Truth be told, this post is serving as a much-needed diversion while awaiting the arrival of our new little baby! We've organized, cleaned, and filled our deep freeze with meals. The new-to-us co-sleeper is set up (and repaired - thanks mom! - after a toddler attempted to try it out). Teeny-weeny diapers are unpackaged, pictures have been put in albums, hair cuts are done. We even have our rooster in a recently-built chicken coop (long story), but the chicken run is under construction. Kids are well-rested, no one is sick, so let's get this show on the road! Vacation 2017: Backbone State Park, Strawberry Point, IowaWe enjoyed a full week in May at this beautiful state park. The weather was perfect for hiking, fishing, playing at playgrounds, grilling, and even to do a little swimming at the beach. Hubby and I enjoyed quiet evenings on the deck of our cabin and reading. H (second eldest boy) caught the first fish near the end of our trip, which deeply troubled and confused his older brother ... "so why is it that the littler brother catches a fish before the bigger brother?". Thanks to a dad willing to sneak little kids out of bed the morning of our departure, C (oldest brother) caught his first fish too. June & July Celebrating my dad's retirement! Above left pictures all of the cousins on my side. And here is some cousin fun on hubby's side.
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A few winter pictures ... playing outside, making play dough, and enjoying "The Music Man" performance at BLC. Above right: after nap snuggles ... at least for a few minutes! Above left: 25 weeks along with baby #5 ... another BOY! Baby and mom have been blessed with good health and no complications, although I do feel that the typical pregnancy annoyances have been a bit more intense this time around (or maybe it's rosy retrospect from past pregnancies?). Morning sickness and now varicose veins are my biggest challenges. Baby is very active now which I enjoy so much. Praise God for making and growing yet another LIFE! I've been loving ... The blog Weak and Loved. I ordered Tend to Me: Devotions for Mothers and LOVED that too. Highly recommend both.
Hark, a voice from yonder manger, Soft and sweet, Doth entreat, “Flee from woe and danger; Brethren, come; from all that grieves you You are freed; All you need I will surely give you.” P. Gerhardt, 1656 Merry Christmas to our friends and family!
I'm taking a little break this week - letting the laundry pile up a little and ignoring our dirty kitchen floor - to post some long over-due pictures! Our first vacation as a family of six: camping in Walnut Grove, Minnesota - one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's old stomping grounds. Yes, we went to the pageant (pictured above), museum (pictured below, right), participated in crafts at the City Park, did a little swimming (did I mention the heat index was 100 degrees!) and roasted smores, of course. We had a great time - especially little girl. Hubby built a tree house for the kids this fall, complete with a trap door and all. They love it. Posting the highlights and choosing not to remember the low-lights :) Thanks for checking in.
Wild flowers picked by the kids on our morning walk. They been sitting outside our front door all week, added to daily. Helping dad with an oil change. Shucking sweet corn. This little guy mastered scooting this week! Blessed by this article on "Living life according to The One Thing Needful":
Do you ever compare yourselves to others? Oh, such a bad and dangerous habit! Especially for those of us who tend to feel guilty for not living up to the standards of others. Or put another way, for those of us who set standards for ourselves that are unattainable or that we struggle to attain. One way I’ve found to step away from such comparisons, such self-made standards, is to examine such standards or goals through the glass of The One thing Needful, the Bread of Life that God has given to show us the Way and to forgive our sins. Read the full article at Sisters of Katie Luther: Law & Gospel for A Cross-Centered Life. Fixing up the flower garden ... many eager hands for this kind of work! Clothesline season is here at last ... it makes doing laundry so much more pleasant. Interesting Reads:
Just wanted to share this article that my pastor had in our bulletin today. Happy Mother's Day! "... God is at work as you do the work the work of mothering."
Preschool with the boys, helping in the kitchen, & schoolwork. Above Middle: Mommy-in-training, reading to toddler while feeding the baby. Above Right: cousins on Easter Sunday. Enjoying time with all of the grandmas. Worthwhile reading ...
"Those who sow in tears ... ... shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing the sheaves with him." Psalm 126:5-6
"May God give us the expectation that times of sudden refreshment will come from Him. Perhaps now you are in the midst of a time of sowing bitter tears; do no despair of His grace. Trust in His power to do the imaginable through overflowing kindness." - Commentary on Psalm 126, The Lutheran Study Bible. "Holy Jesus, everyday |
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