On the road again!!

Just a minute to say howdy! Am packing the van up again in a few minutes to go and visit Daddy in SC. He has to work Saturday. The littles love the new play structure we bought for them, and can't wait to go back and play!

A few more gifts..

71) God's love and his forgiveness
72) Tea parties
73) Pick-a-size paper towels!
74) Friends who stand beside you all the way
75) Dependable vehicles
76) Books
77) Children who drive!
78) Healthy food
79) Dollies for little girls
80) Time

Kids say the funniest things!

Jed, 4, was eating a donut a few minutes ago and our lil dog got to begging. Jed said, "He looks like a preacher with two hands!"

Just now he is drawing a male mouse with babies in his tummy and in his ears, also with a "disherpan" in his tummy.  He's so precious!

The older girls at the pool

Encouragement along the way

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you: though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.2 Corinthians 12:15

The kids in 2005

I was so blessed to get the mail yesterday for a couple of reasons. I got 2 handwritten letters! And no bills! How often in this day and age do you get handwritten letters?! One in particular was from a relative just sharing how proud she was of us and encouraging us. It truly made my day. So often we don't take the time to really encourage one another. Oh, when something is wrong we are often quick to point fingers, but when we have something nice to say, we shouldn't wait until a person is gone to share it! 

I ended up in South Carolina with Ted last weekend as a hailstorm did a lot of damage to his trailer. We got it fixed up (close to $250 later)! I believe he'll have to replace the flooring in time, but at least he's alright for now!

Ted and I were able to attend Easter services at the Rutherford Rd. church in SC, and I was truly blessed. They had a man speak in Finnish and a translator. I thought it was beautiful. I got home Sunday evening to the children. I hated not to be with them for services, but it was a blessing to get some time with Ted and to see some friends I hadn't seen in years!

Our oldest three children competed in three different bands against each other in Union Grove, NC this past Saturday. I hear they did a great job! They seemed to have a great time. (Nikki's band took first place, Courtney's 3rd, and Daniel's didn't place this time.) They grew up too fast..the kids are now 22,21, and 19. Those of you with young children, cherish the moments. :)

Time for some more gifts!

61) Peace, sweet peace!

62) God's providing a "new" stove from a friend

63) Encouraging words from a special relative

64) Handwritten letters

65) Pure water

67) Easter..HE AROSE!!!

68) Children, both the ones God has entrusted to us and the ones He has entrusted to others

69) Friends who stand by us

70) Mothers

Good morning! And a few more gifts..

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. Joel 2:26

Nikki, Daniel and Courtney at about 5, 2 and 4

Life is full of memories..I don't have current pictures on my computer so I thought I'd pull up an oldie! (Only about 17 years ago!) Amazingly, once again I have children about these ages. 

Ramp season is upon us again. I have some to do right now in the kitchen! We all went out and gathered some this past weekend. (For those of you who've never heard of ramps, they are a wild leek.) I guess Ted is the only one who's crazy about them, though I like them in moderation!! I canned them, pickled them, fried them, froze them, make compound butter with them. Ramps are the first things to come ripe in these parts, so for those who love them it's a pretty great time of the year! Daddy actually took the littles with us for the first time, and went out and bought them all shovels which they LOVE!

Let's not forget to remember our military at war. We are specifically praying for Ted's cousin, Austin, and a friend of his. God, please bring them home safely. When we are inconvenienced because of small things, like someone cutting in line at the store, or having to get gas because a teenager runs you nearly out, or..think of those dear folks serving in the military in very dangerous places, and their loneliness for their families.

Some more gifts:

46) The gift of a friend of a ticket to a homeschool conference

47) Electricity

48) Parents who love us

49) Brothers and sisters

50) Cars that run!

51) Homemade bread

52) Hot tea, especially herbal. (My aunt and uncle sent me GOOD EARTH tea from out west. Oh, is it good!)

53) Uplifting music

54) Unconditional love

55) The promises of God

56) Adult children

57) The gift of another 3 children to teach to read! 

58) The Bible, which gives me so much comfort

59) Peace amidst the storms of life

60) JESUS!!!

Well, I am off to other duties but wanted to check in! Remember that God is faithful, all the time.