Fishing

Papa (my dad) took Gabe and Zeb, my nephew, fishing. They had a great time and although they got a lot of nibbles, they didn't catch anything.

Gabe and Zeb are only three months different in age and they enjoy each other's company, usually spending a lot of time wrestling and playing some sport or other.

After fishing, Papa took the boys out to lunch and they met Uncle Walt there. It was a very full day.

Tree Swallows

The tree swallows are back. They are so beautiful with their iridescent blue/green color and their cute chortle song.

Of course, that also means plenty of squabbling over the bird houses, but we have plenty of houses around the yard and the swallows and bluebirds will sort it out and settle into good housekeeping.

Now if I could just get rid of the House Sparrows.

Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more entries.
For Today...April 14, 2010

Outside my window...beautiful spring day. The sky is blue and clear, the birds are singing and all the plants are bursting their buds.

I am thinking...about curriculum and what Gabe should work on next year. This has been a year of re-establishing some routine and normalcy in his homeschooling after a few years of upheaval. I am excited by the possibilities for this coming school year.

I am thankful for...second changes, and thirds and fourths, etc. God is so faithful to give me a brand new start each day to strive to follow Him more closely, to look to His plan and to enjoy His presence.

From the learning rooms...basics, basics, basics. That has been our theme for this year. Gabe is progressing well and we are getting caught up. Bess is winding down and getting ready to graduate. When did my little girl grow up?

From the kitchen...beef soup for dinner and maybe some home made bread...if I get motivated.

On my mind...so many things right now. What situation is best for all the children and for me...what project to tackle next on the house...my gardens, our camping trip this summer. I'm a bid of a jumble, but it is all good.

I am creating...a new fireman themed cross stitch block, continuing with my socks and hoping to start a new embroidery project.

I am going...to Gabe's boy's group, Bessie's piano lesson and to run a few errands. And in there somewhere, I hope to enjoy some outdoor time on this gorgeous day.

I am reading...Dorothy Sayers and Stepping Heavenward for a study I am doing.

I am hoping...that Dad's hand heals well from his injury. He cut the end of his little finger off yesterday while using the log splitter.

I am hearing...the birds singing outside, Gabe on the other computer and Bess in her room.

Around the house...always laundry in various stages and school books spread out on the table.

I am Pondering...
"Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments." Psalm 112:1

I have been thinking and praying a lot about being content with where God has me right now and about staying closer to Him. I tend to get off the trail and try and do my own thing, which only causes me untold trouble and then I complain about it all. I want to walk closely with God, day by day and be content in that walk and just enjoy the walk, even when it is a tougher trail, but knowing that I am walking with my God and am safe and secure in that place. Oh, I want to be there and not in this constant state of rebelling, coming back, rebelling again because things are not going the way I want them to go.

I am wearing...jeans and a long-sleeved red shirt.

One of my favorite things...an unexpected surprise...something out of the blue and pleasing.

Here is a picture I'd like to share

Easter Morning

We had a very full Easter morning. We headed up to the church for the breakfast at 7:30. What a terrific breakfast we had and sweet fellowship with our church family.

There was a time of praise and worship between the breakfast and the regular morning service. I enjoy singing with the praise and worship team.

Pastor gave a terrific message. I love our church family.

The annual Easter family photo session was a bit more comfortable this year than last. I can remember last year the weather being cold and windy. This year, it was warm and balmy.

Here is the best of the shots.

And of course we have to have a goofy one.

Green Eggs and Ham

We also celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday this week by making green eggs and ham and "pink ink" aka milk. We read some Dr. Seuss books and talked about some of the silly things in his books.

Yes, the eggs were really this green. Yummy!

Hannah's 9th Birthday

March 1st was Hannah's 9th birthday. Hannah is a tremendously cheery child and loves all sort of celebrations.

We had to spread her birthday out due to Brian's work schedule. Mom and Dad came over on Sunday the 28th and we had Shepherd's Pie and cake and ice cream.

Later in the week, we had our little family celebration. Hannah loved all her gifts and we enjoyed celebrating our little Hannah.

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Portland Head Lighthouse

It was only mid-afternoon when we left the "B" family. The weather was not that great, but I wanted very much to see the ocean before we left. Brian, always the wonderful husband that he is, readily agreed to stop someplace. We plugged in "Portland Head Lighthouse" into the GPS and headed out.

What a tremendous treat for me. The ocean was wild from the stormy weather. It was cold, snowing and windy, but my intrepid family ventured out in the elements. We had a grand time walking along the paths, exploring all the junk that had washed up onto the rocks and soaking up God's creation at it's finest (at least in my mind).

We were cautious about letting the children get too far out or close to the water as there were some very large waves coming in. I think Bess was the only one that got her feet wet and that was because her boots leaked.


Thankfully, we had brought along boots, hats and gloves. What a great group of children to tolerate and even enjoy their momma's need for crazy stops in all kind of weather.

I was one happy traveler.

This stop was the whipped cream on the dessert of a very full and fun weekend.

Visit with the "B" Family

We arrived at the "B" families late morning. It was so nice to meet baby Jae and to visit with Jon, Felicity, Randy, Fern and Angeline. Jae wasn't too keen on visitors yet, but he was so sweet and adorable, that we didn't hold it against him.

Angeline has changed so much since we saw her last. She was talkative, so sparkly and a delight to us all.


Jae, keeping a watchful eye from across the room. Felicity was on the phone and was very curious of what was going on, but did not want to join in. I can't say I blame him....new family, new home, new language, new food...absolutely everything different and very strange from what he had known. I'm sure all of us would be a bit insecure with the situation.

The rest of the gang had no trouble interacting and enjoying the company. Poor Fern had been sick during the night, so she was being very careful to not get too close to us. We were glad she was feeling better and could join us.

We brought gifts for Jae and the other children. He enjoyed the wrapping paper, just like all babies.

Even not feeling well, Fern is gorgeous and has one of the most lively personalities of any child I know.

We ordered out for pizza and then left the Beedes. Felicity's sister and her two boys arrived shortly before we left...talk about us all overwhelming the little guy.

It was wonderful to see them all, even if for a short visit. We will most definitely be planning another trip soon. Welcome to America, baby Jae!

A Hotel in Maine

After we left the museum on Friday afternoon, we headed up the coast to Maine. We decided to incorporate our visit with our SHS friends with a visit to the "B" family in Maine. They had just returned home from Korea with their newest family member and we were eagerly awaiting meeting him.

As anyone with a larger family knows, a lot of hotels will not allow so many in one room, so we booked a suite in a hotel in Portland. It was very nice with plenty of room for everyone to spread out. We do not often stay in hotels with most of our traveling being done with our camper. It was a treat for us all, perhaps with the exception of Brian who spends way too much time staying in hotels. Trying to make this a mini-vacation, we made sure there was a pool.

After a quick stop for a fast-food dinner, we got to the hotel, changed and headed to the pool. It was great. I spent most of my time in the hot tub, but did enjoy a swim with the kids. Rachel also thought the hot tub was the place to be. Poor Rachel is almost always cold and truly enjoyed the warmth of the hot tub.

Dan checking out the view. We were on the 5th floor. As you can tell by the sheets, we needed all available bed space, including the pull-out sofa.

We were right next to the airport, but it was extremely quiet. I guess being late Friday into Saturday and a stormy weekend, there was not a lot of air traffic. I know many flights up and down the east coast were canceled or detailed due the weather.

Museum Butterfly Garden

We did not do any of the extra shows or special exhibits at the museum, except the Butterfly Garden. Nothing seemed nicer to me on a cold February day than spending time in a warm, humid room full of lovely plants and butterflies.