Outside My Window

We have been snowbound off and on for the past couple of weeks...which has been wonderful for the most part.  The kids have loved playing in the white fluffy stuff and we've enjoyed watching movies, playing games, and chatting as we sip hot tea or cocoa.  I tend to love the cold crisp weather but a few in our home don't share my sentiment and are looking forward to a spring thaw!  I must admit that travel is not something that I care to participate in during these times of snow or ice....especially on our winding, rolling, country roads!! 

We have been disconnected from the world in more ways than just the snow...we haven't had internet service for the last couple of weeks!!  After I recovered from my initial withdrawal...I turned my attention to a few  neglected projects around the house...and  Paul and I began reading a book.  My dear friend, Jane, met the author and sent us an autographed copy!!   



I spotted three sets of cardinals visiting our feeder during the snow storm.  I quickly snapped this photo of one of the males while the female was perched on a limb above.

Reflections... 2009

January was a busy month!  Ethan attended Teen Pact Leadership School and was elected representative for the first time.  Lauren, Megan, and I were in the thick of wedding planning.  We had a lovely "girl" day as we assisted Megan in and out of a rack full of white, lacy, billowing, wedding gowns!  It was a "mama" moment when I saw the look on my daughter's face as she smiled at her reflection in the mirror!!

February was filled to overflowing with wedding showers, bridal portraits, and shopping for all things "wedding".  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...bittersweet...the girls and I paused at times to soak in the moment!  We celebrated Luke's and Jonathan's birthday at the local bowling alley...it was a great day! 

March...the count down to the big day began!  A haze of busyness filled the first weeks of March...dress alterations, final fit on tuxes, decorations, flowers, food, and all the final preparations were winding down.  Before we knew it, the rehearsal night was upon us...and after bidding the wedding party good night, the work began!  We finally put the finishing touches on the church and reception hall in the wee hours of the night.  The ceremony was precious and our bride was absolutely glowing...she was a beautiful bride!  And we added one more son to the family.

April...We rested!    We did find the energy to attend a local tea party!!

May/June...Samuel's11th birthday was in May!!  He was so happy that Megan and Andrew came back for his birthday!  He finally got a paintball gun!  We took a family vacation at the end of the month and the first week of June to Virginia...a dream come true for a history lover like me!! I will never forget the feeling I had standing on the battleground at Yorktown.  Patriots gave their lives on this hallowed ground so that we could have freedom.  Sadness filled my heart at the thought of what is going on now in our country and how far we have drifted away from the source of that freedom, Jesus Christ.

It did feel quite odd without our Megan on the second row seat as we traveled...the kids wanted to go by and pick her up on the way!  We celebrated Paul's and Lauren's birthday on the road. We did stop by to visit Megan and Andrew on our way back home.   June also included a visit from my sister and her children...we had a great time chatting, sipping coffee, and generally catching up!

July began with the celebration of our country's birthday.  This was also the first birthday in which Megan celebrated in her new home.  I am sure that Andrew created a very special day for our birthday girl!

August was here before we knew it and Caleb turned a very big six years old!!  Megan made a special trip home to spend a few days with us...and help Caleb make his birthday cake:)   I cannot believe that my baby is six!! 

September...We paused to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11...we will never forget.  The gang spent a fun day hiking the trails and taking in the view to celebrate Andrew's and Ethan's birthday.  Lauren caught up with us for supper at the Texas Roadhouse and then we headed back home for cake and ice cream.

October...We enjoyed participating in a fund raiser for St. Jude Hospital.  The weather was wet and cool but the kids had a great time at the pumpkin patch.

November...Thanksgiving at Paul's mother's house.  We paused to reflect and give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon our family. Paul and I took a delayed anniversary trip to the Smoky Mountains.  It was a much needed romantic get-a-way.  Paul surprised me with a visit to the Biltmore Estate...I love that man!!

December...We remembered our Savior's birth...the event that has forever changed the world and our lives. 

Christmas 2009

The celebration of the birth of our Savior was the theme during the month of December in our home.  We love to read Luke's account of Jesus' birth aloud.  Christmas music resounds throughout the house and the aroma of cookies greet loved ones at the door.  Much thought is given to those special gifts selected for family and friends and then lovingly tucked under the tree.

