Sisters, so thankful!

Paula, you are due with number eight and look at you! Your daughter Sydney took this beaituful shot and it captures your beauty in so many ways. You have said YES to the Lord in so many ways and this is one of them....babies. God has you on a journey to glority Him and you are. I am thankful for you and proud of you!! Always praying for you!!

Charmaine, you are the queen of driving and surprising. You made it all the way here when Sara was born (almost five years ago can you believe it!?) and then for my fortieth birthday party! You simply amaze me. Twelve to fourteen hours in a car with kids is tricky and you did it for me! Thank you again and again!

You live your life to glorify God. You have a home full of life and five children. You make it work and inspire me to keep on keeping on when I don't feel like it! Thank you for living out your life so I can learn!

My sisters are a gift and today I am profoundly grateful!

Day of discovery

photo by Chris

by Chris

by Chris

By Chris

We put the books aside for hours in the morning today! Jack slept (not feeling great) and the rest of us followed the mass of butterflies that must have all been released from hiding all at once. Move over butterfly conservatory !! The warm wind blew an excitement that we could not contain. We ran to the creek and life was in abundance. That made my day so precious. Some days don't feel like that, parts of mine today were redeemed by God's gift of nature! Thank you Lord.

The gift of discovering this world with my children is what I was made for...

Moments

rewarded for efforts made on the ice

the newness of life, hours old and running free

A new business Christina started, our girls get to wear them!! Love it, so cute!

precious onlookers of the newborn foal

older brother, baby sister

teaching her new baby to walk, trot and gallop

I could watch her all day. The mare that adores her new baby! I can't explain it except that she cherished her young in a way that made my heart burst!

These are some of my moments!

Vintage Style

I am grateful that my children are here. Simple as that.Taking this photo walks me down memory lane as I recall doing this for Sara too. My MIL wore this when she was a baby and has since passed it along. Funny,  don't recall if I had this for Samantha because I can't find any pictures! Sorry eldest daughter!

This style to me is precious, not as much as the wee frame that fits perfectly in the lace.

Gifts that last....

My gift to Katie is the same as it is for the other two young girls in our home. To raise godly women that celebrate Christ first. How do I do that? How do I share that gift daily?

Firstly, I have found over the years that when you surround yourself with women that truly love and serve the Lord you can't help but enable your daughters to see this is not just a fabricated idea you created. Other women and young girls know the love of Christ too and can live it out in front of them and speak truth.

Secondly, allowing our conversations to be intentional. Constantly weaving biblical truths in our day. Such as this morning! Samantha went from messy bedhead to (We call our hair time hair salon, not really that creative, but it means taking time to care for your body!!) soft, elegant shiny hair! We just took some time to concentrate on the outside and as I used the flat iron, dryer and brush we also talked about her heart. Honestly, she did not want to be there at all. She was immeresed in a game I just bought from the homeschool convention and she did not want to stop. Unwillingly she complied and we overall had a great discussions from hair to heart. It does not have to be contrived, it can just happen!

Thirdly, admitting my sin and really walking away from it, turning and making a change. That is hard. I feel as though I need a small recording device close by to say,"I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" They hear it often enough! But I have to mean it and be different. Then they will truly see that I am serious about my faith.

This style of parenting will leave a lasting impression. I think of this vintage dress and the impression it leaves when I look at it and even touch it, beautiful style and precious, intricate design. Is my parenting beautiful, precious and intricate?

This is what is on my heart this rainy, but so green and lush day.