for the FAVORED FARMHOUSE.

A good day for a hike

It was a good day for a hike; pot holes area!

 

God be our guide

It has been a week of learning and a week of summer beauty...

Annika and Elliot were wed last night

***************************

Merit is having a ball in Boise with some terrific ball being played.

We are eating so well here. Going out for some fun dinners! Enjoying these long summer days. 

 I went for three bike rides Thursday, all of them by myself. Often Willem goes with me, sometimes Merit and every now and again Vance, Hazel, or Oren. 

Thursday it was just me. 

I hit 1,000 miles on my bike. 

I typically take the same route, it is nothing too strenuous in fact, I know I should push myself a little more. 

Willem said he noticed I walk with people a lot. Vance or Oren here, Shannon in town... sometimes Marie. He told me how much he enjoys walking alone. 

Well that little tidbit along with the heat maybe keeping others away, I set out on my bike by myself. 

The day before had some really rough patches and I started to reflect on the rough patches. Reflection happens best in quiet spaces. I had this knowledge that I could not longer tolerate certain behaviors. I said it really wimpy in my mind the first time "I don't think I have the energy to tolerate this anymore." I didn't like how it sounded. So then I said it with more conviction,  "I don't want to tolerate these behaviors anymore." Ending with, "I will not tolerate the behaviors any longer."

What I pray for in the wee hours of the morning is clarity. When it arrives, it is a thing of beauty.

I feel a little raw in sharing this, but if it can help anyone else - even one person - I feel like sharing is important.

I whisper regularly -God be my guide-

This kid! PURE JOY

Desert Love

Happy Thursday

 

I will upload pics soon of  some cousin fun in Moses Lake. 

Lesha, Kai, Amara, and Brielle made some memories here. We are thankful.

Oren is so enjoying our pond and barn - hikes, walks and talks - this kid makes summer better. 

Merit did a terrific job pitching in Boise today! Willem is putting in the work for summer basketball. And these guys are pretty good with helping Vance maintain this acreage. Planting trees, spraying weeds, and pulling weeds is not easy. Oh and then there is always rock picking. And household stuff -

Vance has walking trails mowed and with our milder summer, these trails have been really taken advantage of. 

Hazel and Oren played at the Turner's today - good friends, less than two miles from here -  and had a lot of fun! 

Please pray with me for Triston - he is a young guy battling cancer. He has some really long days. His whole family could use our prayers. 

Please pray for Natasha. 

I am so grateful we can pray. 

Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God. Romans 5:1

July goodness

 

July

We are experiencing beautiful weather and our summer nights are so welcomed.

I go for a couple of bike rides every day. 

Do you ever look back on a week and think of all the times you could have spoke up, the things you should have handled differently, the things you should have navigated with more boldness, or grace, or patience? 

That's me.

I sometimes rehearse some of the days conversations and just think of how I could have responded differently.

Blessed are those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 2:12

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

Romans 8:28

I am clinging tightly to these verses today and am SO thankful for them.

FIVE praises 

1) Hazel got to ride Sable yesterday and SO enjoyed it! Marilyn has shared her horses and pasture with us for many years and we feel delighted.

2) 

Oren! And the "microphone"

3) The Farmer's Market is today! 

4) Our pond is a good place to relax, kayak, or cool off. I have been down there a lot this summer. We all have. 

5) We are so thankful Tasha has a new heart. Her road is not easy. But there is a lot of hope.

She has had a lot of headaches and is quite tired because she is anemic. I pray she is less tired and her headaches subside. I pray she is protected from illness and infection. She has a good outlook and treasures the days she feels good. 

Happy Tuesday

My dear friend Marilyn's holly hocks

 I have to keep it simple.

We just can't quite find our way over here. 

But I tell you what we can do;

work and play EVERY day

do nice things for others

keep the freezer stocked with ice pops, drumsticks, and Outsihine fruit bars

I can't tell you how much I love the summer weather here and I am praying now for a minor or nonexistent wildfire season! I will pray daily. 

God is at work within you, helping you want to obey HIM, and then helping you do what He wants. 

Philippians 2:13

Saturday evening at Marilyn's

Marilyn's home is a welcoming haven of love and beauty. 

It is a place where God is honored and voices are heard. 

Last night we got to celebrate beautiful Annika! She and Mitch and Marilyn's third son, Elliot, will be wed later this month! 

Marilyn's blooms are gorgeous!!