A visit to our State Capitol is an annual event...it just isn't Christmas time until you see the huge tree and the hand-carved, life-size Nativity on the grounds of the State Capitol.  Laughter and delight filled the air as we enjoyed catching up with extended family and friends during the month of December.  One of the sweetest memories will be of a homemade gift package from my niece and her family which consisted of pictures of the kids, stickers, verses, and a donation to a worthy cause in our name!    

Paul and I felt blessed beyond measure to have all of our children, along with our new son-in-law, around the table for our Christmas meal.  We cherish these special times as a family and we look forward to the Lord's plan for the new year!

Chocolate Mess

Jonathan, Caleb, and I recently spent an afternoon attending appointments and running errands.  These two little guys have the idea that they are just as "big" as their older brothers!!  So as often as we can, we slip away and have a day of enjoying being the "little guys" and mom!!  I know that these sweet times are not going to last forever and so I delight in these days of "small things"!!

After a very good report from the dentist, we ran a couple of the errands on our list and then went to their favorite spot for lunch!!  We giggled and talked and colored the menu while we were waiting for our order.  I noticed that the two of them seemed to have a bit of a plan brewing.  I caught on pretty fast as I could see their eyes light up at the sight of a certain chocolate dessert passing by our table every few minutes.

"Mommy", they both said with big eyes, "Can we have that chocolate mess if we finish our lunch?"  Now we don't usually splurge on dessert when we go out as a family...but I have to say that I was a gonner when I looked at those toothless grins and twinkling eyes!!  I suggested that they might practice the art of sharing...and of course as they say, the rest is history!  And of all the messes these little guys can find themselves in...I say, it might as well be a chocolate mess!  What a day!  What a memory! :)

Window Shopping

The three younger boys and I have enjoyed various outings during the last few weeks and we have had a ball!  They provided me with endless hours of comedy, and they threw in a few thought-provoking questions, just to keep me on my feet.  

Decorations were being donned on the store fronts and my two youngest ones became so excited that they wanted to start shopping...for the name each had drawn...and for themselves!!  I had to take a few minutes to explain the concept of "window shopping".  They both looked very surprised and the older asked, "you mean people really just look at all this stuff but don't buy it?" 

It still brings a smile to my face!!  I did explain that people do indeed go window shopping...and we were going to do just that on this outing so that we could really think about what we wanted to buy that special sibling this year...and just to have fun!!  Samuel expressed consent as long as lunch would actually be enjoyed and not just admired!! :)

We looked at toys, games, electronics, computer games, sports equipment, music, and believe it or not...hamsters and creepy crawly animals (my term) and such...which was the best part of the day according to the boys!!                     

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands!

Come, ye thankful people, come,

Raise the song of harvest-home:

All is safely gathered in.

Ere the winter storms begin:

God, our Maker, doth provide

For our wants to be supplied;                

Come to God's own temple, come,                                          

Raise the song of harvest-home.

                                        George J. Elvey

(Art work by Samuel)

This is my favorite Thanksgiving poem...I am sure my kids grow weary of it year after year!  I love Thanksgiving...the aromas, the tradition, the history that surrounds the holiday.  As we read aloud about the Pilgrims, I always seem to learn something new!  Their story teaches us much about faith and gratitude in the midst of perilous times.  As I reflect on the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father in my life, I feel blessed beyond measure.  He is my strength and my shield.

I am so thankful for my husband, Paul.  He holds my hand and my heart!  I am thankful for eight wonderful kids... Lauren, Megan, Andrew, Ethan, Luke, Samuel, Jonathan, Caleb and a new son-in-law, Andrew!!  My kids have taught me so much about the love of our Heavenly Father.  I love being a wife and a mother! 

I thank the Lord for my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins!

I love hearing all the stories of the past and having so many to share the future with!

My life would not be complete without the inner circle of kindred spirits that the Lord has brought into my life!

You have encouraged me as a woman to always seek the Lord, to love my husband, and to cherish my children.  We have shared laughter and tears through the years!  My prayer is that I will be a Titus 2 woman used of God and a blessing to my family and others.

Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.  For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; And His truth endureth to all generations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Is it Monday Already?

