Teeter Totter

Being a teenage girl carries with it certain emotional ups and downs.  You feel cool/you feel out of it, you are silly/you're too mature, you have the best family in the world/you can't believe you need to associate with these people, you're happy/you're sad, you're interested/you're bored...and on and on.

I must say, so far, Paige seems to be navigating these years relatively smoothly with some highs and lows along the way.  But for the most part we enjoy a spirited girl who isn't too grown-up to jump on a teeter totter with her mom...

... and laugh her head off.

(Paige said she had never been on a teeter totter until now.  Ohhhh...the fun our kids have missed out on!  I vote to throw safety to the wind and bring back the old-fashioned playground toys!)

Remembering to Give Thanks!

I am thankful for:

A golden turkey that was cooked by my mom and carved by my man!

Family that visits from far away! 

 Three wonderful children who can all cut their own food!

Stories told over meals.

A bountiful feast!

Pumpkin Pie!

 A grandmother's love.

A new nephew due to arrive on Christmas!

Relationship of father and daughter. 

 The women in my life and beautiful weather to enjoy!

The Glory of God in the heavens.

 

 Cousins!

Corrie!

A warm home filled with family!

A Drop of Golden Sun

Rae = A drop of golden sun

Taryn came home from school very excited because they sang the song Doe, A Deer in music class and she discovered that Rae (her middle name) means "a drop of golden sun."  I think she has always felt a little left out because she wasn't named after anyone.  Paige Lynae is named after my middle name of Lynn.  Carter Robert is named after his grandpa Robert.  We had no story to go along with Rae until now.  She told everyone in music class that her middle name was Rae, like in the song, and a boy in her class said "Taryn, you are just like a drop of golden sun."  What's more perfect than that?  

She certainly brightens our life!

Celebrating Life

Carter and Grandma in 2001

Great-Grandma Marian passed away this week at the age of 91.  Her funeral was Saturday morning.

Our son Carter turned 11 years old on Sunday.

And so, we celebrated life in two very distinct ways.  A funeral on the one hand, and a birthday party on the other.

One event brought tears as we said good-bye to such a dear lady.

The other, laughter, as we welcomed another year of life for our pre-teen boy.

And while different, these events celebrate the same thing....the gift of life from our heavenly Father and His faithfulness to all generations.

Grandma was the last of her generation.  Her husband, siblings, brother's and sister's in-law, all have gone on before her.  She also buried all three of her sons during her life-time...leaving behind her only daughter.  She was a woman of remarkable strength.  Continuing to live life with an optimistic outlook.  God was faithful despite her losses.  I will miss her greatly, but am thankful for the many years of her life I was privileged to share.

On Carter's birthday, we celebrated the gift of his life and I gave thanks for the 11 years so far that I've been able to love him and enjoy him.

Psalm 103 was read at Grandma's funeral.  Verse 17 says "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children."

Praise be to God!

Savoring the Color

Feasting my eyes on the last of the glorious fall color before winter arrives here in the northern plains, bringing with it a colorless landscape.

Because it's Wednesday

Sometimes life's just more fun as a Sumo Wrestler.

As the Sun Rises...God Speaks

Psalm 19:1-4

The Heaven's declare the glory of God;

   the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

   night after night they reveal knowledge. 

They have no speech, they use no words; 

   no sound is heard from them. 

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, 

   their words to the ends of the world. 

Here's what to do with Rotting Pumpkins

Target Practice!

I think Carter was hoping for a little more exploding action...but it was good practice trying to shoot the little pellets into the shriveled eyes and mouth.

The Fruit of my Labor

My garden produced more tomatoes than I could have imagined this summer.  It is November and I am still dealing with all the fruit.  This is a good problem to have.  We have loved them fresh and we haven't been without fresh salsa for 4 months now.  I have also frozen enough to use for soup and chili through the winter.  And I learned to make a wonderful Roasted Tomato and Balsamic Spaghetti Sauce.  Oh yeah -- I'm a regular old Martha Stewart and  I have the pictures to prove it! 

To Bless the Busy Moms

I share this picture only as my way of encouraging all the busy moms who are perhaps feeling like their house is a mess and they can't quite get on top of it all...now you know...YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

Does anyone else have dust so thick their children are leaving them messages in it? (Perhaps I am alone in this :)) .  Oh well...I'm doing the best I can.

October Rose

Still Blooming!

The kids bought me three rose bushes for Mother's Day this year which we planted on the south side of our house.  I had no idea that they would still be producing such beautiful blooms at the end of October!