Soaking in Summer

It's been a while since I've posted anything...I've spent these last few weeks of summer enjoying life and soaking up summers last bursts of sunshine and beauty! There's been lazy days spent at the river, camping, gardening, fun photo shoots and friends visiting from out of town. Now suddenly a chill is in the early morning air and September is here. School is about to begin and new routines will be underway. There are so many decisions to be made and priorities to be evaluated.

I have had a few weeks at home to process all the back and forth travel from Washington to Oregon that has occurred since January. Lets just say this has not been a typical year. It's been a time of crisis in which God in His Sovereignty has brought much growth, humility and strength into my heart and life. He has been my rock, my guide, my counselor and my closest friend. When everything in life is upside down and inside out, He alone was and is my strong foundation. He has taught me about letting go, about trusting him even if and when the worst happens. He has revealed hidden places that scream out for healing, restoration and growth. My need for God, for His love, forgiveness, protection, covering, strength, truth, wisdom, guidance and holiness has been my hearts desire more than ever before.

It's amazing how God has a plan...a plan in things great and small. From a seed bearing fruit to heartache bringing Glory to His name. I praise the Lord for walking with my family through the challenges, uncertainties and pain of this past year. I thank God for the support, friendship and prayers of others. There have been moments in these past months that I had the thoughts of "What's the Point!" What's the Point of Anything? of Life? of Living?of Loving? It's just too hard, too painful, too scary....It's at moments like these that God is so gracious and good...He is amazing and can speak to us in any way He chooses and often when we least expect it....Just look at this reminder He passed my way, right when I needed it.

How Cool is this! It's not every day I find a cross on my kitchen floor!

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Psalm 18:28

God in His Mercy reminds me that I was made to Love Him and to be Loved by Him....It's really as simple as that!

good friends and samores

Friendship

For the love of ROSES....

In a rose I see the joy of the Redeemed, the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

I have always loved roses.... perhaps it's because of their color, or maybe it's their gentleness that has always appealed to me. We roamed a rose garden a few days ago and enjoyed taking in the many colors, sizes and fragrances. These are just a few photographs along the paths we wandered.

"Through him all things were made; apart from Him nothing came into being." John 1:3

A single rose reminds me of so much... Visiting grandma's, the first corsage given before a school dance and our wedding day. Roses arrived to the hospital room with the birth of both our children and have continued on birthdays, anniversaries and "just because."

" Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water." Ezekiel 19:10

Roses remind me that I am blessed...that I am in process... budding, blooming and will one day fade away back to the earth and into the hands of my creator.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5"

Just as a rose, I want to be beautiful yet strong, gentle yet bold, delicate yet vibrant...The strength, health and beauty of a rose is dependant upon the nurturing it receives. A rose matures from the inside out... from the soil it is planted, to the very nourishment it receives, from the vine to the branches, amongst the thorns and despite scorching sun, torrential rains and the many storms of life....(against all odds) something lovely eventually emerges.

Like the rose I want to be determined, to grow, to mature, to push onward and upward. As a rose my very being would bring Glory to God, our creator, our counselor, the maker of heaven and earth.

It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine." Ezekiel 17:8

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." John 15:1

Oh how I seek to be nourished by the gardener. True nourishment.... it is in God himself, in his presence, in fellowship and feasting on his word, delighting in who He is, in honoring Him in sencere worship. It is making choices to guard my heart and mind, everyday, in every way so that Gods Goodness and Beauty will spring forth.

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy." Isaiah 35:1-2

Day with my...Golden Boy!

Amidst the summer travel, my "Golden Boy" and I, made time to go to the lake together. This is the lake I was baptized in over 20 years ago...so it was an extra special outing.

He let this mamma kick back and relax while he did most the rowing.

I love the determination on his face.

It always amazes me how much God can speak to us through our children.

On this day.... through these images, I heard.... loud and clear!

"Press on...never give up, be determined and learn something new."

My Golden Boy

Silly Girls

Banjo and Hobo

Do you remember these two cutie's from a few weeks back?

The kitten's found abandon, that made their way into our home and our hearts.

Just look at them now....

These two brothers are 3 months old now and are causing all kinds of hilarious and mischievous chaos.

Official names where finally decided upon after much deliberation...

BANJO and HOBO

New fishing pole from a friend...

I just can't resist sharing this pics of the kids fishing in the Puget Sound. It just so happened that the ferry boat we wanted to catch was running an hour late and gave the kids a perfect opportunity to try out their new fishing pole given to them by a very sweet 6 year old boy just hours before. Amy-your little guy is such a sweetie, what a nice gift.

Luke was so proud to catch some seaweed!

Other Summer Favorites

Scrupcious Salads

Gardening

Adventure and Discovery

One Reason I love Summer

Fresh Veggies.....

So there's a bit of a joke that I don't like to cook very much...well give me fresh veggies and I'm all over it...here's proof!

Good Friends...Good Times

Friendship....What a wonderful gift! For a belated birthday gift my dear friends Mandy and Erin traveled down for an overnight visit. Baby Elena came along too. Poor thing that's a long trip for a 4 month old. And Marlus...WE MISSED YOU!

My daughter Makayla is always wanting to take pictures with mommies camera...well she got her chance and I think she has a pretty good eye. Thanks hun. She was even trying to give us ideas and poses...What a fun time. Thanks Ladies...you are a true treasure in my life and I thank the Lord for our friendship.

Til we meet again...Ladies...Til we meet again

Just a down right Beautiful Day!

Good to be alive, kind of a day!

Ending with a sunset that dreams are made of...

Ahhhh...what a gift!

Thanks Whitworth Elementary

I had the privilege of taking a few staff picture to celebrate the end of the 2009 school year for Whitworth Elementary. It is the start of allot of transition and new beginnings for many teachers and students as the school district is mixing things up and switching gears. K-3 will be redirected to attending at two other local schools, while 4-5th will remain at Whitworth. Makayla will be moving to Oakdale to start her 2nd grade year.

Thank you Whitworth Teachers and Staff

Best wishes to all of you in the year to come.

I dream of Cherries!

The older the kids get the more cherries actually make it into the buckets...Today was a fun and very dust day in the orchard. Now for learning how to can!

Happy 4th of July

It's hard to believe that it's already the 4th of July...where did June go? Seriously? As you can see, we're back together as a family celebrating our Independence TOGETHER! The kids and I where away from daddy for a total of 24 days. A trip that was to be no longer than a week to 10 days-went horribly wrong. We arrived back to Oregon late Thursday night and have taken a few days to decompress.

Before we left Washington my dad was released from Swedish hospital and was transferred to Cherry Hill Rehabilitation Center. We're grateful that he was excepted to this program, but where shocked to find out that he will only be there for 10 to 14 days. After which time, he will be released into the care of my mom once again. It is one thing to learn how to maneuver through life without a hip, it is entirely another to administer iv antibiotics three times a day without medical assistance for the next two months.

I look forward to returning to some normalcy in my own life between future visits to Washington in the months to come. Between all the medical issues, there continues to be allot of work to be done on fire clean up, rebuilding and property sales. This is indeed going to be a major life change for my parents.

Happy 4th from our family to yours!