I must admit that after a week of travel and a little slower pace... Monday seemed to be screaming in my ear!!  Packing to go on a trip is so much easier than putting everything back into its proper place upon the return home!!  It felt so good to be reunited as a family that the task at hand became less overwhelming. 

We enjoyed Bible study as we sipped coffee, juice, or milk.  It was a crisp morning and a nature walk was the next order of the day.  The boys were excited to see the nearby creek flowing rather quickly and then our dogs jumping in for a swim.  They picked up rocks and sticks and anything that was of interest as we started the hike back up the winding road.


One is given many chances to be a man; one can be a boy but once.
                                                                                Emery Pottle


What we have a right to expect of the American boy is that he shall turn out to be a good American man.  The
boy can best become a good man by being a good boy-----not a goody-goody boy, but just a plain good boy..."Good," in the largest sense, should include whatever is fine, straightforward, clean, and manly.
                                                                                                                      Theodore Roosevelt



             
                                                                           

Home Sweet Home

We were met with only a brief delay as we started the trek toward home.  We were looking forward to lunch with Megan and Andrew on our way back home. 

We were delighted to share lunch and catch up with the newlyweds!  They are doing great and seem to have adjusted quite well to married life.  We are so thankful that they live close enough to visit from time to time.  The little guys have really had a difficult time with Megan not living at home now, especially Caleb.

We stayed a little longer than planned, o.k. a lot longer than we intended with Megan and Andrew.  We arrived back home after dark where we were greeted by smiling faces and a clean house!!  It was so good to see everyone and be back home.  There is truly no place like home!

Dinner and a Show...the Nashville Way!

We loaded up the truck and headed out for Nashville this morning.  The drive should have been around 3 hours but not today.  There was a wreck on I-40 so we had plenty of time to chat as we crawled along.  We pray that no one was badly hurt in the accident.

  We arrived in Nashville somewhat off schedule to be greeted by a motorcycle parade.  Another delay...oh well...it was a gorgeous day and we were soaking it in!


We enjoyed a romantic dinner at my new favorite restaurant....which we will only be able to visit on very special occasions!  It was lovely!  The atmosphere was wonderful, the food was great, and the service was amazing!

Then we headed off to the show!!  I have looked forward to this for a long time...ever since I was a kid!!  I can remember my mama listening to some of the folks that I saw tonight...and watching them on T.V.  I was so excited to finally be going to the "Opry"!!  My husband really did do his homework for this trip!!    

Little Jimmy Dickens hosted the first half of the show.  He is 88 and still going strong.  The Isaacs, a family group, who sing gospel were great.  I loved their acapella song, We Will Praise Him!   I will be looking for their CD.  Riders in The Sky, Jimmy C. Newman, The Whites, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, Gene Watson, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Sarah Buxton all preformed on the Opry stage.  


This was the best dinner and a show date night ever!!  This is an anniversary trip that we will cherish for years to come.  Our time together has been wonderful!  We have enjoyed good conversation,  strolls through the town, hiking on the nature trails, Cades Cove, The Biltmore Estate, and the Grand Ole Opry!  


I am so thankful for my soul mate...my best friend, and the love of my life!!  I cherish our time together and look forward to the days ahead!

The Simple Heart

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.
                                                                                                                                John 12:24-26 

I have been pondering much about a simple life and time these last few days.   We live in a culture that is bombarded with busyness, stress, and anything but simplicity!  God is so good...when I opened up my devotional book today, it was entitled, The Simple Heart.  

"Simplicity is not the absence of "things" or activities.  A simple heart can embrace activities with a deliberate attitude of accomplishment, knowing that the priorities have been guided by the Holy Spirit."

"Simplicity is also not a matter of style but rather an attitude of the heart.  A heart surrendered to Christ has a priority that impacts every thought and activity.  Compassion flows from our hearts and prompts us to provide for the needs of others.  Simplicity of emotions will purify our actions.  Words will be spoken more deliberately and anger will be replaced with patience."


"The mystery of creation that we see in the season of autumn reminds us that out of death comes life.  A falling leaf enriches the soil for the new sprout of spring.  Dying to self and living with Christ as our priority eternally enriches our lives.  It is the ultimate answer to all life's questions.  And it is the foundation for simplicity."                      Vonette Bright